I’ve been so excited to post about this! A couple of months ago, one of my favorite Seattle chefs, Jeremy Fox, asked if I’d like to host a dinner party for him to showcase his culinary skills and at the same time have me take some photos for his new website. How could I possibly say no?! So I invited a few of my favorite Seattle wedding vendors for a fabulous six-course dinner. There were eight of us total: me and my husband Josh, Eliza Truitt, one of my favorite wedding photographers, and her boyfriend Steve; wedding and event coordinator Stacey Jehlik with Breathe … Savor the Day; Lily Sommers and Jennell Taylor of Luminous Event Design; and Sanya Lawless of Axis Concierge.

Jeremy showed up at our house around midday with everything he could possibly need to cater and clean up a large dinner party. Bags and bags of fresh produce, a bucket of ice, complete sets of silverware, tableware and glassware … even a trash can! I was so impressed by his thoughtfulness. Unlike regular catering services, everything is done on-site, and the only requirements are some refrigerator and freezer space, a surface for food prep and serving, and some form of stove (he has hosted several large dinner parties on sailing boats, so he’s very flexible when it comes to work space).

The food … the food was amazing. Six heavenly courses, all different yet complementary … It’s hard to choose a favorite, but I have particularly fond memories of the wild mushrooms in phyllo with herbed mornay appetizer, the flourless chocolate torte with raspberry creme anglaise and whip cream, and the amazingly tender seared calamari, served over polenta with tomato coulis. And I usually hate squid! Not only was the menu seasonally oriented and original, with everything cooked from scratch, it is also designed around the likes, dislikes and allergies of both host and guests. Something you could never get in a restaurant!

And that, I think, is the best thing about Jeremy’s service. It’s got everything great about a fine-dining restaurant (awesome food, great service, no cleaning up) but none of the bad stuff – no long waits, no parking nightmares, and no nasty surprises when you get the check. I’m still having a hard time believing that the price is comparable to a meal out!

Before all you brides get too excited about Jeremy working his magic at your wedding, you should note that he specializes in intimate dinner parties with a maximum of 12-18 guests – no mass catering for this chef! – but how about for your rehearsal dinner, bridal shower, or post-wedding brunch? Or even better, as a thank you to your friends and family for helping you through the wedding planning!

Here’s what some of our guests said about the meal – followed, of course, by a few photos.

A big thank you to Chef Jeremy Fox of Stewards of the Flying Dutchman for his delectable culinary stylings. His carefully selected six-course meal highlighted seasonal dishes, including mushrooms in phyllo, incredibly tender lamb with lentils, and handmade mint sorbet. Humbly-presented courses were artistically designed, and ensured the attention was on the food, not the creator. Each new plate was another highlight to the evening. Thanks, Jeremy, for an unforgettable meal! -Jennell & Lily

Jeremy‘s food completely knocked me over–it was delicious and imaginative, from start to finish. I’m still thinking about those mushrooms in phyllo and that lamb the next day! Plus, it it was the first dinner party I’d been to in ages where the hostess didn’t spend half the night in the kitchen. -Eliza

Jeremy treated us to a wonderful feast that delighted both the eyes and the palate. A series of sumptuous starters was followed by an amazingly tender leg of lamb, with meat literally falling off the bone. The bed of lentils beneath was the perfect accompaniment. I also really loved the cheese course – a selection of melt-in-your mouth cheeses served with a cranberry apricot compote on the side. Perfection! And Jeremy’s own uniquely flavored mint sorbet was an especially surprising treat. Aside from the outstanding quality of the food, Jeremy’s service and pacing was perfect for an intimate gathering. We had enough time to enjoy each of the courses, linger over our favorites, and enjoy plenty of good conversation with our fellow diners. Thank you, Jeremy and Kate, for hosting such an enjoyable evening! -Stacey