At our core, we’re a private chef and catering company, founded by people who love food, entertaining, and our home right here in Upstate New York. With every event we do, our goal is to create an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience for you and your guests. The bottom line is, however you envision your event, we are here to make it happen. Having said that, let’s tell you more about how that works! And when you’re ready to book, contact us here!

Jump to sections: Infusion, Booking a Gathering, Day of the Event

Infusion

Q: Will you really “take me higher?”
A: Yes! But only if you ask us to, never without your advance knowledge and consent, and only to adults over the age of 21.

Q: What if some of my guests don’t want to consume, but some do? Can everyone choose for themselves or does everyone have to make the same decision?
A: Our model offers every diner the option to consume, or not, at each course. Before we serve anything, we have a short conversation with all of the diners and we explain what to expect throughout the meal. Before each course, we ask how many will be “going higher” for that round, and we serve accordingly. If it is a plated meal, we only add something extra to the plates of those who want it. If it is a family-style meal, the infusion will be in the sauces or other add-ons, and which dishes are which will be very clearly marked.

Q: Is my food going to taste like there is “something extra” in it?
A: Only if you want it to! It doesn’t have to have that flavor to be effective, so it’s completely up to you. These days, we have so many choices, from tinctures, to concentrates, to good old ground flower, that we can customize the level of “greenness” exactly to your and your guests’ liking.

Q: What if someone at my event over consumes and is uncomfortable?
A: First of all, we’ve all been there and there is no shame in overdoing it! Rest assured that we are your trusted guides, no matter your experience level. We’ll help you avoid getting to overconsumption in the first place, but we also have lots of tricks up our sleeves to bring you back to earth.

Q: Does Elevated Gatherings sell cannabis?
A: No, because at this time, New York State law does not permit us to buy and resell it, so you as our client would need to purchase the products in advance for us to infuse them into your food. Don’t worry, we have recommended local partners and a ready shopping list for you!

Booking a Gathering FAQs

Q: What happens when I call you to book an event?
A: First, we will have a short conversation to confirm a few basic details, such as the date, time, and location, number of guests, and if you have any specific requests for your meal, such as menu or dietary restrictions. Once we have that information, we’ll put together a customized proposal for your event, which we are confident you will love, and then we’ll get you on our calendar and bring the restaurant to you.

Q: What kind of food can I choose for my event?
A: In general, if you can imagine it, we can make it! We have some suggested menus for you here, but feel free to get creative. Of course, we will be happy to make suggestions, and if you are open to it, we’ll steer you towards what we know to be the freshest, most local, and best choices based on what is in season. But in the end, it’s your event so it’s completely up to you!

Q: Do I have to have any special equipment to host a gathering?
A: No! We have cooked in the tiniest kitchens and huge chef’s kitchens, and everything in between. If we’re cooking in your kitchen, we will bring whatever we need, things like pots and pans, knives, and serving dishes, and we can even bring plates and cutlery. And if this is an event where we’re cooking from our truck, all we need is a place to park it and we’ll do the rest.

Day of the Event

Q: What happens when you arrive at my house/event location?
A: If this is an event where we’re using your kitchen, we’ll first come in and get a feel for where we will be cooking, then we unload everything and get set up. We’ll have all of the necessary supplies to cook and serve your meal, and of course we’ll have all of the food too! If this is an event where we’re cooking from our truck, we won’t need much more than to be shown where to park. We’ll take care of all the setup outside. Expect us to arrive about an hour before we will be serving the first course. Once we are all set up, we’ll get to work, and you don’t have to worry about anything but having a good time.

Q: Do I have to help you cook, serve, or clean up?
A: No way! This is the beauty of hiring a private chef to cater your event. We do all the work for you! We cook, we serve, we clean up, and we get out of there, leaving you to enjoy your evening, relaxed and in the comfort of your own space.

Q: Do we have to sit formally at a dinner table when we eat?
A: Only if you want to. Again, this is your gathering, so we want you to enjoy it however you are comfortable. We have done events where the guests sat at a formal dining table and used fine china. We have done events where people sat on the floor and ate off paper plates. Whatever you want for your event, we work with you to make it happen.

Q: How long will you be at my house?
A: That depends on the number of courses we are serving, but most of the time, for a private dinner we are there for about four hours. We arrive an hour before we serve, and we are usually out about 30 minutes after you have been served your dessert. If you have a specific time restriction for your event, please be sure to let us know during the booking process so we can plan accordingly and accommodate your wishes.

Don’t see the answer to your question? Contact us today!