David Jubé 
Picture an elegant fine-dining experience where every dish is crafted just for you and your guests. And it all unfolds right in your own home! This is the magic that Chef & Somm brings to life in the greater Toronto area.
Owned and operated by Chef Eyal Liebman and Sommelier Rebecca Meir, Chef & Somm offers one of Toronto’s most sought-after private chef experiences, blending exquisite food, expert wine pairings, and cultural storytelling into a one-of-a-kind sensory journey.
When we initially decided on hiring a private chef for a dinner party experience, we knew we wanted a team that handled the culinary, beverage, service, and cleanup aspects seamlessly—and that’s exactly why we chose Chef & Somm.
Talia and I, along with artist and photographer Krista Sobocan, recently had the privilege of experiencing this firsthand. Each dish was meticulously prepared before us, and each glass of wine held its own story. Here’s everything you need to know about this exceptional evening with Chef & Somm.
Meet Eyal and Rebecca, The Artists Behind Our Private Dining Experience
Eyal Liebman and Rebecca Meir bring an intimate dining experience directly to their clients’ homes. Eyal’s culinary artistry and Rebecca’s talent for pairing wines tell a story that comes together to create a personalized, immersive meal with perfectly synchronized flavors.
After moving to Canada over 15 years ago with experience in film, Eyal and Rebecca discovered a new calling. Eyal’s passion for cooking evolved into storytelling on a plate. Meanwhile, Rebecca, with her love for wine, found joy in guiding guests through memorable pairings.
What Makes Chef & Somm Different from Other Private Chef Dinner Party Services?
It’s Like a Michelin-Starred Dinner, But At Home!
Unlike typical catered dinner party experiences, Chef & Somm offers something rare: a duo that works like the front and back of house, at a fine dining level. You get a chef, sommelier, 5-star service, and seamless cleanup, all in one. And aside from the beautiful plating that wowed us at every stop, this chef experience creates a narrative through food and wine that unfolds effortlessly throughout the evening.
An In-Home Chef Experience with a Commitment to Sourcing & Service
Chef & Somm work closely with local butchers, fishmongers, and grocers to bring the freshest ingredients to the table. But the true collaboration is with their clients, making each evening a blend of fine dining and personal and cultural connection.
Eyal and Rebecca’s vision has grown to embrace inclusivity, community, and authenticity. And Eyal’s journey, proudly embracing their identity, reflects their commitment to inclusivity and authenticity, values they bring to each private chef for dinner party experience.
For Eyal and Rebecca, Chef & Somm is a platform to share their passion for food and wine, sparking meaningful discussions and exploration of social and historical themes.
The Chef & Somm Process: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at Creating the Perfect Dinner Party Experience
Part One: Initial Consultation & Crafting Your Personal Menu
Every Chef & Somm experience is carefully crafted to be as unique as the guests themselves. Rebecca begins with an in-depth consultation to understand the client’s tastes, preferences, and vision for the evening. From this, they build a menu that weaves together each dish and wine pairing as part of a cohesive story.
Through conversation, Eyal and Rebecca gauge clients’ openness to flavors and cultural exploration. For example, if a client finds frog legs exotic, Eyal might explain that while they’re uncommon in North America, they’re a staple in Vietnam. Eyal might also share that, while steak is common here, people in parts of India consider it exotic.
This dialogue helps shape the meal with a blend of familiar and adventurous elements, ensuring you enjoy every moment of your private dinner party chef experience. If clients prefer minimal discussion, Eyal focuses on crafting simply delicious food. But if they’re open to conversation, they create a menu with storytelling elements.
Then, Rebecca carefully chooses wines that deepen each dish’s flavors while breaking down the mystique around fine wine. Together, they create a dining journey that invites guests to savor new flavors and explore deeper meaning around food.
Part Two: The Day of Your Private Dinner
On the day of the event, Eyal and Rebecca arrive with fresh ingredients sourced from trusted local vendors. They value quality and transparency, preparing everything on-site to ensure each dish is at its peak. Eyal adapts easily to different kitchen spaces, bringing some of their own essential equipment, making sure the meal unfolds smoothly.
Meanwhile, Rebecca sets up a selection of carefully selected wines that will guide your evening’s journey, perfect for those who want to learn about wine in an intimate, judgement-free setting.
And the pièce de résistance—after the final course, Eyal and Rebecca handle all clean-up, leaving the kitchen as spotless as they found it. You’re left only with warm memories and the lingering satisfaction of an extraordinary wine-paired dinner experience.
Our Five-Course Journey
Our evening with Chef & Somm began as Eyal and Rebecca entered our home, bringing with them fresh ingredients and an energy that made the experience feel special from the start. They transformed our kitchen into their workspace, preparing everything with precision and care.
Watching them work, we could see they had created this experience just for us.
The courses unfolded beautifully, each with its own story and wine pairing.
Here’s what hiring a world-class private chef for a dinner party looks like:
Course 1: Lobster & Duck Rillettes
The Setting: A candlelit, fall-themed table with gold chargers and tuxedo-folded napkins created immediate sophistication.
The Dish: Lobster on scalloped potatoes with rich duck rillettes
The Pairing: Veuve Ambal Grande Cuvée, Crémant de Bourgogne, France NV
As we were busy savoring, Rebecca shared the fascinating story behind ‘Veuve Ambal,’ explaining how many prestigious Champagne houses were established by resilient widows like Veuve Clicquot. Rebecca’s storytelling transformed each glass into a cultural journey, creating the kind of intimate private wine tasting experience that makes dining at home so much more meaningful than restaurant visits.
