Chef-Driven Catering for Intimate Dinners and Cocktail Events

The French Cowboy provides private chef catering for hosts who want restaurant-quality food without standard banquet packages. Chef Philippe Schmit creates custom menus and manages on-site preparation and service for:

• • • Seated dinners at home or at a venue (approximately 2–40 guests).
    • Cocktail parties with passed hors d’oeuvres (approximately 10–250 guests).
    • Private celebrations where the menu, presentation, and service matter as much as the guest list.

Every menu is customized to the season, your preferences, and your guests’ dietary needs.

Request Your Custom Catering Quote

What Is Private Chef Catering?

Private chef catering sits between a traditional caterer and a full-time household chef. Instead of choosing from preset packages or buffet lines, you work directly with a chef to:

• • • Design a custom menu around your event, tastes, and dietary requirements.
    • Prepare food on-site (when the venue allows) for freshness and quality.
    • Provide refined service, whether that’s a plated dinner or elegant passed hors d’oeuvres.
    • Handle setup, service, and cleanup so you can focus on your guests.

This model is ideal for hosts who want the quality and personalization of a private chef with the flexibility to serve larger groups than a typical in-home dinner.

Seated Dinner Event Catering Services(2-40 Guests)

For intimate dinners, rehearsal meals, and small celebrations, the service is structured like a private chef experience:

• • • Custom multi-course menu designed for your occasion.
    • On-site preparation in your kitchen or venue kitchen.
    • Plated or family-style service with attention to timing and presentation.
    • Coordination with your planner or venue as needed.
    • Kitchen reset and cleanup after the event.
    • This option works well for:
    • Small wedding receptions and rehearsal dinners.
    • Anniversary and birthday celebrations.
    • Holiday dinners and family gatherings.
    • Corporate or VIP dinners in a private setting.

For larger seated events, an event planner may need to be involved to coordinate staffing, rentals, and venue logistics.

Cocktail Party Catering (10–250 Guests)

For larger gatherings where guests mingle rather than sit for a formal dinner, chef-driven cocktail event catering services provides:

• • • Passed hors d’oeuvres and canapés prepared from scratch.
    • Seasonal, chef-crafted bites that reflect your tastes and the occasion.
    • Elegant presentation and consistent quality across a large guest count.
    • Coordination with servers and event staff for smooth service.
    • Support with rentals and equipment as needed.

This format is suitable for:

• • • Wedding cocktail hours and reception appetizers.
    • Corporate events and client appreciation parties.
    • Holiday parties and seasonal celebrations.
    • Launch events, galas, and private receptions.

While the chef may not plate a full seated dinner for 200+ guests, the kitchen can produce high-quality, chef-driven small plates and passed items at scale, often with additional staff and support.

Custom Menus and Dietary Accommodations

Every event catering services menu is built around:

• • • The season and ingredient availability.
    • Your preferences and the style of your event.
    • Your guests’ dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, low-sugar, dairy-free, and allergy-specific requirements.

There are no fixed packages or laminated menus. Each event receives a tailored proposal that reflects the occasion, guest count, and desired level of formality.

Service, Staffing, and Rentals

Depending on the event, your catering experience may include:

• • • Professional servers and assistants.
    • Wine and beverage suggestions to complement the menu.
    • Guidance on rentals (tables, chairs, linens, serving pieces).
    • Use of some china, dishware, and glasses for smaller parties, when available.
    • Chef-provided kitchen equipment (pots, pans, and essential tools).
    • Bread and French butter service.

Your proposal will clarify what is included and what may need to be arranged through your planner, venue, or a rental company.

How Private Chef Catering Works

Step 1. Confirm Your Date and Event Details

Share your date, location, guest count, and the type of event (seated dinner, cocktail party, or combination).

Step 2. Establish a Preliminary Budget

Discuss your overall budget range so the menu and service level can be designed appropriately.

Step 3. Review Menu Concepts

You’ll receive several menu options to give you a sense of style, courses, and possible dishes.

