TESTIMONIALS


Here’s what some of our clients say about our personalized catering services …
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to arrange your own corporate or private event.


It was a great evening!! There were many, many compliments about the party and especially about your food. Everyone had a wonderful time. One of our guests said that it was without qualification the best dinner party he'd ever attended. Thanks for making our evening such a memorable event for everybody.

  -- Steve and Maurie Louis, Livermore


Thank you for catering our house party.  The guests were extremely pleased with your food, and it was undoubtedly the highlight of the evening.

-- Mark Joffe, Albany

Chef Dan was an incredible addition to my 'invitation only' open house.  Not only did he provide delicious finger foods, his presence during the open house added an air of sophistication and really impressed my clients, the sellers of the home.  I recommend him to anyone looking to cater a special event.

-- Suzanne Looker, J. Rockcliff Realtors, Walnut Creek

Jim and I can’t thank you enough for providing the perfect food for our 25th Wedding Anniversarycelebration. You and I only had a couple of brief conversations about what we had in mind – a buffet dinner for 20 at our home in Berkeley - and you simply nailed it!  The appetizers were visually beautiful and the flavors off-the-charts.  While we and our guests were swept away in ebullient conversation in the living room, you were unobtrusively doing your thing in the kitchen and on the grill outside, so that when we entered the dining room to eat, we were all surprised to see this magnificent candlelit meal awaiting us. No wonder we all burst into spontaneous applause when we saw you emerge from the kitchen!  This was an event and a meal we will always savor. Thank you, Dan.


-- Jim and Bonnie Bell, Bell Investment Advisors, Oakland/Berkeley

It is a pleasure to work with Chef Dan.  The food is delicious and he takes all the worry out of the many events that we host.

-- Jamie, Walnut Creek


Since my cocktail party last night I have recommended Chef Dan to three of my friends already! The food was exquisite, all 15 of my guests agreed. Everything was wonderful and very creative and he exudes the utmost in professionalism. Chef Dan was incredibly flexible andwent withthe “flow” of the party which allowed the party to develop organically. It was a pleasure to have the talented Chef Dan in my kitchen.

-- Susan Best, Montclair

The first line of Chef Dan’s website says:    

    ”Creating unforgettable small gatherings in your home with exquisite cuisine and unrivaled care.”

I can truly say that Dan walks his talk. A friend who had seen his presentation recommended him. She had no hesitancy in giving us Dan’s name for the surprise birthday dinner we wanted to give our son and his wife.  What can you give someone who has everything?  A lovely quiet dinner in their home was our answer with Chef Dan orchestrating the entire evening. His presence was nearly invisible except for serving and pacing himself to our leisurely timing; he worked in the kitchen creating food that far surpassed the dinner we’d had a week before at an internationally famous restaurant in Yountville.  The many unusual tastes were exquisite, and the presentation a delight to behold.  Our china and crystal were handled with the utmost care and the kitchen was spotless when Chef Dan left. It was a memorable evening that will linger on and on.

-- Tom and Ruby MacDonald, Lafayette, CA


Thank you very much for the wonderful catering you provided for our wedding event.Cheese Melody  The hors d’oeuvres of seared duck breast with asparagus tapenade and seared scallops with saffron aioli were a hit.  The main course of salmon with roasted potato and artichoke hearts was also delicious.  We received many compliments.  

Your barman was attentive and charming.  Your servers were also top notch and your staff’s teamwork made for smooth service.  Many guests commented on the courtesy and professionalism of your team on top of the quality and innovativeness of your dishes.  Thank you!

I can’t say enough how grateful we are to you for making this a flawless and memorable experience.  I must say I am inspired to have another event soon so you will hear from us again.

-- Robert and Philippe, San Francisco

Food prepared for a wedding

Thank you for providing such a wonderful lunch for Diane's and my wedding reception on August 24, 2008. Many guests, including my Australian chef brother, told me the food was very tasty. They appreciated the healthy and colorful California menu of fresh pasta and grain salads, lean chicken and salmon, and grilled summer vegetables. Everything was marinaded, cooked, and sauced perfectly. The buffet looked beautiful, and many guests returned for plentiful seconds. Our guests also praised the servers, who were very responsive to their needs. You paid close attention to our desires when you worked up the menu, and provided a tasty meal that confirmed our decision to hire you. Our guests still rave about the food!

