Frequently Asked Questions

The total price shown on the written event quotation you will receive for approval includes Nadia’s time spent planning, shopping and cooking; the ingredients; laying of the table; serving of the meal (for up to four people and by Nadia rather than a waiter service); and clean up of the kitchen and storage of any leftovers. A waiter service and the cost of wine will be separately itemised on your quotation.

Whilst this might seem efficient, it really is best for you to allow Nadia to bring all ingredients with her. This allows her to price the event accurately, and ensure all ingredients are as fresh as possible as well as in the required quantity. Imagine the disappointing result if Nadia was expecting to find an ingredient essential to a dish, only to find it wasn't enough, or someone had eaten it the night before! If you are happy for her to do so, Nadia will use basic ingredients in your kitchen, such as salt or olive oil.

Yes, unless you prefer to take care of that yourself. If you would like Nadia to lay the table, you will need to leave everything that is required out, or let her know specifically where to find everything.

Nadia’s Kitchen finds that clients prefer to use their own on the whole; however, Nadia can source these items (for hire or purchase) should you have specific wishes. 

Nadia will serve the meal for up to four people. If your prefer a waiter service, or if your party is more than four people, Nadia’s Kitchen will arrange for a waiter/waitress to ensure service is timely. This will incur an additional charge.

Nadia works with local suppliers such as Revelstoke Wines (who can also do wine tastings at your dinner party) and can make suggestions for wine that goes with your meal and source it for you. If you have a wine that you would specifically like and she is able to source it, she will be more than happy to do so.

Part of the attraction of the service is that everything gets magically prepared without you having to be involved. Nadia will need to be in your kitchen at least 2 hours before the sit-down time of the meal, so it is likely, particularly on a weekday, that you won't be home. This is one of the reasons it is essential for you to meet before the event, so that you feel comfortable with all the arrangements. If you desire, Nadia can provide references from past clients.

Nadia will stay with you until dessert and coffee are served and she has left your kitchen in the state she found it. If you need Nadia to stay beyond 11.30pm, this will attract an additional charge that will be clear before the day of your event.

Please ensure your sink is empty, your kitchen is clean and you have left tableware out for Nadia if you want her to set your table. If you have a dishwasher, it is helpful if that is empty as well.

Nadia's Kitchen's preferred method of payment is by Paypal. This allows you to use a credit card to pay securely. If you do not have a Paypal account, it takes a couple of minutes to set one up here (choose the Premier Account option), and then you just click "send money" and choose the email address that will be provided on your quotation.

You can also make a bank transfer if it is made at least 7 days before the event.

You will receive a full refund of your advance if you cancel 7 days or more before the event, minus a £20 administrative fee. If you cancel less than 7 days before the event, Nadia's Kitchen is unfortunately not able to make a refund. Nadia’s Kitchen will accommodate date changes wherever possible.

The best way to have fresh, beautifully presented food is for Nadia to prepare it in your kitchen on the day. Having said that, there are some dishes where the flavours develop and improve if made the day before, and there are other things that it may be more practical to make at Nadia's Kitchen if you are limited by space or don't have a particular piece of equipment. Nadia will make it clear to you in the quote what would best be prepared on site and off site.

Nadia will meet with you and advise what can be done in your kitchen and what, if anything, should be done in her own. If you haven’t got appropriate cooking facilities, Nadia can prepare everything in her own kitchen and just drop it off for you already labelled and packaged. You can also pick it up yourself, if you prefer.

Some dishes may not need reheating (salads, terrines, dips etc) and will be labelled accordingly. Anything that has been stored for you in your freezer should be defrosted overnight in your refrigerator and usually should be heated to resurrect their full flavour. Some people choose to take them straight from the freezer and microwave them, and this is left to your own discretion. Nadia does recommend avoiding the microwave if possible, however, as it can negatively impact the flavour and texture of your food. Easy to follow heating instructions for each dish are always stuck on to each container.

Because the meals being prepared for you are intended to last you at least one week, the food will need to be frozen. Having said that, if you know you will eat some dishes within 3 days of the date of preparation, these can be kept in the fridge. You may want some of these dishes to include salads, breads and desserts, which is absolutely no problem. Nadia will work all of this out with you during your brief meeting.

Nadia can do a certain amount via email and phone, but it is in your own interest to allow her to see what your kitchen is like, so that she can let you know how much is likely to fit in your freezer, and she can see what you have by way of untensils and appliances. It is possible for Nadia to cook everything in her own kitchen and simply deliver it to you at a particular time; please email Nadia if this is what you prefer.

If a dish would go well with rice, it is always suggested that you prepare the rice yourself when you are ready to have the meal. Similarly, if you wanted pasta, you may wish for Nadia to prepare the sauce, but you boil the pasta freshly on the day. Some, however, want meals that require no additional preparation on their own part, and in this case, the menu will be planned accordingly.

This depends on the number of people in your household, and how much will go in the freezer and how much directly in the fridge. When you meet Nadia, she will take a look in your freezer to see how much space is potentially available and advise accordingly. Using your space efficiently is one of the reasons Nadia suggests specific types of containers in which to store the meals.

Nadia will source these for you at an additional charge. It is best to allow Nadia to select appropriate sized containers, both to avoid the risk of freezer burn and to use your freezer space as efficiently as possible.

It generally takes a full working day to prepare all the meals, as they are prepared from scratch. If you prefer Nadia to cook in her own kitchen and just deliver the meals, please email her and this can potentially be arranged.

This depends on the size of your household, your preferred portion size and how often you eat at home. When you meet Nadia to discuss your requirements, she will let you know how many portions she intends to prepare. If you travel for business or just don’t happen to come home for dinner one night, of course the food could last longer. The “use by” date is usually one month from the freezing date, so there is flexibility if you are not home every night you thought you would be for dinner.

If you are a single person, a weekly service might not be necessary. Nadia will discuss your requirements, and as long as her schedule allows, she will arrange to come twice a month or once a month— whatever suits you.

As much as Nadia enjoys meeting her clients, when she is preparing several different dishes in the limited time of a day in your home, it is better that she not be distracted by conversation, children or pets. Being distracted makes it too easy to forget how she is juggling the simultaneous preparation of different dishes, or that something is in the oven. Nadia will be happy to answer any questions you may have before or after her work is done. You can also phone or email with your comments and suggestions.