Vacation Private Chef
Big Boards Catering brings a full vacation private chef experience to rental homes in and around Clermont, FL, cooking restaurant quality meals right in your vacation kitchen.
The Top Vacation Private Chef in clermont, FL
Big Boards Catering delivers a true vacation private chef experience to travelers staying in and around Clermont, FL. Chef Andy Raphael owns and operates the company, and he personally cooks in vacation homes across the theme park corridor every week. We build each menu around your group, your trip, and the one rule of vacation, which is that nobody should spend it in the kitchen. Feast nights featuring a full Seafood Boil, Tomahawk Steak, or King Crab Legs turn a rental house dinner into the highlight of the trip. Family favorites like Sheet Pan Tacos, Gourmet Burger Sliders, and Mac & Cheese keep every age at the table happy. The chef shops for the ingredients, cooks on site in your rental kitchen, serves the meal, and cleans everything before leaving. After long park days, dinner is simply ready when your group walks through the door. Dietary needs, allergies, and kids plates get planned before you ever land in Florida. We serve single celebration dinners and multi night packages across a full stay. Vacation homes in Clermont, Kissimmee, Celebration, Horizon West, and the surrounding resort communities all sit inside our range. Pricing stays transparent and itemized, which matters when a big group is splitting the bill. When you book Big Boards Catering, your vacation gets the one upgrade everyone at the table will agree on.
So my wife and I had Andy and his team over last night for a private dinner with friends… words cannot express how amazing and incredible this experience was. My friends were all left in awe of how wonderful the service, the food and the atmosphere was. They made sure everything was taken care of and even asked my wife to check the kitchen to ensure that they left it cleaner than when they arrived. Absolutely loved this and will be using them again.
The absolute best food and service I have ever experienced. I will use Andy’s catering company for all my personal and business events in the future.
I can't tell if it was the food or the experience that I liked most but both were fantastic.
Big Boards did an event at our annual camp for special needs two weeks ago. The staff was accommodating for our many needs and fantastic to work with! They helped me plan everything from start to finish and brought plenty of their staff to help serve and get things out quickly. Not only was the food flavorful and delicious, the buffet they set up was beautiful! The vines and flowers around the buffet table, and the carafes they used for everything were stunning. Extremely professional, clean, and super helpful. I will definitely be using them again in the future.
Delicious food and even better service, I had Chef Andy take care of the meal part of my housewarming party and I could not stop getting compliments on the food. By far the best pulled pork and grits I’ve had in my life!
Andy and his team made my milestone birthday party absolutely fabulous! The food was delicious and the presentation was festive and elegant. All of my guests raved about how they enjoyed the food. The set up and take down were super smooth as well. I highly recommend Big Boards Catering!
I recently attended a birthday party catered by Big Board Catering. The food was excellent and the shrimp and grits were unmatched! I highly recommend Big Boards!
We had Chef Andy and Big Boards cater my wedding a few weeks back and it was nothing short of amazing! Andy is the absolute best and always made himself available to me no matter what time it was. He listened to all my crazy requests (some of them being unreasonably last minute) and he made it happen! We personally asked for crab cakes to be part of the menu and even though it was not something he had done previously he KNOCKED IT OUT OF THE PARK (definitely recommend those for your event!). He was also the life of the party personally my guests could not stop talking about him! Cannot thank him enough!
Big Boards Catering handled food for a combined event at our house — my son's grad party and my other son's 21st birthday, all in one day. They nailed it. The buffet looked incredible, with gold chafing dishes, fresh greenery, and a little fountain centerpiece that had everyone asking who did our catering. The food was just as good as it looked. The meatball and cherry tomato dish disappeared fast, the pesto pasta and marinara penne were both great, and the pretzel bites and chicken skewers were a hit too. Everything stayed warm and got refilled without us having to flag anyone down, which made a big difference with two different crowds to feed. Juggling a grad party and a 21st birthday under one roof wasn't simple, but they made it look effortless. Would absolutely book them again.
Andy is the epitome of professionalism. He and his team at Big Boards truly specialize in making the experience stress-free and highly enjoyable for the host. If you want a caterer who serves gorgeous and delicious food and takes amazing care of you from start to finish, Andy is your guy!
We hired Andy to cater our daughter’s Baby Shower and he did an exceptional job. It was an “Amalfi Coast” themed event and the menu Andy developed was superb. Everything was delicious, the set up and staffing of the event was perfect. Highly recommend!
Andy and his crew catered our Halloween party and the set up was stunning and the food was incredible. All of our guests loved the food. We usually have left overs, but not this time! It was devoured. Will definitely hire them again and have recommended them to all of our family and friends.
We were truly blessed to have Big Boards Catering provide a meal for our entertainment team and crew on the day of our show at the House of Blues Orlando. Andy and his team not only delivered exactly what was promised, but went above and beyond with their guidance, professionalism, and attention to detail. They understood our group’s needs perfectly, and the food presentation was outstanding—absolutely fitting for the setting and occasion. Everything was handled with excellence. As a former member of the Country Music Association, Gospel Music Association, and the Recording Academy (Grammys), I can confidently say I highly recommend this local business for any catering needs. You will not be disappointed.
