Chef Will Phillips- Private and Personal Chef, Cooking Classes, Foraging Guide
Now booking for Summer/Fall 2023. Please allow 7 day’s minimum notice for all culinary events.
Services Available
Private dining (2-20 guests)
Catering (21-50 guests)
Cooking classes- in-person or online (1-6 guests)
Mushrooms and Plants of North Carolina Foraging Tour- Available April-November (1-8 guests, *location dependent)
About Chef Will
Chef Will Phillips is from a farm in rural Yadkin County, North Carolina. Growing up with rich familial traditions of hunting, fishing, foraging, and most importantly eating— the woods, ponds, creeks, garden, and nearby mountains were the playgrounds of his childhood, but the days always concluded in the kitchen. Learning the foundations of farming, hunting, and cooking from his grandparents and parents, he attended Appalachian State University, graduating with a degree in Fermentation Sciences and Chemistry. After 8 years working for some of the best restaurants and chefs in North Carolina, and traveling the world in search of great food, Chef Will shows you the true tastes of the South with a global influence in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Chef Will Phillips brings the flavors of the forests and fields of NC and the coveted chef's table into your own kitchen. Chef Will lives in Lincolnton, NC, with his lovely wife, Madeline, and their corgi, Nutmeg, and cat, Ellie.
From fields, forests, and farms, directly into your home, Chef Will Phillips crafts a bespoke dining event that your guests will never stop dreaming about. Dishes are fully customized to your individual experience and tastes and will always impress and delight.
Pork tenderloin, parsnip mousseline, fermented blackberry
Wagyu Flat Iron
Strawberry shortcake
Butternut Squash Soup
Strawberry shortcake
Hushpuppy Shrimp
Scottish salmon and corn purée
Smoked trout amuse bouche
Blue Plate
Grilled Sea Bass
Some Favorites from Past Events —
Prime Filet
Parsnip butternut purée. Papas bravas. Brussels. Wild maitake. Carrot. Fennel. Mustard caviar. Pickled wild mushrooms.
Borscht and Bone
Braised and cured beef short rib. Bone marrow. Bone marrow crème fraîche. Bone marrow butter. Pickled winter veg. Beet textures. Grilled French bread. Knob Creek bone luge.
Octopus Carbonara
Braised octopus. Romesco emulsion. Duck egg squid ink linguini. Olive oil poached egg yolk. English pea purée. Jamón Ibérico. Pecorino Romano. Spherified wild black trumpet mushroom caviar.
Black Forest Cake
56.5% Callebaut chocolate. Chocolate sponge. Kirsch whipped cream. Kirsch truffle. Sour cherry. Cherry lingonberry sorbet.
Butternut Squash Soup
Candy cap mushroom. Bacon apple hash. Roasted butternut pepitas. Whipped buttermilk foam Pomegranate. Sage.
Hushpuppy Shrimp
Hushpuppy battered NC shrimp. Blistered tomatillo relish. Cornbread crouton. Peach BBQ. Grilled lime.
Strawberry Shortcake
Compressed strawberry. Lemon vanilla sponge. Lemon chantilly. Sugar cookie crumb. Strawberry coulis. Lemon basil oil.
This week, the ladies of Amused Bouche were treated to an absolutely spectacular private chef experience by Chef Will Phillips of Chef Will Cooks! Not only did we get a fully personalized menu that was out of this world, we enjoyed it all from the comforts of home. From birthdays and holidays to whatever you’re celebrating (he’s seen some unique requests…), Chef Will can bring something truly memorable to the occasion. Look out for an upcoming batch highlighting our experience and follow him to book your own. (Spoiler alert - his calendar books up fast so get on it!) Thank you, Chef!
-Jen Altizer and Abby Elfman- @amused.bouche.pod- Charlotte
“Will’s talent was never ending in our meal. Every dish shined with incredible flavor profiles, the presentations were Instagram worthy and the taste was exceptional. He’s a chef of note.”
“Will was simply magnificent. We had a somewhat unique ask and he leant in superbly - before the evening, his menu concept was astonishingly on theme, his communication was absolutely on point and he accommodated some misunderstandings on our part about the service and timing in a manner that was more than we deserved. On the evening, he arrived on time and delivered not exactly as promised, but more. The food was incredible, the presentation excellent and he talked us through the dishes and was a fantastic “host”. He was present and engaging without being intrusive and I cannot recommend him highly enough for any occasion. We’ll absolutely be working him again. Thank you Will!”
