Luxury Private Chef Experiences in Charleston.
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or simply gathering around the table with family and friends, I'll create a personalized dining experience that's thoughtful, memorable, and completely taken care of from the first conversation to the final dish.
Meet Chef Juan
Born in New York and raised in Florida with Puerto Rican and African American roots, Chef Juan Acevedo blends Southern hospitality, Latin influence, French technique, and modern culinary artistry to create dining experiences that feel both refined and deeply personal.
But for Juan, it has never been just about the food.
Over the years, he's laughed with families around the table, celebrated life's biggest milestones, and stood beside guests during some of their most meaningful moments. Every home has a story, every table has a purpose, and every dinner is an opportunity to create a memory that lasts long after the final course.
Food has a remarkable way of bringing people together through celebrations, conversations, anniversaries, birthdays, reunions, and even moments of healing. Being invited into those moments is a privilege Juan never takes for granted.
Every Plates & Thyme experience is thoughtfully designed to feel warm, intentional, elevated, and unforgettable.
To every family who has trusted me with your table, thank you. This is why I love what I do.
Client Testimonials
Trusted by vacation guests, families, and luxury travelers throughout Charleston
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Google
We hired chef Juan with Plates and Thyme for my 40th birthday dinner celebration and it was the best dinner of my life! Incredible experience, flavor, high quality food, and all at the convenient location of our beach condo. Incredible value for what you get and if we lived closer to SC, we would make this a yearly experience, it was that incredible!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Airbnb Review
“Juan created an amazing, customized, 4-course Thanksgiving meal for our family while we were in town visiting our son. The food was so delicious! He was professional, kind and is very passionate about cooking! He arrived on time and came fully prepared.If you are looking for someone to come and make you an amazing meal for your family or guests, Juan is the perfect addition to your get together. I cannot recommend him enough. The next time we are in Charleston, we will most certainly use him again!”
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Google Review
Chef Juan popped into our office to bring us lunch and let us just tell you! It was amazing!!! Even after traveling to us the food was still hot, tasty and such a great take on a southern classic Shrimp and Grits! Super professional, kind and very knowledgeable! The food is phenomenal. We are happy to add Plates and Thyme to our tried and true catering options for our guests!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Airbnb Review
Working with Juan was liking meeting up with an old friend who just wanted to make sure he was giving you what you wanted. In just a short call he asked questions to ensure we had a wonderful evening. The food was perfect. On time, beautifully presented and most importantly delicious. The portions were generous. Everything was so great that I went and bought a cooler so I could bring leftovers on the plane!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Google
Chef Juan was an absolute delight. His food and service were impeccable. He exceeded all of our expectations for our private dinner and we couldn’t be happier. I can’t recommend his services enough.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Airbnb
The food was delicious and chef Juan was so nice and lively. It was a perfect way to end the trip. We were stuffed and absolutely loved the oysters, but each dish was better than the last set before us.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Airbnb
Chef Juan delivered an exceptional experience from start to finish. The thoughtfully curated menu, shared with us well in advance, built anticipation for what turned out to be a truly memorable meal. Every course was beautifully presented, and all six of us thoroughly enjoyed the flavors, with the sauces standing out as especially creative and delicious. Chef Juan introduced each course with just the right level of detail and maintained a relaxed, personable presence throughout the evening. He struck a perfect balance between engaging with our group and giving us space to enjoy our conversations between courses. From seamless setup to effortless cleanup, the entire experience felt refined and stress-free. We would highly recommend Chef Juan and are already looking forward to booking him again. Don’t miss the chance to enjoy this outstanding dining experience!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Google
Juan catered my New Year’s party for 18. His dishes are delicious. He is very professional, and presented everything beautifully. And to top it off, he did an awesome job of packing leftovers and cleaning up. My guests raved about him! I’m hiring Juan again soon!
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Airbnb
I highly recommend Juan for your personal chef! My brother, best friend & I were given the best experience! From the moment he arrived till he left. He made us feel like family. The food & experience was PHENOMENAL!! We thoroughly ENJOYED our evening!!!!!😁
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Airbnb
Chef Juan catered my aunt’s private birthday dinner, and the entire experience was absolutely amazing. The Mediterranean themed menu was exquisite, the presentation was beautiful, and every dish was prepared with excellence and flavor. Beyond the food itself, the conversation, professionalism, and overall atmosphere made the evening feel even more special and personal. It was truly a pleasurable experience from beginning to end. If you are in the valley of decision trying to determine who to book, come out of it. Chef Juan is definitely the route to go. You will not be disappointed.
⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ Airbnb
Juan made our Mothers Day dinner so memorable. We worked through the menu ahead of time and he accommodated the dietary restrictions of our guests. But the highlight was the meal. Wow. The meal. We are still talking about it today (the next day). If you are wanting to be pampered and experience low country in home dining you should consider hiring Juan.
