Affordable chef services

Such a Sucess

2012-01-19T18:39:00.000-08:00

Hello Mark this is Cindy Henderson and you caterered Cassie and Luis's wedding this past Saturday. What a fantastic job you did everyone thought the food and everything looked fantastic and tasted great. Just wanted to let you know that when you guys left there were 2 green tubs sitting there so we put them in my husbands truck and he took them to Luis's house and when the kids arrive back from their honeymoon, I'm sure Luis will be contacting you about how to get these back to you. Just wanted you to know where they wound up and thanks again for making their wedding experience such a success kudos to you and your staff. Thanks again, Cindy Henderson...

Perfect service and hassle free

2012-01-03T14:10:00.000-08:00

From our first meeting Mark . He offered my fiance and I a sample of his DELICIOUS menu (Crabcakes are Awesome!!!) and offered a lot of experienced advice on the colors / table layout / timeline of the wedding. As we were technically planning our wedding by ourselves, Mark acted not only as our caterer, but as a wedding planner also. He was so helpful in the preparation coming up to the wedding.

The day of the Wedding, everything went so smoothly. Many guests complimented us on the delicious food, how it was displayed.

If you are planning a wedding by yourself, and seem daunted by it….go to Mark!!!! And if you just want top quality food, perfect service and hassle free….go to Mark!!!”

Billy S.

Regarding his food...it is amazing!

2011-12-14T23:24:00.001-08:00

Affordable chef services services of Santa Cruz catered my wedding on November 5, . My husband and I have nothing but EXCELLENT things to say about Mark, his catering staff, service, and DELICIOUS food.

Since meeting Mark last fall, he has been nothing short of professional, personal and very insightful. Outside of providing us with a myriad of menu options, we found him very resourceful and experienced, from recommending other vendors, giving us insightful pointers and useful recommendations so that we were completely prepared for our special day. He did all in the most unobtrusive way. We all found him very responsive and very accommodating to meeting with us, especially since our time was limited as we live out of state.

Regarding his food...it is amazing! Mark can prepare anything - any cuisine, any dish, and he does it so well! We were a bit all over the place, as we live in Brooklyn, and are exposed to food from around the globe. I seemed like anything we thought of, he had a recipe for or was willing to try something new.

We always knew we were in good hands, but actually seeing and tasting the food on our wedding day, was even better than what we had imagined. The food presentation and table capes were beautiful. His staff was professional and provided top service. We received countless compliments and even many inquiries as to who the catering company was and how people could contact him? Always a good sign!

I would highly recommend Affordable chef to any other prospective client looking for a caterer that can master any dish, provide professional service with a smile and offer excellent advice and insight into executing a memorable and delicious event.

We beat the rain ...Ha Ha

2011-11-22T10:02:00.000-08:00

FABULOUS!

2011-11-16T10:49:00.000-08:00

We hired Chef Mark and Affordable Chef services for a Birthday party early this month and were blown away at both the quality of food and level of professionalism. Mark was flexible and provided suggestions but listened to what our vision was. During the event Mark and his staff were right on the mark yet able to adjust when needed. My husband and I are foodies and were so impressed by the quality and presentation of the food. In short, everything was seemless! What a great event -- thanks Mark. We'll definitely be hiring you again!

Terri Schill in Ben Lomond, CA

Tasty

2011-11-14T13:19:00.000-08:00

Worked for us

2011-11-14T06:06:00.001-08:00

We had Mark Gallagher provide catering services for our wedding/reception at Villa Viscaya on 10/8/11. The price for what he has to offer is impossible to beat. The food including appetizers and multi-course dinner tasted very good - prepared with high quality ingredients and professional care. Mark is very experienced at catering weddings and events so rest assured he understands execution. Overall, everything went very well. We did notice during setup that the place settings weren't correct, but after calling this to Mark's attention he quickly had it fixed. The only other consideration to mention was that Mark's communication and reassurance during the planning stages isn't his strongest suit. Perhaps that's because he's very experienced at this. Nonetheless, those who like to work out detailed plans with lots of communication may be left wanting. Still, for the price and overall quality of food, it's a tradeoff that's certainly worth considering. Worked for us, that's for sure.

Moss landing

2011-11-07T16:51:00.000-08:00

Chef Mark & the Affordable team is ( AWESOME ) .

2011-11-04T14:22:00.001-07:00

Thank you for providing a wonderful evening. There were raves about the food and the service. I cannot say enough about your staff and their attention to detail and quality of the service. The Appreciation Dinner is the premier event of the year and this year’s event was especially nice. I wish you continued success and hopefully we can do this again in the future.

Thanks Chef Mark and team!

2011-09-29T08:51:00.001-07:00

After a slightly hectic last minute venue change, you guys were all such great sports, and really made the day! The food all tasted great, and the guests loved it, more than anything all the service was fantastic. All the guests told us how much they loved the appetizers and the dinner, in addition, everyone said how nice all the staff was! I would highly recommend you for all types of events, and specifically weddings! If you are looking for an amazing chef, who keeps their cool, and makes sure your special day runs perfectly this is the man you want to hire! We can't say thanks enough for everything

2011-09-28T12:08:00.000-07:00

Candy for everyone

2011-09-28T12:07:00.000-07:00

Great Band Great time ..