When we first talked with Andy about catering our wedding, which was at a unique venue; a nature center in the woods, what sold us was his immediate enthusiasm. He and his team were wonderful. His diligence to make sure we were happy with everything was impressive. He even asked us to come visit the kitchen a few months before the wedding to sample some items before we committed to hiring him as our caterer, even had us try a few items we hadn't asked about having on the menu before hand. Himself and his team were incredible at the wedding. For my next event I know who I'm hiring to cater, it'll be Andy from Big boards.
Outstanding food and service!!! We used Andy and his team for my daughter’s high school graduation party, and they absolutely exceeded every expectation. The food was incredible, the presentation was beautiful, and the entire staff was professional, friendly, and attentive from start to finish. Andy made the planning process so easy and stress-free, and he truly helped make the party so memorable. Highly recommend for any special event!!
I attended a party that Big Boards did the catering for, the food was amazing! The cheese grits were awesome, best cheese grits I've ever eaten. All the food was amazing, but the chicken biscuits were a special standout!
They are catering my niece’s graduation party. The food is the best and so is the staff!!!
Excellent selection of appetizers. Loved the crabcakes. Great service, constant staff circulation.
Big Boards Catering absolutely delivered one of the best private chef dining experiences we’ve had. Chef Andy Raphael and his team, Erica and Judy, created a restaurant-quality chef’s tasting experience right in our friend’s home with flawless execution, incredible presentation, and genuinely warm hospitality from start to finish. Every course stood out. The shrimp ceviche with avocado was bright and refreshing, the lollipop lamb chops with Yukon mash were perfectly cooked and packed with flavor, and the lobster skewers with seafood boil sauce were unforgettable. The sous vide tomahawk steak finished over fire with chimichurri was a true showstopper, perfectly rare with an amazing charred and smoky finish. The Mediterranean shrimp and cheese grits and the beef tenderloin with multicolored carrots in pan sauce were both rich, balanced, and beautifully plated. Luxurious! They ended the night with lovely chocolate cannolis finished with salted caramel drizzle. Beyond the food, the service was superb. Chef Andy, Erica, and Judy were professional, attentive, organized, and made the entire evening feel elevated but comfortable at the same time. This was easily food worthy of a high-end chef’s tasting menu experience. Highly recommend Big Boards Catering for private dinners, special occasions, or anyone looking to seriously impress their guests.
Shrimp and grits were absolutely delicious We also had a tomahawk steak cooked Perfectly. Everything tasted great and very friendly staff
Absolutely incredible dinner catered by BIG BOARDS CATERING. From the fresh ceviche and chili oil lobster to the perfectly cooked tomahawk steak, shrimp & grits, and beef tenderloin with carrots — every course was outstanding. And the chocolate cannolis were the perfect ending. Not only was the food amazing, but the team was professional, personable, and incredibly tidy throughout the entire evening. Such a great experience from start to finish. Highly recommend 🙏
Amazing! Outstanding! Delicious! From seafood to lamb to steak…cannot be BEAT!!!
Incredible service, Andy and his team gave our dinner party winning dishes one after another. Would highly recommend.
SO GOOD!!! Always such a pleasure seeing this team at an event & the food never ever disappoints!
Matthew's Hope used Big Boards for our Fall Fundraiser event, and they absolutely knocked it out of the park! The presentation was stunning, the selection was incredible, and our guests couldn't stop talking about how amazing the spread looked and tasted. From planning to delivery, the team was professional, reliable, and a joy to work with. They helped make our event a massive success, and we will definitely be using them again. Highly recommend!
Search no more. Big boards is the one! Amazing, delicious And Beautiful catering. Thank you Andy and team!
BBC did an amazing job providing the food for our cocktail hour at our December 2024 wedding at Sterling Events Venue in Minneola. There was such a great variety of options for everyone to enjoy, and everything was displayed so beautifully. Our guests absolutely loved it! I would highly recommend them for any catering event.
We’ve had Andy and his team support multiple events, and they consistently exceed expectations every single time. The food is outstanding both in quality and presentation, and the staff is professional, attentive, and genuinely committed to creating a great experience. What truly sets them apart is their flexibility and partnership. They work closely with us on menu selection, timing, and overall event flow, making everything seamless and stress-free. I would highly recommend Andy for any event whether it’s an intimate gathering or a large-scale function. They deliver excellence across the board.
Working with Andy to plan our Derby party was delightful. He really listened and delivered on our vision. The set up, take down and service during the party left nothing for us to do but enjoy our party! Thank you Andy and team!
Thank you to Andy and Teresa Raphael at Big Board Catering and My Favorite Tutor! We are so grateful for your generous donation of a Taco Bar for Foundation Academy Teacher Appreciation luncheon!
Went to a Kentucky Derby party they catered. Food was excellent and staff was great. Highly recommend them.
Attended a Derby Party and the food was a highlight! Everything was delicious and there was a wide variety of items to choose from. Would definitely recommend for your next event party!
