Private Chef · Dinners & Events

Relaxed fine dining, cooked for you.

Thoughtful, seasonal food for intimate dinners and special celebrations — refined, never pretentious.

James Goodhew plating a dish in a professional kitchen
About James

From Michelin kitchens to the Scottish Highlands

I trained at Westminster Kingsway College before refining my skills in Michelin-starred restaurants and some of London's best street food kitchens. I later moved to the Scottish Highlands, where my time at Old Pines Hotel helped shape the way I cook today.

Working in the Highlands taught me to cook with the seasons, embrace foraging, and develop a love for cooking over fire. Those experiences continue to influence every menu I create.

My partner is from the Canary Islands, so Spanish food has become a huge inspiration in my life. I love recreating the dishes and flavours that bring people together, while combining them with techniques and ingredients from across the world.

Whether I'm cooking for an intimate dinner party or a special celebration, my aim is always the same: thoughtful, seasonal food that feels exciting without being overcomplicated.

Celeriac cooking over an open fire in the Scottish Highlands
My Style

Relaxed fine dining

It's food that's refined but never pretentious — carefully prepared, beautifully presented, and designed to be enjoyed in a comfortable setting.

My cooking combines classic techniques with influences from open-fire cooking, barbecue, and smoking, alongside flavours I've discovered through travelling and working in different kitchens. Seasonal ingredients are always at the heart of every menu.

"I'm particularly inspired by Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants. They prove that exceptional food doesn't need unnecessary fuss — it just needs great ingredients, thoughtful cooking, and genuine hospitality. That's exactly the experience I aim to bring into every kitchen." James Goodhew, on his inspiration
The Food

Seasonal, thoughtful, never overcomplicated

A selection of recent plates — full gallery has more.

Venison loin with crispy bonbon and root vegetable purée
Wild mushroom tart with pickled shallot and pea shoots
Crispy pork belly with celeriac purée and salsa verde
Fig and honeycomb dessert with sponge cake
View full gallery
What I Offer

Private Dinners & Events

From an intimate dinner party at home to a special celebration with friends and family, every menu is designed around you, the season, and the occasion.

Private Dinners

A multi-course tasting menu cooked in your own kitchen, for small gatherings where the food is the centrepiece of the evening.

Celebrations & Events

Birthdays, anniversaries and special occasions — relaxed, beautifully presented food built around your guest list and setting.

Bespoke Menus

Every menu is written from scratch around seasonal ingredients, dietary needs, and the flavours you love.

Enquire about your event
Get In Touch

Let's plan something special

Tell me about your event — the occasion, guest count, and date — and I'll be in touch to talk through a menu.

Enquire now