Everything you need to know before gathering around the table
Booking & Client Information
Every Coastal & Countryside experience is thoughtfully planned and personally handled by our husband-and-wife team. From menu planning and sourcing to preparation, service and cleanup, a great deal happens behind the scenes before we ever arrive at your door.
Because we accept a limited number of private dining experiences, your date is reserved especially for you. These policies help us protect the time, planning and resources dedicated to each booking while keeping the process simple and transparent.
How do I reserve my date?
Your menu is finalized first. Once your menu is approved, payment is required to officially reserve your date.
For events booked more than 30 days in advance, a 50% non-refundable deposit is due at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due two weeks prior to your event.
For events booked 30 days or less before the event date, payment in full is required at the time of booking.
Your date is not considered confirmed until the required payment has been received.
Is the deposit refundable?
No. All deposits are non-refundable.
Once your booking is confirmed, we reserve your date, begin planning and sourcing for your experience, and may turn away other inquiries for that time.
What happens if I need to cancel?
We understand that plans sometimes change. Because Coastal & Countryside is a small husband-and-wife team and we accept a limited number of bookings, cancellations can have a significant impact on our calendar.
Deposits are non-refundable. Additional payments may also become non-refundable depending on how close the cancellation is to the event and whether ingredients, rentals, travel or other event-specific expenses have already been committed.
We ask that clients contact us as soon as possible if plans change.
Can I reschedule my event?
When possible, we are happy to work with clients who need to move their event to another date.
Rescheduling is subject to availability and is not guaranteed. With sufficient notice, payments may be transferred to a new date at our discretion.
Last-minute changes may result in the loss of payments already made.
When is my menu finalized?
Your menu is finalized before your booking is confirmed.
Chef AJ works with you to create a menu based on your occasion, preferences, season and dietary needs. Once the menu is approved, your booking can be finalized and the required deposit or payment can be made to secure your date.
When is my final guest count due?
Your final guest count is due two weeks prior to your event.
Once confirmed, that number is considered final and cannot be reduced or changed. Purchasing, preparation and planning are all based on the confirmed guest count.
Can you accommodate allergies or dietary restrictions?
We are happy to accommodate many dietary needs and preferences when they are shared with us during the menu-planning process.
Please provide all allergy and dietary information before the menu is finalized so Chef AJ can thoughtfully account for it.
While we take dietary concerns seriously, food may be prepared in kitchens and environments where common allergens are present.
Do you travel?
Yes. Coastal & Countryside travels throughout New England for private dining experiences.
Travel fees may apply depending on your location and will always be discussed before your booking is finalized.
Do you cook in our home or vacation rental?
Yes. Chef AJ prepares your meal in the kitchen at your home, vacation rental or approved event location.
We may ask about the kitchen setup, appliances and available workspace ahead of time so we can arrive fully prepared.
What do we need to provide?
Very little—that’s part of the experience.
We arrive with our own professional cookware, cooking tools and equipment, along with the serving pieces we use to prepare, present and serve your meal.
For a standard private chef experience, we ask that you provide the dinnerware, glassware, flatware, napkins and table setting for your guests.
Prefer to have the table taken care of too? Our Signature Dining Experience can be added to your booking and includes curated dinnerware, glassware, flatware, linens and a thoughtfully styled tablescape.
You set the table—or let us do that, too. We’ll take care of dinner.
What is included in a private chef experience?
Each experience is customized, but typically includes menu planning, ingredient sourcing, preparation, cooking, service and complete kitchen cleanup.
Our goal is that once dinner is finished, you would hardly know we had been there. Many clients tell us the kitchen is cleaner when we leave than when we arrived. We take great pride in leaving your home or vacation rental tidy, reset and ready for you to simply enjoy the rest of your evening.
Additional offerings, including our Signature Dining Experience, tablescape styling, dinnerware, linens, candlelight, florals and printed menus, may be added depending on the experience selected.
Do you provide alcohol?
Clients provide their own wine, spirits and other alcoholic beverages.
Chef AJ can create menus designed around wine, bourbon, tequila or other pairings when requested.
What happens if the weather changes?
For outdoor dining, we strongly recommend having an indoor or covered backup plan.
Weather alone may not qualify for cancellation or refund if we are still able to safely provide the scheduled service.
What if Coastal & Countryside has to cancel?
In the rare event that we must cancel due to illness, emergency, unsafe travel conditions or another circumstance beyond our reasonable control, we will work with you toward rescheduling or an appropriate resolution.
Why are these booking policies important?
Coastal & Countryside is intentionally small.
When you reserve a date with us, you are reserving our time, our planning, Chef AJ’s kitchen and our personal attention. We take on a limited number of experiences so that each one receives the care it deserves.
We are grateful to every client who invites us into their home, vacation rental or gathering. These policies allow us to continue offering the thoughtful, personal style of hospitality our business was built around.
Thank you for choosing Coastal & Countryside. We look forward to gathering around the table with you.