Andy and the team at Big Boards Catering is the best. Ate some of the most delicious food at a catered event in Winter Garden recently and I was blown away. Everything was extremely well-seasoned, juicy and tender proteins, and staff was very kind/professional. Was so impressed I'm having them do wedding catering for me later this year! I love this team and their food; you will too 😉
Andy is a culinary genius, creating the most savory, mouthwatering dishes. His personality is magnetic and his attention to detail is impeccable! With Andy, you can enjoy the parties you host!!!
Andy did an absolutely amazing job with planning our Family party! It was such a good feeling to enjoy the Party rather than worry about details of serving! Andy will be cherished as “Must Have” to all my events!! 🎸⭐️
Our meeting was catered by Big Boards and the food was delicious, and thats saying something because im pretty picky. Great work and they are so friendly!
We had Andy from Big Boards Catering serve our networking event. Great food and service. I highly recommend them for any event!
What an amazing experience! Great service, the food was delicious, top quality and presentation was flawless. I highly recomend Big Boards for any event you need catering.
We were trying to decide on food for a large event but we’re worried about clean up. Andy was very quick to respond and suggested a perfect solution. I have his food at a number of events and it’s always delicious.
Really amazing food. And, the company culture is beautiful. Love the food and the team. Andy was so kind to come to my home and quote the event. He even brought samples!! Excellent communication. Shrimp/Grits/Brisket/Mac and cheese. Everything was amazing.
I love the deliciousness of his food, the service and presentation of big boards catering. I don’t have time to make lavish meals for my parties and Chef Andy always surpasses my expectations. I highly recommend you book them asap. Make your people happy through good food. You won’t regret it.
Andy and Big Boards Catering makes some delicious food! Sometimes with catering and making mass qualities, quality can be lost and that’s not the case with Big Boards. I would highly recommend them for any event! They are the best.
Excellent savory food made with care. If you want someone who cares to cater your special event, call Andy. Best food and catering in orlando! Anything from formal events to bussiness meetings and a delicious bite, Big Boards Catering is amazing!
Being from Virginia I know pulled pork and big board catering provided me with truly authentic Virginian( North Carolina..lol) pulled pork.. tasty without being dried out.. delicious
Great tasting food and excellent service is what you will get when you hire Big Boards Catering
Wow thank you! They showed up and made it easy to feed our group of 50. The food was fresh and delicious.
I am so grateful for Andy and Big Board Charcuterie. I call Andy “Mr. Clutch” because when a caterer had to back out at the last minute, I reached out to Big Board Charcuterie and not only did they come to the rescue, but they were simply amazing. The food, the professionalism of the staff, their set up, all of it was top tier. Since that day, I have used Big Board Charcuterie for many events and they continue to impress me. I would definitely recommend Big Board Charcuterie.
The displays are always impressive and the flavors are always there to back up the presentations.
Andy and his team always deliver fabulous food and over the top customer service! We had Big Boards do our daughter’s engagement party back in April of 2022 at the Oakland Park Town Hall. Andy listened to our needs and requests and created a wonderful smorgasbord for our guests! He is definitely a top recommendation when anyone asks for a catering team to make their event a success!
Andy and his team at Big Boards Catering has blessed many of our events with his creativity and ability to theme food, decor and fun. The food is always the best and presentation is amazing. His team is professional and always ready to help and serve. I would highly recommend them for any and every event.
All the wow without any worry. The team is always superb-delivers exceptional service, amazing food and no hassle set up and clean up. They have made our family celebrations next level (weddings, birthdays and services). When we we need an event catered-they are always my first choice. They have become family.
Andy at Big Boards is the best catering service in Clermont and all of Lake County, FL. My team visited the area for a Christmas party in December and I couldn’t believe how delicious the food was. I asked Billy Harper of Empowered Electrical “Who made all of this? This is some of the best food I’ve ever had” he let me know it was Andy and his team. We love Andy so much that he’s flying out to us and catering for my brother and sister-in-law in August. If you’re looking for a white glove service from a world class team, it makes zero sense to go anywhere else. Andy and the Big Boards team will provide a magical experience. 10/10!! 🇺🇸🔥
Big Boards Catering made my niece’s bridal shower absolutely unforgettable! Andy and his crew were phenomenal from start to finish. The attention to detail was incredible, and Andy was such a great communicator throughout the entire process—he truly overdelivered and exceeded all of my expectations. The food was outstanding. The deviled eggs were a huge hit, and the shrimp and grits were hands down the best we’ve ever had & everyone is still talking about them! Everything was beautifully presented and perfectly executed. I’m so grateful for the experience and will definitely be working with Andy again in the future. Highly, highly recommend! Photos to come!
Working with Big Boards Catering is always an excellent experience, the food is incredible and the service is top tier! We’ll always recommend them.
Big Boards has the most beautiful presentations of savory cuisine ! They cater from small groups to large reunions! We have gone to several events from Breakfasts to dinners. Big Boards is always professional with a variety of dishes that are so delicious! They have great team work and are a special addition to every event !
