Private Chef - A Rustic Italian Dinner

Private Chef Rustic Italian Dinner with Chicken Piccata

starting at

$ 129 Per person

All inclusive: 3-course meal, ingredients, cooking, service & clean up.

This private chef experience does not have any dates.

Find similar experiences

Request your own date:

Request date

Give as a gift

Gift card can be used for any experience or cookware

What You'll Do

Savor this private dinner featuring an exquisite homemade Italian menu.

Settle in for a warm, rustic Italian evening with a private chef experience led by an esteemed culinary talent with a gift for uncomplicated, deeply satisfying Italian cooking. Every detail is handled from start to finish – simply arrive at the table and enjoy.

The evening opens with herbed goat cheese crostini on toasted baguette before moving into the centerpiece – a bright, lemony chicken piccata with capers and white wine. Handmade linguine tossed with burst cherry tomatoes and basil pesto accompanies the main course with fresh, vibrant flavor. The meal closes with an Italian chocolate budino topped with Amaretto whipped cream – rich, silky and a perfect close to a rustic Italian evening. Book this private chef experience today.

Guests are welcome to provide wine and beer to accompany the menu, and may request pairing recommendations from the chef upon booking.

Your Menu

Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini

With toasted baguette, whipped goat cheese and chives

Chicken Piccata

With chicken, capers, lemon and white wine

Handmade Linguine With Burst Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto

With flour, eggs, cherry tomatoes, basil pesto and pine nuts

Chocolate Budino

With chocolate, cream, butter, eggs and sugar

Most dietary restrictions can be accommodated if noted prior to the event. Please mention this in the message field when you submit your booking request as adjustments cannot be made during the event.

Details

Minimum Guests 2
Maximum Guests 12
Meal Courses 3
Event Duration 4.5 hours
Chef Arrival Time 1 hour & 30 minutes prior to the selected serving time
Labels Healthy, Italian

What's included

The ingredients

The cooking

The service

The washing up

Meet your chef

Chef Shawnie

Food safety certified

9 reviews

Chef Shawnie is a culinary instructor and food writer who brings global flavors and cultural inspiration into every cooking class. As a resident chef leading culinary programs in Columbus, she specializes in travel-inspired cuisine rooted in her experience living and working across Europe. Chef Shawnie’s engaging and approachable teaching style helps guests build confidence in the kitchen while exploring the connection between food culture and tradition.

View all of Chef Shawnie's Experiences

The Cozymeal Protection^®

Verified Chefs

Payment Protection

Concierge

Cancellation Policy

Flexible booking: Cancel or reschedule this event's reservation for free up to 48 hours before the event.

Chef Shawnie will travel to guests within Columbus, OH for this experience.

What You'll Do

Savor this private dinner featuring an exquisite homemade Italian menu.

Guests are welcome to provide wine and beer to accompany the menu, and may request pairing recommendations from the chef upon booking.

Your Menu

Herbed Goat Cheese Crostini

With toasted baguette, whipped goat cheese and chives

Chicken Piccata

With chicken, capers, lemon and white wine

Handmade Linguine With Burst Cherry Tomatoes and Pesto

With flour, eggs, cherry tomatoes, basil pesto and pine nuts

Chocolate Budino

With chocolate, cream, butter, eggs and sugar

Details

Minimum Guests 2
Maximum Guests 12
Meal Courses 3
Event Duration 4.5 hours
Chef Arrival Time 1 hour & 30 minutes prior to the selected serving time
Labels Healthy, Italian

What's included

The ingredients

The cooking

The service

The washing up

Reviews

Reviews Chef Shawnie received outside of Cozymeal

Phil

18 Apr 2026

Whether preparing for a party, special occasion, or a family dinner, Shawnie always ensures a memorable, mouth-watering experience with fresh, culinary takes on virtually any type of cuisine, whether it's regional, international, farm-to-table, or for special dietary requirements. The presentation is flawless, and she makes everything look so easy! I'm getting hungry just writing this review!

Nick K

11 Apr 2026

I’ve had the pleasure of taking several of Chef Shawnie’s cooking classes—both in-home and in group settings—and every single experience has been exceptional. Shawnie brings an energy to the kitchen that is absolutely contagious. She’s vibrant, welcoming, and an expert communicator who has a gift for making everyone feel comfortable, no matter their skill level. Her depth of culinary knowledge is remarkable. She has traveled the world studying techniques and flavors from a wide range of cultures, and she brings that global perspective into every class she teaches. You can feel her passion for food and learning in the way she explains each step, each ingredient, and each method with patience and clarity. What truly sets Chef Shawnie apart is her ability to create an environment that is both educational and incredibly fun. Her classes are lively, engaging, and full of laughter. You walk away not only with new skills and recipes, but with a genuine sense of accomplishment and joy. I highly recommend Chef Shawnie to anyone looking to elevate their cooking, explore new cuisines, or simply enjoy a memorable culinary experience. She is a true professional and an absolute delight to learn from.

