Cooking with Ben: A Private Culinary Experience in your own Vancouver home

Vancouver is becoming a massive foodie hub in more ways than one! Last week, I had the pleasure of experiencing an in-home culinary experience. Chef Benedict Lim, from Cooking with Ben, came into our home & made a 5-part gourmet dinner.

‘Bout that pasta life.

‘Bout that pasta life.

He offers various culinary experiences customized to your hosting & entertaining needs.

Chef Ben is available for any social occasion where inspired food and service matter. Whether it be a birthday dinner for a group of friends, or a cocktail party for 40, Chef Ben can custom craft a gastronomic experience for an exquisite night of food, conversation and elegance. — www.cwbkitchen.com

Eager to have him cook for a dinner party of 6, we agreed on a night and had a few friends over - one of whom is his fiancé & social media expert - Vancouver PR Girl! Who I met on Instagram!

Channeling my inner Athena Calderone & making my hosting dreams come to life

Channeling my inner Athena Calderone & making my hosting dreams come to life

FARM-TO-TABLE COURSES

After a few phone calls, Chef Ben got to know what our allergies & preferences were in order to develop a 5 course, family-style private service. The menu was based on the seasonality of the food, complete with farm-to-table ingredients and an Asian flare of tastes.

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First Course

Smoked Octopus Poke

Gochujang aioli, sweet onions, tobiko, prawn chips, purple shiso

Table Runner: Homesense | Platter: CB2 | Bowl: Homesense

Table Runner: Homesense | Platter: CB2 | Bowl: Homesense

second course

Duck Ragout

Cavatelli, 63 Degree Egg, Aged Parmigiano, Micro Basil

I know, I’m hungry now too.

I know, I’m hungry now too.

Third Course

Iberico Secreto

Caramelized apples, SSamjang

Platter: CB2

Platter: CB2

Fourth Course

Dry Aged Rack of Lamb

Whiskey Peppercorn sauce, Roasted Daikon

Bronze Serving Platter: CB2

Bronze Serving Platter: CB2

final course

Dessert

Nutella gelato, Hawaiian Mochi, Cherry Flambe, Hazelnut Streusal, Lemon balm

Platter: Homesense

Platter: Homesense

all in the details

For this special, intimate dinner, I decided to make menus (super easy - just buy card stock from Staples + a little Photoshop or Microsoft word) and laid them on top of napkins finished with napkin rings.

Plates: Crate & Barrel | Napkins: Homesense | Napkin Rings: Crate & Barrel | Menu: Made by me

Every meal with Chef Ben will always be different & curated just for you and your guests. To book your private culinary experience, head over to his site here & don’t forget to follow him on Instagram.

With love,

Veronica