Beach Plum Chef of Cape Cod Personal Chef and Event Services

beachplumchef.com

Client Testimonies: Beach Plum Chef of Cape Cod –

Most Recent: (happy to provide referrals from this list)

Received Dec 10th, 2015:

We hired Dana for a birthday party with twenty five attendees.  She and her staff were prompt, well prepared,  professional, and pleasant.  The food was fresh, perfectly seasoned and beautifully presented, and they left the house cleaner than when they arrived.  I highly recommend the Beach Plum Chef!

Amanda Strong, Boston MA – Event: West Falmouth, MA

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Received August, 2015:

Dana came through for us with a last-minute birthday dinner request, and it couldn’t have worked out better.  The cod/lobster main dish was delicious, and the crab cakes are the best we’ve ever had (and we’ve tried them all over north america!).  Her carrot cake was unbelievably good.  Dana worked with our budget and made sure our dinner was perfect for the whole family, including our young kids.

Dr. Adam Fleming, Ontario Canada, Vacation Property, Truro MA

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Received: August 2015

We used the Beach Plum Chef services for a series of dinners/lunches this summer in North Truro.  The numbers varied from 7-14.  Dana and her assistant were very professional, efficient and friendly, despite all the chaos going on around them, including 2 large dogs.

The food was delicious!  Dana planned the meals with the input of my daughters and was very easy to work with.  One of the guests at one point had a gluten-free diet and Dana managed to ease that into the menu comfortably. She did everything from hors d’oeuvres to dessert and cleaned up as well as served.  It was like a vacation at home with fine restaurant dining coming to YOU  instead of having to mobilize the troops to go out.  Jade Walsh, North Truro, MA and Jackson Hole WY

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Received: July 2015

Received: July 2015

Hi Dana:

That was a delicious meal! Definitely the best dinner we have had on Cape Cod in the five years we have been coming here. We will recommend you to our friends. Thanks also for the restaurant suggestions.

Best wishes,

Christine and Paul (Wasserman) Houston Texas and Chatham MA

(Romantic Dinner, Sea Bass, Oysters, Organic/ Local Menu)

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Received, June 2015

Hi Dana, I spoke to them last night and they both positively raved about
your food! That is a big compliment coming from them because my Aunt Claire
is an excellent cook herself. 🙂 Thank you again for helping me make this
possible for them. I will definitely reach out to you again if I need
anything. Enjoy the holiday weekend and the rest of your summer!
Maureen Frink – Dennis MA (Weekly Meals Gift)

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Received: February 2015

Hi Dana,

Thank you! They are very happy with everything. It is such a treat for my mom (and my dad). You made everything so easy for them. I really appreciate it.
Dede Traynor, Cotuit (Weekly Meals Gift)

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Received December, 2014

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Received: October 2014

Hi Dana, I am the daughter of Tom and Arline North. I cannot express enough gratitude for all you did for our parents for their anniversary. They enjoyed it so much and you far exceeded our expectations!!!! Thank you so very much for your personal touches and kindness!!!!Sincerely
Denise Berthiaume (dinner for two, Harwich MA, anniversary gift from family)

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Received: March 17, 2014

Dana provided personal chef services for my family and friends over our month long annual summer retreat to Cape Cod in the summer of 2013.  We had a difficult set of requirements as we had anywhere from 5 to 14 people at different times.  Dana would come a couple of times each week and would prepare and serve that evening’s meal as well as prepare dinner for the next night or two. The food was always delicious and the presentation was fabulous.

Dana was quite flexible in meeting our needs and put a lot of effort in up front communicating with us to develop menus that matched our tastes.  Dana even allowed our teenage kids to work with her on some of the meal preparation and took the time to teach them some of the finer points of cooking.   We also hosted a casual neighborhood party for some 30 people during our stay, and Dana prepared the main courses and several sides.  All of her food received rave reviews and her services made if much easier on us to host the party.  Dana is a pleasure to work with and a most talented chef.  We look forward to more of her fabulous cooking on future trips to the Cape.

