2020 has altered the landscape of dining in a way that most would have never expected. It also inspired Chef and the Host, and its mission to provide diners the food, service and experience they would receive at their favorite restaurant. Only now it is in the comfort of their own home. Chef & the Host takes care of the ins and outs of creating an epic feast, meaning all you have to worry about is saving room for dessert.
Surprise! It’s also a love story … Our love for hospitality and delicious food feels like one we were born with. Our love for one another came after. We are bonded as a couple, sharing a connection and understanding of working in the same world in which we both are passionate about. Some of our favorite evenings are when we get to host our friends and family at home and we are excited to finally expand what we do with many others.
Chef Will started his career at the age of 10 washing plates and peeling potatoes at his family's restaurant in the Pacific Northwest. He immediately fell in love with food and knew he wanted to bring people joy through his dishes. Self taught, he worked his way up through the ranks of the kitchen in many acclaimed restaurants throughout Washington state. During his time in Washington, Will found his second love for organic farming, where he began working alongside local farmers and foragers. His time on the farm taught Will the true importance of high-quality, home-grown ingredients. When he is not in the kitchen, you can find Will enjoying the surf at local San Diego beaches or tending to his plants in the garden.
Karen’s family opened up a fine dining Italian restaurant when she was just a year old. Trattoria La Strada ended up not only being one of San Diego’s top restaurants, but acclaimed nationwide. Her family retired from the restaurant business after 22 years, but Karen continued to grow professionally by graduating with a B.S. in Hospitality and Tourism at San Diego State University. In her free time, Karen enjoys doing yoga and taking her four-legged companions, Sonny and Luna, on sunset walks along the beach. Fun fact: Karen is trilingual, she is fluent in English, Spanish and Italian!
Fill out the reservation form and let's start planning! Your host, Karen will be in communication with you. Let’s get your questions answered and make sure we're the perfect fit for your occasion.
Once we have an idea of what you are looking for, Chef Will begins to seek out top local ingredients from stores to farms for your menu. This is our FAVORITE part.
The day has arrived and now Chef Will is prepping ingredients in your kitchen, while Karen’s duties vary from event to event, anywhere from setting the ambiance to pouring wine for guests.
Alas, all good things must come to an end, but we don’t leave you with a dirty kitchen to clean! While guests are enjoying their last plate, our team makes sure to leave the kitchen clean and sanitized.
