steak with pasta for private catering

PRIVATE EVENT CATERING

Charlotte, NC

Confidently host an event as you bring the luxury of a personal chef to your special occasion.

Our private event catering is as personalized as it gets - we tailor your custom menu to your celebration,  the season, and of course, your dietary needs and preferences. 

We do it all - whether it’s a simple catering at home,  a multi-course dinner party with friends, or passed hors d’oeuvres for a fancier night, our team will handle all the delicious details.

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We specialize in the following private catering events:

  • Multi-course dinner parties

  • Birthday and anniversary dinners

  • Holiday parties

  • Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter meals; drop-off catering

  • Cocktail parties and passed hors d’oeuvres

  • Baby and bridal showers

  • Bachelor and bachelorette weekends

  • Afternoon tea

  • Family celebrations

  • Corporate catering

  • Lake Norman and Lake Wylie vacation-home gatherings

A person squeezing a lemon wedge over a cod cake on a white plate.

What a Private Chef Experience in Charlotte Actually Looks Like

Hiring a personal chef for an in-home dinner party is less about luxury and more about presence. When every detail of the meal is handled – shopping, cooking, plating, cleanup. You stop being the host who disappears into the kitchen and become a guest at your own table.

At Copper & Thyme, each experience is handled entirely by your chef from first contact to final cleanup. There's no coordinating with multiple vendors, no wondering if the food will arrive on time, and no stack of dishes waiting for you at the end of the night.

What you get instead: a thoughtfully curated menu built around your preferences, high-quality seasonal ingredients sourced from trusted local purveyors, and professional service inside your home – from the moment guests arrive to the moment the kitchen is spotless.

Private Chef Experiences for Lake Norman and Lake Wylie Homes

Planning a lakefront dinner, vacation rental stay or celebratory weekend near Lake Norman or Lake Wylie? Copper & Thyme can bring a custom Lake Norman or Lake Wylie private chef directly to your home or rental property. We handle menu planning, grocery shopping, on-site cooking, service support and cleanup so your group can settle in and enjoy the meal, the view and the moment.

How It Works: Private Event Catering in Charlotte

Please note: If you already have an established personal chef service with us, you won’t need to fill out the food questionnaire again, unless your preferences have changed.

STEP #1 

FOOD QUESTIONNAIRE

For us to better understand your dietary needs and preferences, fill out our food questionnaire.

STEP #2

CONSULTATION

Once the form is received, we’ll schedule a call to go over the details.

STEP #3 

CUSTOM SERVICE 

For every custom service, we’ll send you the menu and details beforehand for approval.

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What Clients Are Saying

  • “Chef Alicia prepared a private, in-home 35th birthday dinner for my wife and her parents and it was exactly what we wanted. Her food was excellent, the presentation was dynamite, and she was super professional throughout. Everything was hot too, which is always something that bugs my wife and me at restaurants. If you're looking for sit-down catering for a private event, look no further.”

    — Anthony

  • “I recently had the opportunity to have Copper & Thyme cater a special event in my home for 50 people. Alicia came highly recommended by a colleague who understood this event called for a chef who could create unique recipes from locally sourced ingredients. Her ability to connect with local farmers and producers allowed her a range of possibilities in coming up with a delightful array of small bites and sweet treats just right for the afternoon affair. From start to finish when the last spoon was dried and put away, she had all under complete and comfortable control - allowing me the time to enjoy guests and food!”

    — Margaret

  • “I had the pleasure of hiring Alicia for my 15th wedding anniversary, and it was an absolute delight! From an exquisite first course to a decadent dessert, every dish of our five-course meal was a masterpiece. Alicia’s attention to detail, creativity, and use of fresh, high-quality ingredients truly elevated our dining experience and special occasion. Her culinary expertise was evident with every bite. I highly recommend her for anyone looking to add a touch of culinary magic to their celebrations and I can’t recommend Copper & Thyme enough.”

