Lobster katsu, aromatic vegetable potstickers and chicken satay!!!
Just the first few appetizers!
Botanical Gardens
Cold water lobster with roasted garlic and herb butter.
Chef John Seymour,
Pupu trio
Furikake and Wasabi Ahi, Green Papaya Slaw
Hawaiian Style Caesar: Taro Croutons,Local Romaine, Parmesan Crisp Bowl
BEST MEAL EVER!!!! And it was at a wedding???! Can't thank you enough John!!!!
What I do When I'm "Off the Clock", with My Boy Milo
"Chef John Seymour specializes in pacific rim cuisine. We give free tastings. Please call to schedule.
#2 Travel Channel Frame Grab for Hawaii Yachts.
"Private Chef Service at your Service"
~Macaron Medley
From Ocean to Plate in 15 minutes flat. Now that's Fresh Fish. Aboard Hawaii Yachts.
Michael T.
Jul 22, 2024
Wife and I was looking for a private chef for our wedding reception. She found Chef John through IG initially I think. We did a bit of research and drooled all over the food pics.He was the one and we did not want to work with anyone else. We knew that having an out of state wedding would be a coordination nightmare so we reached out several months in advanced. He was very communicative and we both reached out to each other at the right time as we got closer to the wedding. (I honestly don't know what the 1 star review was about because we did not have this experience) He was really flexible with us for slight menu changes and updates to the head count throughout the process.We wanted this to be more intimate since it was just family and man did Chef John and his team deliver. Everyone was so impressed that they get to experience a professional chef cook on the spot, his team was so attentive and the attention to detail was very impressive. I have dined all over the world and have been to some of the nicest restaurants and I can compare the level of service to a Michelin star restaurant.I wish I had a second stomach that day so I could have eaten more. (Wish I got more photos, but will add more as I get them from family)If you are debating or looking for a private chef to host your next dinner event please do not look anywhere else, you will not be disappointed.Mahalo nui loa Chef John and team!!!
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Charles H.
Mar 1, 2023
We are a party of 8--four couples who are lifelong friends--and we rented a house for the week near Pupukea on the North Shore. John was a pleasure to deal with in advance in determining the menu selections, and he and his sous chef arrived on time last night for our private meal at home. In a little over two hours, they had prepared and served a sumptuous feast that was seriously delicious in all respects. We enjoyed several appetizers first, then a fresh salad made from all local ingredients with a mango viniagrette, then a "land and sea" entree featuring local catch and Chateaubriand, then a two-course dessert featuring passionfruit creme brûlée and a half-papaya filled with raspberry and mango sorbet. He was happy to answer all questions about ingredients and techniques, but it was not a demonstration class if that's what you might think. Instead, he and his assistant remained busy in the kitchen preparing and serving delicious course after delicious course, allowing us to mingle and socialize. The team also cleaned up the kitchen, did the dishes, and left the house as they found it--a nice bonus.It's a bit of an extravagance, yes, but the food was five-star quality and so, so good. You will not regret hiring John for your next in-house dining event! If we come back to Oahu, we will certainly hire him again. A great experience from start to finish.
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Yanicke W.
Jul 19, 2022
John from Private Dining Hawaii has done a couple of weddings for my clients. His food is creative and moderate priced. Great presentation and lovely service. I will definitely use him again.
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Sean W.
Jul 30, 2022
INCREDIBLE!!! Actually, incredible is an understatement. Every course made by Chef John was amazing. We celbrated our parents 50th wedding anniversary and Chef John made the evening perfect. If you're looking for a Chef to host any occasions, then look no further. Absolutely amazing.
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Ashley B.
