Frequently Asked Questions
What is your cancellation policy?
To reserve your event date, a 50% deposit is required at the time of booking. This deposit is 80% refundable if canceled at least 72 hours before the scheduled event. The remaining 50% balance is due by noon the day after your event.
If something unexpected arises, please reach out—we’ll always do our best to accommodate you when possible.
What Areas Do You Serve?
Chef Dane is based in Fort Collins, Colorado, and proudly serves the surrounding region, mountain towns, and destinations across the state and beyond.
Core Service Area
Local events and weekly clients are typically based in:
Fort Collins (home base—no travel fee)
Loveland, Greeley, Windsor
Boulder, Longmont, Denver
Estes Park, Lyons, and nearby mountain communities
Travel Outside Fort Collins
For any event located outside of Fort Collins, a travel fee is applied. This fee is assessed case by case, based on distance, duration, setup needs, and whether lodging is required.
Out-of-State or Destination Events
Chef Dane is available for select destination dinners, retreats, weddings, and multi-day events outside Colorado. Travel, lodging, and ingredient sourcing will be coordinated in consultation with you.
To request a travel quote, fill out our Special Booking Form and we’ll follow up within 24 hours.
Do You Offer Cooking Classes?
Yes—and they’re one of our most popular services. Chef Dane offers immersive, hands-on cooking classes designed for individuals, couples, families, or small private groups. Whether you’re looking to build confidence in the kitchen or want to host an unforgettable culinary experience at home, these classes are fun, educational, and completely personalized.
Each session is custom-built around your goals, dietary preferences, and skill level. No cookie-cutter lesson plans—just thoughtful instruction that meets you where you are and helps you level up.
Popular Class Themes Include:
Handmade Pasta & Italian Techniques
From silky fettuccine to filled ravioli, learn the art of pasta-making from scratch.
Knife Skills & Kitchen Fundamentals
Master essential techniques that save time, improve safety, and unlock flavor.
Fermentation & Preserving
Dive into the world of pickling, kimchi, krauts, or sourdough starters.
Plant-Based & Vegan Cooking
Learn how to build flavor-forward meals without relying on animal products.
Global Flavors
Explore cuisines like Thai, Indian, Mexican, or Mediterranean—techniques, sauces, and ingredients included.
Seasonal & Market-Driven Menus
Let local ingredients inspire your meal as we build a menu around what’s fresh and in-season.
Hosting a Party?
Turn your dinner party into a culinary experience. Many clients book cooking classes as part of birthdays, bachelorette weekends, team-building events, or family gatherings. You cook, you learn, you laugh—and then you eat.
No experience required.
All skill levels welcome, from total beginners to seasoned home cooks. Ingredients and tools can be provided, or we can work with what you already have.
If you’re ready to get your hands dirty, learn something new, and eat something incredible, reach out to book a class—spots fill quickly!
Where Do You Shop for Ingredients?
Ingredient sourcing is the heartbeat of every meal Chef Dane creates. Rather than relying on one-size-fits-all grocery runs, sourcing is intentional, seasonal, and highly personalized—because the best meals start with the best ingredients.
If you have a favorite store, co-op, or local producer you trust, just say the word Chef Dane is happy to shop there on your behalf. Many clients love having him shop where they normally would, offering peace of mind and transparency.
Otherwise, you can trust that every ingredient is selected with care.
Chef Dane shops at a curated combination of:
Local organic grocers for pantry staples and specialty items
Small-batch producers for premium oils, vinegars, cheeses, and hand-crafted condiments
Farmers markets and farmstands for hyper-seasonal produce, herbs, and flowers
Butcher shops and fishmongers for responsibly raised proteins and sustainably caught seafood
It’s not unusual for a single menu to require two or three sourcing trips—because not every tomato, mushroom, or cut of meat is created equal. From foraged mushrooms to rare citrus, every detail matters.
Ingredient choices are guided by the season, your budget, and the spirit of your event. Whether you’re planning an elegant backyard wedding or an intimate Tuesday night dinner, Chef Dane balances practicality with precision to ensure every plate reflects both your preferences and the best of what’s available.
Have a specific product or dietary brand you love? Let us know. We’re here to make the food feel familiar, luxurious, and completely your own.
Do I Need to Be Home While You’re Cooking?
Not at all. In fact, many clients book Chef Dane specifically because they want to come home to something extraordinary—without lifting a finger.