The Jaschke Family, Colorado Springs and Woods Hole

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Feb 2014 – Best Christmas present I received this year! Thanks for great classes, Trish and I have enjoyed your cooking, and received a lot from working with you. Not to mention I can actually cook vegetables now, and can make a fairly respectable dinner. Good work! Until we meet again.

Greg Hill, Brewster, MA –  Ten Sessions: The Art of the Vegetable

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Feb 2014

Dana I just want you to know how much your presentation was enjoyed by the club members. So many people came up to me to tell me how much they had received from the class. And the samples were delicious. Also, I would like to compliment you on making a catering menu that perfectly fit our annual “Weigh for Life” six week goals – you were the right person for that job. It was really great having you – thank you! We all learned a lot.

Carol Penfield, Owner – Chatham Swim and Health Club, Chatham, MA

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Nov, 2013 Brewster MA

Once again you did an excellent job, nicely done Dana.  A lot of people wanted to know how you made the chocolate pie. Maybe you could drop off the recipe…. Thank you. And you really went overboard on the cleaning up – you didn’t have to do all that. We’re looking forward to our next event.

Frank Bradley, Brewster MA (Custom Dinner Party Menu)

*****

October 2013, East Sandwich MA

You did a fabulous job. Thank you for the last minute menu and for the event advice. Everything was excellent… the homemade chowder, the grilled beef…. The Asian chicken appetizer was different and really good. We liked everything. The people you worked with were very nice. My wife and I couldn’t have been happier – I’m happy when she’s happy. Thanks for helping me to make this a really special birthday event for my sweetheart! I will definitely recommend your service.

Ralph Crossen, Sandwich MA (60 Guests: Oyster Bar – Chatham, Dennis and Brewster Oysters, Chowder Station, Passed Appetizers, Humanely Raised Grill Menu, Local Seafood, Cake)

*****

October 2013 Orleans, MA

Dear Dana,
What a treat to wake up to such a clean kitchen, but the real treat was your dinner. Every course was delicious and presented perfectly.
And the left-overs! They made a light lunch on Saturday and when my son arrived, he devoured the potatoes.
Thank you for making Bruce’s dinner a special one.

Sincerely,
Marilyn and Bruce Ayer, Orleans MA

*****

Aug, Sept 2013: Hyannis Port

Dear Dana,
It was such a pleasure having you cook for our “foodie” friends from NYC this summer. We were all very impressed with the delicious baked haddock and pan seared sea scallops. I thought the Boston lettuce salad was particularly yummy! You also did a splendid job in September organizing and managing our Texas Barbecue for our Cape Cod friends. Your creative ideas made the loud and lively evening so much fun for everyone. We look forward to planning some more Hyannisport events with you in 2014. Cheers!
Deidre Vedder Austin, Texas

*****

August, 2013 Shore Drive, Falmouth

Dana – thank you so very much for my birthday party celebration dinner! It was so nice for me to have you cook everything. I will have to tell Eric at Pie in the Sky that you are a really good chef. (Beach Plum Chef Notes: the referral to cook for this event came from a Boston-based chef who is connected with “Pie in the Sky” – a really good bakery in Woods Hole). You deserved the standing ovation at the end of the night – you guys really worked hard – and the food was delicious! So nice to meet you and Maureen. It was a pleasure, and I will definitely recommend you!

Kathleen Oestreicher, FL

(25 Guests, Appetizers, Full Buffet Service, Homemade Dessert)

*****

July 2013, Truro MA

Dana – I can’t thank you enough for the absolutely fantastic job that you and your staff did tonight. My guests were really happy – I was happy – that group of people that you work with is phenomenal (BPC staff included 8 servers) and it was all done exactly the way I wanted it. You know that I am very particular – and you handled it well. From the tasting menu you brought in April – to tonight’s dinner for 55 of my close friends and family. It was a very special night – and you supported that. The food was excellent…. I highly recommend your service.

Sonia McArdle, North Pamet Road, Truro MA

Wedding Rehearsal Dinner, Complete Custom Menu

Recipes Written For Client, 55 Guests

*****
January, 2013   (Centreville, MA)
Hi Dana!!  (most exclamation points ever received from a client :))

My body is so happy! It is such an incredible pleasure having you cook such wonderful meals! I am so excited to eat and to have more time with my kids…. The soup you made was absolutely wonderful!!  I wish you could understand how much joy it brings me to eat such amazing food!  You are so awesome at what you do!!!  My dinner tonight was soup and salad with the dressing you made!!!  I am in food heaven if there is such a thing!!