Andy and his crew absolutely knocked it out of the park catering my cousin’s bridal shower at our home. From start to finish, everything was seamless. The food was exceptional—beautifully presented and even better tasting (guests are still talking about it). Every detail felt thoughtful and elevated the entire event. The service was just as impressive. Andy and his team were professional, attentive, and made everything feel effortless on our end. They truly went above and beyond to make sure everything ran smoothly so we could actually enjoy the day. I would recommend Andy to anyone without hesitation and will definitely be using him again for future events. Five stars all the way!
I just have to say—Andy absolutely knocked it out of the park. The food was incredible from start to finish, but the shrimp and grits were on another level. Hands down the best shrimp I’ve ever had—perfectly cooked, flavorful, and just melt-in-your-mouth good. You can tell a lot of care and skill went into every bite. I’ll definitely be coming back and recommending this to everyone I know!
Such a great catering company! If you want class paired with absolutely delicious food, this is the one. Everything was beautifully done and tasted even better than it looked!!
Food was delicious, the set up was beautiful, and the staff was incredible!! 🙂
The presentation was incredible, the food was absolutely amazing. But the staff was by far the best part! I highly recommend!
Shrimp and grits were incredible!! The service is amazing. I’ve never been unsatisfied.!! We have hired Andy three times now and every time it’s absolutely perfect!! High quality and definitely recommend them!
We used Big Boards for our wedding shower in Winter Garden this past August, and they were fantastic! The food was delicious, especially the charcuterie board and cannolis 😉, which were a huge hit with our guests. The display was beautifully set up, and everything was handled so professionally. They truly made the day special. Highly recommend!
Big Boards Catering made celebrating my special event an enchanting evening, and my guest are still raving about the food and excellent service.
We highly recommend Andy and his team for any event. We were fortunate enough to have him cater our wedding last October in Howie in The Hills. The food we chose was amazing: Entrees *Pulled pork and Mac and cheese *Chili Glazed Meatballs with Yukon gold mash potatoes Sides *green beans with almonds *Chili Rice and Beans We plan on using him for our other events and can’t recommend Big Boards Catering enough.
Have attended several events where Big Boards Catering provided the food. It's always been excellent food and excellent service! I've been impressed with their attention to detail in how they set up and display the food as well as break down and clean up!
Andy and his team are awesome! I will use Big Boards again in a heartbeat. My guests were so impressed with not only the presentation but the food itself was outstanding! Big Boards Catering is an absolute must use ... again and again!
We have used big boards several times as well as been at events they have catered. Everything is always wonderful. We highly recommend them!
We’ve used Andy and staff for about 3 events and they have been amazing. Food has been delicious and when accompanied with their amazing service, they are perfect for any event!
Big Boards Catering never disappoints! The food is always absolutely amazing and the teams smiles are an added bonus. Fresh, flavorful, and a hit no matter the size of the gathering. I have attended small get-togethers and some large events they catered and they consistently deliver quality and professionalism. What truly sets them apart is the heart behind the business. Andy is incredibly kind and generous, not only to his clients, but also to his team. My daughter works for him, and it means so much knowing she’s part of a company that genuinely cares about its employees. If you’re looking for catering that goes above and beyond, Big Boards Catering is the way to go!
Shrimp and grits to die for! Highlight recommend! Great service and delicious foods for parties and family gatherings
Amazing! Perfect beautiful amazing services I love them so much! The food is so good!!
Thank you to the Big Boards Catering Team for the community support by sponsoring Windermere Wine & Dine (multiple years and in very cold temperatures outdoors with smiles on their faces), Matthew's Hope catered fundraising evening, and so many local charities. Beyond your Team's generous hearts and great attitudes, the food that you gifted was delicious, creative, and "Pinteresting." Your company has created jobs and opportunities for so many people, including former students of mine that I taught during their high school years. I am honored to recommend Big Boards Catering to my clients and friends without hesitation because I know that consistently they show up and bring the wow-factor as well as caring for their employees. You are ambassadors of the very best in event/wedding catering industry for professional standards - both in food and business practices. Bless you for all that you do here in Central Florida for our community ❤️🧑🍳☕️✅️
The BEST catering company in the Orlando area. Food is amazing and full of flavor. The staff is kind and will take amazing care of you for your event. If you want great service and amazing food you don’t need to look any further. Go ahead and book Big Boards Catering.
Goodbye party for ED. Wonderful variety and amount of food for staff party (Feb 2026). Everyone was raving about the food.
Andy and his team put together an amazing menu for my son's Wedding Rehersal dinner at our home. What made it even better was we did it all in under 2 weeks! Andy reassured me it would all be perfect and it absolutely was! The food was delicious and his team did all the work...including the clean up!!
Wow!! Thats really the best way to describe Big Boards!! They have catered many events for one of the non profits I am a part of as well as multiple events around central Florida that we have attended....They knock it out of the park everytime!! They are extremely prompt, professional, and the owners go above and beyond for each client!! Small dinner party at home call them!! Office party for 50 people call them! Big corporate event for 300 people and food allergies CALL them!! I cannot reccomend Andy and his crew enough!!!
Delicious food and amazing elevated experience. Owners are extremely personable and always engaging at events. Definitely next level for catering.