    — Bryn

  • "Chef Alicia delivered a fantastic three-course meal that hit all the right notes. The short rib bolognese with homemade pasta was rich and deeply satisfying, with a perfect balance of flavors that made it feel both comforting and elevated. The tiramisu was a standout—light, creamy, and not overly sweet, a flawless finish to the evening. Each dish felt thoughtful and well-executed without being overcomplicated. A truly enjoyable dining experience!"

    — Kyle

Stuffed mushrooms with crispy topping on a plate

Dinner Parties, Celebrations and Special Occasions

We love creating memorable moments with food, especially for your important celebrations.

We promise to delight and surprise you and your guests with decadent flavors, bites, and dishes that will be remembered for years.

Using high-quality, specialty ingredients, we transform familiar food into something extravagant. We source ingredients from local makers right here in Charlotte and artisans across the globe for the most authentic taste.

Pricing

Our in-home private catering dinner parties include:

3-Course Meal 

Starting at $145 per person, plus the cost of groceries

Additional courses can be added per your request.  

An additional server fee will be added for parties larger than 8

What’s Included

  • Custom menu planning

  • Grocery shopping

  • Onsite food preparation

  • Onsite servers (if needed)

  • Tableware/place ware when requested

  • Clean up

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table setting for private catering event

Sample Private Event Menus

Appetizers

Sweet Potato Rounds

with whipped goat cheese, toasted walnuts, pancetta and honey drizzle

House Cured Gravlax

with a herb-whipped mascarpone, toasted pumpernickel bread, and topped with radish microgreens

Poached Shrimp served in Phyllo Cups

with finely chopped preserved lemon and mint

Crispy Polenta Squares

with sautéed herb seasoned mushrooms

Appetizer of bite-sized shrimp salad cups topped with microgreens on a white platter.

First Course

Creamy Roasted Butternut Squash Soup

with pancetta, toasted pepitas, crispy Brussels sprouts leaves

Homemade Orecchiette Carbonara

with smoked pork jowls

Seared Scallops

with brown butter sauce, celery root puree, and pickled mustard seeds

Winter Citrus Salad

with blood orange, shaved radicchio, mixed greens, toasted walnuts, warm goat cheese medallions. and a Citrus Maple Dijon vinaigrette

Salad with mixed greens, pomegranate seeds, sliced citrus, and a fried goat cheese disc.

Main Course

Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops

with balsamic pomegranate syrup, butter sous vide carrots, and Duchesse potatoes

Braised Short Ribs

with port wine reduction sauce roasted garlic mashed potatoes balsamic roasted Brussels sprouts

Salmon topped

with potato scales and crispy fried potato skins, Buerre Blanc and lemon garlic roasted asparagus

Seared Filet Mignon

with herb garlic roasted potatoes, Buerre Blanc and lemon garlic roasted asparagus

A plate of food with roasted carrots, a mashed potato cake garnished with chopped herbs, a lamb chop topped with a crunchy pistachio crust, and a drizzle of dark sauce.

Dessert

Normandy Pear Tart with Almond Filling

topped with hazelnut crumble and homemade vanilla ice cream

Warm Apple Pear Crumble

with bourbon salted caramel and homemade vanilla ice cream

Almond and Walnut Kaitifi

Homemade Hazelnut Chocolate Roulade

Earl Grey infused Panna Cotta

with raspberry coulis and honey touille

Four dessert glasses with layered creamy desserts topped with red fruit sauce and decorated with decorative leaf-shaped cookies, set against a blurred background with lights.
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Curated Private Chef Packages

We also provide Signature Private Chef Experiences. Choose from six unique culinary adventures created and delivered by our Copper & Thyme chef team:

● The Caviar & Champagne Experience

● The Sushi & Saki Experience

● The French Countryside Soirée

● The Mediterranean Mezze

● The Spanish Table

● The Market to Table Experience

Private Event Catering FAQs

  • Currently, we provide catering exclusively in residential homes within our service area or outside of it for an additional travel fee.

