CHEF SERVICES - VACATION RENTALS

Our heart is in our curated dining experiences—multi-course meals, garden tours, and storytelling that bring Costa Rican flavors to life with our one-of-a-kind, Casa Paniagua magic.

We also know that when you’re staying in a vacation rental, flexibility matters. That’s why we offer private chef services (+ groceries): vibrant breakfasts to start your day, relaxed lunches at home, and seamless dinners after your adventures—all timed to your schedule.

Whether you want the full Casa Paniagua experience or simply the ease of chef-prepared meals, both are available at your vacation rental. For guests who value thoughtful details, consistent quality, and our one-of-a-kind magic, every meal becomes unforgettable.

HOW IT WORKS

1. Tell us your dates + headcount. We confirm availability and outline costs (Chef Servcies + Groceries).

2. Menu planning (about 2 weeks out). You’ll get our current menus for inspo; we tailor everything to preferences, allergies, and dietary needs.

3. We shop + cook. We arrive ~1 hour before service to prep, plate, and set the table area.

4. You eat. We clean. Kitchen left tidy, dishes handled (within what’s available at your rental).

DINING FORMAT AND TIMES

BREAKFAST

Fresh fruit & chia/yogurt + a hot dish (often classic Costa Rican)
Service window: Starting times between 6:00–9:30 AM (we’ll align with your tours).

LUNCH

Relaxed 2-course (starter + main)
Service window: Starting times between 11:00 AM–1:00 PM (on request; many tours include lunch).

DINNER

3-course plated (soup or salad, main, dessert).
Seating window: starting times between 5:00–8:00 PM (fits hot springs and evening plans).

ARRIVAL & SETUP

We typically arrive ~1 hour before you would like food on the table.

WHAT'S INCLUDED?

Fully customized menu planning and consultation
English-speaking chef who enjoys engaging with guests and sharing cultural insights
Dedicated service staff providing complete start-to-finish service
All necessary cooking equipment
Elegant table setting with Casa Paniagua’s signature décor—candles, fresh flowers, greenery—and complete tableware (plates, glassware, flatware, napkins)
High-quality, beautifully prepared dishes
Filtered water and organic natural juice with every meal
Transportation of team and equipment (subject to location)

We provide the full Casa Paniagua experience at every service!Beautiful table settings, thoughtful touches, and a flow designed to elevate each meal—because we believe the way a meal is shared matters as much as the food itself.

CHEF SERVICES PRICES

(GROCERIES NOT INCLUDED)

BREAKFAST $40 per person

LUNCH $50 per person

DINNER $75 per person

+ 13% VAT TAXES

KIDS PRICING

AGES 0-5 NO CHARGE

AGES 6–11 50% of adult chef service fee

AGES 12+: full adult chef service fee
NOTE: The 4 adult minimum per meal still applies.

MULTI DAY BOOKINGS

The more time we spend together, the more magic we can create. Many guests choose to book us for multiple days, and we’re happy to extend special pricing depending on the number of days and services reserved. Whether it’s breakfast and dinner over several days, or full-service days from start to finish, we’ll craft a package that makes the most of your stay.

LARGE GROUPS

We love welcoming big gatherings, and our pricing stays consistent no matter the group size. Larger parties call for additional staff and equipment to maintain the high standards Casa Paniagua is known for, which means we don’t offer group discounts—but every guest receives the same thoughtful service and attention to detail that define our experiences.

BOOKING MINIMUMS

Minimum of 4 adult guests per meal
Parties of 2–3 billed at the 4 adult rate
Children’s pricing applies once the adult minimum is met
No minimum number of days required

(small portion if dining with adults)

GROCERIES

Groceries are billed separately from chef services to provide transparency and flexibility. We handle all sourcing personally through our trusted local vendors.

NO sourcing fee charged
Receipts provided
Groceries usually run 35% of the chef services total.

PAYMENTS

Groceries are reconciled at the end of service and paid in cash, or by credit card (+13% VAT + 3% card fee).
For multi-day services, we reconcile grocery expenses approximately every two to three days to keep things clear and simple.