Same Chef, Different Vibes: Families vs Bachelorettes
Chef Jojo preparing Shaka Sushi for a Sushi & Tapas Bachelorette Event!
OMG, Bachelorettes vs. Families: The Ultimate Cooking Showdown! 🤩🥊
Hey food lovers! Chef Jojo here, and can we just talk about how TOTALLY different it is cooking for bachelorette parties versus family gatherings? Seriously, it's like comparing banana pudding and creme brulee – both amazing, but SO not the same vibe! Sometimes my head is spinning after a day of events. Starting with bach babes and ending with families can be a lot, and I do my best to keep up! 🤝
The Bachelorette Scene: All About That Glam Life! 👯♀️
Okay, so picture this: You've got a group of besties ready to celebrate their girl before she says "I do." 💍 These ladies want to feel fancy, take Insta-worthy pics, and have an experience that's as extra as their matching t-shirts!
What They're Really Craving 🤤:
Pretty food that looks amazing in photos (hello, colorful charcuterie boards!)
Interactive experiences – think DIY Sip & Paint Classes or a sushi class
Lighter bites they can eat while standing in heels
Options for dietary restrictions (trust me, there's always THAT friend who's gluten-free)
Something a little boozy-adjacent, even if it's just champagne vinaigrette or a bourbon glaze on bread pudding, adding the liquor to the mix really spices it up for the ladies and makes it fun! (I sometimes bring Jello mix just in case I feel like leaving behind a little treat for them to enjoy, I just wait until I get there and see what the alcohol situation looks like, and no one is ever mad at the little surprise in the fridge!)
The Little Details That Make It PERFECT ✨:
Serve everything on cute individual plates – no one wants to reach over Karen's purse for a spring roll
Think finger foods and small bites – the ladies will be dressed for photos and will be wanting to stay stain free!
Have wet wipes or fancy napkins EVERYWHERE
Create little food labels with fun names ("Bride-to-Be Bruschetta" anyone?)
Make sure there's always something ready to eat – hungry bridesmaids = cranky bridesmaids!
Make sure all the communication stays in one place, or it can get wild, and not in the good way! In order to keep order, you must ask everyone to let one person be the point of contact, and stay on one stream, because before you know it, you will have 3 message chains for one event!
Family Time: Where Comfort Meets Chaos! 🏠
Now flip the script! Family events are all about bringing everyone together, from tiny humans who think vegetables are the enemy to Grandma who has opinions about EVERYTHING. It's beautiful chaos, and honestly? I'm here for it!
What Families Actually Need 🧑🧑🧒🧒:
Food that pleases everyone (good luck, right?! We will cover that soon!)
Bigger portions because Uncle Bob WILL go back for thirds
Kid-friendly options that don't make parents stress
Comfort foods that remind everyone why they love coming together
Easy-to-serve dishes because Aunt Linda always offers to help
Flavors that are exciting new to make the evening memorable, adding fun changes to classics is a great way!
The Little Details That Save Your Sanity 🙌:
Always have a plain option for picky eaters (seriously, just make some buttered noodles & chicken tenders, I prefer pan seared and finished in the oven, with some broccoli or green beans)
Set up a separate kids' station table, or have the kids served first so the parents can enjoy themselves for their dinner. I promise, everyone is happier this way!
Have extra napkins, like WAY more than you think you need, and bring at least 1 paper towel roll for every event
Create a "safe" zone for food allergies if needed, or just omit from the menu totally when dealing with something serious like a celiac or extreme nut allergy
Think about leftovers – families LOVE having something to reheat for later! Always make extras on the dessert at the very least!
The Real Tea: What Both Groups Actually Want 🍵
Here's the thing that took me forever to figure out – whether it's bachelorettes or families, everyone just wants to feel taken care of!
Universal Success Tips:
Communication is EVERYTHING 💬 – Ask about dietary needs, preferences, and any family drama you should know about (kidding... kind of)
Timing matters 🕐 – Families might want to graze all day, while bachelorettes usually prefer set mealtimes to make it to their other plans!
Have a backup plan 🔙🆙 – Someone will always be running late or bring an unexpected plus-one, make sure to check on the day of the event with the group to ensure no last-minute changes are needed, and always make sure to charge the client before the event or you can forget!
Stay flexible 🙆♀️ – The bride might decide she's suddenly vegetarian, or little Timmy might have a meltdown over green food, just be prepared to go with the flow and never take the hiccup too seriously. The client literally FEEDS off your energy, so if you are easy going, usually they will be too! (and if they aren’t then just hold on to your seat and try to get through the night LOL)
My Personal Chef Secret Ingredient 🤫
Want to know what makes EVERY event amazing? It's not just the food (though obviously that's important) – it's creating moments! For bachelorettes, maybe it's teaching them how to make the perfect mimosa. For families, it might be letting the kids help mix a salad. I love to tell people that I cook with a secret ingredient, and that’s LOVE. I wish I were joking but I’m being super cereal right now!!! I love to cook. I have been cooking my entire life, and it’s what I was meant to do on this planet. Share my love for cooking. That love is transferred into every dish. I pray over the food I cook. I pray that I nourish the bodies of the people who eat my food. I pray that the food brings peace and comfort to their souls, and that I bring them joy and create a lasting memory surrounded by their loved ones and good food. I love knowing that I am part of those memories. From the best of times to the saddest of times, food is the staple of our lives. The conversations we have and the things we eat literally make us who we are. I am overjoyed that my career choice has landed me here. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else, and that is the secret ingredient. You cannot be in a hurry to get home or to the next event. You have to be present and live in the moment.
Food brings people together, but experiences create memories. And honestly? Whether I'm dealing with tipsy bridesmaids or a toddler who just discovered they don't like "spicy" (aka black pepper), my job is to make sure everyone leaves happy, full, and already planning their next event with me!
The Bottom Line, Bestie! 💕
Cooking for bachelorettes versus families isn't better or worse – they're just different flavors of awesome! Bachelorettes bring the energy and want that Instagram moment, while families bring the kids, and want that comfort feeling.
Both deserve food that makes them feel special, service that runs smoothly, and a chef who gets that feeding people is about so much more than just the meal.
So, whether you're planning your bestie's bach weekend or the annual family reunion, just remember – good food + attention to detail + a chef who actually cares = the perfect recipe for an amazing time!
Now excuse me while I go prep for a family of 20 who "doesn't really have any dietary restrictions" but also needs gluten-free, dairy-free, and kid-friendly options! 😂
What's your vote – Team Bachelorette or Team Family? Let me know in the comments which events you love most! 💓
Keep cooking with love, Chef Jojo 🍳💋