Whether you’re at work, traveling, on Zoom calls, or just enjoying your day, you can fully trust the process. As long as we’ve arranged access in advance, there’s no need for you to be home while meals are being prepped. Chef Dane arrives on time, sets up quietly, and begins working with focus, care, and respect for your space.
Clients often return to find not only their meal ready to enjoy—but their kitchen cleaner than they left it.
Here’s what you can expect:
Respectful, discreet presence in your home
Surfaces sanitized before and after cooking
Minimal disruption—no loud music, no mess, no unnecessary noise
A fully cleaned kitchen and spotless work area upon departure
Detailed labeling and storage (if meal prep is included)
Of course, you’re welcome to stay and chat if you’d like. Some clients love to peek in, ask questions, or enjoy the aromas as their dinner comes together. Others prefer to come home to a plated experience with no interruptions.
However you choose to engage, the goal is the same: a stress-free, restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your own home.
How Should I Prepare My Kitchen Before Your Visit?
All that’s needed is a quick reset—nothing fancy or stressful. Before Chef Dane arrives, simply:
Clear off your countertops so there’s room to work
Empty the sink of dishes and debris
Wipe down the stove to ensure it’s clean and accessible
That’s it. No need to deep clean, scrub floors, or rearrange your pantry. You’re not hosting a health inspection—you’re inviting a chef into your home to create something memorable.
Chef Dane arrives with his own tools, cleaning supplies, and ingredients. Once the meal is complete, your kitchen will be left spotless—often cleaner than it was before.
If there’s anything unusual about your setup (a non-functional burner, a missing pan, or pets that need a heads-up), feel free to mention it in advance. We’ll adjust accordingly.
Your job? Relax. Let the chef handle the rest.
Dietary Needs & Customization
Every menu begins with a conversation. Whether you’re following a specific dietary lifestyle, managing food allergies, or simply trying to eat in a way that feels good to you, Chef Dane ensures your meal is both safe and deeply satisfying.
Menus are always carefully customized, and sourcing is adjusted to meet your exact preferences.
Below are just a few of the dietary needs we regularly accommodate:
From the Land
Hearty, high-protein menus built around premium cuts of meat, game, and poultry, often paired with seasonal vegetables, scratch-made sauces, and nutrient-dense starches.
From the Sea
Sustainably sourced seafood prepared with elegance—perfectly seared, poached, smoked, or raw. Think citrus-cured salmon, grilled branzino, or delicate scallop crudo.
Plant-Based
Creative, colorful dishes that showcase vegetables, legumes, grains, and non-dairy alternatives—designed for full flavor without compromise.
Vegetarian (Lacto, Ovo, etc.)
Balanced menus that incorporate eggs and/or dairy, drawing inspiration from Mediterranean, Indian, Asian, and rustic European cuisines.
Vegan
Elevated, entirely plant-based cuisine crafted with intention—no animal products, just bold, vibrant flavors and thoughtful plating.
Gluten-Free & Celiac-Safe
Strict adherence to gluten-free protocols, including cross-contamination precautions. Perfect for those with Celiac disease or gluten intolerance.
Dairy-Free
Whether allergy-driven or by choice, dairy-free menus are easy to navigate without sacrificing texture or depth of flavor.
FODMAP
Specialized menus are designed to minimize bloating and digestive discomfort, utilizing carefully selected ingredients and strategic substitutions.
Keto & Paleo
Low-carb, high-fat, or whole-food focused options that fuel the body while staying indulgent and satisfying.
Pregnancy Nutrition
Menus tailored to support prenatal health, avoiding high-risk ingredients while boosting nutrients like iron, folate, and calcium.
Food Allergies
Extreme care is taken with known allergens—Chef Dane is experienced in preparing allergen-free meals with complete ingredient transparency.
Religion-Based Guidelines
Respectful, thoughtful cooking that aligns with your faith-based dietary traditions, including kosher-style, halal-conscious, and beyond.
If you have a complex or particular request, please don’t hesitate to ask. Whether you’re navigating multiple dietary needs across a group or creating a menu for one individual guest, we’ve likely accommodated something similar—and we’re always happy to adapt.
Planning an Out-of-State or Destination Event?
Chef Dane is available for destination dinners, retreats, weddings, and private events outside Colorado. From private ranches to ocean-view villas, we bring the experience to you.
Want to learn more?
Start here:
Request a Custom Quote for Out-of-State Events →
We’ll respond within 24 hours to review your vision, discuss travel details, and create a custom proposal.
