Hey Chef

Business Details

29 Years

experience

Trusted Catering Services in Truckee, CA

Founded in 1997, Hey Chef has established itself as Truckee and Lake Tahoe's premier provider of private culinary services. Our team of formally trained chefs and professional servers brings decades of combined experience from prestigious institutions like the Culinary Institute of America and Le Cordon Bleu. We specialize in creating personalized in-home dining experiences for intimate gatherings, corporate events, and special celebrations, combining technical expertise with a deep understanding of local community needs.

Our commitment to excellence extends beyond service - we actively support local causes through partnerships with organizations like North Tahoe-Truckee Homeless Services. With a focus on discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail, we handle every aspect of your event from menu planning to post-event cleanup, allowing you to fully enjoy your own celebration.

Services

Private Chefs Event Servers Custom Catering Corporate Events Multi-Day Service A La Carte Staff Menu Planning Dietary Accommodations Setup & Cleanup Event Coordination

Details

Year established: 1997

Highlights and features

We offer 25+ years of professional culinary experience from top global institutions
Our team provides personalized service with custom menus for every occasion
We maintain deep community ties through local charity partnerships
Our staff handles complete event execution from planning to cleanup
We accommodate all dietary requirements with professional expertise

What people say

Delicious food Impeccable service Kitchen cleaner Attentive to details Accommodate dietary needs

Website

Update Listing

Services

Private Chefs

Our professionally trained chefs create customized dining experiences for your home. With backgrounds from prestigious institutions like the Culinary Institute of America, our chefs specialize in adapting to your preferences while maintaining restaurant-quality standards. Each chef brings extensive experience in private service, having worked with high-profile clients including U.S. Presidents and Silicon Valley executives. We ensure every meal becomes a memorable event through meticulous attention to presentation and flavor profiles.

Event Servers

Our professional service staff delivers exceptional hospitality for events of all sizes. Each team member undergoes rigorous training in fine dining service protocols while maintaining approachable personalities. We match staff to your event's specific needs, whether requiring formal service for corporate functions or casual assistance for family gatherings. Our staff consistently receives praise for their discretion, efficiency, and ability to handle post-event cleanup while maintaining the highest service standards.

Custom Catering

We create tailored culinary experiences for special occasions ranging from intimate dinners to large corporate events. Our catering service includes complete menu customization based on guest preferences, dietary requirements, and occasion themes. With access to local ingredients and global culinary techniques, we transform your vision into a cohesive dining experience. Our track record includes successful execution of complex events like multi-day retreats and themed celebrations requiring specialized menu development.

Corporate Events

Our corporate event services cater specifically to business functions and executive retreats. We handle all logistical aspects including staff coordination, equipment rental, and timeline management. Our experience with tech companies and executive teams enables seamless execution of professional events while maintaining an unobtrusive presence. We provide complete solutions from formal sit-down dinners to networking reception setups, ensuring your corporate event reflects your organization's standards.

Dietary Accommodations

We specialize in meeting diverse dietary needs without compromising quality or presentation. Our chefs have extensive experience creating gourmet meals that satisfy restrictions including vegan, gluten-free, and allergy-specific requirements. We work closely with clients to understand specific needs and develop creative solutions that maintain culinary excellence. This expertise has been refined through years of serving clients with complex dietary requirements at both private and corporate events.

People

Chef Grog

Founder & Executive Chef

Formally trained at Culinary Institute of America, Cordon Bleu, and La Varenne, Chef Grog has served U.S. Presidents and celebrities since the 1980s. With over 25 years leading Hey Chef, he combines global experience with local Tahoe expertise to maintain culinary excellence.

Holly Verbeck

Co-Founder

With degrees in human resources and risk management, Holly brings operational expertise to Hey Chef. Her background in household estate management and community engagement helps shape the company's service approach and charitable partnerships in the Truckee community.

Chef Gary

Senior Chef

A Truckee original with 25+ years working alongside Chef Grog, Gary co-founded Best of Tahoe Chefs. His culinary career spans restaurant ownership and catering, bringing extensive local knowledge and technical expertise to private events while supporting community causes through his work.

Questions

What types of events do you cater?

We specialize in intimate gatherings, corporate retreats, multi-day stays, and special celebrations. Our services range from private dinners for 8 to large events with 45+ guests, including weddings, anniversaries, and executive functions.

Can you accommodate special dietary requirements?

Yes, our chefs have extensive experience creating gourmet meals that meet vegan, gluten-free, allergy-specific, and other dietary needs while maintaining exceptional flavor and presentation standards.

Do you provide both chefs and serving staff?

Yes, we provide complete service packages including chefs, servers, bartenders, and additional staff as needed. For parties with 8+ guests, we automatically include serving staff with your chef.

How far in advance should I book?

We recommend booking at least 4-6 weeks in advance for peak seasons, though we can accommodate last-minute requests when possible. Contact us early for multi-day events or specific chef requests.

Are your staff members trained in food safety?

All our chefs and servers maintain current food handler certifications and follow strict safety protocols. Our team has implemented enhanced health practices including pre-service health checks and proper food temperature monitoring.

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Reviews (7)

Write a Review

Michaela R.

Nov 08, 2021 Report

Rarely do I say this... world class service! Talk about professional! I had a last minute event during the wildfires and the Hey Chef team just stepped right up and handled the whole process perfectly. Super impressive. HIGHLY recommended. Martis Camp clientele who can be choosy were so pleased. Thank you!

Michaella S.

Oct 04, 2021 Report

10/10!! Everything from the initial conversation with Holly & Ashleigh (both so sweet and communicative), to Chef Jacob & the server Jennifer! Everyone was an absolute joy to work with, the food & service were unparalleled, and made the entire evening that much better. Couldn't have asked for a better service :)

Emily B.

Sep 28, 2021 Report

A+ A+ A+! You and your crew were fantastic. If I ever need private chef services again or know someone coming to the Tahoe/Truckee/Foothills who does, YOU'RE IT! I couldn't be more satisfied with the food, the service and the care you've given us husband from start to finish.

B. B.

Jul 09, 2019 Report

We had the most amazing 4th of July barbecue! Starting with the Red,white and blue frozen drinks...to the s'mores dessert, it was perfection through and through. Every dish was absolutely delicious. Our menu was varied and presented a range of food to meet all dietary issues. The presentation was fabulous and the servers were professional, so helpful and extremely friendly! They helped with set up and cleaned up the kitchen at the end. Every counter was washed down and the towels in the laundry.The pre event planning was super organized and easy. Working with CHef Grog and the Hey Chef

Trina Gold

Jun 20, 2019 Report

Wow! I never realized how much HeyChef! does in advance to make sure we have a great experience. Our chef Brody was very nice and we had a lovely dinner. Plus you cant go wrong with brussel sprouts and bacon. The next day I even had some of the chefs risotto with an egg for breakfast!

Hannah-Joy K.

May 22, 2019 Report

Holly and Nora were great to work with. They helped us put together a delicious menu with only a few days notice for a retreat that I was planning. They even had a chef come in and prepare the food right there for all our guests and executives. Would recommend if having an event in the Tahoe/Truckee area.

Wende Fitzpatrick

Oct 13, 2018 Report

My experience with Hey Chef was so enjoyable. The whole Hey Chef team provided such incredible service and partnership throughout the planning process. The collaboration and flexibility created such a great foundation for a phenomenal event! In addition, the food and presentation was out of this world! I would recommend this team to any of my corporate planner colleagues.