The home of events & services for foodies

BY MICHELIN AWARD WINNING CHEF MICK BINNINGTON

About

Welcome to CHEF by Mick Binnington. If you love food you’re in the right place!

We offer all sorts of fun things for food lovers including;

Private dining experience
Freelance daily private chef hire
Weddings & events catering
In-person, group or 1-1 cookery courses
Online cookery courses
Pop-up dining events
Kitchen takeovers & collaborations
Foodie day trips
Foodie retreats
Foodie shows and festivals
Finish at home meal boxes

Be sure to follow our social media pages using the links on this site to be part of our journey and for the latest updates on upcoming events, or subscribe to our mailing list using the email link at the bottom of the page. Simply use ‘subscribe’ + your name as the subject and we’ll add you to the list!

Chef Owner Mick Binnington

Meet the Chef

Chef Owner Mick BinningtonMick Binnington, chef director at CHEF by Mick Binnington, is a multiple award-winning chef with more than twenty-three years’ experience in hospitality.

Mick’s early career began under the tutelage of a great chef and mentor, Omero Gallucci, who pushed and inspired him into competing in some prestigious international cookery competitions in 2004 including Hotelympia at London’s Excel, where he won gold, best in class, best in category, Young Chef Of The Year at Ascot Racecourse, where he was runner-up, and he was awarded a bronze medal at The World Culinary Olympics in Erfurt, Germany.

Next came a four-year stint at the then Michelin starred, 4AA rosetted Chapter One restaurant in Kent. It was here that Mick started to really refine his skills and learn about consistency.

Mick then spent the next few years working with the likes of Daniel Clifford at the 2* Michelin Midsummer House in Cambridge, Chris Staines at the Michelin starred, 5AA rosetted Foliage (now Dinner by Heston) in The Mandarin Oriental Hotel, Knightsbridge, and with Pascal Aussignac at the Michelin starred Club Gascon in London.

With a good, solid foundation of knowledge as well as the desire to spread his wings, Mick took on a Head Chef role in The Gordon Ramsay Group in London.

Despite thoroughly enjoying his time with Gordon Ramsay, when the opportunity to buy his own restaurant in his home county, Essex, arose he had to take it. It was the realisation of Mick’s ambition, and The Windmill Chatham Green was formed.

Over the next five-years with Mick at the helm in the kitchen, The Windmill Chatham Green enjoyed a great reputation both locally and nationally as well as winning multiple awards, including a prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand, which was won within weeks of opening and retained every year until The Windmill finally closed its doors.

It was at this point, with a wife and two young children to consider, Mick took the decision to leave his restaurant behind and become a private chef. CHEF was formed and Mick now does what he loves most, cooks fantastic, local, seasonal ingredients for his clients, while enjoying just a little more precious time with his loved ones.

Private Dining Experience

CHEF offers the ultimate Michelin restaurant experience for you and your guests in the comfort of your own home or venue.

Choose from our carefully created, seasonal menu or opt for our tailor made bespoke service for a truly unique experience.

You and your guests can simply sit back, relax and enjoy your memorable event, and let Mick and his team take care of everything.

How it works

At CHEF our aim is to make your experience as smooth, enjoyable and memorable as possible, leaving the expectations of you and your guests well and truly exceeded!

So, here’s how it works in five simple steps:

  • Contact us to book your experience outlining the main details of your event including where, when, timings and how many people will be attending.

  • Choose the dishes from the menu provided to you via email, for you and your guests to enjoy. The menu options will be sent to you around four weeks prior to your event. Please provide your chosen menu including any details of dietary requirements where necessary at least one week prior to your event.

  • We will source all ingredients from local, trusted, sustainable suppliers, and prepare your chosen menu and arrive at your home or venue at a pre-arranged time.

  • We will set the table and your meal will be served to you and your guests. We can be as interactive or discreet as you choose. Your comfort is of utmost importance to us so we can talk to you and your guests, explain what we are doing and share useful hints, tips and tricks of the trade, or we can simply blend into the background. Ultimately, we want you to get what you want from the experience.

  • Once all your chosen courses have been served, we will clear your table, pack away and clean your kitchen, leaving it spotless. We will then leave you and your guests to finish enjoying your evening.

Included within the price of every booking is the sourcing of all ingredients, the use of our beautiful crockery and cutlery (unless you would prefer we use yours), the cooking and serving of your chosen menu and the cleaning of your kitchen before we finish, leaving your kitchen as though we were never there.

In addition to the above we can offer some further options. These include wine pairing with tasting notes from our wine expert, a wine expert to serve and discuss your paired wines, Champagne and canapes, cheese and biscuits, petit fours and even cocktails. Please enquire when booking about the price and availability of these optional extras.

How to pay

At the time of sending over your chosen menu, at least one week prior to your event, a 50% deposit will be required. This can be paid by BACS transfer (bank details will be provided.) This is a non-refundable deposit once inside the week prior to the event as we will start sourcing ingredients and booking staff where necessary during this time.

Upon completion of your event, payment for the remaining 50% will be required. This can be paid by cash or BACS transfer. Some of our past clients have preferred to settle the remaining balance prior to the event, for example, when we arrive on the day, just so this does not need to be done while you and your guests are enjoying the event, but this is entirely your choice.

Please see below for a pricing guide. This guide relates to parties located within Essex, London and the surrounding areas. We can provide our services Nationally and we can even consider overseas events, however some travel costs may be added.

