A holiday dinner should leave room for the people you invited: a long conversation, a familiar family dish and time together after dessert. Hiring a private chef for Thanksgiving or Christmas in Miami starts with deciding what you want the day to feel like, then planning the food and timing around it.
Chef Collin O’Connor’s private dinner and lunch service brings menu planning, groceries, cooking, presentation and kitchen cleanup into one arrangement. Your holiday date, menu and service details are confirmed directly with Collin.
For 2026, Thanksgiving falls on Thursday, November 26, and Christmas Day on Friday, December 25. These dates are listed in the official U.S. holiday calendar. You can also ask about a gathering on another day during your family’s Miami stay.
Thanksgiving: start with the dishes your family cares about
Before choosing a full menu, make a short list of the traditions you want to keep. It might be a particular side dish, a preferred main course or dessert served later in the afternoon. Share those priorities with Collin, along with allergies, dietary requirements and foods your guests prefer to avoid.
If relatives are bringing dishes, include them in the plan. A family contribution may need oven space, refrigeration, a serving platter or time to finish in the kitchen. Agree on those details before everyone arrives so the chef can plan the rest of the meal around them.
Choose a realistic time to sit down. Tell Collin whether your guests will arrive together, come from different homes or join after another commitment. An afternoon meal with a pause before dessert calls for a different schedule from a dinner served in consecutive courses.
Christmas: choose the meal around the rest of the day
Christmas hosting often involves several households and more than one gathering. Ask guests about their plans before settling on lunch or dinner. A relaxed midday meal may suit your family better than an evening reservation time everyone has to rush to meet.
Share the mood you want: familiar comfort food, an occasion to dress the table, or a leisurely meal with visiting relatives. The sample menus can help you describe flavors you enjoy. They are a starting point for a conversation; the menu for your holiday gathering is agreed in your quote.
Decide which parts you want to handle yourself. You may enjoy decorating, choosing music or bringing out a family dessert. Make those choices clear so Collin’s food preparation and service fit the way you want to host.
Check the kitchen and table before finalizing the menu
At home, clear working space and let Collin know about the equipment available. In a vacation rental, confirm that the host permits an outside chef and your intended gathering. Ask about building access, parking or unloading arrangements, and who will let the chef in. Our Airbnb private-chef guide covers rental planning in more detail.
Collin’s practical reminder: count enough matching plates, silverware, glasses and napkins. Check what each course needs. For eight guests using a fresh plate for a starter, main and dessert, plan eight starter plates, eight dinner plates and eight dessert plates.
Count dining seats and check that the table has room for the intended place settings.
Confirm cooking equipment, refrigerator space and a clear preparation area.
Include serving dishes and utensils if the agreed meal needs them.
Tell Collin what you already have and discuss anything that needs arranging.
If you hope to eat outside, agree on an indoor alternative before the day.
Confirm who supplies drinks, table settings and any additional items. Include any related charges in your planning; groceries being included does not establish that rentals or extra service are included.
Agree on the quote and responsibilities
Use the current private-chef pricing page as a starting reference, then request a quote for your exact holiday plans. Groceries are included in Collin’s quoted price. Confirm the final menu, guest count, date, service scope and any extras before making arrangements around the meal.
Ask what kitchen cleanup covers and how any guest-supplied dishes will be handled. Collin provides a professional contract; use it to confirm the agreed service and payment terms. The service-inclusions guide explains the general process.
Send a holiday dinner brief that is easy to answer
You do not need a finished menu to get in touch. A clear first message helps Collin understand your gathering and discuss availability.
Date and timing: Thanksgiving, Christmas or another date, plus your preferred meal time.
Location: your Miami or South Florida neighborhood and whether it is a home or vacation rental.
Guests: the number of adults and children, with relevant dietary needs.
Food: traditions you want to keep, flavors you enjoy and any dishes guests will bring.
Practical details: kitchen access, table settings and items you need help arranging.
Budget: a comfortable range and any extras you want included in the proposal.
Ask Collin about your Thanksgiving or Christmas dinner. Availability and the final quote are confirmed directly; sending an inquiry does not reserve a date.
More planning help: planning a dinner party at home · understanding private-chef costs · all Chef Collin guides.
