Lena Goldin NY

Lena and her team were fabulous! I worked with Lena to put together a 12-person dinner for my birthday party recently. Not knowing anything about the NYC chef culture prior to working with Lena, I was a bit nervous about what the quality of the food and service would be like. However, Lena and her team quickly settled these nerves. Here's my breakdown of the experience:

Pre-Event Date: Lena was extremely responsive throughout the entire process and was great to partner with in catering the menu to my likes / dislikes as well as taking into account any allergies amongst the group.

Day of Event - Arrival / Setup: Lena and the two waiters she came with arrived on time and quickly settled in and got to work to help set the room / table up. I was somewhat surprised how little I had to do to get everything setup.

Food: Every dish was excellent and all 12 people agreed! The presentation and taste was top notch and I felt like I was at a Michelin star restaurant. The dessert was heavenly and I enjoyed every last bite!

Waiters: The waiters were extremely thoughtful and professional. When each guest arrived, the waiters greeted them and took their coat / bags to hang them, which was a nice touch. They also ensured our glasses (wine and water) were never empty.

Before they left, they cleaned up the kitchen and washed all the pots, pans, and dishes that were used for the night.

I would 100% recommend anyone to work with Lena. I plan to work with her again in the future!

Lena is an extraordinary private chef.

Lena prepared a multi-course meal for a couple of friends, and each course was extraordinary.

I can't wait to have Lena cater another event.

Lena also followed all COVID-19 protocols, which made my guests feel extra safe.


White Wine Poached Prawn Roulade
Cucumber | Avocado Mousse | Pickled Mustard Seed | Chive Oil
 
Wild Mushroom Cappelletti
Charred Brussels | Parmesan Emulsion Sauce | Wild Ramp Oil 
 
Halibut Supreme & Maine Rope Mussels
Cauliflower Puree | Seasonal Market Vegetables | Citrus Espuma Sauce
 
1000 Layer Apple
Vanilla Mascapone Mousse | Pie Cumble | Caramel Ice Cream

Five stars is not enough to say just how amazing it is working with Lena. I've been working with her for the past year or so on private dinners for donors and prospects and she and her team are just the absolute greatest. She's so easy to work with, her food is always creative and delicious, and the staff she brings with her are hardworking, kind, and willing to do whatever it takes for an event to go off without a hitch. Our guests always rave about her food and our team always looks forward to an event she's cooking for.

Every star for Lena, hands down.

I truly wish I could have Lena cook for us every night. She created the most stunning Passover Seder meal I think anyone at the table (11 people!) had ever had. The attention to detail was remarkable, and yet the food wasn't fussy--she is such a pro that she can pull off the most complex preparations and make it seem like magic. Two guests texted this morning saying they loved the food (especially the dessert--holy moly), which is rare! Her waitstaff was also super professional without being stuffy; they were easy to work with, good-natured, and created a lovely atmosphere. Highly, highly recommend.

I would say Lena was amazing, but honestly, that word doesn't even begin to describe how fantastic she was. She was so easy to work with - she came up with a simply superb menu based on a few things I told her I liked, and then executed the menu perfectly. Her team arrived on the dot [actually, a few minutes early], cooked and presented a spectacular, Michelin-star[s] worthy meal, and left behind a kitchen that was spotless. I cannot applaud her enough. In addition, she was extremely flexible and conscientious of my various guests' food intolerances.
Event: birthday dinner for 17 people at home 4 course menu with cocktail hour and appetisers beforehand.
She provided dinnerware and linen, and had her own team of waiters/sous chef.

There aren't enough stars here to express how incredible Chef Lena Godin is!

With very little notice, she created and executed an absolutely perfect, delicious, gorgeous 4-course "executive" dinner for 8 people. Ever dish - every small detail - was worthy of a photograph. And as beautiful as each dish was, each was even more delicious.

The small team that she brought with her was professional, charming, and added to the success of the evening. And Chef Lena is absolutely delightful.

I cannot recommend Chef Lena Goldin highly enough!

Chef Lena came to our home to prepare a 50th Anniversary meal
The 5 course meal was amazing
Lena was easy to coordinate with and left the kitchen cleaner than it was before we arrived
The food was outstanding

Lena is incredibly talented. She made the most magnificent food for my birthday dinner. Our guests were super impressed and we can't wait to host another event with Lena soon!

A few days ago, I attended a 10-person dinner catered by Lena. Wow!! The menu we reviewed ahead of time looked amazing, and she delivered. Still dreaming about the appetizers! Among others: parmesan beignets, little quail eggs with shaved black truffle and foie gras chocolate truffles (which may rank as the most decadent thing I've ever put in my mouth). I came home raving about it to my husband who immediately demanded that she cater his birthday dinner, so...see you soon Lena!

From the delicate prawn roulade to the complex depth of the lamb loin, the food Lena crafted for our dinner party was pitch perfect. As important, she & her team were positive and professional, able to adapt on the fly and accessible to needs of each guest. And don't even get me started on the desert!!! I'd recommend her without hesitation.