2011-09-28T09:32:00.000-07:00

Great Band Great Time give them a call guarantee to please http://web.me.com/telemeister/

You're awesome!

2011-09-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

Hi Mark,

I just wanted to thank you again for the wonderful job you did at our wedding. The food was DELICIOUS and you and your crew clearly worked hard to ensure that everyone was happy and well fed. Plus, all the help setting up and cleaning up was much appreciated! In particular, we are especially grateful for your willingness to cook a family dish without hesitation or complaint. You helped us create a personalized wedding that reflected who we are, which is exactly what we wanted. You're awesome!

Sincerely,
Rosemary

Amazing Birthday Celebration - Thanks Chef Mark

2011-09-23T09:06:00.000-07:00

It was my twin sisters 60th birthday and didn't want to just go a restaurant so I searched the internet for a Private Chef. Wow did I find the perfect choice, "Chef Mark Gallagher". We rented an ocean view home on West Cliff and had a Night to remember. He and his server came to the home, cook and entertained the 20 of us with rave reviews. The food was over the top, from the scrumptious hors d'oeuvres passed around before hand to his 5 star dinner all the while keeping the wine glasses full. Baked Rolled Salmon, Fillet Mignon, Fingerling Potatoes, Asparagus Tips. Need I say more -

Treat yourself and guests to Chef Mark

Thanks Again
Bob D.
Capitola, Ca

Our guests had a blast!

2011-09-22T18:09:00.000-07:00

My new wife and I hired Chef Mark to cater our wedding last month and were very happy with the results. I was nervous at first because his prices were much lower than everyone else we looked at but we really had no other option so we rolled the dice. Chef Mark definitely has a laid back attitude but when it came down to crunch time he was very prompt with answering all our questions and guiding us through the hectic final stages of wedding planning. Chef Marks staff was excellent through out the entire event and the food was excellent. We received nothing but compliments and our guests had a blast!
Cece and Andrew

Set up - Ben Lomond

2011-09-21T15:01:00.000-07:00

Chef Mark & the Affordable team is AWESOME.

2011-09-05T12:01:00.000-07:00

They are a full service crew with the best culinary skills around. The name says it all Affordable Chef, we were able to provide dinner to our 175 guest at our wedding for $25-$30 less per person than other full service caterers. On top of that Mark was able to rent us our tables, chairs, linens, plates, napkins, cups, EVERYTHING. Talk about a stress free day. Mark took care of everything, he made sure that my wife and I had nothing to worry about. The site we were getting married at caused a problem with chairs 30 minutes before our ceremony started, Mark handled it so professionally and quickly, my Wife and I didn't even know it happened until the next day. Not only is the customer service great but the food was fantastic. Over a year later we have friends still talking about the menu at our wedding, and Mark was able to help me surprise my wife with out wedding dinner on our one year anniversary. Chef Mark goes out of his way to provide the best service, food, and experience ever. The name says it all he is Affordable, he's a great Chef, and he ROCKS!!!!

Stress free environment

2011-08-25T08:11:00.000-07:00

The Affordable Chef and Chef Mark provides you with the best food for the best price and the best service. Chef Mark catered our wedding almost a year ago and we are still receiving comments about how good the food was at our wedding. With 3 other family weddings last summer, we were told we had the best food by far. Not only did Affordable chef provide great service and food, but we were also able to rent our tables, chairs and linens through them as well. They provided everything and created a stress free environment for my wife and I throughout the day. I would recommend Affordable Chef to anyone looking for great food at a great price with personal 1 on 1 care!!!

Again thanks

2011-08-22T12:17:00.000-07:00

Hi Mark,

First, I'd like to thank you for all your work for Allison and Mark's reception.

The event was so very nice. You and your staff didn't miss a beat..........

The family was up yesterday to pick up their belongings and they were so happy with everything.

Again thank you Mark; it was a pleasure working with you.

Judy

Pacific Oaks Vineyard Estate

www.PacificOaksVineyardEstate.com

(831) 531-7431

Great idea and lots of fun

2011-08-01T12:27:00.000-07:00

Add captionwww.snapcubby.com

AND YOU SURE CAN COOK!

2011-07-31T20:13:00.000-07:00

Hi Chef Mark,

All I can say is you are 100% professional, smooth and tons of fun to work with. Every element of our beverage/food service was smooth and relaxed. I love how you had bamboo skews to hold up the cake, disposal paper ware we forgot to bring for desserts, that lighter for the candles--you and your crew handled each "crisis" with ease, grace, and humor.

AND YOU SURE CAN COOK!

Many, many thanks for a great double event.

Joan O'Keefe

one happy mother of the groom

Highlands park Ben Lomond

2011-07-23T20:54:00.000-07:00

Lobster - Clam bake

2011-07-17T11:38:00.000-07:00

No wonder he's booked solid!

2011-07-14T08:51:00.000-07:00

I was a tad nervous when we met, but then decided his laid back attitude would be perfect for our wedding. Everything was exactly how he said it would be, and I didn't have to think at all. He even helped smooth over other funny details on the big day (husband a little too tipsy cough cough in front of family members...cough cough). Totally worth it. Totally fun.