    If you have a special destination event just reach out and we'll let you know if it’s feasible!

    Our typical service area includes any Charlotte neighborhood from Cotswold and Myers Park south to Ballantyne and Providence Crossing. We also serve residents in Matthews, Stallings, and Weddington.

  • Absolutely. Copper & Thyme serves clients hosting gatherings at both Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, bringing a fully personalized, in-home dining experience directly to your lakefront home or vacation rental. Whether you’re planning an intimate dinner, a celebratory weekend with friends, or a relaxed family gathering during your stay, we take care of every detail—from custom menu design to execution—so you can truly settle in and enjoy the experience.

    Because these locations are outside of our standard Charlotte service area, a travel fee will be applied. This will always be clearly outlined during the booking process, ensuring complete transparency from the start.

  • Our private event catering services are versatile and adaptable to various types of events, ranging from birthday parties, bachelor/bachelorette parties, holiday gatherings, and small get-togethers for example. Whether it's a formal sit-down affair, a casual buffet-style gathering, or an appetizer-heavy event, we tailor our offerings to suit your specific occasion and preferences.

  • To ensure we can fully accommodate your needs and preferences, we recommend booking our catering services as early as possible, ideally at least 2-3 months in advance for larger events. However, we understand that timelines can vary, and we strive to accommodate last-minute requests whenever feasible, though availability may be limited.

  • Absolutely. We understand the importance of catering to diverse dietary needs and preferences. Our culinary team is experienced in accommodating various dietary restrictions, including vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, and allergies. Simply inform us of any special requirements when discussing your catering event, and we will work closely with you to create a customized menu that meets your needs.

  • At this time we only offer food for our events. We can provide recommendations for wine pairings, however, due to state laws we are unable to purchase and serve alcohol.

  • Our menu selection process begins with a consultation to understand your event vision, dietary preferences, and budgetary considerations. Based on this information, our culinary team will curate a selection of dishes tailored to your tastes and requirements, your event theme and any specific dishes you had in mind. We'll work closely with you to refine the menu until it aligns perfectly with your vision for the event.

  • We can assist with outsourcing any equipment needed for your event. We will work with you to understand what is required and we will work with the supplier to ensure the right pieces are obtained.

  • While our menu prices are transparent and inclusive of standard services, additional fees may apply depending on specific event requirements, such as rentals, staffing needs, specialty equipment, or extra services. We strive to provide clear and detailed pricing information upfront to ensure transparency and avoid any unexpected costs.

  • Yes, we can outsource experienced servers and bartenders as needed who are dedicated to providing exceptional service and hospitality, allowing you to relax and enjoy your event with confidence.

  • As we are not a traditional catering service, we do not provide tastings before the event. We will work very closely to ensure that the menu is clear on what ingredients will be used and what the exact flavor profiles will be.

  • Our cancellation policy is designed to be fair and flexible while also considering the investments we make in preparation for each event. We require a 50% deposit up front that is fully refundable within 7 days of the event date. If the event is canceled within 7 days then the deposit will be forfeited. We aim to work with our clients to find mutually beneficial solutions in the event of unforeseen circumstances and we work with you to accommodate rescheduling the event if possible.

  • We prioritize food safety and sustainability in our operations. Any leftover food from your event will be handled according to industry best practices, including proper storage and handling to maintain freshness and safety. Any items left over will be packaged and left in your refrigerator to continue to enjoy after your event!

  • While we encourage providing final guest counts well in advance to ensure optimal planning and preparation, we understand that guest lists may need to be adjusted closer to the event date. We'll do our best to accommodate last-minute changes or additions whenever possible, though some limitations may apply depending on factors such as menu selections and staffing requirements. Open communication regarding any changes or updates to your event plans is key, and we'll work with you to make necessary adjustments to ensure a successful and memorable experience for you and your guests.

Ready to Plan Your Evening?

Inquire to Begin Planning