Big Boards has been a go-to for my husband and me from Day 1, and we will continue to have them cater our yearly New Years Day event (wouldn't consider any other caterer....ever!). Andy and his team always go the extra mile and bring our events to another level. We have never been disappointed in the quality of the food and service we receive, and we so appreciate the way Big Boards brings that WOW factor! Highly recommend!!!
Every year my husband and I host a Christmas party for our staff of about 75-100 people. Big Boards has been catering this event for the last 4 years. They are always a joy to work with and food is always consistent and DELICIOUS. You must try their deviled eggs! We plan to continue to use their services for our Christmas party and any other events that come up.
I’ve used Big Boards Catering for several events, and they’ve been exceptional every time. They always arrive with a positive attitude, serve delicious food, and truly go above and beyond to ensure everything aligns perfectly with your event’s theme. Last December, our downtown Orlando office building turned 100 years old. They planned a “100-Year Old Christmas” party for me, and it was outstanding. They exceeded all expectations. If you’re looking for someone to handle your event, Andy and his team are a fantastic choice. They absolutely will not disappoint.
Andy and his team were phenomenal for our wedding this past January at Villa Festa in Deland FL. The food was amazing and the presentation was stunning. Andy’s attention to detail is second to none. Highly recommend for any event!
Big Boards Catering is incredible! Great Service, Incredible Food, Highest Communication Ever! Total knowledge, diverse menu and flexible with all options, All around 5x5 stars! Thank you Andy and Teresa!
Big Boards has the best food catered to your preference and service is excellent. Will be using them at our next event
We have had Andy cater three events and he is a genuinely good person with great food and service! Highly recommend!
I’ve had Big Boards Catering multiple times through our BNI group, and it’s something I genuinely look forward to. You can tell he really cares because everything is always fresh, creative, and put together with intention. It’s never your typical boring spread. Highly recommend.
I’ve have several great experiences working with Big Board Catering. The professionalism, creativity, and fun they bring to every function is unmatched! Looking forward to next time!
working with us
our Delicious Food
Locations We Offer Vacation Private Chef in Central Florida
Big Boards Catering cooks in vacation rentals, resort homes, and villas across Central Florida, from Clermont and Horizon West to Kissimmee, Celebration, Windermere, and the greater Orlando area. Browse our locations directory to confirm vacation private chef coverage for your rental in your specific city.
- Altamonte Springs
- Apopka
- Baldwin Park
- Casselberry
- Celebration
- Clermont
- Dr. Phillips
- Fairview Shores
- Fern Park
- Forest City
- Gotha
- Groveland
- Horizon West
- Kissimmee
- Lake Mary
- Lockhart
- Longwood
- Maitland
- Mascotte
- Minneola
- Ocoee
- Orlando
- Pine Hills
- Plymouth
- Wekiwa Springs
- Windemere
- Winter Garden
- Winter Park
Our FUll List of Catering Services
Groups who book a vacation chef often add a grazing table for arrival night or dessert catering for a birthday celebrated mid trip, and locals book the same service as an anniversary private chef at home. Visit our full services directory to see every catering option we offer across Central Florida.
- Anniversary Private Chef
- Baby Shower Catering
- Bachelorette Catering
- BBQ Catering
- Bridal Shower Catering
- Brunch Catering
- Buffet Catering
- Corporate Catering
- Dessert Catering
- Engagement Party Catering
- Girls Trip Catering
- Grazing Table
- Holiday Catering
- Party Catering
- Private Chef
- Quinceañera Catering
- Rehearsal Dinner Catering
- Sandwich Catering
- Sweet 16 Catering
- Taco Catering
- Vacation Private Chef Catering
- Wedding Catering
YEars Experience
Client Satisfaction
Menu Options
Events Catered
Vacation Private Chef in Clermont
The vacation rental corridor around Clermont and Orlando fills with traveling families every week, and most of them face the same dinner problem. After ten hours at the parks, nobody wants to cook, and a restaurant wait with tired kids tests everyone’s patience. Grocery runs eat vacation hours, and a rental kitchen full of unfamiliar pans rarely inspires anyone. A private chef solves all of it in one booking, because dinner happens at the house while your group rests by the pool. Chef Andy Raphael arrives with everything, cooks fresh in your rental kitchen, and serves the meal at your table. The group eats together without a reservation, a drive, or a check split across four families. The kitchen gets cleaned completely before the chef leaves. That is the version of vacation dinner that people actually dream about.
Feast night is the heart of a vacation chef booking, and our menu is built to deliver it. A full Seafood Boil spreads across the table with shrimp, corn, and all the trimmings, turning dinner into an event the kids talk about for years. Tomahawk Steak arrives with real drama, carved for a table of hungry travelers celebrating being together. King Crab Legs, Snow Crab Legs, and Lobster Tails give seafood loving groups the splurge they came for. Beef Tenderloin with Rosemary Garlic & Shallots suits multigenerational dinners where the grandparents deserve something special. The Grilled Shrimp Boil Skewers bring the boil experience in an easier serving format for casual nights. Sides like Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes, Mac & Cheese, and Green Beans with Almonds Bacon & Black Pepper round out every plate. One great feast night anchors the whole trip’s memories, and we cook it like we know that.