Laecee in Santa Cruz, CA

100% Wonderful!!!

2011-07-11T09:30:00.000-07:00

EVERYONE loved the food. We also had unexpectly have more than 25 attend and there was still plenty to go around. I think the favorite was the crab cakes!

Thank you, Thank you! When we have our next party, most likely Oct , I will be sure to call soon enough to book you with plenty of time..

Thank you, Thank you!

The professionalism was top-notch

2011-07-10T16:37:00.000-07:00

The staff was a well-oiled machine (our ceremony had to move indoors due to rain and they managed to quickly and noiselessly remove 150 chairs from our dance floor without me every noticing it - amazing!). The food was great (I'd say it was actually better at the wedding than at the tasting), and we received numerous compliments. The service throughout the meal was also great. I wondered if I was receiving special service because I was the bride, but in speaking with other guests, they were also pleased to have experienced the same attentive service.

I hadn't hired a coordinator for the day, and while it technically isn't the role of the food provider to coordinate all aspects of the night, Mark and staff were great about prompting my husband and I to do our thank you speeches, introductions, etc. at the correct time. I really feel that they went above and beyond their scope of responsibility to make sure that the days events were great!

It was the easiest party I ever planned!

2011-06-27T10:26:00.000-07:00

Hi Mark,

Thank you very much for the excellent food! Everyone at the party was asking for your name!

The food was fantastic! You were so right! It was the easiest party I ever had!

Thank you, thank you!

Lisa W

Give him a call

2011-06-21T07:33:00.000-07:00

I was watching one of those take home chef shows. While researching for a chef in my area, I was goggling and came across a local chef, Mark Gallagher. After talking to him a little about what I wanted to do, which was a 3 to 5 course candlelight dinner for my girl, chef Mark took full control over every detail. Needless to say she was in wonderland, and I was shocked and impressed at the same time. If you have a couple bucks to spend, give him a call. http://www.affordablechef.info/event.html
May 16, 2011 by T Way in Santa Cruz, CA

Affordable chef coded

2011-06-17T12:26:00.000-07:00

Monarch cove

2011-06-17T07:36:00.000-07:00

Affordable Chef is an all in one great place to get everything you need. Chef Mark provided the food, plates, linens, utensils, glasses, tables, and chairs for my 175+ wedding. They provided the best food the property has ever seen, at the best prices. My wife and I find ourselves thinking about the food at our wedding craving it a year after. Go with Affordable Chef for any culinary needs in the Santa Cruz area. He will make your life easy and carefree on the day of your event, and will make sure it's YOUR day and nothing will get in the way!

Hollister garden wedding

2011-06-15T16:39:00.000-07:00

Hi, Mark,
You are truly a pro! Our wedding was fun, relaxed and a most memorable experience. Thanks to you and your staff for delicious food, great service and a lovely set-up in our friends\' garden. We knew from our meetings with you that we could count on you for an outstanding wedding.
Thanks so much!
Cathy & John

Grad party ..

2011-06-12T15:34:00.000-07:00

Event was a huge success! All guests commented on the excellant food and congenial service. As the hosts, Jeff & I appreciate the attention to detail including bringing supplies in advance. I will definitely call you when I cater another party.

Burlingame Garden wedding

2011-06-06T12:08:00.000-07:00

http://affordablechef.blogspot.com/

Small Garden Wedding Extraordinaire

2011-06-06T11:47:00.000-07:00

Chef mark and his staff made our event so enjoyable. the food was delicious, displayed beautifully and served with a smile.he was so easy to work with...a real pleasure. i recommend affordable chef catering highly and will use them again..

After meeting with Chef Mark to plan our wedding, he said, "Just have fun and I'll take care of everything." And that's just what he did! During the months before the event, he checked in frequently and was always available to answer questions or offer suggestions. His charming and fun personality really made everyone in our family feel so comfortable! Most importantly, Chef Mark made everything about our wedding day so special! He tailored the menu (and the whole reception, actually), to reflect the intimacy we wanted for our celebration. Not only was the food fabulous, (our guests are still commenting about how great it was) but the atmosphere Chef Mark created with his creativity and professional talents was incomparable! I was worried that my Italian mom would get all stressed out having someone in "her kitchen" but Mark couldn't have been more reassuring and nice on that level as well. He and his staff were so courteous and amazing all day .

Highlands park Ben Lomond

2011-06-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

Amazing Birthday Celebration

2011-05-25T17:13:00.000-07:00

March 4, 2011

Thanks Chef Mark

It was my twin sisters 60th birthday and didn't want to just go a restaurant so I searched the internet for a Private Chef. Wow did I find the perfect choice, "Chef Mark Gallagher". We rented an ocean view home on West Cliff and had a Night to remember. He and his server came to the home, cook and entertained the 20 of us with rave reviews. The food was over the top, from the scrumptious hors d'oeuvres passed around before hand to his 5 star dinner all the while keeping the wine glasses full. Baked Rolled Salmon, Fillet Mignon, Fingerling Potatoes, Asparagus Tips. Need I say more -

