Private Chef Events & In-Home Culinary Experiences

Bring the Marcel's Experience to Your Home

Whether you're hosting a private dinner party, celebrating a special occasion, entertaining clients, or gathering friends and family around the table, Marcel's brings exceptional food and culinary expertise directly to you. Our experienced chefs create customized in-home and off-site culinary events designed around your guests, your goals, and your vision.

From chef-prepared multi-course dinners and interactive cooking classes to wine-focused experiences, we make it easy to enjoy a professionally curated culinary event in the comfort of your home or chosen venue.

Start Planning your Event

Private Chef Services for Every Occasion

  • Chef Brian at a private event | Marcel's

    Dinner Parties & Entertaining

    Host an unforgettable evening with a chef-prepared meal customized to your tastes and dietary preferences. Our chefs handle the menu planning, preparation, and presentation so you can relax and enjoy time with your guests.

  • Interactive Cooking Parties

    Turn your gathering into an engaging culinary experience. Guests cook alongside a professional chef while learning new techniques, sharing great food, and creating lasting memories together.

  • Private Chef Event | Marcel's

    Celebrations & Special Occasions

    From milestone birthdays and anniversaries to graduations and family gatherings, our chefs help create meaningful experiences that bring people together.
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What to Expect

Choose Your Event Style

Work with our Culinary Director to design a private cooking event that fits your group, occasion, and preferred experience. Choose from hands-on cooking classes, seated chef-led dinners, cocktail-style culinary gatherings, or interactive cooking competitions designed to bring guests together in a fun and memorable way.

Whether you’re hosting a birthday celebration, bridal shower, rehearsal dinner, family gathering, holiday party, or client appreciation event, we’ll help create an experience that feels personal, relaxed, and effortlessly enjoyable.

Select Your Menu

Now for the fun part — choosing the menu. Select from chef-curated seasonal offerings inspired by Italian favorites, French classics, and globally inspired cuisine.

Our menus are designed to be approachable, interactive, and impressive for guests of all cooking skill levels. After the event, guests leave with recipes so they can recreate the experience at home.

Event Day

Every Marcel's private chef event is customized to fit your gathering, whether you're hosting an interactive cooking class, a chef-prepared dinner, a wine-paired experience, or a casual culinary celebration. Guests are welcomed with thoughtfully selected beverages before settling in for an unforgettable culinary experience. Depending on the format you choose, our chefs may guide guests through hands-on cooking, demonstrate techniques and recipes, or prepare a customized menu while sharing culinary insights and entertaining stories along the way. As the experience unfolds, great food, conversation, and connection take center stage. The event culminates with everyone gathering around the table to enjoy the meal —because the best memories are often made over shared food and shared experiences.

We Take Care of the Rest

After the cooking and celebration are complete, we handle the cleanup so you can simply relax and enjoy the experience. No dishes, no stress — just a seamless private event from start to finish.

Book an Event

What We Can Bring to Your Event

  • Chef-prepared private dinners
  • Interactive cooking classes
  • Wine-paired culinary experiences
  • Cocktail and appetizer events
  • Holiday entertaining
  • Bridal and baby showers
  • Birthday celebrations
  • Anniversary dinners
  • Client appreciation events
  • Family gatherings
  • Fundraising and nonprofit events
Private Event at Marcel's

To learn more or start the planning process, please inquire below.

Happy Guests!

  • We had a birthday celebration for my wife - what a fantastic time preparing and cooking and then eating our culinary creations! All 20 who attended had a great time. Chef Brandy and her staff were very friendly, welcoming and attentive to all our needs.
    Working with Chef Brandy while arranging and booking the event was so easy. Everything was fantastic. If I could give Marcel's and Brandy more than 5 stars, I would!

    Lawrence Haas

  • Chef Molly and Brandy at Marcel's thoughtfully created a holiday menu for our private interactive cooking event. Chef Molly prepared and delivered wonderful recipes & dishes for our group to help create & enjoy. Everything was absolutely delicious! We loved Chef Molly's positive & happy energy, her helpful suggestions as we cooked with her and she made clean up seem so effortless too!It was wonderful to share the kitchen with Chef Molly too!!

    Amy Nelson

  • Such a fun and educational evening with Chef Brian Buchna. Brain is quite knowledgeable and talented and we all enjoyed his thorough explanations and demonstrations. The recipes he chose were
    delicious and our whole group really enjoyed the kick off to the holidays. Thank you to all of the Marcel staff as well. We will be back.

