
Enjoy this unique educational experience learning what it takes, from start to finish, to make a truly memorable meal.
Your experience will start with an initial phone consultation with Chef Mark Tafoya, planning out what type of meal you want to create. Chef Mark will then plan out a special day to spend with you, including shopping for ingredients at the farmer's market, gourmet shops or the supermarket. You'll learn how to select the best ingredients and what types of foods to look for.
You'll then return to your home with Chef Mark and begin preparing your special meal. The menu selection will focus on recipes that illustrate the cooking techniques you most want to learn.
Choose menu selections from foods around the world including French, Italian, Spanish, Southwestern, Thai, Vietnamese, Persian, Japanese, Greek, Moroccan and many more. Chef Mark will consult with you to customize the menu to your liking, and can accommodate virtually any tastes you have.
At the conclusion of your lesson, you can sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor!
You might think that your kitchen is too small for such a service. No need to worry! Chef Mark is a NYC personal chef and can work around any sized kitchen as long as it has a functioning stove and oven.
About the Chef: Chef Mark Tafoya is the co-owner and Executive Producer of the Culinary Media Network, and has been featured in the New York Times, USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Fast Company, TheStreet.com, Time Out New York, Bon Appetit and the Fox Business Channel. Chef Tafoya, along with co-author Jennifer Iannolo, has published "The Gilded Fork: Entertaining at Home, A Year of Dinner Parties", featuring 13 seasonal dinner party menus with recipes, wine pairing notes and chef's tips.
In addition to being an accomplished Chef, Mark Tafoya is a Yale graduate, is extremely personable, and will create a positive and relaxing evening for you and your guests.
Kitchen facilities with a stove and oven are required for this experience.
Gratuity for your chef is not included but is appreciated if you enjoy the experience.
Food Selections: Chef will work with you to customize food selections for your Cooking Party. Should you request a particular item outside the established budget, not a problem; you can simply reimburse your Chef.
The following travel fees will apply for areas outside of Manhattan:
$0: Riverdale, Kingsbridge, Fordham areas of the Bronx
$25: Brooklyn Heights, Park Slope, Williamsburg areas in Brooklyn / Hoboken, Jersey City areas of New Jersey / Long Island City in Queens
$50: All other areas of the 5 boroughs
For areas up to one hour from Manhattan, $35/hr plus the cost of travel will apply.
Please contact Virgin Experience Gifts for locations over one hour from Manhattan.
*Please note, travel fees assume the location is within a 5 minute walk of the subway or PATH train. If farther, cab fare from the closest station applies.
Returns
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be returned hassle-free within 30 days. All refunds will be made to the original purchaser.
Exchanges
Experience Vouchers that have not been redeemed can be exchanged for anything else in our marketplace at any time. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs more, you'll simply have to pay the difference. If you choose to exchange for an experience that costs less, you'll have a credit towards your next booking with Virgin Experience Gifts.
Prior to scheduling/booking a date for this experience, Virgin Experience Giftss standard return and exchange policy shall apply. Once you have scheduled a date and received a booking confirmation, no returns or exchanges are allowed. However, rescheduling is allowed free of charge with at least 3 weeks notice prior to your booked date. Rescheduling between 10 - 21 days prior to your booked date requires a $50 fee. No rescheduling will be allowed within 10 days of your booked date.
At Virgin Experience Gifts, we believe in delivering amazing experiences—and your gifting experience should be no different. That’s why we ensure worry-free gifting for both the giver and recipient with these extra benefits and guarantees:
All vouchers that have not been redeemed can be returned hassle-free within 30 days—free of charge, no questions asked.
Even after the 30-day return window closes, you can exchange your voucher for anything else in our marketplace at any time. If you choose an experience that costs more, you'll simply have to pay the difference. If you choose an experience that costs less, you'll have a credit towards your next booking with Virgin Experience Gifts. And our vouchers never expire!
With instant e-voucher delivery, we make it easy to find and give the perfect gift fast—even if you’re shopping at the last-minute. You’ll be able to send an amazing experience to your loved one immediately for instant gratification for you and your recipient.
Not only do we curate the best experiences for you, we also guarantee that you'll pay the same price through Virgin Experience Gifts as you would buying directly from our experience providers. Plus, you get the benefit of our flexible policies, convenient shopping experience, and exceptional customer support with no added costs.
If you find the same experience with the same provider advertised at a lower standard price (does not include vendor promotions or sales), simply contact us at 303-381-1720or email us at info@virginexperiencegifts.com and we’ll match the advertised price.
If you are giving this experience as a gift and would like your recipient to be able to choose a date at their convenience, click Buy Gift Voucher.
If you'd like to select a date now and book this experience, click Book Experience.