Treat yourself and guests to Chef Mark

Thanks Again
Bob D.
Capitola, Ca

Seemless

2011-04-21T08:37:00.001-07:00

"We hired Affordable Chef Services for a Birthday party early this month and were blown away at both the quality of food and level of professionalism. Mark was flexible and provided suggestions but listened to what our vision was. During the event Mark and his staff were right on the mark yet able to adjust when needed. My husband and I are foodies and were so impressed by the quality and presentation of the food. In short, everything was seemless! What a great event -- thanks Mark. We'll definitely be hiring you again!"
From: Terri Schill of Ben Lomond, CA on April 20, 2011

"fine dinning"

2011-02-11T10:34:00.000-08:00

My family planned a birthday dinner for my mom's 80th birthday with Affordable chef services, the service, the people were beyond expectation. The food was exceptional and everyone was truly impressed with the menu. The chef/owner (Mark) checked in on our party through out the night to make sure everything is in order and if we needed anything. Would recommened them for anyone that wants a "fine dinning" dinner party for any occassion.

Aiken, SC

EXCELLENT

2010-12-05T13:40:00.000-08:00

Affordable chef catered my wedding on November 5, 2010. My husband and I have nothing but EXCELLENT things to say about Mark, his staff, service, and DELICIOUS food.

Since meeting Mark last fall, he has been nothing short of professional, personal and very insightful. Outside of providing us with a myriad of menu options, we found him very resourceful and experienced, from recommending other vendors, giving us insightful pointers and useful recommendations so that we were completely prepared for our special day. He did all in the most unobtrusive way. We all found him very responsive and very accommodating to meeting with us, especially since our time was limited as we live out of state.

Regarding his food...it is amazing! Mark can prepare anything - any cuisine, any dish, and he does it so well! We were a bit all over the place, as we live in Brooklyn, and are exposed to food from around the globe. I seemed like anything we thought of, he had a recipe for or was willing to try something new.

We always knew we were in good hands, but actually seeing and tasting the food on our wedding day, was even better than what we had imagined. The food presentation and table capes were beautiful. His staff was professional and provided top service. We received countless compliments and even many inquiries as to who the catering company was and how people could contact him? Always a good sign!

I would highly recommend Affordable chef to any other prospective client looking for a caterer that can master any dish, provide professional service with a smile and offer excellent advice and insight into executing a memorable and delicious event.

Chef Mark Gallagher, Gourmet Food at an Affordable Price

2010-10-12T09:57:00.000-07:00

When first contacting Mark Gallagher he was very personable and his attentive care began with our first converstaion and lasted through the day of the event, even checking in afterward.

I was nervous to higher a personal chef, not knowing what to expect, how the food would taste. But I was more than pleasantly surprised. The presentation alone was gorgeous, I almost did not want to eat the masterpiece. The vegetable dishes had an amazing color palette that enticed me and the flavor was nothing short of fantastic.
I had a variety of diners: vegans, pescadarians (hey, this is Santa Cruz), but Mark had no problem suggesting spring rolls, veggie lasagna, salmon teriyaki, and a chicken dish. I love meat so I was glad he didn't go all veggie.

Mark stopped by my house the week before the event to get the measurements, and was very laid-back which actually helped out because I was nervous about the family reunion, but it all went great, at a great price at that.

My family was excited about the excellent food, and without personally having to stress about anything I just got to be a great hostess. Since all the plates and cutlery were brought I didn't have even have to worry about clean-up. I think Affordable Chef is a great company in Santa Cruz. If I could afford it, I would have him cook all my meals, but I don't know if my husband would miss my domesticity, or maybe he'd actually eat my food.

Burlingame with Trudy and Jim

2010-10-11T22:22:00.001-07:00

Sterling Gardens

2010-09-27T16:02:00.000-07:00

Best ever

2010-09-27T07:40:00.000-07:00

Mark...
I dont think there is any way to truly express how remarkable you and your staff are, how hard you all worked, or how much we appreciate all you did. Your food was probably the best I have had at a wedding. Lawrence and I were chowin down in our fancy suite out of a foil tray at 2 in the morning.

I hope our paths cross again and if ever I need a caterer again you bet it will be you!
Lawrence and I had the best wedding ever. Thanks for sending us into matrimony so nicely.

Karen

Recommendation

2010-09-25T10:13:00.000-07:00

Mark and his company, Affordable chef, have provided catering for me for special events on numerous occasions.

I am happy to give him and his company a superlative recommendation on all counts: truly inspired cuisine, efficient related arrangements (rentals), experienced staff and a extraordinary ability to work within a budget. The latter is particularly important for non-profits in this environment when special events are often key to raising money.

In addition to being imaginative and flexible, Mark has been very responsive, answering questions and revising plans in a timely and professional manner.

here's to the next party !!

2010-09-11T09:49:00.001-07:00

I just want to thank you again for a great event and a great party. We enjoyed meeting you and everyone of your staff, who were all wonderful. You guys were all super nice and made our event so enjoyable. everything was delicious, and couldnt have gone smoother. everything was just great and we/I really really appreciated everything you and your staff did. You guys were on it and made it all work! It was awesome! thank you so much again! Mark thank you again so much for everything. We will definitely recommend you and would love you to come back for any future events that we might have. I definitely plan on posting recommendations for you and really thought you and your staff were great, both professionally and personally.

