01 / The sauce
Brightness comes first.
A light lemon beurre blanc gives the fish richness, acidity, and a clean foundation without taking over the plate.
Private dining · Coastal Connecticut & Rhode Island
A dinner that lets you stay at the table.
I plan the menu, cook in your space, and look after the details. You get to enjoy an evening at home without spending it in the kitchen.
Begin with the date, place, and people. I review every request personally before confirming the menu and service.
- Serving clients since 2021
- 250+ private & catered events
- Up to approximately 30 guests
A menu takes shape
Built course by course, for your table.
Four ways to gather
One chef. Four thoughtful formats.
I shape the menu, service, and pace around your occasion, your guests, and the property where we will cook.
01
Anniversaries, birthdays, date nights, and intimate gatherings.
Private dinners
A relaxed restaurant-style evening at home, shaped around your guests, tastes, and occasion.
Explore the format
02
Milestones, showers, holiday tables, and celebrations of up to 30 guests.
Intimate-event catering
Chef-led food and service for a warm, polished event that still feels personal to the host.
Explore the format
03
Rehearsal dinners, welcome dinners, micro-weddings, and post-wedding brunches.
Wedding-weekend dining
Personal catering for the smaller gatherings that make a wedding weekend feel connected and memorable.
Explore the format
04
Client dinners, leadership retreats, and hosted working gatherings.
Corporate & client dining
A private meal that gives teams, clients, and hosts room to connect without leaving the property.
Explore the formatMeet Chef David
Locally rooted. Personally planned.
I am based in Ledyard and have served clients since 2021 across more than 250 private and catered events. I keep the experience direct: one conversation about the people, the kitchen, the season, and the way you want the evening to feel.
My proposal can include menu planning, groceries, cooking, service, and cleanup of my working area. I bring in servers when needed and can offer wine-pairing guidance while the host supplies alcohol.
About Chef David
A simple, considered process
From first note to final course.
01
Tell us about the table
Share the date, location, guest count, occasion, and anything the meal needs to accommodate.
02
Shape the menu
I follow up to discuss the experience, menu direction, service style, and practical details.
03
Confirm the plan
I confirm the menu, service, staffing, travel, and event details directly before anything is booked.
04
Enjoy your evening
With the plan settled, the focus shifts to cooking, hosting, and giving you time with your guests.
Coastal · Four courses
Coastal New England Dinner
Seared scallops with chickpeas, charred leeks, and pan sauce
- Littleneck clams with herbs and browned butter
- Seared scallops with seasonal vegetables
- Cider-brined pork with apple mostarda
- Blueberry and lemon posset
Coastal · Four courses
Coastal New England Dinner
Seared scallops with chickpeas, charred leeks, and pan sauce
Modern dinner · Five courses
Japanese-Inspired Supper
Miso-glazed black cod with rice, sesame spinach, and pickled daikon
Celebration · Four courses
Mystic Harbor Celebration
Miso-glazed black cod with rice, sesame spinach, and pickled daikon
Shared table · Shared table
Moroccan Dinner Table
Braised lamb with saffron couscous, roasted carrots, and preserved lemon
Intimate dinner · Three courses
French Bistro at Home
Duck breast with Puy lentils, roasted onions, and cherry jus
Family gathering · Shared table
Family-Style Italian Table
Handmade ravioli with wild mushrooms, brown butter, and sage
Words from the table
Guests remember how the evening felt.
From anniversary dinners to family gatherings, the details guests remember are often the ones that let the host stay present.
“David catered our anniversary dinner and honestly the steak was better than any restaurant we've been to. He made the whole night feel special without being stuffy. Already booked him for my mom's birthday”
“dude the pasta he made for my gfs birthday was insane. she cried. legit cried. 10/10 would hire again no question”
“hired him for a small dinner party. food was fire. portions were huge. my buddies kept asking where i found this guy. told em davids kitchen. thats it”
A thoughtful fit
Custom quoted, never pushed into a package.
Every request is reviewed personally. Menu direction, service style, staffing, travel, rentals, and the details of the space all shape David’s proposal.
Travel beyond 30 miles may require an added travel charge or event minimum. Avery, my planning assistant, can respond at any hour. I handle personal follow-up from 7:00 AM to 4:00 PM Eastern and personally confirm availability, menus, staffing, and pricing.
Check availabilityServing the coastal region
From Mystic weekends to Newport gatherings.
David’s Kitchen welcomes inquiries across southeastern Connecticut and the Rhode Island shore. Exact travel availability is confirmed for each event.
Explore the service areaGood questions make a better plan
A few things guests ask first.
What kinds of events are a good fit?
Private dinners, celebrations, vacation stays, and small hosted gatherings are all good places to begin. Share the details in the quote form and I will confirm whether the event is a fit.
Are menus customizable?
The menu conversation starts with your occasion, preferences, guest mix, dietary needs, and the kitchen available at the location. Sample menus are starting points, not fixed packages.
Do you accommodate allergies?
Please describe every allergy and dietary restriction in the quote request. I will discuss what can be accommodated, but no kitchen can promise a completely allergen-free environment.
How far in advance should I inquire?
As early as you can. Availability is confirmed directly by David, and submitting a request does not reserve a date.