Photo Credit: Krista Sobocan, photographer
Course 2: Fruits & Vegetables Redefined
The Dish: Two artfully arranged plates—one with strawberry and green beans, another with tomato and cucumber.
The Pairing: Botanica ‘Mary Delany’ Chenin Blanc, South Africa
Chef Eyal posed a thought-provoking question: “What’s the difference between a fruit and a vegetable?” This sparked lively conversation that invited us to look at familiar ingredients in entirely new ways.
Rebecca highlighted the wine’s label—a botanical collage by 18th-century artist Mary Delany—demonstrating the shift from traditional wine labels to artistic creativity.
Course 3: Salmon With Chocolate Tortellino
The Dish: Salmon with chocolate tortellino, kiwi, apple, and mushrooms
The Pairing: LQLC, Rosé, Vaucluse, France, 2022
This unexpected combination challenged our preconceptions about flavor pairing while Rebecca led a discussion about rosé’s cultural perceptions—beloved in France, yet often misunderstood elsewhere.
Then came the evening’s biggest revelation: Rebecca asked, “What makes red wine red and white wine white?”. The answer? All grape juice is naturally white—red wine gets its color from extended contact with red grape skins during fermentation!
This added yet another layer of curiosity to an already complex meal.
Course 4: Steak with Popcorn Garnish
The Dish: Perfectly cooked medium-rare steak with squash, corn, mashed potatoes, and popcorn garnish
The Pairing: Le Comte de Malartic Rouge, Pessac Léognan, France, 2020
The playful popcorn garnish encouraged us to break traditional fine dining boundaries, while the bold French red sparked conversation about wine appreciation. Our banter evolved into comparing the prestige some associate with their expensive wine collections
Course 5 (The Sweet Finale): Torched Clementine Dessert
The Dish: Torched clementine atop white chocolate and olive oil mousse with house-made gelato
The Pairing: Frescobaldi, Pomino Vin Santo, Tuscany, Italy, 2014
This stunning dessert, paired with coveted Italian dessert wine brought our evening to a refined close, leaving us with the perfect final impression.
Overall, Eyal and Rebecca thoughtfully curated every course of the evening. They selected each wine and dish to tell a story, spark curiosity, and deepen our understanding of food and wine.
Photo Credit: Chef & Somm, photographer
How Much Does a Private Chef Dinner Cost?
While specific pricing varies based on menu complexity and guest count, a private chef dinner experience like Chef & Somm typically starts from $200+ per person, including wine pairings.
When considering the cost of hiring a personal chef for a dinner party, remember you’re investing in:
- Premium ingredients sourced from Toronto’s finest purveyors
- Professional sommelier expertise with carefully curated wine selections
- Complete service from arrival to cleanup
- Personalized menu creation tailored to your preferences
- Interactive culinary storytelling that transforms dinner into an experience
Compare this to a high-end restaurant where a tasting menu for two easily reaches $400 before wine, and the value of having this caliber of fine dining menu sample experience becomes clear.
So, Is It Worth it to Hire a Private Chef for an At-home Dinner Party Over Restaurant Dining?
Without a doubt. And our unique experience with Chef & Somm gave us 4 very good reasons why:
1. The Intimacy Factor
In your own home, conversation flows naturally without restaurant noise or time pressures. You can linger over each course, ask questions about preparation techniques, and truly connect with both your guests and the culinary artists creating your meal.
2. Personalized Attention
Unlike restaurant dining, where chefs and servers serve dozens of tables, your private dinner party chef gives you their undivided attention. Every dish is prepared exclusively for your group and timed perfectly for your preferences.
3. Educational Experience
Learning directly from a professional chef and sommelier transforms dinner into an educational journey. You’ll discover new ingredients, techniques, and wine knowledge you simply can’t get in a fast-paced restaurant setting where servers are managing up to 20 other guests.
4. Memorable Storytelling
Culinary professionals like Chef & Somm are full of stories and deep gastronomical conversations that will deepen your appreciation for flavor and life itself! The historical context, cultural narrative, and personal stories shared are priceless and will live on in your memory bank long after dessert is cleared.
How To Book Your Private Chef Dinner Experience
If reading this has inspired you to start planning your very own at-home culinary journey, we don’t blame you! Here’s what to consider when hiring a private chef for a dinner party:
Planning Timeline
- Book 2-4 weeks in advance for optimal menu planning
- Schedule a consultation to discuss preferences and vision
- Confirm your guest count and dietary requirements prior to the consultation
- Prepare your dining space for the experience (with guidance from your private chef team!)
Questions to Ask During Your Consultation
- What seasonal ingredients inspire current menus?
- What kitchen equipment do you provide vs. need?
- How long does the complete experience last?
Inspired to Bring Chef & Somm to Your Home?
Our evening with Chef & Somm was a reminder of what dining at home can truly become. With Chef Eyal’s artfully crafted dishes and Sommelier Rebecca’s carefully chosen wine pairings, our dining table transformed into a place of discovery, reflection, and connection.
In a world where dining out can often feel rushed and impersonal, Chef & Somm offers a return to the authentic, personal experience of home dining. Through their service, they redefine what it means to “host” and inspire us to make every dinner a meaningful memory.
Undoubtedly one of the most fun dining experiences in Toronto, Chef & Somm transforms dining at home into a celebration of connection, discovery, and culinary artistry. Our evening with them left us with lasting memories and a renewed appreciation for the beauty of sharing a meal.
Bon appétite!
Nikki Jimeno 
