Frequently Asked Questions
Every Plates & Thyme experience is designed to feel seamless, elevated, and deeply personal. Below are answers to some of the most common questions regarding booking, private dining experiences, and hospitality services.
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Plates & Thyme delivers more than a meal, we create elevated private dining experiences designed around hospitality, storytelling, and memorable moments. Every experience is curated with refined technique, premium ingredients, thoughtful presentation, and restaurant-level execution in the comfort of your home, vacation rental, or event space.
Our goal is simple: to make guests feel completely taken care of from the first course to the final cleanup.
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We offer a range of luxury private dining and hospitality experiences including:
Private chef dinners
Multi-course tasting menus
Interactive chef’s table experiences
Vacation chef services
Intimate celebrations
Birthday dinners
Bachelorette & bachelor experiences
Corporate/private events
Weekly personal chef services
Cocktail pairing experiences
Each experience is customized around your occasion, guest count, and desired atmosphere.
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From the moment you inquire, we guide the experience from planning to execution. Once your date is confirmed, we curate your menu, source ingredients, coordinate logistics, and prepare everything on-site.
Guests can expect polished hospitality, elevated plating, smooth pacing between courses, and an immersive dining experience designed to feel both personal and refined.
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To begin, submit an inquiry with your preferred date, guest count, location, and any dietary restrictions or event details. Once availability is confirmed, we’ll finalize your experience details and send an invoice to secure your booking.
A signed agreement and deposit are required to officially reserve your date.
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Yes. We offer both curated signature experiences and fully customized menus. Whether you prefer a seasonal tasting menu, elevated comfort food, coastal-inspired cuisine, or a completely personalized dining experience, menus are tailored to your preferences and event style.
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Absolutely. We regularly accommodate dietary restrictions, allergies, and lifestyle preferences including gluten-free, dairy-free, vegetarian, pescatarian, and more.
Please share all dietary needs during the booking process so we can thoughtfully tailor your menu and preparation.
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Yes. Plates & Thyme experiences require either a minimum of 4 guests or a $600 minimum booking amount.
Smaller gatherings may still be accommodated with a customized proposal depending on the experience style and location.
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Pricing is typically based per guest and varies depending on menu complexity, service style, guest count, staffing needs, and any specialty add-ons.
Experiences generally include:
Menu planning
Ingredient sourcing
On-site preparation
Service execution
Kitchen cleanup
Custom quotes are provided after reviewing your event details.
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Yes. A 50% non-refundable deposit is required to secure your event date.
Because availability is limited and experiences require advance planning and sourcing, dates are not held without a completed deposit.
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The remaining balance is due 7 days prior to the event date unless otherwise agreed upon in writing.
Final guest counts, dietary restrictions, and logistical details should also be confirmed at this time.
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Your experience includes menu planning, ingredient sourcing, on-site cooking, course execution, and full kitchen cleanup.
Depending on the selected experience, services may also include:
Interactive course presentations
Cocktail pairings
Family-style or plated service
Tableside finishing
Customized menu printing
Our goal is to create a seamless, restaurant-quality experience from start to finish.
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Yes. Additional staffing such as servers, bartenders, or support staff can be arranged depending on your event size and service style.
Staffing recommendations will be discussed during the planning process to ensure the best guest experience possible.
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Absolutely. Many of our experiences take place in vacation homes and Airbnb properties throughout Charleston and surrounding areas.
We simply ask for kitchen access details, parking/loading information, and any property-specific instructions prior to the event.
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Yes. Ingredient sourcing and grocery shopping are included with your experience unless otherwise noted.
We carefully select ingredients to ensure quality, freshness, and seasonality for every menu.
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Yes. While we primarily serve Charleston and surrounding areas, travel for select experiences may be available upon request.
Additional travel fees may apply depending on location and logistics.
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Yes. Curated cocktail pairing experiences may be added to select events where legally permitted.
Pairings are designed to complement the menu and elevate the overall dining experience.
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Guests can expect a relaxed yet elevated atmosphere with polished hospitality, thoughtfully paced courses, refined presentation, and personalized service throughout the evening.
Depending on the selected format, experiences may include interactive elements, chef storytelling, tableside presentations, and direct engagement throughout dinner service.
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A 50% deposit is required to secure your date and is non-refundable.
Because each experience involves advance preparation, sourcing, and scheduling, cancellations made within 14 days of the event may be subject to additional charges.
Rescheduling requests will always be accommodated when possible based on availability.
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We do our best to accommodate last-minute bookings whenever availability allows.
Please note that menu selections, ingredient availability, and staffing options may be more limited on short notice.
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We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for weekends, holidays, and peak Charleston travel seasons.
Advance booking allows for the best menu planning, ingredient sourcing, and overall experience customization.
Whether you're planning an intimate dinner, celebration, or luxury vacation dining experience, Plates & Thyme is designed to bring elevated hospitality directly to you.
“Trusted by Charleston locals and visitors alike”
“ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 7 weeks ago
Juan made our Mothers Day dinner so memorable. We worked through the menu ahead of time and he accommodated the dietary restrictions of our guests. But the highlight was the meal. Wow. The meal. We are still talking about it today (the next day). If you are wanting to be pampered and experience low country in home dining you should consider hiring Juan.”
“ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 7 weeks ago
We hired chef Juan with Plates and Thyme for my 40th birthday dinner celebration and it was the best dinner of my life! Incredible experience, flavor, high quality food, and all at the convenient location of our beach condo. Incredible value for what you get and if we lived closer to SC, we would make this a yearly experience, it was that incredible!”
