Private Chef Menu Styles: From Casual BBQ to Fine Dining

Private chef menus aren't one-size-fits-all. The format you choose changes everything — the pacing, the vibe, the price, even how your guests interact with the food. I've cooked thousands of private events over 20-plus years, and the most common question I get is: "What kind of menu should we do?"

The answer depends on three things: your occasion, your budget, and how formal you want the night to feel. A backyard birthday BBQ needs a completely different menu than an anniversary dinner for two. Here's how the main menu styles break down, what you actually get at each level, and what they cost in Lisbon and across Portugal.

1. Casual BBQ (€75 per person)

Best for: Large groups, outdoor events, summer gatherings, family celebrations, relaxed atmospheres.

A casual BBQ menu means I'm cooking on the grill — steak, chicken, sausages, vegetables — and serving it family-style or buffet-style. It's high-quality ingredients cooked well, but without the ceremony of plated courses. Think premium cuts of meat, proper seasoning, sides made from scratch, but served in a way that lets people mingle, grab seconds, and eat at their own pace.

What's included:

• 2-3 types of grilled protein (beef, chicken, pork, or lamb)
• 2-3 salads (green salad, potato salad, coleslaw, or Mediterranean)
• 2 sides (grilled vegetables, rice, roasted potatoes)
• Bread and condiments
• Full BBQ setup and service
• Complete cleanup

Optional add-ons: Seafood (prawns, fish), premium steaks (ribeye, picanha), dessert platters.

Best suited for: 10-30 guests. BBQs scale well for larger groups because the format is inherently communal.

2. Family-Style Service (€85 per person)

Best for: Dinner parties, villa rentals, holiday gatherings, events where conversation matters more than formality.

Family-style means dishes are served in large platters or bowls on the table for guests to pass around and share. It's more structured than a BBQ but less formal than plated service. The food is restaurant-quality — think whole roasted fish, braised short ribs, pasta dishes — but the vibe stays relaxed because people are serving themselves.

What's included:

• 3 courses: Shared appetizers, mains, and dessert
• 2-3 mains (mix of proteins and sides)
• Fresh bread and accompaniments
• Professional plating on serving platters
• Full table service and cleanup

Why it works: Family-style encourages interaction. Guests pass dishes, help each other, talk across the table. It's ideal for villas, Airbnbs, and homes where the goal is to feel like a big family meal — but with food you'd never actually cook yourself.

3. Plated Service (€95 per person)

Best for: Special occasions, anniversaries, intimate dinners, events where presentation matters.

Plated service means each guest gets an individually plated dish, restaurant-style. I'm cooking in your kitchen but the result looks and tastes like fine dining. The pacing is slower, the presentation is deliberate, and each course arrives at the right temperature at the right moment.

What's included:

• 3-4 courses: Appetizer, entrée, main, dessert
• Restaurant-quality plating and garnishes
• Professional service (I bring each course to the table)
• Course descriptions and pacing
• Full cleanup

Example menu: Prawn carpaccio with mango and avocado → Pan-seared sea bass with saffron risotto → Beef tenderloin with truffle mash and red wine jus → Chocolate fondant with vanilla ice cream.

4. Tasting Menu (€105 per person)

Best for: Foodies, milestone celebrations, events where the meal IS the experience.

A tasting menu is 5-7 smaller courses served in sequence, each designed to build on the last. It's theatrical, paced, and focused entirely on the food. I introduce each course, explain the inspiration, and time the service so every dish arrives at the perfect moment. This is as close as you get to a MICHELIN restaurant experience without leaving your home.

What's included:

• 5-7 courses designed from scratch
• Mix of seafood, meat, and vegetarian courses
• Premium ingredients sourced from local markets
• Chef explanations for each course
• Professional plating and service
• Full cleanup

Wine pairing option: Add €45-55 per person for wines matched to each course.

5. Luxury Tasting Menu (€130 per person)

Best for: High-end celebrations, VIP guests, events where budget isn't the primary concern.

The luxury tasting menu is everything from the standard tasting menu, but with premium proteins and ingredients: A5 wagyu, fresh lobster, truffle, Iberico pork, oysters, caviar. The techniques stay the same — I'm still cooking in your home — but the raw materials go up a level.

What changes: Ingredient quality. You're getting the same attention to detail, the same service, the same creativity — but with proteins and garnishes that cost 2-3× more at wholesale.

How to Choose the Right Menu Style

Here's the decision framework I use with clients:

If your event is:

• Large (15+ guests), outdoor, casual vibe → Casual BBQ
• Villa rental, family gathering, relaxed but nice → Family-Style
• Special occasion, 6-12 guests, sit-down dinner → Plated Service
• Milestone celebration, foodies, memorable experience → Tasting Menu
• High-end, no budget concerns, impress VIPs → Luxury Tasting

You can also mix styles. I've done BBQ starters with plated mains. Family-style appetizers with individually plated desserts. Tasting menus for couples with family-style service for the kids' table. The format is flexible.

What's NOT Included in the Price (But Can Be Added)

All menu styles include groceries, cooking, service, and cleanup. What's not included unless you add it:

• Wine — I can source and serve wine for €15-25/bottle markup, or you can provide your own.
• Tableware — Plates, cutlery, glassware (I assume you have these; if not, rental available).
• Serving staff — For large events (20+ guests), I can bring a server (€100-150).
• Special dietary menus — Vegan, gluten-free, kosher, halal (included in quote if mentioned upfront; may add cost if highly restrictive).

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the different types of private chef menus?

Private chef menus range from casual (BBQ, family-style) to fine dining (plated courses, tasting menus). Chef Justin Jennings offers: Casual BBQ (€75pp), Family-Style (€85pp), Plated Service (€95pp), Tasting Menu (€105pp), and Luxury Tasting (€130pp).

How much does a casual private chef BBQ cost in Lisbon?

A casual private chef BBQ in Lisbon starts at €75 per person with Chef Justin Jennings. This includes premium meats (steak, chicken, sausages), salads, sides, and full BBQ service. Seafood options available for an additional cost.

What's included in a private chef tasting menu?

A private chef tasting menu includes 5-7 courses designed by Chef Justin Jennings, premium ingredients, professional plating, table service, course explanations, and full cleanup. Priced from €105pp for standard tasting, €130pp for luxury with premium proteins like wagyu or lobster.

Can I mix menu styles for a private event?

Yes. Chef Justin Jennings can combine menu styles — for example, a casual BBQ starter followed by plated mains, or family-style appetizers with individually plated desserts. Hybrid menus are priced based on the combined elements.

What's the difference between family-style and plated service?

Family-style means dishes are served in large platters on the table for guests to share (more communal, relaxed). Plated service means each guest receives an individually plated dish (more formal, restaurant-style). Family-style is €85pp, plated is €95pp with Chef Justin Jennings.

Related Reading

• → Private Chef Tasting Menu at Home in Lisbon
• → Private Chef for Dinner Parties in Lisbon
• → Hire a MICHELIN Chef in Lisbon