All the best and here's to the next party!!

Kim

Chef Mark Thank you :}

2010-08-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

What a wonderful time we had working with you and your staff! We loved the food at the wedding and everyone is still talking about it. You really helped to make our wedding special. We loved your willingness to listen to our ideas and work with us...Please thanks your staff - everyone loved them and thought they worked hard!...Please use us as a reference if you would like - we loved you and the delicious food! http://www.affordablechef.info/event.html

August 28th, 2010 by Linda S in Santa Cruz, CA

Monarch cove Capitola

2010-08-03T18:25:00.001-07:00

More of Mikes day

2010-07-31T07:19:00.000-07:00

Highlands park ben lomond

2010-07-31T07:18:00.001-07:00

Thank you...

2010-07-19T23:04:00.001-07:00

Now folks, if you're looking for a great Chef for your events, well look no further because( Affordable Chef) will take care of you. I played at a wedding in the Santa Cruz Mountains at the Highlands Park. There I met Mark the Chef who was catering for the wedding. He was very pleasant and fun to work with and also his crew. Mark's cooking skills are AMAZING and he was always on top of everything and made sure there was plenty of hot delicious food to go around. I saw many people go back for thirds and that's very rare especially at events. People were talking about his food all night long how flavorful everything was and they were going to hire him as well. Well Mark all I got to say is, you made the wedding a success and The DJ (me) and Bride and Groom (Mike & Terresa) thank you very much for all you done to make this event a success.
Thank you
Ezequiel Gonzalez

He's simply a great caterer and a great guy.

2010-07-19T23:02:00.000-07:00

We hired Mark back in January for our June 26th wedding in Monterey Memory gardens.

Mark maintained contact with us leading up to the actual day of the wedding. He is incredibly personal, and his easy going attitude really relieved a lot of stress from my wife. He knew what he was doing and everything was delivered as promised. His staff was wonderful and the food was a big hit. He made sure we didn't have to worry about anything the actual day. Mark was essentially a caterer and wedding planner all wrapped up in one!

If we ever need a caterer again, we will definitely be going with Mark. I would recommend him to anyone. He's simply a great caterer and a great guy.

Memory Gardens Montery CA

2010-06-28T14:57:00.001-07:00

Highlands park set - up

2010-06-15T09:26:00.001-07:00

The eco-friendly way to say 'I do'

2010-05-08T10:19:00.000-07:00

The environmental movement seems to have tinted every part of daily life green. And the world of weddings is no exception, as more and more brides try to balance glamour and environmental awareness on their big day.

With a little imagination, the possibilities are endless. Easy options include hiring a specialist planner, arriving in a low-emission vehicle, and arranging eco-catering, which uses local organic products.

You can also do your bit by growing your own flowers or choosing to send electronic invitations instead of classic paper ones.

Guests can get involved, too. Rather than presenting the couple with a plasma TV, the latest trend is to make donations to non-governmental ecological organisations in the bride and groom's name.

For example, the World Wildlife Fund provides lots of resources for couples that want a wedding with a low environmental impact. Their special 'Weddings and Celebrations' web site even allows you to create a registry where friends and family can make donations.

There is, of course, one other important element that can be given the green touch: the bride's look.

Bridal fashion has gone eco-friendly, and these days many women are opting for gowns made from organic silk, cotton or bamboo.

Another way to turn your white dress into a green statement is to use vintage family heirlooms, which don't require textile processes that can harm the environment.

Wedding day jewels are also a consideration, as brides and grooms can select ethical accessories, like engagement rings and wedding bands made from Fair Trade gems and recycled metals.

Affordable chef was Great !

2010-04-29T09:49:00.000-07:00

When planning our wedding, there were a lot of uncertainties that we were nervous about. But not only did we luck out with the wedding venue, we also lucked out with the Catering company.

The Affordable Chef Catering company did a tremendous job at our wedding, and we would highly recommend them for any event. The staff was highly professional, and the food was delicious. All of our guests were commenting on the quality of the food and the excellent service. The entire day went flawlessly as soon as they arrived. We couldn't have asked for a more perfect event.

Thank you Affordable Chef Catering!! Lexis

Sally Baldwin Thanks Affordable Chef

2010-04-05T18:43:00.000-07:00

We just had our wedding catered by Chef Mark Gallagher of Affordable chef. The food was spectacular and the staff was on time, professional and went above and beyond. Mark was great and even saved the last delicious crab cake for me- the bride. Despite the fact my wedding was a small event of only 24 people, I was treated as if I was planning an event of 250. I couldn't have asked for a better experience, from the planning to execution. Thank you Affordable Chef !

Pumpkin Chai Latte Martini ...

