Chef Jim LaPerriere, Personal Executive Chef / 616-212-5695 / jlaper1@mac.com

Distinctive Dining

Distinctive DiningDistinctive DiningDistinctive Dining

Distinctive Dining

Distinctive DiningDistinctive DiningDistinctive Dining
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Fresh. Personal. Innovative.

Fresh. Personal. Innovative.Fresh. Personal. Innovative.Fresh. Personal. Innovative.

Bringing the 5-Star restaurant dining experience

 into the comfort of your own home!


Sample Seasonal Market Tasting Menu

Private Dining / Culinary Classes / Catering / Wedding Receptions / Team Building

Fresh. Personal. Innovative.

Fresh. Personal. Innovative.Fresh. Personal. Innovative.Fresh. Personal. Innovative.

Bringing the 5-Star restaurant dining experience

 into the comfort of your own home!


Sample Seasonal Market Tasting Menu

Private Dining / Culinary Classes / Catering / Wedding Receptions / Team Building

Welcome

With over 23 years experience in high profile restaurants across the country, and a Culinary Institute of America alum  (graduated top of  his class) Chef Jim LaPerriere is taking the upscale dining experience into homes across Southwest Michigan.  Originally from Northern California, he now resides in Saugatuck, Michigan with his wife and two boys, where his primary focus is creating one of a kind fine dining experiences in the comfort of your own home, as well as instructing private and group culinary classes in his "must see" demonstration kitchen.  Whether you choose from a multi-course market-inspired tasting menu, a full-blown interactive demonstration dining experience, or a more traditional sit-down dinner,  Chef LaPerriere takes pride in tailoring each and every experience to his client's interests.

More about the chef

Choose Your Culinary Experience

Private Dining

Reception Catering

Culinary Classes

Private dinners include a plated multi-course seasonal menu which can be tailored specifically to your groups interests, signature hors d'oeuvre "hour", printed menus, professional server(s), necessary service wares, all clean-up, and a 3, 4, or 5-hour distinctive dining experience in the comfort of your own home.



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Culinary Classes

Reception Catering

Culinary Classes

In addition to providing upscale dining experiences throughout Southwest Michigan, Chef LaPerriere also offers private and group cooking classes throughout the year in his "must see" teaching and demonstration kitchen just 5 minutes from downtown Saugatuck.




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Reception Catering

Reception Catering

Reception Catering

Looking for a reception above and beyond the ordinary?  Chef LaPerriere firmly believes that food experience  is an integral part of every reception 

no matter the size, and that the quality of the food should rival the  occasion itself.  Whether a wedding, a graduation, or life celebration, be sure to contact Chef LaPerriere & Distinctive Dining for all your reception needs.

Beyond the ordinary

Sample Market Tasting Menu Items

Hors d’oeuvres 

CAULIFLOWER "POPCORN"

Shandy cornmeal tempura / harissa aioli / corn nut "gravel"


CHILEAN CEVICHE / PUMPKIN SOPAIPILLAS

Mahi Mahi / red onion / cilantro / blistered corn / lime juice / coconut milk / leche de tigre


ASIAN PRAWN COCKTAIL

crisp cucumber cup / Thai sweet chili-wasabi cocktail sauce


BUTCHER STEAK “CHIP”

thinly sliced char-grilled prime New York steak / salt-vinegar potato chip

creamy Stilton blue cheese-chive potatoes / Urbani white truffle oil drizzle / smoked salt


Dinner

“BREAD & BUTTER” / RADISHES

French cultured butter / sourdough wheat / sliced radish / fleur de sel / fines herbes


MINI LOBSTER & FENNEL CORN DOG

cornmeal tempura / tarragon-Dijon creme fraiche


SEARED AHI TUNA TOSTADA / CORIANDER CRUSTED

chipotle-lime crema / citrus oil / crumbled ancho chile & hibiscus / avocado / fried leeks 


PICKLED SHRIMP & VEGETABLE TOAST

bruschetta / garlic creme fraiche / pickled onions, peppers, fennel, celery, carrot ribbons.        baby greens / Italian parsley / dill


SPRING PEA & SAFFRON RISOTTO "CARBONARA"

onion / pancetta / black pepper / egg yolk / Parmigiano Reggiano / butter / lemon


PEPITAS CRUSTED PORK TENDERLOIN

caramelized sweet & sour onions / apple cider-sage gastrique / spinach / New Mexican Hatch red Chile pollena / crispy sage


GRILLED LAMB CHOPS / ZA 'ATAR & SMOKED LABNEH

cracked freekeh-feta tabbouleh / broccoli florets / E.V. olive oi / lemon, min & parsley


GRILLED SOUS-VIDE FILET MIGNON

certified Angus tenderloin / truffled brown butter beárnaise / fines herbes / Boursin

smashed olive oil & salt-roasted fingerlin’s / grilled baby carrot medley


Something' Sweet!

SALTED CARAMEL APPLE POT DE CREME


TART CHERRY-ALMOND CLAFOUTIS


STRAWBERRIES & CREAM “RICE KRISPY TREAT”

chocolate dipped / creme brule´/ Amaretto infused rice krispies / burnt” marshmallow cream


CHOCOLATE & KAHLÚA MASCARPONE “HO-HO” / ANCHO-REYES MAGIC SHELL

buttermilk-espresso cocoa cake / Kahlua mascarpone cream / cocoa nibs


TROPICAL PEACH P.O.G. SORBET

passion fruit / orange juice / guava / crystalized ginger 


Private Dining Options

Distinctive Dining-- in the comfort of your own home!

