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As 'Foodies' we really wanted to make sure the meal served at our wedding was a memorable part of the night. Luckily, since we had a smallish wedding at an outdoor venue that had no catering restrictions, we had the luxury of choosing a chef. Thankfully our wonderful coordinator Charley King of Bluebell Events introduced us to Chef Gene of Divoon Dining. He wanted to prove to us that a wedding buffet can be delectable and affordable without lacking in a personal touch or flavor. Chef Gene invited us to his home where he prepared a few of our preferred dishes paired with wine. Of course, the food was delicious (we recommend the lamb chops and cauliflower risotto!), but we had to ask ourselves, "could he do that for 100 people in a portable, outdoor kitchen while maintaining the same quality?" Since we were impressed by his hospitality and skill, we decided to give it a shot. The food at our wedding was cooked to perfection and we continued to receive rave reviews from our friends and family in the weeks that followed. Thank you, Gene!
Brian and Iris, Hollywood
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Dear Chef Gene, I can't begin to tell you how much we enjoy not only the amazing food that you
prepare, but also the wonderful way it is presented and served. The mixing and matching of your
numerous menu choices is always a great adventure, and your guidance is always spot on.
When Cynthia and I began to think about quarterly dinner parties (hopefully about 40 years
worth), it was critical for us to find a chef that not only prepared extraordinary food, but would
also become an integral part of our family and circle of friends. As we approach our sixth party
together, you have more than met your end of the bargain. Thank you for the heart and soul
that you put into your work and for the incredible way you treat us at each meeting. We are
always left warm and filled and anxiously waiting our next dinner party together (only 154 to go!).
Thank you again for everything you do!
Brent & Cynthia Lauer
Orange, California
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I have had the pleasure of tasting the imaginative dishes prepared by Chef Gene on several
occasions, including hors d'oeuvres for gallery openings and full-course meals for private
parties. They are always beautifully presented, while he and his staff conduct themselves in the
most professional and efficient manner. I would recommend his services without hesitation for
any event you may be planning.
Arturo Castillo
Hollywood, California
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Dear Chef Gene, The meal you prepared for my husband's grandparent's 60th wedding
anniversary dinner was absolutely fabulous and perfect at each step, from the hors d'oeuvres to
the decadent dessert. Grandma Helen said it was beyond her "wildest dreams." We could not
have asked for more. The service was also excellent, and you and your server's dedication in the
midst of the heat wave was much admired and appreciated. Thank you for making the evening so
special for all of us.
Elaine and David Vukadinovich
Bel Air, California
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We wanted to thank you for your great presentation and hard work. Everybody loved the food
and complimented everything. It was all delicious, and we were so happy with the whole night.
Our boys even loved the leftovers -- it's not easy to keep them satisfied, but you did it! Also,
your waiters were wonderful and very pleasant.
Roya and Steve Katz
Sierra Madre, California
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It was recently my boyfriend's birthday and Chef Gene made the most romantic and perfect
evening possible. His delectable cuisine could not have been more perfect or delicious. His
combination of flavors mixed with timing of courses and the ability to make everyone feel
completely comfortable made him, I think, the most talented chef in Los Angeles.
Alexandra Dreyfus
Simi Valley, California
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Thank you for such a wonderful meal. We all had a blast, and you and your staff took very good
care of us. The food was terrific, and we all enjoyed the care and attention you guys lavished on
us. I hope we will be able to use you again in the future, and thank you for making Melanie's
birthday so special for her and our guests.
Michael Spiller
Bel Air, California
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Fabulous! I will be hiring you to do all my events. Also your staff person was perfect. My guests
loved your food and presentation. You were very easy and flexible to work with -- a total rave! I'm
so glad I found you!
Dale Franzen
Pacific Palisades, California
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What a wonderful dinner and evening with Chef Gene. We had a delicious meal and felt so
special to be served. Everything went so smoothly; he was very very accommodating. It was an
evening to remember.
Gail Hagopian
Calabasas, California
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Here's to Chef Gene, whose cooking can be as witty as Elaine Stritch, as robust as Patti LuPone
or as sublime as Barbara Cook. And he manages it all without being a diva himself. I've happily
tasted the results of his cuisine - from reinventing the Seder to putting an elegant gloss on
Mexican food - and I have always offered him a sitting ovation (mainly because I don't want to
leave the table!).
Richard Ouzounian
The Toronto Star
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I recently gave a birthday cocktail party for my husband, and Divoon Dining made all the food.
It was absolutely delicious, very unusual and beautifully presented. Besides several different
mouthwatering offerings which I chose from Chef Gene's menu, he also produced a dish of raw
and unusual vegetables with a choice of three dips, as well as a special macaroni and cheese
that was consumed within minutes and a chocolate dessert cake that everyone is still talking
about. Chef Gene also gave me excellent guidance on what to order, and to crown it all made
two very tasty cocktails, - an alcoholic cocktail, "On the Floor" and a non alcoholic cocktail "On
the Ceiling", which went down without touching the sides! Three guests at my party now want
Divoon Dining to cater for them, and I thank Chef Gene for making my party a tremendous
success.
Pamela Salem
West Hollywood, California
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Chef Gene: How do you make a special event more special? Calling you proved to be the
easiest way. I have hosted numerous parties over the years but this is the first time my friends
made noises, other than speaking, when the food arrived. The moans and groans as well as the
crowding round each new dish that arrived were fun to watch. From the first incredibly detailed
presentation of dishes, clam dip in mini hand-crafted tortilla cups and stuffed mini tomatoes
(BLT's without bread) to the final incredible scallops wrapped in bacon sitting on a spicy sauce in
pastry puff cups, and mini veal parmesan, you exceeded my every expectation and remembered
every request. Personalization should be your key word for advertising; I could not have been
more impressed or satisfied. It's been a week and my friends are still raving about the food and
the party. You made them both spectacular. My complements and gratitude!
Chuck Hayden
CDR/USN/Ret.
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Dear Chef Gene, I am a French foodie, and I will never hire anyone else but you. You can do it all: my 5Oth birthday party, a High Tea for my Malibu neighbors, or an intimate dinner party in my home in Santa Fe, every occasion was memorable. I still dream of your ginger scones and also of your magret de canard with the bacon-date puree and the beluga lentils. You are a true artist!"
Gisele Broida
Malibu Colony
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Chef Gene: I wanted my husband's birthday to be truly special; its not every year one turns 50.
I achieved a new standard of decadence when I selected you to cater the event. You exceeded
every expectation for not only my husband and I, but all of our friends as well. Everyone raved
about the incredible food, impeccable detail, and imaginative menu. I would not hesitate to
recommend you to any friend for any and all occasions. You turned a birthday party into an
extraordinary event. My thanks and gratitude to you always.
Suzanne Berger
San Diego, CA
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We wanted to thank you very much for the wonderful dining experience on Valentine's Day.
Everything was impeccable from the food, to the presentation, to your professional etiquette.
When you mentioned to us that you would be serving five courses, we both wondered "how are
we going to finish?" In fact, we finished every last bite and each course was better than the last.
We were also pleased to learn that you made everything from scratch and used all natural and
organic ingredients. Thank you for this amazing experience. We will never forget it!
Sharon and David
Beverly Hills, California
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