2010-03-08T10:03:00.000-08:00

INGREDIENTS:
3 oz. Stoli Vanilla Vodka
1.5 oz. Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur
1/2 oz. Pumpkin Liqueur
2 graham crackers, crushed
3-4 oz. simple syrup

PREPARATION:
1. Chill martini glass while preparing the recipe

2. Crush the graham crackers in a Ziploc bag with the back of a spoon and pour onto a small plate. Set aside.

3. Pour simple syrup onto a second plate or shallow bowl and set aside.

4. Mix the following ingredients in a shaker with ice: Stoli Vanil, Voyant Chai Cream Liqueur and Pumpkin Liqueur.

5. Take the martini glass and turn it upside down, dipping the rim of the glass in the simple syrup which will aid in adhering the crushed graham crackers to the rim.

6. Strain the liquid into the glass, being carefully not too fill too close to the top. Enjoy!

What exactly is local food?

2010-03-07T09:55:00.000-08:00

Talk of local food is everywhere. But what does it mean? How local is local? Local is shorthand for an idea that doesn't have a firm definition. Unlike organic standards, which entail specific legal definitions, inspection processes, and labels, local means different things to different people, depending on where they live,how long their growing season is,and what products they are looking for.

Practically speaking,local food production can be thought of in concentric circles. We at Affordable chef catering start with growing food at home.The next ring out might be food grown in our immediate community - then state, region, and country.For some parts of the year or for some products that thrive in the local climate, it may be possible to buy closer to home. At other times,or for less common products, an expanded reach may be required.

People who value local as their primary food criterion are sometimes referred to as locavores. The term "locavore" was coined by Jessica Prentice from the San Francisco Bay Area for World Environment Day 2005 to describe and promote the practice of eating a diet consisting of food harvested from within an area most commonly bound by a 100 mile radius.With such excitement and momentum building in the local food movement,the New Oxford American Dictionary chose locavore as its word of the year in 2007.

One easy way to start buying local is to choose one product to focus on.Vegetables are often a good place to start. Produce also offers a good introduction to eating seasonally—an excellent way to learn about local agriculture. Then,try seeking out sources for local meat or dairy. Check out the Shop Sustainable section for more on how to make buying local fun and easy.With a pantry and fridge full of beautiful, local foods, you may want to start experimenting in the kitchen. For recipes, cookbook reviews, tips, and other culinary tidbits.

While local is certainly a flexible term, the basic concept is simple: local foods are produced as close to home as possible. Buying local supports a more sustainable food system because true sustainability goes beyond the methods used in food production to include every step that brings food from farm to plate.Affordable chef.

Fajita,s for everyone

2010-01-08T08:15:00.000-08:00

Truly a Gift

2009-10-31T23:11:00.000-07:00

We just want to let you know how much we appreciate you! You have worked with us every step. on our way to creating our family union. Thank you for your Guidance and endless patience. You have already gone above and beyond for us and the event hasn't even happened yet! We do not know what we would have done if you did not come into our lives, Your ability to understand and accept our indecisiveness and nervous tendency's is truly a Gift !! Thanks again
Oct 21, 2009 by Cory and Roy in Santa Cruz, CA

Affordable Chef Mark Gallagher

2009-10-25T23:03:00.001-07:00

2009-10-25T23:02:00.000-07:00

2009-10-25T23:01:00.000-07:00

I am so impressed

2009-10-25T21:08:00.000-07:00

I am an oncology sales specialist in Santa Cruz. I was referred to Affordable chef from my colleague Al Krankle. At that time I was using a variety of caterers in the Santa Cruz area. I was pleased with their service, but the biggest complaint from my customers was that they were tired of getting the same food all the time. Lisa raved about Marks food. She was very specific about some of her favorite menu items and said that Chef Mark is a great caterer. Upon her recommendation, I started using Affordable Chef Catering. During that time they have done a great job in providing outstanding meals for my customers.

October 23, 2009 by Carmen Mc hale

Chef Mark Thank you :}

2009-10-25T21:06:00.000-07:00

Great Company

2009-09-14T15:02:00.000-07:00

My family was excited about the excellent food, and without personally having to stress about anything I just got to be a great hostess. Since all the plates and cutlery were brought I didn't have even have to worry about clean-up. I think Affordable Chef is a great company in Santa Cruz. If I could afford it, I would have him cook all my meals, but I don't know if my husband would miss my domesticity, or maybe he'd actually eat my food.

Such a success ..

2009-09-09T18:26:00.000-07:00

Hello Mark this is Cindy Henderson and you catered Cassie and Luis's wedding this past Saturday @ Highlands Park what a fantastic job you did everyone thought the food and everything looked fantastic and tasted great. Just wanted to let you know that when you guys left there were 2 green tubs sitting there so we put them in my husbands truck and he took them to Luis's house and when the kids arrive back from their honeymoon around Sept. 17th, I'm sure Luis will be contacting you about how to get these back to you. Just wanted you to know where they wound up and thanks again for making their wedding experience such a success kudos to you and your staff. Affordable chef Thanks again, Cindy Henderson

Great..

2009-08-25T09:51:00.000-07:00

We LOVED Affordable chef, and so did our guests! Great food, great atmosphere. Mark and Cris were so helpful and responsive, reassuring me during the stressful planning process. During the week of my wedding, they were so easygoing and helped with all of our last-minute needs. They complied with all of our little requests -- I didn't have to worry about a thing during my reception. I keep saying that other than deciding to marry, this was one of our best choices.

