Creating the Perfect Dinner Party: La Belle Assiette

I’d never considered myself one to have a private chef over - in fact, I actually love hosting and cooking for people. It’s the simple things - I love having a reason to have people round given I live alone, so hosting is a favourite of mine and trying recipes is great fun.

But when the opportunity arose, I couldn’t turn it down and curiosity definitely got the better of me. 

La Belle Assiette was founded to make entertaining at home truly enjoyable. They bring talented chefs into your kitchen so you can enjoy hosting dinners, without the stress of cooking or cleaning. The concept of having someone I didn’t know come and cook was a little unnerving - until I met Bonita who was the chef for the evening.

Instantly any reservations I had were gone with Bonita making me feel super comfortable with her friendly nature and chatty approach. 

Her menu was entirely vegan, which I try to avoid meat as much as I can so this was great, and was largely a sharing meal with a real focus on produce which was in season, and even from the her allotment providing vegetables that were truly fresh. 

We’d discussed the menu beforehand, ensuring neither my guests nor myself had any dietary requirements and Bonita decided on a menu. To start it would be butternut squash, red lentil and coconut soup with a sweetcorn fritter and burnt chilli jam. 

We’d then move onto butter beans, burst tomatoes, garlic and black pepper courgettes, gremolata and aioli, cauliflower and red pepper olive oil hummus, watercress and rocket shallots and crumbs and then pitta bread and pickles. 

To finish a warm chocolate brownie with boozy blackberries and coconut yoghurt. 

All I had to do was set the table, invite the guests and relax. The entire menu was incredible, tasty and worked incredibly well with Bonita talking us through each course, how it was made and answering any questions we had. A personal favourite? Garlic and black pepper courgettes - truly some of the freshest food I have ever eaten with just the most incredible flavours.

When we had finished, and believe me we were all so incredibly full as portion sizes are generous, Bonita had tidied everything away leaving nothing for me to do...a welcomed treat after many times having to tidy up after! 

The entire evening, from start to finish, was seamlessly easy, enjoyable and a breath of fresh air. It’s something I’d truly recommend to take away the stress from you so you can enjoy your evening. 

La Belle Assiette from £39 to £89 per person, depending on the menu, and provides everything you could need. 

If you want to book your own chef, please head to: https://labelleassiette.co.uk/