Justin

05 Apr 2026

Shawnie is an outstanding teacher and chef! I have attended several of her classes and enjoyed every single one. She brings a combination of experience and approachability to cooking. At the end of each of her classes I felt that I had new skills afterwards and was excited about not only the meal we prepared but the techniques we learned. I especially appreciated her organization and follow-up, which allowed us to focus on cooking and learning without distraction. Definitely don't miss out on any future classes with her, you won't regret it!

Meredith

01 Apr 2026

I have had the opportunity to enjoy Shawnie’s delicious meals on several occasions. She customized menus that satisfied my vegetarian requirements and my husband‘s tree nut allergy. The meals were crafted with amazing flavor and exceptional presentation. Don’t ever miss dessert … her pastry skills are out of this world. I have also had a chance to take cooking classes with the Chef. I witnessed her being encouraging and patient with people newer to cooking while being able to clearly articulate flavor profiles and techniques to those with more advanced skills. She has given me new skills that I am able to use in my kitchen with my family. I highly recommend Chef Shawnie and look forward to my next opportunity to enjoy her talents.

Melissa

27 Mar 2026

Working with Shawnie is an unforgettable experience from start to finish. She has a true gift—not only for creating incredibly delicious, standout dishes, but for teaching in a way that feels fun, approachable, and inspiring. Every recipe we learned was thoughtfully curated and packed with flavor, reflecting her deep knowledge of regional cuisines. What made the experience truly special, though, was how she brought each dish to life with stories from her travels. She shared insights into the origins of ingredients, cultural traditions, and cooking techniques in a way that was both engaging and easy to understand. Her energy is warm, lively, and genuinely entertaining. She creates an atmosphere where everyone feels comfortable. Whether you’re a beginner or more experienced in the kitchen, she meets you where you are and makes the entire experience enjoyable and memorable. This isn’t just a cooking lesson, it’s an immersive culinary experience that turns any gathering into something truly special. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to learn, laugh, and enjoy exceptional food all at once.

Nathalie

20 Mar 2026

Chef Shawnie's experience spans multiple cuisines. She loves to share stories about Wanderlust Tours, a boutique culinary travel company she founded in 2008, which takes you on a trip to hands-on villa cooking classes and regional culinary workshops - from teaching pasta-making in Italy to preparing seafood in France. Her friendly and approachable personality are an added bonus to welcome into your home.

Gary

20 Mar 2026

I can’t say enough great things about Chef Shawnie! I first met her back in 2017 when she led a private cooking class for me and about 20 friends, and from the moment we met, we instantly hit it off. She has such a warm, engaging personality and an incredible ability to make everyone feel comfortable. What really sets Shawnie apart is how she balances fun and learning. Her classes are lively and entertaining, but never intimidating. She creates an environment where everyone, no matter their skill level, feels welcome and confident participating. Whether you’re a complete beginner or more experienced in the kitchen, you’ll walk away having learned something new and having had a fantastic time. Since that first experience, I’ve attended several more of her classes, and each one has been just as enjoyable as the last. She even hosted a private event at my home, where all of my guests got to jump in and be part of the cooking experience. At this point, it’s safe to say I’m a huge fan, and I have no doubt you will be too. If you’re looking for a unique, interactive, and truly memorable experience, I highly recommend Chef Shawnie for your next party or event!

Sarah

13 Mar 2026

Chef Shawnie is the best – fun, knowledgeable, enthusiastic and all-around chef superstar. I have had the privilege of attending various cooking classes with her and cooked with her side-by-side at a villa in Tuscany, where we made amazing, memorable meals. I make recipes from Shawnie all of the time!

JoAnne

02 Mar 2026

Shawnie is an extraordinary chef and teacher. I've taken multiple cooking classes by Shawnie at 3 different venues over the years and always learned new things and had just a wonderful time. I've referred her to several of my corporate clients looking for a fun activity for their employees. As a social cook and home entertainer, it takes a lot to impress me and I have always been impressed with Shawnie's people and cooking skills!