Everything was so easy and wonderful. The staff there is amazing -- in the run-up to our wedding, they were nothing but supportive and reassuring and made everything seem effortless. Every request was met with a "yes." Mark was so accessible throughout the process, which helped ease worries. The place looked FABULOUS without much spent on decorations, and nearly every guest has complimented us on the food, even our snootiest and pickiest eaters. It just felt magical. We also used the photobooth to do our guest book, and we will treasure it forever!
Carrie M..

I don't have enough words to express how happy we were with Affordable chef services and everyone that worked there. Mark, responds to emails in under 24 hours (usually) and is nothing short of sweet, friendly, and accommodating. Cris, took care of us from the first time we walked in the door. until the very last guest left the night of our wedding. The guests are not only raving about the food (which was freaking awesome!), the views, and the space - but also about the service. This was my absolute dream spot and it surpassed all expectations.

Thank you..

2009-08-24T09:13:00.000-07:00

What can we say other than "First Class" - the food, the presentation, Affordable chef staff - truly amazing. We had been thinking about our day for over 2 years... to see our vision come to life, flawlessly, was so rewarding. Your attention to detail and customer service leading up to our event made the entire experience so enjoyable!"
Morgan M.

Mark, before any more time passes, I want to tell you how wonderful it was to meet and work with you. As I said the night of the reception, I felt like part of the "Rich and Famous" having you and your staff in the kitchen of that wonderful house with the linen table clothes, beautiful arrangements, and glowing candles. The food was delicious and beyond our expectations and the service just made it better. Thank you so much for working with us."Lyn B.- Mother of the Bride

Chef Mark goes above and beyond culinary expectations with his blend and delicacy of flavors. It is a tradition to have Affordable chef cater the Klyne family on Thanks giving, each year with a delicious five course meal. We always find that Mat's gourmet dishes are artfully displayed and give a sensuous, savory taste that lingers in the mouth. Our mouths are watering just thinking about it!"

Dear Mark, Thank you again for your help with making our wedding day so memorable. It was a pleasure working with you and the food was delicious. Everyone was very impressed! We look forward to future trips to Santa Cruz and hope to eat more of your dishes!"
Shannon and Matt- Bride and Groom

"Mark and Nicole, I want to let you know how pleased I was with the dinner you prepared and served to my guests. You and other workers were courteous, professional, efficient, and delightful. The food was awesome, and everyone who came commented on it. If you ever need a reference for anyone, I would be more than happy to provide one. Thanks for helping to make our visit to Santa Cruz, Ca spectacular!"
Pat S.- Rehearsal Dinner

Made all the difference

2009-08-17T21:57:00.000-07:00

Chef mark and his staff made our event so enjoyable. the food was delicious, displayed beautifully and served with a smile.he was so easy to work with...a real pleasure. i recommend affordable chef catering highly and will use them again. August 11, 2009 by s. french in Aptos, CA

Small Garden Wedding Extraordinaire!!!
After meeting with Chef Mark to plan our wedding, he said, "Just have fun and I'll take care of everything." And that's just what he did! During the months preceeding the event, he checked in frequently and was always available to answer questions or offer suggestions. His charming and fun personality really made everyone in our family feel so comfortable! Most importantly, Chef Mark made everything about our wedding day so special! He tailored the menu (and the whole reception, actually), to reflect the intimacy we wanted for our celebration. Not only was the food fabulous, (our guests are still commenting about how great it was) but the atmosphere Chef Mark created with his creativity and professional talents was incomparable! I was worried that my Italian mom would get all stressed out having someone in "her kitchen" but Mark couldn't have been more reassuring and nice on that level as well. He and his staff were so courteous and amazing all day - We love Affordable Chef Mark!!!! July 17, 2009 by Carolyn M'Guinness in Napa, CA

2009-07-21T12:10:00.000-07:00

Picnic Graduation Party
Mark was delightful to work with, and made it easy for us to coordinate this celebration from 100 miles away. The food was terrific, and appropriate for our setting in the park. I would highly recommend the Affordable Chef adn would definately hire him again should I need another caterer in Santa Cruz.
June 16, 2009 by Kirsten Weisser

How to have a good time at your own party
I sensed after I first met Mark that working with him would be very easy. As the rehearsal dinner approached and more details needed to be addressed, he consistently conveyed to me that I could leave it all up to him. I did --and we had a fabulous evening with indeed everything (including color coordinated linens, furniture, crystal, china, arrangement of the room, placement of flowers) taken care of. The menu we selected was delicious and ideal, for adults and children. Everyone had a festive time. His assistant was excellent--attentive to all the guests' needs and requests. Chef Mark took charge and I had a grand time.Thank you Mark.
June 01, 2009 by lynnet c mcdermott in Santa Cruz, CA

Great party
Nearly everyone of our guests, Ed included, commented on the beautiful buffet and delicious food. I should also add that you and the rest of the staff were absolutely charming. In other words the party was great; you are the best caterers I've ever hired; and thank you."
May 26, 2009 by Arthur M. Kaplan in East Windsor, CT