How It Works
Bringing a Restaurant Experience Into Your Home Has Never Been Easier
Whether you're celebrating a special occasion, hosting family and friends, planning a romantic evening, or simply want to enjoy exceptional food without leaving home, Plates & Thyme makes the process effortless from beginning to end.
1. Submit Your Inquiry
Complete our booking form with your event details including:
Preferred date and time
Number of guests
Event location
Occasion
Dietary restrictions or allergies
Preferred dining style
Budget (optional)
Within 24–48 hours, you'll receive a personalized response discussing availability and the best experience for your event.
2. Design Your Experience
Every menu is customized specifically for your gathering.
Choose from:
Private Chef Experiences
Restaurant-quality multi-course dinners prepared in your home.
Chef's Table Experiences
An interactive tasting menu where guests enjoy storytelling, technique demonstrations, and elevated hospitality.
Family Style Dinners
Beautiful platters designed for sharing while maintaining an upscale presentation.
Buffet Experiences
Perfect for birthdays, reunions, vacation homes, and larger gatherings.
Cocktail Parties & Hors d'oeuvres
Passed appetizers, grazing displays, and chef-attended stations.
Cooking Classes
Hands-on experiences where you'll learn professional techniques, recipes, knife skills, plating, and timing.
Weekly Personal Chef Services
Fresh meals prepared in your home for the week, customized to your family's lifestyle.
3. Receive Your Personalized Proposal
You'll receive:
Customized menu
Service style recommendations
Pricing
What's included
Timeline
Optional wine or cocktail pairings
Staffing recommendations (if needed)
Once approved, a 50% deposit secures your date.
4. We Handle Everything
Before your event, we'll coordinate every detail including:
Menu planning
Grocery shopping
Ingredient sourcing
Equipment needs
Prep work
Service timeline
Dietary accommodations
You simply relax while we prepare everything.
5. Dinner Is Served
On the day of your event, we arrive approximately 1½–2 hours before service to begin preparing your meal.
Depending on your selected experience, we'll:
Prepare everything fresh onsite
Plate each course
Explain dishes and ingredients
Serve each course
Refresh the dining area throughout service
Coordinate wine or cocktail pairings (if selected)
Our goal is for you to enjoy your guests—not spend the evening in the kitchen.
6. We Leave Your Kitchen Spotless
When dinner concludes, we don't just leave.
We:
Wash dishes
Clean cookware
Sanitize countertops
Remove kitchen trash
Leave your kitchen as clean as we found it
You get all the memories without the cleanup.
Optional Enhancements
Enhance your experience with:
Wine Pairings
Signature Cocktail Pairings
Hors d'oeuvres Reception
Oyster Bar
Caviar Service
Premium Steak & Seafood Upgrades
Custom Celebration Desserts
Charcuterie & Grazing Tables
Bartenders
Professional Servers
Luxury Table Settings
Brunch Experiences
Multi-Day Vacation Chef Packages
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a minimum booking?
Yes. Plates & Thyme has a $720 minimum event investment, making our experiences ideal for intimate gatherings, celebrations, and luxury in-home dining.
What's included?
Every experience includes menu planning, grocery shopping, ingredient sourcing, onsite preparation, professional service, and complete kitchen cleanup.
Can you accommodate dietary restrictions?
Absolutely. We regularly create menus for vegetarian, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, nut-free, shellfish-free, and other dietary needs.
Do I need to provide anything?
Simply a functional kitchen and dining space. We bring the expertise and handle the rest.
When is payment due?
A 50% deposit secures your date, with the remaining balance due one week before your event.
What's Included
Every Plates & Thyme experience includes:
✔ Personalized menu consultation
✔ Grocery shopping & premium ingredient sourcing
✔ Professional onsite meal preparation
✔ Elegant restaurant-quality presentation
✔ Full kitchen cleanup
✔ Accommodation of dietary restrictions and allergies
✔ Direct communication with your chef throughout the planning process
Perfect For
Vacation Homes & Airbnbs
Anniversary Dinners
Date Nights
Birthdays
Family Gatherings
Bachelorette Weekends
Corporate Entertaining
Holiday Celebrations
Intimate Weddings
Rehearsal Dinners
Wine Dinners
Cooking Classes
Weekly Personal Chef Services
Why Plates & Thyme?
At Plates & Thyme, you're not just hiring a chef—you're investing in a memorable hospitality experience. From thoughtfully crafted menus and locally sourced ingredients to attentive service and impeccable cleanup, every detail is designed to bring the warmth of home together with the refinement of fine dining. Every meal is personal, every menu is unique, and every guest leaves with something to remember.