– Parties of 6 (minimum party size) to 15 £100pp
– Parties of 16+ £POA
– Bespoke events £POA

Pumpkins and Michelin Van
Truffles

Menu

At CHEF we offer a menu devised from carefully created dishes using amazing, local, seasonal ingredients from suppliers we know and trust.

A menu will be sent to you around four-weeks prior to your event for you to choose the dishes for you and your guests to enjoy. Our standard menu consists of a starter, a main course and a dessert. However, we can tailor your event to your liking if you choose our bespoke package. You can also opt to add one, some or even all of our optional extras. Simply let us know your requirements upon booking.

Please note, all dishes are subject to availability and could change at short notice. This is due to all our ingredients being sourced seasonally and therefore they can be affected by factors out of our control. Please do also make us aware of any allergies or dietary requirements in advance of your event, so we can do our best to accommodate.

Reviews

Here’s what some of our previous clients have said about us…

“What a beautiful evening it was to finish off a perfect day. Everything that we had pre-ordered from the menu was served to perfection. All of our guests commented on what a beautiful meal it was. Mike and I would like to personally thank all of you involved with the service we received for making our wedding evening such an enjoyable one. Thank you x.”

Faye, Chelmsford, Essex

“We booked to celebrate my husband’s 60th birthday with 24 friends. The food was delicious. The service was discreet and spot on. Could not have asked for more. Thank you very much for helping make this such a special occasion.”

Sandy, Billericay, Essex

“We booked the private dining for 18 people. The service was flawless. The food was impeccable, prepared and presented to everyone expertly. The steak was by far the nicest cut of meat I have ever had in England. The chocolate fondant and pistachio ice cream dessert was the perfect combination to finish off the meal. Never had anything less than a phenomenal experience and cannot recommend it enough.”

David, London

“Ideal for our group of 12 we had an excellent meal. We had a good menu choice and service was very attentive, excellent in fact. Totally recommend this for family and other similar sized groups.”

Martin, Kelvedon, Essex

“I had the delightful experience of having Mick as the private chef for my birthday. The food was exquisite, the service was amazing, and Mick has such a warming personality. I will certainly use him again.”

Jemma, Gillingham, Kent

Freelance daily private chef hire

Ever fancied having your own private chef? Mick is available to hire daily from Monday to Thursday from £300 per day plus cost of ingredients.

After a quick chat to establish likes, dislikes, and dietary requirements Mick will go and source the ingredients to prepare and cook your lunch or dinner for up to five guests.

This doesn’t need to be for a special occasion, it might just be that you would like to treat yourself, or you don’t have time to cook for yourself or your family.

For more information or to book, contact us today.

Pop-ups, kitchen takeovers & collaborations

Mick regularly holds pop-up events and collaborations at various restaurants and venues.

For up to date information on our upcoming events, please follow our social media pages or subscribe to our mailing list.

Cookery courses

Cookery courses for all abilities, at various locations, available in groups, 1-1 or online. With over two decades experience in the industry Mick can help you sharpen up your skills in the kitchen. Contact us to inquire or follow our social media pages for the latest availability.

Foodie day trips, retreats and festivals

The ultimate experiences for thoroughbred foodies! Join Mick for various foodie day trips, retreats and festivals both in the UK and overseas. If you’ve ever fancied visiting a vineyard in France, a salt producer in England, or a food market in Spain, this could be for you.

Follow our social media pages or subscribe for all the latest details about upcoming experiences.

Finish at home boxes

Having friends or family over for dinner? Let Mick prepare a three course meal for you and your guests, complete with simple instructions to heat and finish the dishes. You can even take the credit if you like! We won’t tell if you don’t!

Sample finish at home box for two £100 inc. delivery up to 10 miles from Chelmsford

Pumpkin & vanilla soup with sage pesto & shaved cheddar cheese

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Beef Wellington with truffle mash, tender stem broccoli & Madeira jus

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Date & Maldon salted toffee pudding

Contact us today for more information or for upcoming delivery dates.

The Foodie Retreat Chelmsford

This totally unique foodie experience is ideal for groups of six (three couples.)
Based within the beautiful countryside grounds of the Channels Estate, on the outskirts of Chelmsford, Essex is The Foodie Retreat, a stunning three en-suite double bedroom barn conversion complete with its own salon and a hot tub!

The luxurious property boasts two kitchens, one of which has a large central island with six bar stools and an induction hob, perfect for an interactive private chef experience.

From £200pp you and your friends can enjoy exclusive use of this fully serviced barn conversion, including the hot tub, as well as enjoying either a private or interactive three course dinner, prepared and cooked by Michelin award winning chef Mick Binnington.

Contact us today for more information or to check availability.

The ideal gift for the foodie in your life!

If you would like to purchase tickets for an upcoming event or experience as a gift, contact us today and we will be happy to help!

Professional Consultancy Services

With a wealth of experience working in a variety of different hospitality settings, including Michelin starred pubs & restaurants, contract catering & private chef services, as well as having built up a comprehensive network of contacts over the years, Mick and the team are well placed to be able to offer professional consultancy services.

They can provide consultancy for a wide range of different venues & businesses, in a variety of different aspects of the business, including menu development, costings, sourcing suppliers, kitchen design & more.

Get in touch to discuss your requirements.

Contact Us

We take bookings for events all year round, for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. This includes Christmas, New Year’s, Easter, Mothering Sunday and more.

To enquire or book please contact us directly to discuss your requirements: [email protected]

We’re social…

Request a Call Back

Prefer to speak with us, request a callback and we will call you at our first opportunity to discuss your requirements.