Aug 8, 2017
WORLDS GREATEST CHEF!!!!! Easily the best meal I've ever experienced... and it was at a wedding?!?! The service was amazing as well. You can tell John has a real talent and passion for his craft. It was a nightmare trying to find a caterer for my sisters wedding. Everyone we spoke with out here was either non responsive or outrageously priced for really lame menus. Seriously by one company we were quoted $120 a head for a glorified plate lunch. It felt like we were being taken advantage of with every caterer that heard the word "wedding". Then we called John. He'd done dinner parties for many of our friends and we'd only heard incredible things about him. Though he's a private chef, we asked if he'd consider doing my sister's small wedding. We heard back from John within minutes! While discussing the menu, we gave him our budget and a very simple idea of what we were thinking menu-wise (with the horrible quotes and menus we'd been receiving, we vastly lowered our expectations for this meal). His response was- "well that sounds great... but it's a wedding! Let's add some WOW factor- instead of chicken, why not lobster?" WHAT?!?! Everyone other caterer was looking doing as little as possible and here John just wanted to make a master piece! No hidden taxes or fees, he took our budget and stretched it to create the most impressive menu- all the flavors perfectly balanced and exotic. I was completely blown away. The service and presentation was impeccable as well.I really cannot say enough about John. Beyond being incredibly knowledgeable and talented when it comes to the culinary arts- he's professional, hardworking, and honest. We still talk of that meal regularly. THANK YOU THANK YOU for making my sisters special day perfect!
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Devon W.
Sep 23, 2017
The chef was incredible about delivering a first class experience while also being flexible about the menu right up until the dinner. He was fast to respond, offered great suggestions and then prepared it perfectly in our kitchen. Service was impeccable and very professional. Everything was cleaned up and dishes done as if no one was even there. Would highly recommend him again.
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Donavon C.
Apr 20, 2024
Great deal of lack of communication, and unreliable.Tried to book this business for a celebration a month in advance and at first got a greeting through text, I responded with MULTIPLE dates I was flexible on for convenience on both the business and my side. I got a response saying "booked, hope it works out for you". And in response to that I tried to communicate additional days that could work on my end...it has now been 6 days and he has not communicated anything.
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Melissa S.
Jun 24, 2023
John provided an in-home dinner for our group of 8 at our vacation rental on the North Shore. From the moment I first contacted John he was on top of everything. Great communication, sent me an amazing menu and was open to any requests. He arrived with his server, Ewa, and they handled everything. Very friendly and professional. The meal was timed perfectly and everything was beautifully plated and delicious. Couldn't have asked for more. The kitchen was spotless right before they slipped out leaving us to enjoy the rest of the beautiful sunset. Couldn't have asked for a more perfect experience. Thanks John!
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Michelle A.
Mar 18, 2023
If your looking for a terrific chef with talents galore, stop looking and call John!!!We were a small family celebration at a rental property. We provided a sample menu and was able to make adjustments to meet our needs. He was flexible for the arrival time as our family were coming from a photo shoot. He didn't rush and had each course served in proper time. No one was rushed and all 7 of my family members were very impressed and enjoyed the whole nightHe provided app plates as the rental did not have them. He and his wonderful assistant Emil's took care of everything from setting the table to cleaning the kitchen as well as wrapping up the left overs. Very professional and the best lobster potstickers and steak ever, to include a terrific pasta dish. Dessert was beyond. I would recommend reaching out. You will not be disappointed. He is easy to communicate with and responds promptly even being with the time difference from the mainland Thank you John and Emil's for making our vacation extra specialBOOK HIM!
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Chad M.
Jan 31, 2022
I feel that words are inadequate to describe just how great this experience was...from the moment we reached out to chef John to the last bite of dessert everything was perfect! He was able to craft a custom menu for our party of 9 in celebration of loved one's passing. The cuisine exceeded every expectation--the lobster katsu is a new favorite, the lamb and ono were cooked so perfectly, and don't even get me started on the passion fruit cheesecake! Chef John and his assistant were obviously extremely professional but so engaging and down to earth that the experience was anything but pretentious. If you are looking for an exceptional dining experience in your own home then Chef John is your guy.
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