Testimonials
Jeff Parks, ormond beach, fl
Birthday Celebration Dinner Party, August 2025
“Thank you, Chef Ryan, for a fantastic evening, enjoyed by all!
You are a true talent, and we all appreciated your hard work not only the night of the event but with all the resourcing beforehand.
You were so easy to work with, and your list of cuisine choices in the planning phase was truly impressive. I highly recommend you and cannot wait to work with you again in the future.”
Event Notes
For this champagne and caviar themed dinner party, I really wanted every detail to feel thoughtful and elevated. I designed custom printed menus with a seafood and caviar theme that tied everything together, along with premium name cards at each place setting so guests felt a sense of personalization the moment they sat down. I also created small framed cards for the canapé selections and for the caviar station, which added a fun little design detail while keeping everything cohesive. On top of that, I handled all the equipment hire such as plates, cutlery, glassware, and was able to take this burden off the hosts, so that they could relax and let me handle everything. I also purchased some specialty decorative pieces for the caviar station and also made sea themed candles decorated with shells. The goal was to create a seamless, premium experience that felt tailored to the celebration, and it came together beautifully.
Ashley Lentz, Ormond Beach, FL
Dinner Party, September 2025
"Thank you for an unbelievable evening! Everyone had such a wonderful time, and the food was absolutely spectacular”
Gary harpole, daytona beach shores, fl
“Ryan put together an incredible evening for me and my guest. The setting was already great, but he took it to another level, hanging lights from the pagoda, setting up the table with style, and even putting together the perfect playlist.
Everything looked sharp and well thought out from the candles and flowers to the custom menus. The vegan dinner he cooked was outstanding, flavorful, creative, and beautifully plated.
The whole night came together perfectly. It was relaxed, classy, and memorable. Everyone who’s seen the photos and videos can’t believe how good it looked. Ryan, you absolutely nailed it.”
Candlelit Vegan Dinner Overlooking Halifax River
Event Notes
For Gary’s private dinner, I designed and executed the entire setup to create a memorable evening by the water. I installed ambient string lighting on the existing pagoda, arranged floral décor, candles, and lanterns, and sourced the table and linens to achieve a refined yet relaxed aesthetic. I also curated a custom playlist to enhance the mood and styled the table with coastal-inspired details, seashells, coral, and printed menus, including a German translation for his guest who was visiting . The multi-course vegan menu was crafted and prepared from scratch, blending elegance with fresh, thoughtful flavors for an unforgettable dining experience.
Gourmet Vegan Dinner Menu
14th October 2025
To start, Served at sunset under the pagoda
Canapés & Mocktails
Locally Foraged Prickly pear, Watermelon & Freshly Squeezed Orange Juice Spritzer, Served with a Selection of Canapés
***
Wild mushroom Bruschetta, Vegan Cream Cheese
Fresh Fig, honey and vegan Cream Cheese Served Warm in Crispy Filo Pastry Tartlets.
Crispy Sushi Rice Squares topped with Spicy “Tuna” (Sushi Seasoned Marinated Watermelon) & Avocado Tartare, Passion Fruit & Lime Vinaigrette, Micro Shoots.
Appetizer
Crispy Deep-Fried Panko Crusted Avocado Served with a Sweet and Spicy Vegan Mayo Sauce & Zesty Arugula, Spinach, Radicchio & Vegan Feta Cheese Salad.
Entrée
Slow roasted honey & Prickly Pear Glazed Asian Sweet Potato Wellington, Encased in Spinach, a Rich and Flavorful Mushroom Duxelles, Surrounded by a Light and Flaky Vegan Pastry, served with a rich Onion and Portobello Mushroom Sauce, Decadent vegan pommes puree and pan seared asparagus, basil infused Olive oil dressing.
Dessert
Chilled Coconut cream Riz Au Lait, Caramelized Crème Brule Style, Served with grilled fresh pineapple, Passion Fruit Sorbet, locally foraged prickly pear foam, chiffonade of fresh mint, vanilla Tuile cookies.
Paquette Family, ormond beach, fl
“We had the most wonderful evening celebrating my daughter’s 30th birthday. The entire meal was exceptional, she said it was the best she’s ever had! Every course was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. The cake was truly the best we’ve ever tasted. It was such a special night for our family, and we’re still reminiscing (and enjoying leftover cake for breakfast!). Thank you for creating such a memorable experience.”
Event Notes
For this intimate 30th birthday celebration, I prepared a multi-course dinner for a close family gathering at the client’s home. Since it was a last-minute booking, we began the evening with an artisan charcuterie board instead of canapés — a relaxed but thoughtful way to start the night. The menu was built around comforting, seasonal dishes with a few elegant touches. One guest had a dairy allergy, so I recreated both the risotto and dessert with dairy-free ingredients so they could enjoy the same meal as everyone else. The evening concluded with a homemade birthday cake, presented with a dramatic dry ice smoke effect for an unforgettable finale.
Kelsie Duty & Family, Aspen, CO
"Chef Ryan went above and beyond for my father’s memorial. Despite the home being under construction with no working kitchen, he created an incredible meal and warm environment. One guest even joked, 'Will you cater for my memorial when I die?' His food truly brought comfort, love, and togetherness during a difficult time."
(Celebration of life hot and cold buffet, catered on location in Aspen)
David & Erika Frankfort, Houston, TX
“We were so thrilled you flew in to be with us, the food was incredible! Our entire family has been messaging us about how amazing everything was all weekend.”
(Private weekend gathering: Two brunches & a dinner buffet, catered on location in Houston)
Ed Bosarge Former Employer
“Chef Ryan consistently delivered exceptional, health-conscious meals during his many years as my personal chef. His attention to detail, creativity, and professionalism made every dining experience outstanding. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a world-class private chef.”