The menu for next week looks divine!!!  Thank you! Thank you!!

Have a wonderful weekend!!

Best,

Nicole    (Nicole Briggs, Centreville MA)

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January 2013, Brewster MA

Hi Dana and thank you again for a fantastic meal…both Bill and I enjoyed it immensely!!!  We also so appreciated your thoughtfulness in leaving us your delicious cookies…what a nice surprise to wake up to….I would highly recommend you and will certainly look to have you come cook for us when we are on the Cape again…we both fell in love with the place.

Again, thank you! Cheers,

Laura Pelegrino & Bill Hudson, Long Island, NY

(Private Dining for Two)

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July 2012 (Engagement Dinner Party, New Seabury, MA)

We have had other chef services come and cook for us, but you really hit the mark. The food was excellent – we really enjoyed our evening. And we would definitely recommend your services. Thank you for a lovely dinner that supported a very special celebration for us!

Stan and Mindy Wachtenheim

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July 2012 (Bridal Shower Dinner Party, East Dennis MA)

We loved having you cook for us at the Cape. It was one of the highlights of our weekend. The food was amazing! Thank you so much for your time and effort. Your entire team was a pleasure to have around. I hope that we can make this trip to the Cape an annual visit. If so, we would certainly contact you every time!

Lisa Farb, New York, New York

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June 2012 (Friends Reunion Hyannis MA, Dinner Party and Meals Service)

Dana/Beach Plum Chef delivers (in more ways than one!). We recently planned a one-week getaway for a group of long-time friends… Dana was tasked with assembling sample menus, preparing healthy put-away meals, and creating a staffed celebration event starting with appetizers and ending with a decadent dessert. She did it all with finesse and received rave reviews (no small feat considering we are very discerning group of women!).

Dana was considerate of various dietary requirements and as requested, used only fresh, locally sourced ingredients where applicable (from farmers’ markets); she was flexible and happily made substitutions where necessary; and as a one-woman business owner, Dana was attentive to our needs, honest and a pleasure to work with.

Lastly, the difference is often in the details and Dana’s attention to the little things (using her own fresh garden flowers on the table and as an edible garnish) puts her in a category beyond ‘caterer’. Dana loves what she does and it shows and tastes!

Stacey K Vulakh, San Jose CA  Achieve Personal Coaching

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May 2012 Brewster, MA

(Surprise 40th Birthday Dinner Party – Vegan Menu)

Hi Dana,

Can’t thank you enough. It was a great experience starting with our first conversation and how willing and interested you were in figuring out what I or Nicole would actually want. It was truly wonderful.

The ambiance WAS incredible. We have had several parties at the house including our wedding and we are always concerned that one event might be too similar to the next. This was not the case at all as this was so unique.

Your cooking was exactly what I had hoped for and imagined based on the menu and our discussions. (I have to send you a picture of the kitchen when you were in action… The small space is definitely restricting to say the least, but it didn’t seem to impede your progress. Classic photo!)

Thank you so much for making “40 years of living” so special!!

Jay  Merriman, Brewster, MA

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April 2012 – Provincetown MA (Wedding)
The meal and service were absolutely spectacular! Our guests are still raving about it!

Brenda and I wanted to thank you again for everything you did to ensure the celebration dinner you put together for our wedding day was absolutely perfect!

 Your attention to every little detail prior to and on our big day did not go unnoticed…..From listening to our vision of the evening and making wonderful wine recommendations, to arranging beautiful flowers and candles on our dinner table without being asked.

Not only was our food delicious, each course was wonderfully presented. The extra care you took to personally introduce each course to our small dinner party was a nice touch as well.

The passion for your craft is evident and so appreciated! We’re happy you were a part of our special day and we look forward to using your chef service every year when returning to Provincetown to celebrate our anniversary.

Thanks again!

Teraisa & Brenda

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April 2012 – Cotuit MA; Birthday Dinner Party – 13 Guests

Dear Dana,
Thank you so much for preparing such a fabulous dinner for my 60th birthday!