Step 4. Site Walk-Through (When Needed)

For home events or new venues, a walk-through helps confirm parking, loading, kitchen access, space usage, timing, and flow of the evening.

Step 5. Refine the Menu and Service Plan

A first draft menu and event recap are sent after the walk-through, including details on staffing, china, table setup, and timeline.

Step 6. Confirm Staffing and Pre-Order Ingredients

Servers and assistants are scheduled, and any special ingredients or rentals are pre-ordered as needed.

Step 7. Finalize Menu, Wine Pairings, and Budget

The final menu, wine suggestions (if desired), and total cost are confirmed before the event.

Step 8. Pre-Event Reminder

You’ll receive a reminder of what is needed to ensure the event runs smoothly (kitchen access, timing, table layout, etc.).

Step 9. Preparation and Cooking

Food is prepared from scratch, often over several days, to ensure quality and consistency.

Step 10. Event Day Setup and Service

Servers arrive to set the table; the chef arrives approximately 90 minutes before service to finalize preparation and oversee plating or hors d’oeuvres.

Step 11. Cleanup

The kitchen and work areas are cleaned and left in good order before departure.

When Chef-Driven Catering Is the Right Choice

Chef-driven catering is a strong fit when you want:

• • • A custom menu rather than a standard catering package.
    • Restaurant-quality food prepared with fine-dining technique.
    • On-site cooking and fresh preparation when possible.
    • Refined service for either seated dinners or cocktail-style events.
    • A more personal, curated experience than traditional banquet catering.

If your priority is primarily high-volume, low-cost buffet service for hundreds of guests, a traditional caterer may be a better match. If you value food quality, customization, and presentation, chef-driven catering is designed for that.

The French Cowboy: Private Chef Catering in Houston

The French Cowboy brings private-chef-caliber cooking and service to catering clients in Houston and surrounding areas. Chef Philippe Schmit combines:

• • • Training in Michelin two-star kitchens in Paris.
    • Recognition as a Master Chef of France.
    • Experience leading acclaimed Houston restaurants such as Philippe Restaurant + Lounge and Bistro Moderne at Hotel Derek.

Catering with The French Cowboy is: Chef-driven: Every menu is created and executed by Philippe and his team.

Custom: No preset packages; menus are built around your event and guests.

Flexible: Seated dinners for 2-40 guests; cocktail parties from 10 up to 250 guests.

Full-service: From menu planning and shopping to cooking, service, and cleanup. This is not drop-off catering or bulk buffet service. It is a private chef approach applied to events, whether that’s an intimate dinner at home or a large cocktail reception at a venue.  

Frequently Asked Questions

1: What types of events do you cater?

The French Cowboy provides chef-driven catering for seated dinners, cocktail parties, rehearsal dinners, small weddings, anniversary and birthday celebrations, holiday gatherings, corporate events, and private receptions in Houston.

2: What is the minimum and maximum guest count?

Seated dinners are typically offered for approximately 2–40 guests. Cocktail parties with passed hors d’oeuvres can accommodate larger groups, from about 10 up to 250 guests, depending on the venue and menu.

3: Do you work with event planners and venues?

Yes. For larger events and galas, The French Cowboy can coordinate with your event planner and venue team on logistics, staffing, rentals, kitchen access, and timeline.

4: Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. Menus can be adapted for gluten-free, vegetarian, vegan, low-sugar, dairy-free, and allergy-specific needs. Please share all dietary requirements during the planning process.

5: Do you provide servers and staff?

Professional servers and assistants can be arranged as part of your catering proposal. Staffing levels depend on the guest count, menu, and service style.

6: Do you provide china, glassware, and linens?

For smaller parties, some china, dishware, and glasses may be available at no additional cost. For larger events, rentals may be recommended or required. Your proposal will outline what is included and what should be arranged separately.

7: How is catering priced?

Every event is quoted individually based on guest count, menu complexity, number of courses, ingredients, service style, staffing, venue, and any rental needs. Contact The French Cowboy with your event details to receive a custom proposal.1

Let’s plan your event: