private chef – Nicole Marlow

The Ultimate Sunday Funday

October 11, 2019Leave a comment

Talk about a FUNDAY! I catered an event for a regular customer and it was truly something special. It started out as an “end of the summer pool party”, however, at the time we planned this, we had a hurricane co 20190929_105057-01-01 ming our way. So we postponed, but now there was no special occasion. It just became a Sunday football party!! What was so fun about this party, was how they designed their home to host- the outdoors and indoors became one space and it was awesome! There were TVs all over the house with different games on so all fans can watch their teams. There was even a large TV over their Wolf grill and the host made sure I was able to watch my game as I cook! Because the party was outside and inside, some of their guests even arrived in their yachts! Never saw that before! LOL But how fun! They had a DJ, 2 bartenders, a poker dealer, and me, the chef! Yes, this really happened! It was sooo fun!

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The menu:

*Crudite platter with hummus, tzatziki, veggies, pita

*Arugula salad with lemon vinaigrette

*Antipasto pasta salad

*Vegetable paninis with pesto

*Grilled chicken

*Grilled corn

*Sliders with all sorts of toppings

*Coleslaw with champagne vinaigrette

*BBQ popcorn

*Sweet and savory Chex party mixes

*Peach cobbler

*Strawberry shortcake

It was a lot of food for 45 people and EVERYONE loved it! 3 of the guests even told me that my peach cobbler was 10x better than what they had in Georgia! I mean, what a compliment! I knew it was good, because I made 3 large bakers of it and it was gone so fast! Every time I loaded up the slider station with burgers, they were gone before I knew it. I came up with the menu when the host mentioned how they wanted pool party food. What was really great, is there were no dietary restrictions! Though, I wanted to keep it kid friendly and definitely something that adults would want to eat. It was the perfect blend of both.

I literally cannot wait to cater another event for them!

Be on the lookout for the next post! It’s going to be all about Thanksgiving! Yes, it’s next month and I’m really looking forward to it! And be sure to follow on instagram! I love a good food picture and I’m going to be posting videos soon! EEEK! But I’m excited to take it to the next level! Have a great weekend! xoxo

End of Summer/Getting ready for the Fall

September 6, 2019September 6, 20192 Comments

How is it that summer is over already?! I feel like it went by SO quickly! But I have to say, it was a great summer! Lots of catering! And it doesn’t stop there. Planned an AMAZING menu for an “End of the summer pool party”, which should have been this past weekend, but with Hurricane Dorian passing through, we had to reschedule our event for a couple of weeks from now. (Be sure to check in a couple of weeks for the final results!) This party of 40 people will have:

*Crudite platter with veggies, fruit, hummus, and tzatziki

*Veggie paninis with pesto

*Antipasto pasta salad with an herb vinaigrette

*Sliders with all sorts of toppings

*Grilled chicken

*Grilled corn with cilantro lime butter

*Coleslaw

*BBQ spiced popcorn

*Sweet and savory chex party mix

*Peach cobbler

*Strawberry shortcake

I don’t think it’s going to be enough food! LOL If you read the post before, this is going to be for the family that I catered a fun First Holy Communion for their daughter. The best compliment they gave me, being able to be present for their celebration while having fun hosting and not having to prep and cook for all of their guests. Can you imagine this pool party with all of this food and they won’t get to enjoy their own party? I can’t wait to post how it went! So when she requested peach cobbler, I began to crave it so I HAD to make a little batch of it (ya know, because of the diet! LOL).

Also, getting ready for the Fall and put up some awesome cooking classes to get you ready for all of your fall hosting. There are some great recipes that you can add in your archive of recipes! There is more information under the Services page, but here are the menus for September and October:

September cooking classes:

Hot Cuban Flavors Amazing Latin flavors are packed into this simple, but delicious menu!
- Spicy Grilled Mojo Chicken with Avocado Mango Salsa, Grilled Corn with Cotija and Lime, Coconut Flan
Fall Favorites Perfect, comfort recipes just in time for the fall!
- Perfect Roast Chicken with Lemon and Herbs, Vegetable Pot Pie, Apple Crisp with Cinnamon Cream
For the kiddos Fun and interactive class where kids learn how to make pasta! They will also learn to make a cookie they are sure to love!
- Fettuccine Alfredo, Chicken Parmesan, Lemon Sugar Cookies
Date Night Enjoy a fun night with your friends and cook an amazing dinner that you will for sure cook over and over!
- Crostini with Caramelized Shallots, Balsamic Fig Jam, and Burrata, Fresh Pasta, Lobster Ravioli with White Wine Beurre Blanc, Champagne Chocolate Truffles

October cooking classes:

Autumn Pies It’s that time of year again and that means fall baking! Learn how to make delicious, decorative fall pies
- Classic Pumpkin Pie, Apple Pie, Bourbon Caramel Sauce
Fall Soups and Stews Fabulous recipes for the perfect fall day
- Chicken and Herb Dumpling Soup, Hearty Tuscan Beef and Red Wine Stew, Sweet Potato Soup with Apple and Ginger
Girl’s Night Out! Grab your favorite Champagne and your girlfriends to this delicious fall menu!
- Endive Salad with Grapes and Candied Pecans, Pan Roasted Chicken with Sage Au Jus, Pumpkin Risotto with Fried Sage, Apple Butterscotch Gallette
Date Night The perfect dinner for a romantic, fall night in!
- Fennel and Blood Orange Salad with White Balsamic Vinaigrette, Cast Iron Steak with Red Wine Sauce, Truffle Mashed Potatoes, Chocolate Espresso Pot de Creme

What would you like to learn in November? I’ll be posting the November classes by the end of the month, because my favorite holiday is right around the corner and there are some good, classic recipes to be shared! Thanksgiving is the perfect time to host a great dinner and my classes will be filled with all sorts of tips and ideas!