-Jeff G.- Charlotte
The best thing we could do to end this topsy turvy year was bring in our favorite chef for a private in-home COVID-compliant Christmas dinner with the incomparable, (soon-to-be Michelin Starred chef, trust us on this) Will Phillips. This guy is spectacular. We can not recommend him enough. Truly one of the best meals we’ve ever had. Thank you Chef Will Cooks!
-David O.- Raleigh
“Very professional with presentation! Very knowledgeable and creative. Not only does it look fancy, the portions are plentiful and filling! We look forward to having him again!”
-Jason C.- Clemmons
“Our private Halloween dinner was a culinary adventure! The food was whimsical, delicious and beautifully prepared. It was such a memorable evening we will never forget!”
-Tina O.- Raleigh
“My husband and I recently celebrated our 50th wedding anniversary with 29 family members at the beach. Chef Will and Chef Ryan provided a fabulous dinner complete with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, a carving station with beef tenderloin, salmon, salad, baked potato bar, and dessert. They came into our beach kitchen with the majority of the food fully prepared, and put the finishing touches on a spectacularly delicious dinner. Our family raved at the quality of the food, and the professional manner in which it was served. Clean-up was thorough and complete. We highly recommend Chef Will for any special occasion. He was easy to work with, listened to special requests, was easy to contact, and brought his culinary excellence to our special event. Thanks Chef Will!
-Paula and Joe T.- Greensboro
Questions & Answers
Q: Why choose private dining?
A: Private dining is the ultimate luxury experience in the comfort of your own home or vacation rental. When Chef Will handcrafts each detail of your event, you can guarantee the night will go off without a hitch, while all you do is sit back and relax.
Q: How does this work?
A: Chef Will creates a custom-built menu tailored to your every need. To start your experience, contact us through the link on the page, email, phone, or social media, to discuss the plan for your event. Each occasion is unique. We will contact you to schedule a phone consultation, and work to plan every detail of your special event. Let Chef Will handle the shopping, prep, cooking, serving, and clean-up while you relax and entertain your guests. The Chef Will Team will arrive 45 minutes to an hour before you would like your first course, and it will take 1-2 hours for the meal. Clean-up is included, and will take an additional 30 minutes to one hour.
Q: Can you accommodate my dietary restrictions?
A: Chef Will is expertly trained in food safety, and will ensure your dietary restrictions and allergies are respected in all aspects of the menu. In every possible case, diners with dietary restrictions or allergies will receive a meal that is just as special as everyone else at the table with as little modification to the original menu as possible. Gluten free, dairy free, pescatarian/vegetarian/vegan, and anything else can be accommodated with Chef Will.
Q: How much does it cost?
A: Our price depends upon the number of diners, number of courses, and the cost of groceries. For a 4 course meal for 4-10 guests, you can expect to pay $200-$300/person depending on the services and food you want.
Q: What is your travel range, and is there a fee for travel?
A: Travel is included for all events within 100 miles of Lincolnton, NC. A travel fee of $1/mile will be added to your total for all events more than 100 miles each way. Travel times of 4 hours or more may be asked to provide lodging for the night of the event.
Q: Is there a deposit required?
A: In order to confirm your date, we ask that you put down 30% of the estimated cost as a non-refundable grocery deposit. This will be put towards the food and supplies for your event, and the remainder will be collected upon completion of the meal.
Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: We can accept cash, check, Venmo, PayPal, CashApp, and Zelle. Payment plans may also be available upon request.
Q: What do I need to do before my event?
A: Please have the kitchen cleaned, empty countertops as best as possible, empty the dishwasher (if applicable), and empty the trash. We also ask for a shelf to be cleared off in the fridge and the freezer. The kitchen will look just as nice or better than it did when we leave.
Q: Do you bring your own equipment?
A: We will bring everything we need to cook and serve the food; all cooking supplies, pots, pans, utensils, knives, etc. We do prefer to use the plates/silverware/glassware/napkins/place-settings already in the house. If you would like for us to provide anything for the table or any plateware, it is available upon request (subject to additional charge). For groups larger than 20, compostable plastic dishware will be added to your grocery cost.
Q: Is gratuity included in the price?
A: Gratuity is never expected, but is always appreciated if you think we did a great job!
Q: Do you sell gift certificates?
A: Yes we do! Chef Will Cooks gift certificates make the perfect gift for that special someone in your life! We also offer cooking classes for 1-8 guests, and seasonal mushroom and plant foraging tours where applicable.
For any questions not listed above, please contact Chef Will.
Chef Will prepares his creations at your house, on your schedule, for you and your guests. Also offering cooking classes, and mushroom/plant foraging tours (seasonal).
Please allow minimum one weeks’ notice for booking.
Contact him today.
336-749-0941
chefwillcooks@gmail.com