Private Chef Services | Cooking with Paul Young

private chef services

Champaign-Urbana is home to an amazing variety of restaurants serving a broad range of international cuisines. Despite all this abundance, we’re still missing out on several important culinary traditions. My goal is to fill in that gap with unique culinary experiences not typically available in the Champaign-Urbana area.

If you're an adventurous foodie who wants to expand your taste buds, I am available to fulfill your fantasies. From private cooking classes to dinner party planning consulating, I am available to guide you through exciting new dining experiences without having to drive to Chicago or flying to Paris.

As a private chef, I can teach you everything you need to know about making and serving beautiful tasty meals including menu planning and wine pairings. This is your chance to be adventurous, to try new cuisines, and to hone your kitchen skills. Here’s what you’ll learn in our private cooking class:

how to plan a dinner party and design a fabulous menu
how to utilize flavor principles to freely adapt recipes
techniques and skills needed to be successful in the kitchen
lots of time-saving tips & tricks without having to sacrifice quality

Invite me into your kitchen or come to my house for a private "cooking party" where we'll make a fabulous meal for you, your family, or friends. For larger events, consult with me for anything from menu planning to assistance in executing your dream dinner party. You can choose from over 200 kitchen-tested ethnic recipes from 22 international cuisines, or we can develop some new recipes together.

Let’s cook up a storm and create something great together! To get started, just send me an email and tell me about your latest food fantasy: paul@cooking-with-paul.com

Do you like attending dinner parties? Do you enjoy hosting dinner parties? If you answered "yes" to both questions, then the Chambana Supper Club might be just right for you.

Our goal is to create a community group of "foodies" who want to expand their knowledge of international cuisines. Members can explore diverse cuisines in a small intimate environment; learn about food culture, flavor profiles, ingredients, cooking techniques, and more. Club members create unique events for other members to participate in; hosts may offer themed pop-up dinners, special holiday celebrations, cooking parties, pot-luck events, field trips, etc (see examples of past events below). Each event is a unique experience hosted by locals with a passion for ethnic cuisine and international travel. We hope these events will offer adventurous foodies exciting new culinary experiences.

All events are private parties hosted by club members for other club members. Our common vision is to encourage new cultural discoveries by sharing celebrations of diversity and making more meaningful connections to the world — a mission that is more precious now than ever.

Club members receive exclusive email newsletters and invitations to upcoming events hosted by local amateur chefs in private homes. The $50 annual membership will also admit you to one free event per year (your membership fee will be refunded if you choose not to attend any events).

For more information, please join the popup_dinners_cu Facebook group, follow @popup_dinners_cu on Instagram, or subscribe to my email newsletter. Or email me directly: paul@cooking-with-paul.com.

Chef's Table: Paella Festival in Valencià

A Spanish festival banquet with sangria flights at Harvest Market on Sunday, September 1, 2024

Pan con Tomate: fresh tomato on bread
Gazpacho: chilled vegetable soup
Pincho Dátiles con Bacón: bacon-wrapped dates
Pipirrana: Spanish summer salad
Seafood Paella: shrimp, clams, mussels, halibut, rice
Crème Caramel: flan with fresh berries
Sangria flights all evening long, plus a few surprises!

Chef's Table: Royal Persian Feast

A fantasy banquet featuring elaborate silk road-inspired dishes at Harvest Market on Sunday, July 21, 2024

Mahiche: Persian braised lamb shank with saffron
Ghormeh Sabzi: beef herb stew with spinach and lime
Jeweled Rice: Persian rice pilaf with dried fruits and nuts
Shirazi Salad: Persian Cucumber Tomato Salad
Bastani Sonati: saffron ice cream with rosewater and mastic
Wine pairings all evening long, plus a few surprises!

Bullet Train to Kyoto

A multi-course Japanese fantasy foodie safari with sake, wine, highball, and beer pairings on Sunday, June 9, 2024

Sakana: small bites with beer pairings
Mixed tempura: seasonal veggies fried in a light batter
Tsukemono: sunomono and other pickled things
Zaru soba: cold buckwheat noodles with dipping sauce
Giant Japanese-style scallops: seared with butter and miso
Chawanmushi: savory egg custard with shrimp
Seafood udon noodle soup: bonito soup stock
Homemade matcha ice cream: green tea ice cream with red bean sauce
Sake, wine, highball, and beer pairings all evening long, plus a few surprises!

Pan-Asian Singapore Hawker Tour

A vegetarian foodie safari at Strawberry Fields Café on Sunday, May 19, 2024 (co-hosted by Sirisha Bhandaru and Paul Young)

Banchan: sweet, sour, and spicy Korean side dishes
Wood Ear Mushroom Salad: crunchy Chinese mushroom salad dressed with garlic, soy, and sesame
Vada Sambar Chutney: popular south Indian savory donut snack served with lentil stew and coconut chutney
Green Papaya Salad: zingy and spicy Thai salad dressed with a savory garlic-lime sauce
Okonomiyaki: a savory pancake from Osaka topped with Japanese mayonnaise and pickled ginger
Jackfruit Biryani: fragrant Indian rice pilaf made with unripened jackfruit and topped with crispy onion, saffron milk, and fried cashews
Sticky Rice with Mango: fresh ripe mangos with sweet coconut cream sauce
Specialty beverage pairings all evening long with non-alcoholic wine and beer options, plus a few surprises!

Mumbai Street Food Tour

A guided survey of the best eats available in this vibrant city on Sunday, April 14, 2024 (Guest chef: Sirisha Bhandaru)

Chaat: Pani Puri (playful little flavor explosions)
Sev Puri (crispy canapes topped with potatoes, onions, sauces)
Idli Sambar Chutney (steamed lentil and rice cakes with a tamarind stew and coconut chutney)
Paneer Frankie (a soft wrap encasing a spicy paneer filling)
Pav Bhaji (spicy vegetable mash served with a buttered bread roll)
Mawa Cake (a Parsi treat served with Chai Rabdi sauce)
Specially selected wine and beer pairings

An Evening in Český Krumlov

An authentic five-course traditional Czech meal with wine and beer pairings on Sunday, March 17, 2024