It was such a pleasure going through the preparatory details with you prior to our event. I love your “fit for life” concept of food and you were able to combine that with so many gourmet abilities. You were anxious to share your ideas with me and yet still focus on our tastes as well.

Although our guest list was only thirteen, you stood by me with various changes that occurred through our planning process and enabled me not to worry at all.

As soon as you set foot in our home, you took over and immediately I knew the evening would be perfect. Your abilities as a chef became clear as you made the most amazing appetizers and served them to our appreciative guests. The sit down dinner was well-timed and not rushed. Each dish that you presented wowed us until the next .

This dinner was the first time I ever had a professional chef come into my home to prepare and cook dinner. What a treat! It was an elegant evening and I was able to enjoy my own birthday party, relax with my guests and partake in a gourmet event! You were so on top of everything and your confidence let me step back and enjoy.

And enjoy we did!!

Dana, thank you for a wonderful evening. All of your efforts were appreciated by my family and my dear friends. I highly recommend you as a true chef, and also as an event planner that knows how to work with people and make their event special.

This was a special evening and the best birthday party!

Most Sincerely,
Sydney and Tom Hale

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January 2012  Oyster Bay, Osterville MA/ Cooking Class w Dinner

We really enjoyed the class. What do you get for the man who has everything? And now you know that we really love our lobsters. We had a good time, and the dinner afterwards was excellent. We’re glad you were able to sit with us for dessert for some apres social time. We highly recommend the experience. Have a class with Dana – you’ll learn a lot and get to eat something great at the end!

The Lingamfelter Family

Class and Dinner Menu:

Raw Tuscan Kale Salad w Lemon Vinaigrette

Poached Lobster Tails w Sweet Pea Horseradish Sauce and Vegetable Sides

Peach Pie with Dark Cherry Sauce and Tapioca in Pate Brisee

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Beach Wedding, Chatham MA, 2011

Dana was a phenomenal chef for our wedding. My husband and I cannot thank her enough for all of her time and effort she put into our event to make sure  that we had an amazing spread of the most delicious and organic food.

From the start Dana was a pleasure to work with and gave us her undivided attention to plan the menu down to the smallest detail. Since we had a small destination beach wedding in Chatham (we live in Pittsburgh) she also played a major part in our wedding planning by helping us coordinate the tent, rental equipment, flowers, etc.

This was an amazing help to see that the event went smoothly!

I can honestly say that Dana’s effort in the planning phase was beyond our expectations and that the food was the best we have ever had.

My husband and I highly recommend Dana as a chef for any event.

Sincerely,
Kate  and Mark Morris, Pittsburgh PA

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I first tasted Dana’s elegant, healthful cooking while participating in a day-long retreat. I found it as inspirational as the program itself. I determined immediately not to let her get away.

Most recently, I requested help with a dinner to honor friends and business associates from Lebanon. Dana developed a spectacular menu for 25, with subtle Middle Eastern influences….

While managing a staff of two, she made it appear effortless and conversed easily with guests. Beyond the obvious tasks for this undertaking, she had also done her homework in knowing the backgrounds of those in attendance….

I am of the personal opinion that Dana Dunbar could run a small country.

Pat Charyk   Marion, MA

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July 2011      West  Yarmouth, MA

Dana,

My family was very pleased with your catering efforts during our family holiday in West Yarmouth, Mass (the Cape). As you know, each year we plan a special week for all of our children and grandchildren to meet at a place of their choosing.

We supply the home and a chef and then begin to celebrate our fortune of being together for another year. During our July 2011 holiday, we were also fortunate to have you as our chef.

Working with our family of 13 ranging in ages from 70 to 7 months, the meals were one of the highlights of this occasion. You helped plan each meal and your pricing was extremely fair. Thank you for all that you did.Your meals were delicious and served perfectly and the home’s owner complimented us on the cleanliness of the kitchen when we left.

We look forward to visiting the Cape again in the near future and share in the excitement of your effort

Sincerely,

Barry M. Alpert

North Redington Beach, Florida 33708

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June 2011, Orleans MA  Dear Dana,

Your “Personal Chef” services for Peter and me after I returned home with my knee replacement was truly the gift of a lifetime. We are so grateful to our sons and daughters-in-law for arranging for your services.

