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Ideal for family gatherings, group holidays, lodge stays and friends’ reunions, private dining is a simple way to make your time together feel even more special.

Matt @ Crab Apple

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A Private Chef Experience for Holiday Groups

Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want one memorable meal during your stay, our private dining service offers a more personal and relaxed alternative to going out.

We come to your accommodation, cook in your kitchen, and create a dining experience that feels relaxed, enjoyable, and tailored to your group.

Shared Stays and Group Weekends

Family and friends enjoying a private dining experience during a group holiday

Private dining works particularly well for:

  • family birthday meals
  • anniversary celebrations
  • group holidays
  • lodge and holiday home stays
  • friends’ reunions

A Relaxed Alternative to Eating Out

Restaurant-quality private dining meal prepared by a private chef

Instead of organising taxis, booking restaurants, or cooking for a large group yourselves, you can stay exactly where you are and enjoy a freshly prepared meal together in comfort.

We bring the ingredients, preparation and professional service, so you can focus on relaxing, catching up, and making the most of your time together.

What’s Included in Our Private Dining Service

Our private dining offering is designed to make things easy from start to finish.

We Cook in Your Kitchen

We prepare and cook your meal on site using your accommodation’s kitchen, allowing the whole experience to feel relaxed, personal, and perfectly suited to your setting.

Whether you’re staying in a holiday lodge, a large rental property, or hosting friends and family at home, we bring the ingredients, expertise, and attention to detail needed to create a memorable dining experience.

Our team handles the preparation, cooking, service, and clear-up, so you can simply enjoy great food and quality time together.

Private chef plating dishes during an exclusive dining experience
Guests enjoying a freshly prepared private dining meal together

Menus Tailored to Your Group

We can advise on menu options that suit your group size, dietary requirements, and the kind of evening you want to create.

Whether you’re looking for relaxed sharing dishes, elegant multi-course dining, or a canapé-led social evening, we’ll help build a menu that feels right for your occasion, your guests, and your setting.

From family celebrations to holiday weekends away, every menu is designed to feel personal, memorable, and genuinely enjoyable.

We Leave the Kitchen Clean and Tidy

One of the biggest benefits of private dining is being able to enjoy the evening without worrying about cooking, clearing away, or facing a kitchen full of washing up afterwards.

Once your meal is finished, we take care of the service, clean down the kitchen, and leave everything tidy and ready for the rest of your stay.

It’s all part of creating a relaxed, hassle-free dining experience so you can focus on your guests, your celebration, and making the most of your time together. 

Kitchen being cleaned after a private dining experience

Perfect for Celebrations and Special Occasions

Private dining is ideal when you want something a little more memorable than a standard meal out.

Ideal for Family Celebrations

Family and friends enjoying a private dining celebration together
A lovely option for birthdays, anniversaries, and multigenerational family stays.

Make Your Group Holiday Feel Special

Friends and family enjoying a private chef experience during a group holiday
Perfect for groups wanting one special evening together during a weekend or longer break.

Lodge and Holiday Home Dining

Guests enjoying private dining at a lodge or holiday home
A great fit for lodge stays where you want quality food without leaving your accommodation.

Still looking for somewhere to stay? Visit Dorset has a useful guide to group-friendly accommodation in Dorset.

Minimum Group Size

To make private dining practical and cost-effective, we recommend this service for groups of 6 or more.

private dining group-size Dorset catering

If you’re close to that number and unsure whether your group is suitable, feel free to get in touch, and we can advise.

Sample Menus for Private Dining

Our private dining menus can be adapted to suit your group and occasion. We can also draw from our existing canapé and event menus to create something that works well in a private setting.

Canapé-Style Options

A great choice for more social, informal evenings where guests can graze and relax.

Seated Dining Menus

Ideal for a more structured meal where everyone sits down together and enjoys a shared dining experience.

Flexible Menu Planning

If you already have something in mind, we’ll be happy to discuss menu preferences and help shape the right option for your group.

Private Dining Gallery

Planning a Private Dining Evening in Dorset?

Whether you’re staying in a holiday cottage, lodge, large rental property or family home, we can help you create a relaxed private dining experience without the stress of organising a restaurant booking, arranging taxis or cooking for the whole group. You can view our Dorset catering menus for inspiration, or contact our Dorset catering team to talk through your group size, location and the kind of meal you have in mind.

We take food safety seriously and you can view our food hygiene rating here.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you offer private dining in holiday homes and lodges in Dorset?
Yes, our private dining service is ideal for holiday homes, lodges, rental properties and private accommodation across Dorset. We come to your location, cook in your kitchen and create a relaxed dining experience for your group.
What is included in your private dining service?
Our private dining service can include menu planning, ingredients, preparation, cooking, service and clear-up. We aim to make the whole experience simple and enjoyable, so you can spend time with your guests rather than worrying about the food or washing up.
How many people do you cater for with private dining?
We usually recommend private dining for groups of 6 or more, as this makes the service more practical and cost-effective. If your group is close to this number, please get in touch and we’ll be happy to advise.
Do you cook in our kitchen?
Yes, we can prepare and cook your meal on site using your accommodation’s kitchen. This works well for holiday cottages, lodges, large rental houses and private homes. We can discuss the kitchen setup with you before confirming the booking.
Can you create a menu for our group?
Yes, we can help shape a menu around your group size, dietary requirements, occasion and preferred style of dining. This could include relaxed sharing dishes, canapé-style options, seated dining or a more structured multi-course meal.
Can you cater for dietary requirements?
Yes, we can discuss dietary requirements as part of your enquiry. Please let us know about any allergies, intolerances or specific dietary needs when you contact us, so we can advise on suitable menu options.
Is private dining a good option for a group holiday?
Yes, private dining is a great option for group holidays, family weekends, lodge stays and friends’ reunions. It gives you a special meal to enjoy together without having to organise taxis, book a restaurant or cook for a large group yourselves.
Do you clean up afterwards?
Yes, clear-up is part of the service. Once your meal is finished, we clean down the kitchen and leave everything tidy, so you can carry on enjoying your evening.
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We booked private dining for a family weekend away, and it was honestly one of the highlights of the trip. The food was fantastic, and it was so nice to just sit back and enjoy the evening together without worrying about cooking or clearing up. Everything felt really relaxed but still special.
Sarah Williams
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Enquire About Private Dining

If you’re planning a group stay and would like to enjoy a private chef experience in your accommodation, we’d love to hear from you.

Tell us a little about your group, where you’re staying, and the sort of meal you have in mind, and we’ll come back to you with options.