    Alicia Viola

Sample Menus

  • Italian Osteria

    Arugula Insalata with Burrata & Lemon-Almond Vinaigrette,

    Fried Calamari with Roasted Garlic Marinara,

    Chicken Fettuccini Basilico with Artichoke & Sun-Dried Tomato Cream,

    Pistachio Tiramisu with Espresso

  • Primavera Espana

    Spanish Cheese & Charcuterie; Jamón Serrano, Manchego & Membrillo,

    Ajo Blanco Chilled White Soup with Garlic, 

    Mushrooms in Garlic Sauce,

    Paella MIxta with Shrimp, Mussels & Chicken,

    Chocolate Crèma Catalana with Orange Scented Berries

  • Happy Hour

    Italian Flatbread with Caramelized Leek, Fennel, Green Olives & Ricotta,

    Rosemary Roasted Shrimp with Blood Orange Gastrique,

    Blistered Shishito Peppers with Lemon Zest, Almonds and Chevre,

    Marinated Steak Brochettes with Chimichurri Sauce,

    Chocolate Souffle Cake with Whipped Cream 

  • Taste of Thailand

    Fresh Spring Rolls with Peanut Dipping sauce,

    Thai Beef Salad,

    Vegetable Green Curry,

    Classic Pad Thai with Shrimp,

    Black Forbidden Rice Pudding with Mango
Book an Event

FAQ's

What types of private chef events does Marcel's offer?

Marcel's offers a variety of private culinary experiences, including chef-prepared dinners, interactive cooking classes, wine-paired events, cocktail parties, client appreciation events, team-building experiences, holiday gatherings, birthdays, anniversaries, and other special celebrations.

Can I book a private cooking class for a birthday or celebration?

Yes. Marcel’s offers private cooking classes customized for birthdays, anniversaries, and special occasions.

Can Marcel's chefs come to my home?

Yes. Our chefs can bring the Marcel's culinary experience directly to your home for private dinners, cooking classes, wine events, and celebrations. We work with you to create an experience tailored to your space, guest count, and event goals.

Are private events hands-on or demonstration-style?

Private events can be customized as hands-on cooking classes, chef demonstrations, or more social
cocktail-style culinary experiences.

How many guests can attend a private event?

We can accommodate both intimate gatherings and larger groups. The ideal guest count depends on the event format, available space, and desired experience. Contact us to discuss your event and we'll recommend options that fit your group.

Can menus be customized for private parties?

Yes. Private event menus can typically be customized based on preferences, themes, and dietary needs.

Do you accommodate dietary restrictions?

Yes. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-sensitive options are available with advance notice.

How long do private cooking events last?

Most private culinary events last approximately two to three hours depending on the selected experience.

Do you offer events at other venues, or off-site locations?

Absolutely. In addition to in-home events, we can host culinary experiences at event venues, clubhouses, and other approved locations throughout the Chicago area.

Are wine or beverage packages available?

Yes. Wine and beverage service is available with private events.

What is included in a private chef event?

Every event is customized, but experiences include menu planning, chef instruction or demonstrations, food preparation, ingredient sourcing, wine pairings, and event execution. We'll work with you to determine the format that best fits your gathering.

Can we choose the menu?

Yes. Our team collaborates with you to create a customized menu based on your preferences, event style, dietary needs, and culinary interests.

What areas does Marcel’s serve?

Marcel’s serves guests from Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Wheaton, Oak Brook, Downers Grove, Elmhurst,
Hinsdale, St. Charles, Geneva, and surrounding Chicago suburbs.

Is parking available for private events?

Yes. Guests have access to nearby parking in downtown Glen Ellyn.

Do guests cook during the event?

That depends on the experience you choose. Some events are fully interactive cooking classes where guests participate alongside the chef, while others feature chef demonstrations or chef-prepared meals. We can customize the level of participation to suit your group.

How far in advance should I book a private event?

We recommend booking as early as possible, especially during the holiday season and other peak entertaining periods. Popular dates often fill several weeks or months in advance.

Is there a minimum or maximum guest count?

Event requirements vary depending on the format and location. Our team can recommend the best options based on your group size and goals.

Can Marcel’s help create a custom event experience?

Yes. Marcel’s can help customize culinary themes, menus, and event formats to create a memorable experience.

Why choose Marcel’s for a private event?

Marcel’s offers chef-led culinary experiences in a welcoming and interactive setting that creates memorable
celebrations for guests.

How do I get started?

Simply complete our inquiry form or contact our team. We'll discuss your vision, guest count, location, preferred date, and event goals, then create a customized culinary experience designed specifically for your group.

Serving Happy Customers throughout Chicagoland

Marcel's is a premier culinary destination for customers across Chicagoland, including Glen Ellyn, Naperville, Oakbrook, Hinsdale, Elmhurst, Oak Park, Wheaton, Schaumburg, Geneva, St. Charles, Downers Grove, and
beyond!