   Your private dining experience begins with a signature hors d'oeuvre “hour” followed by a seated, and fully plated and served seasonal multi-course menu. The evening also includes printed custom menus, professional server, necessary service wares, and all clean-up, culminating in a memorable and truly distinctive dining experience in the comfort of your own home!

Each month we feature a Seasonal Market Inspired Tasting Menu. Simply choose an experience from below, confirm a date, and let us know what time you’d like to begin your evening with hors d’oeuvres. Everything is cooked on site so we typically like to arrive 2-1/2 to 3 hours prior to your start time to set up and go over any last minute details with you.  


($1,850 minimum event charge / $2,150 Holiday dates / 6% sales tax & 18% gratuity not included)

5 Course Seasonal Menu

165 per person / includes Hors d'oeuvre hour / please allow 3-1/2 hours

8 Course Market Inspired Private Dining Experience

185 per person / includes Hors d’oeuvre hour / please allow 4 hours

14 Course “Above & Beyond” Globally Inspired Tasting Menu Experience

285 per person (10 person minimum, please allow 4-1/2 plus hours (no hors d’oeuvre hour), tax & gratuity not included)


Chef’s Kitchen Experience ~ Interactive 5-course Demonstration Dinner & Cooking Class

Held in my demonstration kitchen just 5 minutes from downtown Saugatuck.

Can be tailored to your groups interests. Includes hors d’oeuvres upon arrival.

185/person (please allow 4-1/2 to 5 hours)


RECEPTIONS

Starting at $85/person

(3,850 minimum event charge / service staff, rentals, tax & gratuity not included)

Weddings / Rehearsal Dinners

Menu options are specifically tailored to the brides interests, please call for an initial consultation.

Traditional Spanish Paella Cookout

Cooked in a traditional 32-inch carbon steel paella pan. Includes an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, salads, and dessert options.

Wood-Fired Neapolitan Pizza Experience

$1,850 minimum event charge plus $275 oven fee

An unlimited assortment of hand tossed pizza’s cooked on site in an 850 degree wood-burning pizza oven.

Includes an assortment of hors d’oeuvres and salads, as well as dessert options.


Corporate Team Building

$2,250 / groups up to twelve (please allow 4 hours)

Groups are strategically broken up into teams of 3 or 4 and each team is given a different set of 2 to 3 recipes.  Each team then has 20 minutes to review their recipes, choose a team leader, and come up with a strategy that will enable them to complete their dishes in the given amount of time, with the goal being that all groups present their food buffet style during the last 10 minutes, just in time for their "dining reservation”.

Includes signature hors d'oeuvres upon arrival.

Signature Reception Offerings

Wood-Fired Neoplitan-Style Pizza Experience

Assortment of hand tossed pizza’s cooked on site in an 850 degree wood-fired pizza oven / includes a selection of hors d’oeuvres, salads, and dessert options.

Paella Party

Cooked in the traditional style, in a 32-inch carbon steel paella pan (feeds up to 80) includes an assortment of hors d’oeuvres, salads, and dessert options.

A Taste of Mexico

If you're looking to experience authentic  Mexican cuisine and some of the traditional flavors of Oaxaca, you'll definitely want to consider a Mexican themed dinner.  Chef LaPerriere's travel's throughout parts of Mexico included time spent cooking with Diana Kennedy, the world's foremost authority on traditional Mexican Cuisine.

Reviews

“Just wanted you to know how much my husband Steve and I enjoyed the wonderful gourmet meal you so artfully prepared for us on Saturday night at the cottage.  I honestly can say it was the best meal I’ve ever experienced.  The presentation and selections were superb.”  Steve & Nancy

"Harry and I can't thank you enough for the extraordinary experience you provided us with last night. It was one of the most memorable, unique, things we've ever done. Not only did we learn a lot, the food was unbelievably delicious and plentiful. You put together such a user-friendly menu, we will definitely be able to prepare everything you showed us ourselves once we get home. Plus, the fact that you got a vegetarian to eat meat is quite an accomplishment." 

~Harry & Laurie / Detroit, Michigan

"I want you to know how thoroughly I enjoyed the class you gave at the SCA last night.  I picked up so many wonderful tips about healthier eating.  Everything you prepared was absolutely wonderful and I hope to try all of your recipes some day."

Mary / Glenn, MI

"Jim, I truly wish to thank your team and you for making Friday's celebration so special.  Throughout the planning, I appreciated your ideas and responsiveness.  We got many, many compliments on the food an service". 

Robin / South Haven, MI

"Thank you again for another delicious dinner for our Holland 100 gathering.  Everything was so delicious…special rave reviews about the chicken and dessert!  You have much class, professionalism and you are a pleasure to work with."

Sincerely, Jeff & Amy

"Jim, Thank you so very much for a wonderful evening of dining, friends, delicious food, tips, hacks, and the experience of such a unique evening.  We all enjoyed every minute of it, and such a treat to take the recipes with us.

Thanks again,"

Connie, Lisa, Renee, Gina & Kirbie

Saugatuck, MI

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