The service itself runs simply from your side of the counter. During planning, we confirm the rental address, the kitchen setup, and the headcount, and then the menu gets built around your group. On the day, the chef shops for fresh ingredients and arrives at your scheduled time with everything needed, including professional cookware. Cooking happens on site in the rental kitchen, so the house fills with the smell of a real dinner instead of takeout bags. The meal gets plated and served at your table, buffet style or family style depending on the group. Kids can eat first when schedules demand it, and adults can linger after. Cleanup happens completely before the chef leaves, down to the counters and the sink. Your only responsibilities are showing up hungry and deciding who sits where.
Our base in Clermont puts us minutes from the heart of Central Florida’s vacation rental market. The resort communities around Kissimmee and Celebration sit squarely inside our nightly range. Horizon West and Windermere rentals, close to the west side of the parks, book us constantly for family gatherings. Larger vacation homes in Groveland, Minneola, and the Clermont lake country host our multigenerational feast nights. Orlando and Dr. Phillips vacation stays, from condos to executive homes, get the same doorstep service. We also reach Winter Garden, Ocoee, and Apopka for groups staying west of the city. Travel is part of our daily rhythm, so your rental’s location rarely surprises us. If your booking confirmation has a Central Florida address, we can probably cook there.
Vacation groups almost always span generations, and the menu has to feed all of them at once. Kids get familiar favorites like Gourmet Burger Sliders, Mac & Cheese, and a Hot Dog Bar that ends the nightly dinner negotiation. Teenagers gravitate to Sheet Pan Tacos and Air Fried Charred Chicken Wings, which disappear faster than we can say so. Adults get the feast, from steak and seafood to Penne Pasta in Tomato Vodka Sauce for the pasta loyalists. Grandparents appreciate gentler options like Salmon in Pesto Sauce and fresh salads. A grazing table on arrival night welcomes everyone to the house before anyone unpacks. Fruit displays and lighter bites balance the vacation indulgence across the week. One table, four generations, zero complaints is the standard we cook toward.
Flexibility is what separates a vacation chef from a one night event. Many groups book a single celebration dinner, often for a birthday, an anniversary, or the last night of the trip. Others book two or three nights across the stay, alternating feast nights with simpler family dinners. Breakfast or brunch service can start a rest day slowly, with deviled eggs, fruit, and warm comfort dishes. A stocked fridge visit can leave prepared meals for the nights we are not there. Menus can shift mid trip when the group discovers a new favorite. Timing flexes around park schedules, late returns, and nap windows. The service bends around your vacation instead of the other way around.
Planning happens before your trip starts, so nothing eats into vacation time. Chef Andy Raphael runs a free planning session by phone, covering the dates, the rental, the headcount, and the budget. Dietary needs and allergies across the whole group get documented up front, including the picky eaters everyone pretends not to have. We confirm the rental kitchen’s basics, and our own cookware fills any gaps a rental leaves. Grocery shopping is included, so nobody spends a vacation morning in a supermarket. Itemized pricing makes splitting costs across families painless. A deposit locks your dates, and final counts confirm a few days before arrival. You land in Florida with dinner already solved, which is the best souvenir planning can buy.
CLEAR COMMUNICATION
We believe successful catering starts with strong communication. Our team stays responsive throughout the planning process so expectations, timing, and event details stay organized.
FULL SERVICE CATERING
Our team handles setup, serving, coordination, and cleanup so you can focus on your guests instead of managing event logistics. Big Boards Catering delivers smooth, professional service from start to finish.
CUSTOM EVENT MENUS
Every event is different, which is why Big Boards Catering creates menus tailored to your guest count, event style, and food preferences. We help build a catering experience that feels organized and memorable.
Commonly Asked Vacation Private Chef Questions
A vacation private chef covers the shopping, cooking, serving, and cleanup for meals inside your rental home, from one feast night to a full week of dinners. The questions below answer what travelers headed to the Clermont and Orlando area search for most before booking.
Vacation private chef pricing depends on the group size, the menu, and the number of meals booked. In Central Florida, a single dinner for a group typically runs from roughly forty to one hundred dollars per adult, all inclusive. Family style menus with tacos, pasta, and sliders sit at the friendlier end of that range. Feast nights with Tomahawk Steak, lobster, or a full Seafood Boil price toward the higher end. The quote covers groceries, cooking, service, and cleanup in one number. Kids portions price lighter, which helps on family heavy bookings. Big Boards Catering itemizes every estimate so groups splitting costs see exactly what each piece covers. The final bill matches the quote, with nothing hidden between them.
Group math usually works in your favor at vacation scale. Splitting a private chef dinner across three or four families often costs less per person than a theme park restaurant. There is no tip pressure, no parking, and no drink markup on your own bottles. Larger groups pull the per person cost down through volume. Multi night bookings can price better per meal than single dinners. One planned feast night frequently replaces the most expensive restaurant night of the trip. We are honest about where the money lands on the plate. Compare the numbers against a park dinner for twelve and the value gets obvious.
