About Us
So what exactly is Cooking Up a Party? It all started with friends and neighbors getting together to enjoy good food and for one of those neighbors – past professional chef David Olson – to share his expertise and teach the skills and techniques needed to make the different dishes. All of a sudden it became more than just a dinner party, it became an opportunity for folks to learn something new and share an experience that they could take with them at the end of the night. After a number of in-home "cooking parties" for a variety of occasions and just for fun, Cooking Up a Party was born.
So how does it work? Cooking Up a Party comes to your house with customized cooking lessons and parties for all occasions. Executive Chef David Olson and his staff will come to your location, and cook your menu for you and your guests, while your guests help! One part cooking lesson and one part high-end catering, Cooking Up A Party brings "that special something" to you and your guests.
The level of your involvement is up to you: you and your guests can participate in and learn how to make each of the dishes you've chosen, participate in only some of the cooking, or just enjoy watching while a professional chef does the cooking for you. You can choose the entire menu, or work with our staff to craft the right menu for the occasion and guest list.
Is there a specific dish you've always wanted to learn how to make? Or maybe a specific genre of food (Thai, Italian, Weight Watchers™-friendly, etc.) that you've never quite got the hang of? Then Cooking Up a Party is for you.
We supply the complete package – menu planning, decoration, food preparation, and cleanup. And at the end of the night, you and your guests get a copy of all recipes made! Contact us for more information.
Contact Information
Cooking Up a Party
Apex, North Carolina
919-623-5525
info@cookingupaparty.com
About the Chef
David found his place in the kitchen many years ago working alongside his mother. Simple recipes such as her homemade mac-n-cheese started with the basics that led to a long career in the culinary arts.
For many years, David was the apprentice of Victor Voit at Chez Claude in Minneapolis and studied classic French cuisine. At the age of 23, he became the Head Chef at Ristorante Ciao in Acton, Massachusetts. His French experience quickly translated into the fresh Northern Italian styles that Ciao had to offer. Keeping towards the Northern Italian theme, he opened Risotorante La Questura in Boston in the early 90s.
David moved out of the kitchen in the mid 90s to focus on consulting and training. Using his experience as a Chef and restaurant operator, he worked with restaurants in the Boston area to get up and running. As a frequent guest chef, he brought his contemporary Northern Italian touch to local restaurants.
After relocating to the Raleigh area, he continues to focus on more private engagements where the approach is education and experience to local kitchens, and that's the essence behind Cooking Up a Party.