Loved it. Thank for making it happenn
We had, lets say, Shot gun wedding, we thought we were all set with our catering needs. I guess we did to much talking and not enough confirming. So we lost our caterer 6 days before the event. I spoke to Chef Mark at affordable chef. explained my problem, and asked for help. Boom that was it. He went in this direction and that direction.Everything was thumbs up. Thanks for making it happen..
May 25, 2009 by Bob and Sandy Stieger. in Enfield, CT

When the big day did came.
Even before the date, I felt very assured about your services. You made the reception portion of our big day the least worrisome. When the big day did come, you and your staff were spectacular. Everyone raved about the food Chef Mark dished out. For me, the oysters were most excellent and serving it as a shooter was a very good idea. Each guest enjoyed everything and left with a favorite dish from the reception. It was a total sensual delight: from the gustatory to the visual. I really hope that the photographers were able to take pictures of the food as I would like to keep a visual keepsake of the wonderful reception from you. You took away a lot of potential stress. As I walked into the reception, all I could see was perfection and tasting everything simply proved it.
May 23, 2009 by Debra pinski in Scotts Valley, CA

Truly a Gift
We just want to let you know how much we appreciate you! You have worked with us every step. onj our way to creating our family union. Thank you for your Guidance and endless patience. You have already gone above and beyond for us and the event hasn't even happened yet! We do not know what we would have done if you did not come into ourlives, Your ability to understand and accept our indecisiveness and nervous tendency's is truly a Gift !!
May 21, 2009 by Cory and Roy in Santa Cruz, CA

Give him a call
I was watching one of those take home chef shows. While researching for a chef in my area, I was goggling and came across a local chef, Mark Gallagher. After talking to him a little about what I wanted to do, which was a 3 to 5 course candlelight dinner for my girl, chef Mark took full control over every detail.
Needless to say she was in wonderland, and I was shocked and impressed at the same time. If you have a couple bucks to spend, give him a call.
May 16, 2009 by Terry Way in Santa Cruz, CA

Thanks so much
What can I say other than delivered as promised. Affordable Chef team were extremely punctual & organized. Everyone loved the food, the service was excellent and the guests were pampered-your team were pros... Thanks so much-- our son and daughter-in-laws celebration was a great success, thanks to you and your team!
May 12, 2009 by Becky Oneal in Palo Cedro, CA

Definitely use them again
Affordable chef was a perfect caterer for our party, which at the last moment became a wedding. They were flexible, attentive, and very professional. The servers went out of their way to do little extras that made everything go smoothly and perfectly. The food was good and everything was clean at the end of the night. I would highly recommend Affordable chef. and would definitely use them again.
April 24, 2009 by Anonymous in Sebastopol, CA

Thank your staff we forgot..
Our wedding was exactly as we had imagined! We are both from out of state, so initally we thought planning would be difficult. It couldn't have been much farther from that! We took a weekend several months from the wedding to visit Santa cruz and picked all of our vendors at that time. After speaking with Mark before our visit, we were given a list of their preferred vendors which made things a lot simpler. I still feel confident we would have been just fine picking vendors from that list and never meeting in person. Mark was incredible in every way. Our guests had an amazing time (so we were told!), the music was great, food and wine was incredible...
April 18, 2009 by Anonymous

Small Garden Wedding Extraordinaire!!!

2009-07-17T11:53:00.000-07:00

After meeting with Chef Mark to plan our wedding, he said, "Just have fun and I'll take care of everything." And that's just what he did! During the months preceeding the event, he checked in frequently and was always available to answer questions or offer suggestions. His charming and fun personality really made everyone in our family feel so comfortable! Most importantly, Chef Mark made everything about our wedding day so special! He tailored the menu (and the whole reception, actually), to reflect the intimacy we wanted for our celebration. Not only was the food fabulous, (our guests are still commenting about how great it was) but the atmosphere Chef Mark created with his creativity and professional talents was incomparable! I was worried that my Italian mom would get all stressed out having someone in "her kitchen" but Mark couldn't have been more reassuring and nice on that level as well. He and his staff were so courteous and amazing all day - We love Affordable Chef Mark!!!!

2009-04-20T09:06:00.000-07:00

serving the santa cruz county area

2007-02-26T10:50:00.000-08:00

http://www.affordablechef.info Although vastly experienced with large catering events , personal chef mark Gallagher,now specializes in smaller more exclusive Venus.Once available only to celebrities, personal or private chefs have become as common as personal trainers, and as affordable as, personal pan pizza.Inviting friends and family over for an event has become more important than everand everybody knows a great catered meal provides good conversation and an goodtime for all. However, the busier people become, the less time they have to host an event or gathering of family and friend.Hiring a private or personal chef is more affordable than dinning out, and a wholelot easier way to take a bite out of eating well.
There is one fantasy most cooks probably share-coming home to adelicious catered dinner that's been prepared by someone else. Forsome people, that dream has come true, thanks to the fast growingfield of personal chefs.Although they often cook sophisticated gourmet fare, their clientsalso request a fair share of down-home comfort food.Nutritious food,full of flavor,the freshes ingredients,high quality meats,fish and produce.Every meal is prepared with the love of cooking,and attention to detail.
Your personal chefs catering services are numerous let your event be a three to five course candle light dinner for two,a private eventyou need catered. To a weekly supply of three course heat and servefamily dinners.