A few practical factors round out the estimate. Premium seafood like king crab moves with market pricing, and we quote it current. Travel inside the resort corridor is usually included, and anything beyond gets flagged early. Add ons like a grazing table or dessert display get priced as clear line items. Holiday weeks book at peak demand and deserve early commitment. A deposit holds your dates on the calendar. The free planning session produces a firm number before you commit to anything. Send your dates and your headcount, and we will price the whole stay precisely.
Our vacation private chef service covers everything between deciding on a menu and pushing back from the table. Planning starts before your trip with a free session covering dates, headcount, and preferences. Chef Andy Raphael shops for all the groceries on the day of service. He arrives at your rental with the ingredients and professional cookware, then cooks the full meal on site. Dinner gets served at your table, styled family style or buffet style to suit the group. The kitchen gets cleaned completely, from pans to counters to sink. Leftovers get packed and labeled for the fridge when there are any. You never leave the house, and you never lift a spoon.
The details inside that package are what make it feel like vacation. Timing flexes around your park schedule, so a late return does not ruin dinner. Kids can be fed first while adults finish at the pool. The chef can walk the table through each dish or serve quietly, whichever suits your group. Rental kitchen gaps get covered by the equipment we bring. Dietary accommodations are folded in at no extra charge. Special moments, like a birthday dessert mid trip, get planned into the night. Every element exists to remove work from your vacation.
A few things sit outside the standard service, and we say so plainly. Alcohol is not included, though we gladly suggest pairings for bottles you buy. Rental house supplies like extra chairs or outdoor tables stay with the property manager. Meals on days we are not booked belong to your group, though a stocked fridge visit can help. Deep cleaning of the rental remains the property’s job; our cleanup covers everything the meal touched. Anything custom gets discussed and priced during planning. The itemized quote spells out exactly what your booking includes. Clear expectations before the trip protect the relaxation during it.
Yes, the vacation rental corridor around the Orlando theme parks is the core of this service. Our Clermont base sits minutes from the resort communities travelers book most. Kissimmee and Celebration rentals fill our calendar every week of the year. Horizon West and Windermere homes on the west side of the parks are a short drive for us. Larger vacation estates around Clermont, Minneola, and Groveland host our biggest family feast nights. Orlando and Dr. Phillips stays, from condos to executive homes, all sit inside the range. We know the gate codes, the resort check ins, and the rental kitchen quirks of this corridor. Your rental address is almost certainly familiar territory.
Cooking near the parks comes with rhythms we have learned to respect. Park days run long, so we schedule dinners around realistic return times rather than optimistic ones. Fireworks schedules, early park mornings, and midday pool breaks all shape the meal timing. Groups often want dinner ready the moment they walk in, and we plan the cook backward from the door. Resort community access rules get handled in advance with your rental’s information. Late changes happen on vacation, and we flex with them when the kitchen allows. A dinner that fits the vacation beats a vacation bent around dinner. That understanding is half the service.
Travelers from across the country book this service before they ever land in Florida. Planning happens by phone or message from wherever home is. The menu, the dietary notes, and the schedule all get locked before the flight. Payment and deposits work remotely without any friction. On arrival day, the only remaining task is enjoying the trip. Many groups book us again on their next Orlando visit, sometimes a year out. A reliable dinner plan has become part of how families do the parks. Send your rental address and your dates, and we will take it from there.
Very little, honestly, because the service is designed around rental house realities. A working stove and oven, some counter space, and access to the kitchen cover the essentials. We bring professional cookware, knives, and tools, since rental kitchens rarely stock anything sharp. The groceries arrive with the chef, so your fridge needs only enough room to hold leftovers. Clearing the counters of beach bags and souvenirs before arrival helps the cook start fast. Confirming the gate code and parking situation in advance keeps the schedule smooth. A table cleared for dinner is the finishing touch. Everything else on the list belongs to us.
During planning, we ask a few questions that make the night seamless. The rental listing’s kitchen photos tell us most of what we need about the setup. We confirm stove type, oven condition, and any outdoor grill you want used. Headcount and seating tell us how to stage the serving. Dietary notes and kids preferences finalize the shopping list. Your arrival day schedule shapes the cooking timeline. Any surprise, like a rental kitchen missing its promised oven, gets solved with menu flexibility. Good questions before the trip prevent every problem during it.
A few optional touches can elevate the night if you want them. Your own wine or drinks can chill ahead so pairings land perfectly. Outdoor tables by the pool make a Seafood Boil unforgettable, weather permitting. A birthday or anniversary surprise can be staged with one family member secretly. Music and lighting stay in your hands, and the food will match whatever mood you set. Kids can even watch parts of the cooking, which some chefs mind and ours does not. None of this is required, and all of it is welcome. The house is yours; we just make dinner happen in it.
Yes, large groups are exactly what vacation rental cooking was made for. Multigenerational trips of fifteen to thirty guests fill the big rental homes around Clermont and Kissimmee. We batch cook in waves so a table of thirty eats as fresh as a table of six. Buffet style service moves big family groups efficiently without losing the family dinner feel. Feast nights like a Seafood Boil scale beautifully and turn the whole group into one loud, happy table. Staffing gets added when the headcount demands it. Chef Andy Raphael plans the timeline personally for larger bookings. The reunion photo around a full table is the whole point, and we cook for it.
