Exploring Charleston, SC in Fall: Why You Should Hire a Private Chef

Charleston, South Carolina, is undoubtedly a charming destination all year round, but there's something particularly magical about the city during the fall season. As the temperatures cool down and the vibrant foliage paints the cityscape with warm hues, Charleston beckons visitors to experience its unique blend of history, culture, and cuisine.

1. Discover Historic Charleston:

Fall is the perfect time to explore the historic heart of Charleston. Stroll down cobblestone streets lined with centuries-old oak trees and picturesque antebellum architecture. Immerse yourself in the city's rich history by visiting landmarks like the Charleston City Market, the Nathaniel Russell House, and Rainbow Row.

2. Savor Lowcountry Cuisine:

Charleston is renowned for its delectable cuisine, and fall brings a unique twist to the city's culinary scene. Local chefs start incorporating the season's bounty into their menus, showcasing dishes featuring fresh seafood, sweet potatoes, collard greens, and more. By hiring a personal chef service like Charleston Chef Service, you can savor these fall flavors without the hassle of making reservations or waiting in line at restaurants.

3. Visit Plantations and Gardens:

Fall is an ideal time to explore the lush plantations and gardens surrounding Charleston. Places like Middleton Place and Magnolia Plantation come alive with vibrant foliage, blooming flowers, and meandering waterways.

4. Attend Festivals and Events:

Charleston hosts a variety of festivals and events in the fall, celebrating everything from food and wine to history and the arts. The Charleston Wine + Food Festival, the MOJA Arts Festival, and the Preservation Society's Fall Tours of Homes and Gardens are just a few examples. Catch Charleston Chef Service at Charleston Wine + Food Festival as well as other events through out the year.

5. Embrace Relaxation and Comfort:

Fall in Charleston offers a respite from the summer heat, making it the perfect time to unwind and enjoy the city's tranquil ambiance. Whether you prefer spending your days on the beautiful beaches, exploring the serene marshlands, or taking leisurely carriage rides through the historic district, Charleston's fall charm invites relaxation. A private chef can elevate your evenings by preparing sumptuous meals tailored to your tastes.

Charleston, SC, in the fall is a captivating destination that offers a blend of history, culture, and culinary delights. To make the most of your visit, consider enlisting the services of Charleston Chef Service. With their private chef services, you can savor the flavors of the season, enjoy gourmet meals at your convenience, and create unforgettable memories in this charming Southern city. Charleston in the fall is a treat for the senses, and a private chef can ensure that your culinary experience is as unforgettable as the city itself.

Tips for Pretty Plating

Hi Friends,

The Holiday season is fast approaching. That means lots of family gatherings, playing host, and entertaining people. You’ve gone the catering route already. Now you wan’t to make something homemade for your dinner guests and show them what you’ve got! Wether you’re a good cook or not, the final presentation of the plated food is very important in how the taste of the dish is perceived, believe it or not. Here are some tips and tricks to “wow” your guests with beautifully designed plates…….and hopefully the food is good too. heh

Build on your Starches

A typical balanced dinner meal will include a starch of some sort. “Build on your starches” means add it to the plate first. I usually will put it right in the center of the plate. For example, a big spoonful of rice or potatoes neatly mounded in the center of the plate.

Add a variety of Color

Be mindful of the different colors that will be in your dish. For this example plate, We’re building off a base of roasted diced potatoes and our main entree is roasted airline chicken. Those are two ingredients with very minimal color. If we presented these items on the plate by themselves, no one would be excited to eat it. So, We’re going to add a bright vegetable to the mix. It could be something green like broccoli. Red like beets. White like cauliflower. It really could be anything. For the example dish we’re building, we’re going to add broccoli and keep a fresh lemon, as well as some fresh chopped parsley handy for later.

Build “Up” on the Plate

Alright, so we’ve got our mound of diced potatoes in the middle of the plate and our steamed broccoli on the top right side of the potatoes in a nice neatly presented mound. Now we’re going to take our nicely caramelized airline chicken and lay it over the potatoes on an angle. Making sure we build the plate up high and not letting the potatoes flatten under the chicken. Building “up” on a plate with the focal point at the center is more of a southern style of plating. It creates for an interesting contrast of depth that catches the eye.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Garnishes

Alright, lets review this again. So now we have our neat mound of potatoes in the center of the plate stacked nice and high. Our bright green steamed broccoli in a neat mound to the top right of that. And we just added the chicken atop the potatoes in a visually interesting way. This plate is already quite pretty by itself but it is missing a little something. Take the fresh parsley you chopped earlier and sprinkle it on the plate - dusting the chicken, potatoes, broccoli, and exposed part of the plate. Now take your lemon and zest some of the lemon rind over the chicken and the broccoli. Once satisfied, slice the lemon in half and drizzle some of the juice over the food on the plate.

Finishing Touches

Alright, now my mouth is watering. The only thing left to do is get a damp paper towel and gently wipe around the edges of the plate where juices may have dripped or unwanted parsley or zest may have fallen. Finish with a little salt and pepper, take a step back, and be proud of the edible piece of art that lays before you.

pro tip: You could even take the presentation up a notch further by adding a quartered wedge of salted tomato or a very light sprinkling of some smoked paprika to give it an extra pop.

Keep spreading love, good people!

Best,

D.B.

Instagram