The health-giving/ comfort entrees were delicious. What fond memories I have of the scrumptious apple strudel! Not having to do meal planning, grocery shopping, and meal preparations was such an aid in my recovery! Every family should consider such a gift.

When family  members asks “what could I do for you? the patient should reply “Hire Dana Dunbar as your Personal Chef!”.

And thanks for making the entire cooking experience in my home so easy!

Ethel De Bakker

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I am writing about Dana Dunbar who worked as production manager and chef.  I was shooting a feature film, Radio Cape Cod, shot on Cape Cod in Woods Hole.

She was with us for three weeks and lived on the property….

Dana has an ability to organize an event on short notice.

She worked well with our head chef, Hubert Hohler, executive chef at the Buchinger Klinik and Spa, who came from Germany for our Woods Hole production. She also took over from him for one week (to work as chef for cast and crew of 30 persons), while he was making a cooking show on the Radio Cape Cod location. Buchinger Klinik is known as one of the best of its kind in Europe, and we were fortunate to have Hubert fly in to work with us. And we were also fortunate that Dana was there to offer support.

I know that she took care of matters as if she were in her own home.

She tends to be a nurturer, part chef, part personal caretaker in the kitchen, always looking out for others.

I would recommend her both as a chef and as a person who will support the needs of crew and client.

Andrew Silver Producer/ Director

Silver Productions

asilver@asilverproduction.com

Brookline, MA; USA

Current Film:

TouchofLove.com

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Dana was a pleasure from all aspects of our event. The food was wonderful and matched our event, her staff was intelligent and efficient – setting up, serving and cleaning up and fit in nicely with our guests.

Dana’s pre-planning was thorough from the menus, to set-up of the rooms, to parking, to weather changes. She’s smart, approachable and not afraid to work hard. She really did think of everything and planned for it before hand to the point where the event seemed effortless. She is the consummate professional.

I highly recommend Dana as a chef and also an event manager who will be very interested in supporting and representing your personal tastes. I get the feeling that she tends to work as a personal assistant rather than as simply a chef who makes menus for clients.

Suzanne K. Albert

A. G. Edwards

Orleans, MA (Cape Cod)

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Hi Dana,

Thank you again for your superb food. Our staff dinner was the best. Being able to host it in the warmth of our home as opposed to in a restaurant but with fine dining restaurant-quality food made it so very special.

I think the one thing you might do is to put something in writing, maybe a card, that says something like “We wanted to be especially generous with our portions to ensure a plentiful, bountiful meal for your church staff.” … I don’t know really, but some way of letting folks know of your purposeful generosity. It speaks well of you that you were so generous and signals that we received much more than we paid for.

Many blessings in your great personal chef/catering business. If the occasion arises to call upon a caterer in future we will certainly check with you.

Happy Holidays, Reverend JD Benson –

Brewster Unitarian Church    December 2010

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Good Morning Dana,

Last night’s meal was a huge success.  And judging from the state of my house and the hour the last guests left (1:45 A.M.) the party was, too. Everyone loved the SW fare and the cookies were extremely popular. What a treat not to have to do all that work myself!  Thank you for all your hard work and thoughtful process.

See you in a couple of weeks.

Ann

Ann Steadman Hajduk Landscape Design, Inc.

Falmouth, MA

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Dana –

Thanks for a great job on Saturday.   There was a lovely mood and flow and delicious food.   Our guests had a great time thanks to your  hard work and creativity.

(Cape Repertory Raise the Yellow House Fund Raiser for 125 Guests – Brewster, Mass – 09)

Thanks again!
Rick L.  Eastham Mass

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Hi Dana

The soup is FABULOUS!!! So far I have had tomato and mushroom. Tonight will be squash. Thanks again.

(Client request: 5 soups she could drink from a straw).

Marsha M

Marstons Mills, Massachusetts

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Beach Plum Chef of Cape Cod Personal Chef Services

(508) 846-1397 

beachplumchef.com      Year Round Services,

Falmouth to Provincetown, MA; USA