Big groups bring big logistics, and we handle them quietly. Rental kitchens get evaluated in advance so the equipment matches the headcount. Seating plans across dining tables, kitchen islands, and patio tables get discussed before the night. Multiple proteins keep every branch of the family satisfied without separate meals. Kids tables get their own timing when the schedule calls for it. Serving stations prevent thirty people from crowding one counter. Cleanup scales with the group, and it still finishes before we leave. The hosts of the reunion get to be family instead of staff.
Cost sharing across a big group stays painless with our process. Itemized quotes show each family exactly what the dinner covers. Per person math usually beats any restaurant capable of seating thirty. One deposit holds the date, and the split happens however your family prefers. Multi night bookings spread the value across the whole reunion. Special moments, like a grandparent’s milestone birthday, get built into the menu. We flag every cost early so no family member gets surprised. Bring us the headcount and the occasion, and we will bring the feast.
Yes, and on vacation bookings we plan for both with extra care. Family groups always span picky toddlers, allergic cousins, and grandparents with doctor’s orders. Every restriction gets documented during the pre trip planning session. Nut, dairy, gluten, and shellfish allergies shape the shopping list itself. Cross contact gets managed with separate tools and careful sequencing in the rental kitchen. Kids plates lean on familiar favorites like sliders, Mac & Cheese, and simple pasta. Adults with restrictions get full plates, not stripped down versions. Nobody at a family table should eat like an afterthought.
Individual plating is the quiet superpower of a private chef. One cousin’s shellfish allergy does not cancel the Seafood Boil for everyone else. A gluten conscious grandparent gets a complete plate built safely alongside the feast. Vegetarian travelers get real dishes like Pesto Tortellini rather than a pile of sides. Dairy free versions get planned rather than improvised. The chef knows every plate’s contents because he built every plate. Questions at the table get answered on the spot. That certainty is nearly impossible at a restaurant with a twelve top.
Communication before the trip makes all of it reliable. We confirm every restriction in writing before the shopping trip. Severity gets clarified, since a preference and a medical allergy get handled differently. Parents can send kid specific notes as detailed as they like. The final menu goes back to the group before the trip for one last check. Changes mid stay get accommodated when the kitchen allows. Your job is one thorough email; ours is everything after it. Send the list and the whole table will eat happy.
Most groups book a vacation private chef three to six weeks before the trip. Vacation dates lock early, so the chef booking should follow quickly. School break weeks and holiday periods fill our calendar fastest. Summer and spring break in the Orlando corridor book out furthest of all. Multi night packages deserve the longest lead time, since they hold several dates at once. Big Boards Catering can sometimes take single dinners on shorter notice. Availability always comes down to the calendar for your specific dates. Booking when you book the rental is the safest move of all.
Lead time improves the trip in practical ways. Menus get refined across time zones without any rush. Dietary lists from multiple families take a week or two to fully gather. Premium ingredients like king crab get sourced properly with notice. Special surprises mid trip get planned without leaks. A deposit locks the dates on our calendar. Final headcounts confirm a few days before arrival. Calm planning at home means zero food decisions on vacation.
Last minute requests still get an honest answer. Travelers already in town sometimes call two days out, and we say yes when the calendar allows. Simple family menus assemble faster than feast nights. Weeknights inside a stay flex more easily than Saturday celebrations. If we cannot do the dinner justice, we say so directly. Peak weeks forgive the least delay, so do not gamble with spring break. Even a quick message clarifies what your dates can support. Reach out today and we will check the calendar against your trip.
Yes, multi night service is one of the best ways to use a vacation chef. Many groups book two or three dinners spread across a week long stay. A common rhythm alternates one feast night with simpler family dinners in between. Breakfast or brunch service can anchor a slow rest day away from the parks. Arrival night grazing tables welcome the group before anyone unpacks. Menus vary across the nights so nothing repeats unless requested. Multi night bookings often price better per meal than single dinners. The kitchen stays clean all week, which might be the real luxury.
Structuring the week takes about one conversation. We look at your park schedule and place cooking nights on the gaps. The biggest feast usually lands mid trip or on the final night, when the group wants a celebration. Lighter menus follow the most exhausting park days. A stocked fridge visit can cover the nights between our bookings with prepared meals. Timing adjusts mid week when vacation reality rewrites the plan. The same chef across the week learns your group’s favorites fast. By night three, dinner feels like a house tradition.
Groups discover real value in the repeated service. The per meal cost drops as the nights add up. Grocery runs disappear from the vacation entirely. Restaurant roulette with a big group ends after the first home cooked night. Kids settle into a dinner routine even on vacation, which parents quietly treasure. Leftovers from each night cover next day lunches by the pool. The final night feast becomes the trip’s closing ceremony. Book the week once and the food side of your vacation is simply finished.
Get The Best Vacation Private Chef In Central Florida
Book your free vacation private chef planning session and estimate today by calling Big Boards Catering at (954) 778-0456 or by booking online using our 24/7 appointment system.






