Doing a romantic dinner for two (I’ve sold so many gift certificates and done more of these dinners than I can count) is not the most lucrative, but definitely my favorite service that I offer as a personal chef. For me, it’s the personal chef equivalent to theater vs. film, I preferred the adrenalin rush of feeling live audience reactions as an actress too. The majority of my work, cooking people their weekly meals, is done while the client is away at work. Romantic dinners mean I get to take a more indulgent approach towards the menu, plate it beautifully, see the delight in their faces, and oh how rewarding the sound of applause can be!
Love Bite by Norman Parkinson
I also enjoy being a conspirator in making your loved ones happy. In all these years no one has ever asked me to dish up the syrupy romance for breakfast… until last week. My amorous client has to be away on work, so he wanted to surprise his finance with something special to start her day, ergo “the most important meal of the day” has finally gone romantic. I thought I’d share the menus I came up with for them to choose from, so you can surprise your sweetheart with an enchanting breakfast in bed too.
Fresh squeezed orange or grapefruit juice
and
choice of coffee or tea
Honey-Lime Fruit Salad or Pomegranate, Blueberry & Vanilla Protein Shake
Honey-Lime Fruit Salad with Greek Yogurt
or
Pomegranate, Blueberry & Vanilla Protein Shake
Then
Smoked Salmon, Asparagus, & Gruyere Frittata
and
Fresh Baked Bright Eye Muffins
or
Red Velvet Waffles with Whipped Cream Cheese Topping & Blueberries
with
Crisp Applewood-Smoked Bacon
or
Croissant French Toast with Cinnamon Butter
Croissant French Toast & Cinnamon Butter
with
Canadian Bacon & Caramelized Onion Saute
Breakfast not your style? I’ve also just added a complete Valentines Day Menu Plan offering three different 3 Course Romantic Dinners. Each menu comes with recipes, and heat to eat instructions, plus some illustrations to help you along and suggestions on how to time it all. The beauty of this menu is almost everything
- Preparing a romantic dinner for two made simple
can be made in advance, making it possible for you to keep your focus on your loved one while enjoying an intimate dinner in the privacy of your own home. Premium members can download this sumptuous menu plan today, but you can also buy the plan individually here in the shop.
Jewels whipping up breakfast today
If you would like to sample a free recipe of mine, please click here for our recipe of the week. So, do you think breakfast is “the most important meal of the day,” and which one would you choose?
@JulieAnneRhodes
10:40 am
All of the above, please!
Only you can make a protein shake look irresistable, Jewels!
10:57 am
They ARE delish, and so easy to throw together in the blender – 6 ounces of POM pomegranate juice, a scoop of vanilla flavored whey protein powder, and a cup of frozen blueberries – then blend. Yum!
3:18 pm
The smoked salmon and asparagus dish looks fab,two of my most favourite foods, and I gotta say of all the pics with you and Nick this one is my most favourite,(just saying, lol)Have a great week Jules.
Patricia
3:20 pm
I have to agree Patricia – Norman Parkinson was one of the greatest fashion/celebrity/royalty photographers ever. I miss him dearly.
9:51 am
We’re supposed to CHOOSE? Ah well… I guess eating three breakfasts isn’t good for anyone, is it!? I keep going to the croissant French Toast but then gravitate to the red velvet waffles… then to the beautiful protein shake. What is most striking is the colour of all the dishes. It’s all so sensuous!
Norman Parkinson was the best… his fashion images are absolutely stellar.
10:17 am
Well, I suppose you could start with the protein shake for breakfast, have the croissant French toast for lunch and the red velvet waffles for dinner – a super sweet Valentines Day with breakfast in bed all day!
11:36 am
Excellent choice! That would be pure luxury
4:23 pm
What a choice of ways to start the day off on a good note! Fresh juice is always a treat, but fresh fruit for me is a must, so I always want fresh grapefruit when it’s a good price. The croissant French toast sounds wonderful and then copious quantities of coffee or tea and I’d be a happy camper for the day. Looks like I can get grapefruit and oranges this weekend as they are reasonable. Sorry to say, I mix grapefruit with cottage cheese. Doesn’t that sound wonderful, but it does taste really good to me. I’m afraid I’m a lost cause. LOL
4:25 pm
Ruthee – one of my favorite breakfasts is cottage cheese with fresh pineapple, so I’m sure it is great with grapefruit too.
1:33 pm
Those red velvet Belgium walked look to die for! Guess what we will be having for Valentine’s Day breakfast?
I so agree that an intimate dinner at home is much more romantic than going out to even the swankiest, candlelit restaurant! This is something I have incorporated on occasion since we had children. I prep early, start cooking what I need to ahead, and we eat after the kids are asleep, candlelit dinner and dessert at a very beautifully dressed table. It doesn’t matter that we may look like a zombie mommy and daddy, either. The table and food set a nice mood that overlooks any residue of the day.