-- Rosemary Wood and Diane Reilly Oakland, California



We had a very positive experience with Chef Dan.  He was extremely easy to work with, came up with creative and tasty recipes on a reasonable budget, brought in some very capable staff to help out, and saw our event through from start to finish.  It was a great relief to me to know that the food was one aspect of the party I didn’t have to worry about at all!

-- Stuart Rosenthal, Piedmont
Tamarind Seared Duck Breast with Mango-Corn Salsa
The catered lunch you provided to our office during tax season was delicious, beautifully presented, and was just what we needed during our busy tax season.  Thank you again.

-- Phil Winslow, C.P.A., Walnut Creek

Dan listened to my ideas, and with his expertise came up with a perfect menu and format.  Dan is versatile in his cuisine selections, flexible, and adaptive to any venue.  Exceptional, tasty, delicious food.  The presentation was beautiful, Dan's service (food and wine) was excellent, and Dan is a very nice, warm, comfortable person to have around. 

-- Elizabeth Hughey, Walnut Creek

Great food, great service.

-- Steve Palsa, Minuteman Press, Lafayette

Chef Dan took our initial concept for an open house and developed it into something special.

-- Michael Jakola, CEO, Editions Limited, Emeryville


We wanted to give our daughter and her fiancé a memorable Engagement Party in our small backyard garden. With the help of Chef Dan the celebration was absolutely perfect. Chef Dan and his Staff effortlessly put together a beautiful event with the most delectable appetizers any of us had ever experienced. My husband and I were able to relax and enjoy our guests from the beginning til the end without having to worry about anything.

-- Roxann Childe, Alameda

Chef Dan's catered dinners are delicious. He uses fresh ingredients and spices creating meals as tasty as some of the best restaurants in the Bay Area.

-- Curtis Broome, Montclair

Chef Dan made it possible for me to relax and enjoy my own event. Imagine hors d'oeuvres  for 150 and you never have to step into a kitchen. Instead you greet your guests refreshed and ready to entertain them.

-- Jane Klein, Piedmont


We all had a wonderful time last evening, everyone loved the food & we enjoyed having you a part of the evening! We all learned more about cooking last night - thanks!  We are all talking about doing this again! 

-- Sandi Mitchell, Lafayette

Chef Dan provides a special, personal touch to any special event. A special meal for a special day.

-- Tyler and Michelle Douglass, Lafayette


Dear Chef Dan,  I had to write to tell you how pleased we were with the dinner.  Everything was perfection for my birthday celebration:  your timing, the menu, ...everything!  The nut-crusted salmon served over braised greens was cooked to perfection.  The grilled beef was full of flavor, sliced just right and (again, I hate to be redundant here!) also cooked to perfection.  The potatoes au gratin were scrumptious.  And we were still talking about your butternut squash soup the next day.  All this and your jolly and professional demeanor. 
Thank you, Chef Dan, you made the evening fabulous. I hope you'll cook for us again!

-- Maurine Killough, San Francisco

Chef Dan prepared a wonderful meal at our home in San Francisco for 9 guests. The food was delicious and he performed the task with the highest degree of professionalism. We enjoyed the experience so much that we had him back for a second dinner party with equally delightful results. We wholeheartedly recommend Chef Dan for any discerning dinner party host.

--Scott & Heike M., San Francisco

Skewers

Mango-glazed Salmon with Lobster Mushroom-Squash Medley and Seared Heirloom Tomatoes


Perfect Dinner celebrating 25th Wedding Anniversary prepared by Chef Dan Leff


I have used Chef Dan's service for a small dinner party and I was very impressed. Dan is very professional, organized, and the food came out great. Chef Dan offers a wonderful service and I am sure I will be using him again. I highly recommend Chef Dan.

-- Dennis Kane, Emeryville


Chef Dan not only prepared and served delicious hors’ d’oeurves for our daughter’s Engagement Party, but he gave me peace and joy as I was free to enjoy my guests rather than worry about the food service and work in the kitchen.  He kept the platters full and everyone commented on the excellent appetizers, beautifully presented.  Chef Dan, you gave me the gift of freedom and the party was a great success – thank you!   You also left my kitchen spotless – what more could one want!

-- Leslie Pfeifer, Moraga

 
Chef Dan Leff
(510) 336-CHEF (2433)

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