The Gourmet Guide

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Introduction: The gourmet guide provides online and in-person private and personal chef experiences, showcasing a unique style of cooking and delivery. Our mission is to provide you with all the tools required to have an outstanding restaurant quality home cooking and eating experience anywhere in the world. Though this endeavor is more recent, it is in addition to 12 years of New York City restaurant industry experience.

Overview

Hired 4 times

Background checked

1 employee

4 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Samsung Pay, Venmo, and Zelle.

Social media

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Featured Projects

36 photos

Private Birthday Celebration
Personal Chef

Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.

Exceptional 5.0

6 reviews

100%

Ramona F.

Jul 10, 2020

My experience with Chef Dwane was very professional, punctual and very responsible, has he demonstrated with great quality and knowledge of his products and execution of teaching our event participants how to produce high quality entrees in a demanding environment that we live in. Beginning how to shop for first quality food and how to prepare in 30 minutes time. He is very personable and engaging, has it is evident his love and passion for the culinary is contagious!

Stacey B.

Jul 6, 2020

Chef Duane did a very small private event for me and a guest. I hired a private chef for this dinner is because I needed to impress a possible client. He promised to make it a memorable event and boy did he deliver! At the last minute (literally the day before), my guest let me know that she was vegan. I was totally stressed out, but Chef Duane didn’t even bat an eye. He suggested possible changes to the menu, told me not to worry, and ended up making something absolutely delicious! It was so pretty too. Lol I took a pic of the salad cuz it seemed too pretty to eat. My client was definitely impressed. Totally worth it!

Courtney M.

Sep 21, 2020

Hired on Thumbtack

Chef Duane cooked for a group of us at a private residence as part of a bachelorette celebration. Working with him was a pleasure from the start. His menu suggestions were appealing and he was accommodating of changes and substitutions to create a menu that was personalized to our taste. He was responsive through the entire planning process and even offered wine pairing suggestions for our meal at our request. On-site he was professional and we really enjoyed our conversations with him. The food was incredible - full of flavor and beautifully presented. He was happy to answer our questions and even provided us with some of the recipes after. I would absolutely recommend working with Chef Duane to anyone looking to create a one of a kind experience for a special occasion.

Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Standard (basic ingredients) • Cold beverages (alcoholic) • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • American - casual • Italian • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.

Personal Chef

Kristin H.

Sep 8, 2020

Hired on Thumbtack

Duane is amazing! I had a vision of what I wanted and he brought it to life. He is kind, polite, respectful and his cooking skills are A+! Adding the wine pairing was an amazing decision. We will 100% be hiring him again. Photos to come.

Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 2 guests • Dinner • Standard (basic ingredients) • Cold beverages (alcoholic) • Dessert • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • American - formal • Italian • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.

Personal Chef

Lisa l.

Nov 10, 2020

Hired on Thumbtack

Had a great experience with Chef Duane. He came to do a cooking lesson in the home and brought everything we needed. He was knowledgeable about meal we were cooking as well as an excellent instructor on a variety of cooking skills! We had a great meal and a lot of fun!! I would ABSOLUTELY recommend Duane for catering or teaching, very talented snd interesting guy. We are already planning our next cooking class with Chef Duane!! Can’t wait!!

Details: 3 - 5 people • Chinese • Southeast Asian • Soups and sauces • Roasting and braising • Grilling • No dietary restrictions • Adult (over 18) • Intermediate • My home, venue, etc.

Private Cooking Lessons

Credentials

Background Check

Duane Ward

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Prices are for services offered. However, ingredients are extra and in the case of large events, rentals may be charged as well. the cost also varied based on the complexity of the menu.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
We would connect to discuss the occasion. After determining the style of event, we would go over important must haves as well as tastes preferred. Once this is confirmed, we would discuss logistics. We would do a few check ups as the event approached and solidify numbers 1 week prior. 3 days prior, we would finalize any last minute details.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Classically trained at the New York Restaurant School. I gained many additional skills as well as honed others throughout the years being in the field.