Be sure to follow me on Instagram! So many good food pics and inspiration! Also, subscribe to my blog for future classes and recipes! xoxo

Meal Planning and Back to School

August 19, 2019August 19, 2019Leave a comment

Hi everyone! Summer is coming to an end and we’ve eaten a lot of great food. Meal planning going strong!! I’m very grateful that I have new clients and I am helping families. I love that they are referring me to their friends and family! It’s very fulfilling to provide fully cooked meals for families who don’t have the time to cook. I get the opportunity to help them eat healthy food while they take care of everything else. What would you like to see on the meal plan rotation? 20190812_161015-01

On the menu for one family:

*Lemon and Parmesan Salmon with Heirloom Tomato, Corn, and Avocado Salad

*Korean Grilled Steak with Sesame Chimichurri and Asian Chopped Salad

*Greek Chicken bowls with Lemon Orzo and Tzatziki

*Roasted Lamb Chops with Mashed Potatoes and Honey Glazed Carrots

*Double Chocolate Brownies

For another family:

*Gnocchi Bolognese with Caesar Salad

*Sweet Thai Basil Chicken with Jasmine Rice

*Lemon Roasted Salmon with Roasted Potatoes and Asparagus

*Sheet Pan Steak Fajitas with Cilantro Lime Rice

*Chocolate Chip Cookies

Let’s plan your weekly meals! Be sure to follow me on Instagram! xoxo

Easter

April 15, 2019April 17, 2019Leave a comment

Hey everyone! Another busy week and I finally have a moment to sit and reflect. Last week, I was reminded that there are going to be obstacles when you least expect it and I become stronger and stronger every time. I have an amazing tribe and with them, I can do it! This is a new week and it started on a great note! Still hype over Game of Thrones! Is it just me, or did that hour seem to just fly by?! I feel like I blinked and it was over! This weekend, we will be ready with an EPIC dinner because it’s not only Game of Thrones, but it is also Easter Sunday!

This week, I’ll be focused on helping new customers with their meal preferences and lift the burden of having to cook dinner for their families and for themselves.

For one family:

*Shrimp scampi with roasted broccoli and a grilled Caesar salad *Perfectly seared scallops with mashed potatoes *Four cheese lasagna with Zucchini noodles *Whole roasted chicken with roasted potatoes and honey maple glazed carrots

For another family:

*Roasted cauliflower with turkey sausage and yogurt *Chinese chicken and broccoli with white rice *Mongolian beef *Vegetable fried rice *Gluten free brownies

Another family will have:

*Creamy Tuscan Chicken with broccoli rabe *Pan seared salmon with white wine pan sauce *Pinenut couscous with apricots *Seafood Paella with roasted garlic aioli *Olive oil polenta cake with honey whipped cream

For Easter dinner:

*Spring Pea salad with asparagus, watermelon radish, and champagne vinaigrette *Mezze Platter with homemade hummus, marinate olives and artichokes, and pita *Lamb chops with mint salsa verde *Roasted Brussels sprouts with smoked brown sugar *Orange ricotta cake with honey whipped cream

Next week, I have my first customer where I will planning some breakfasts for while they are in town. These cinnamon rolls are definitely going to be a part of it. There is just something so comforting about cinnamon rolls. And they don’t get better than homemade. These make the perfect addition to any Easter brunch spread.

More on the breakfast meal plans next week.

Easy comfort food

April 11, 2019April 11, 2019Leave a comment

Hey guys! This week has been so busy and it’s not going to stop. (And I’m so excited that things are going strong!)

New families and private dinners planned throughout the month!

This week’s meal plans include the following:

1. *Pan seared salmon with mango salsa *Scallops with swiss chard and cauliflower puree *Grilled steak with mashed potatoes and roasted asparagus *Caesar salad *Garden salad

2. *Cast iron steak and potatoes *Indian butter chicken with basmati rice *Shrimp fettuccine alfredo *Potato salad with scallion vinaigrette *Chicken Shwarma salad with tahini

3. *Mojo chicken with cilantro rice *Black bean and corn salsa *Shrimp ceviche with tostones *Roast pork shoulder *Coconut lime Popsicles

All delicious and solidifying some vegan menus this week! Coming up, I am going to post some class menus. It’s a great idea to host for birthdays or anniversary parties!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies

April 10, 2019Leave a comment

Welcome to my blog! I’m happy you’re here! I previously had another blog and starting this one on nicolemarlow.com was something that I was going back and forth on, but then I decided, WHY NOT?! It will tie everything together throughout my private chef life and my passion for food. Every week, there will be a new post and (hopefully soon) I will be able to post more frequently!

This week on the menu for some of my rock stars, are these amazing gluten free oatmeal chocolate chip cookies! I was never a fan of oatmeal cookies. I like oatmeal for breakfast and I love granola, but cookies, not so much. Enter this cookie. For one of the families that I cook for, healthy eating is everything and they do like their sweets, so we had to find a common ground. Now what I like about this recipe, is the fact that it has almond butter! I’m all for almond butter and we need a little chocolate to make this cookie delicious. Although I was never a fan of oatmeal cookies, now this cookie is something that I crave more often. It’s quick and easy to make and what’s even better- they freeze very well! Very kid friendly and these families request these cookies every week.

One of the meal plans set for this week include these cookies, Tuscan kale and roasted tomatoes, chicken gyros with tzatziki, and banana bread. SOO delicious!