Private Chef at Home in Sydney

Q: How does payment work?

To secure your event date, we require either full payment at least 14 days before the event, or a non-refundable deposit upon confirmation. If the deposit option is selected, the remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 7 days prior to the event.

MODERN AUSTRALIAN
ELEVATED BY ASIA

Modern Australian cuisine, elevated with Japanese and Korean flavours. Our chefs pair Western technique with the season’s best local produce, served in your home for intimate dinners, omakase, canapé events and corporate celebrations.

ABOUT US

We bring restaurant-quality dining into the comfort of your home. Led by Chef Lyan Shim, our cuisine offers a refined Asian fusion experience, blending rich Asian flavours with modern Australian creativity. Using seasonal local produce and refined techniques, we create elegant, memorable dishes.

Canapé Menu

Bite-sized Asian fusion canapés for cocktail parties and celebrations.

Course Menu

A three- or five-course sit-down dinner served at your table.

Degustation Menu

A multi-course tasting menu showcasing Chef Lyan’s signature dishes.

Omakase Menu

A chef’s-choice menu curated entirely by Chef Lyan.

ABOUT US

Meet Chef Lyan Shim – Private Chef Sydney

Bringing refined flavours and personalised dining experiences to private events and special occasions across Sydney. Chef Lyan creates thoughtfully crafted menus and beautifully presented dishes, delivering a first-class restaurant experience for intimate gatherings, private dinners, and memorable celebrations.

TESTIMONIALS

What Our Customers Are Saying

    
 
 
         
   D YM Xu 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Excellent service and food
  
 
        
   Sue Falkner 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Wow. Amazing food and service. Would highly recommend Lyan and Refine catering especially if you want to host a dinner party with no stress.
  
 
        
   nell 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I used their catering service and had a great experience! The food was delicious and the service was excellent! Everything was well organised and I was really happy with everything. Highly recommend!♥️♥️
  
 
        
   Tyran 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had Lyan come out for a private dining experience and I genuinely loved every aspect of every course, can’t believe the quality of the food for the price! Great service all round! Would recommend to anyone considering a private chef experience!
  
 
        
   Ally Palmer 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had Chef Lyan cater for my mum’s 60th birthday dinner and honestly, it was so incredible from start to finish. Every single dish was cooked to perfection and the food was absolutely amazing. Lyan was so professional, kind and genuinely lovely to work with throughout the whole process. He made everything feel so easy and relaxed, and even cleaned up perfectly afterwards, which was such a bonus. We had the most amazing night and couldn’t have asked for a better experience. The food, service and overall experience were all 10/10. We would absolutely recommend Lyan and will definitely be using him again!
  
 
        
   Habin ocean life 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Very delicious and professional
  
 
        
   Ryan Eagle 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Chef Lyan created an amazing menu for a delicious dinner, great service from the Refine team!
  
 
        
   PHANTOM 5 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had such a wonderful dining experience with Chef Lyan! Every dish was beautifully presented, full of flavour, and prepared with so much care and attention to detail. Chef Lyan was warm, professional, and made the whole experience feel really special. You can truly see the passion behind the food. Everything was delicious from start to finish, and we thoroughly enjoyed our meal. Highly recommend Chef Lyan — we’ll definitely be back! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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FAQ

Private Chef & Catering FAQs

What is your minimum booking requirement?

We offer private dining and event catering with a minimum spend of $1,000.

This allows us to deliver a considered experience with premium ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and attentive service.

What is your cancellation policy?

Cancellations made 14 days or more prior to the event are eligible for a full refund.

For cancellations made within 14 days of the event, charges may apply for ingredients, goods, and preparations already made on your behalf.

Please note that confirmed labour and pre-arranged services are non-refundable.

What is included besides the food?

Depending on the style of your event, we can provide selected service essentials such as plates, cutlery, utensils, and service staff.

Should you require additional assistance, please contact us to discuss your event requirements.

How do I choose dishes for a formal menu?

Our formal menus are designed to feel balanced, elegant, and cohesive.

For a 3-course menu, guests may select:
one entrée
one main
one dessert

For a 5-course menu, guests may select:
Two entrée
Two main
one dessert

We are also happy to guide you through the selection process to ensure the menu suits the occasion beautifully. Why is the menu selection intentionally focused?

We believe a more curated menu allows us to place greater attention on quality, detail, and execution.

Rather than offering an extensive list, we focus on a refined selection of dishes that reflect our style and standards.

Can you accommodate dietary requirements?

Yes, we are happy to accommodate dietary requirements wherever possible. Please let us know in advance so we can tailor the menu with care and consideration.

Where do you operate?

Based in Sydney, we offer private dining and catering services throughout Sydney, Central Coast, and Newcastle — including the North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs, Inner West, and beyond. A travel fee may apply for events held more than 35km from Sydney CBD. Please get in touch for a tailored quote based on your event location.

How does payment work?

To secure your event date, we require either full payment at least 14 days before the event, or a non-refundable deposit upon confirmation.

If the deposit option is selected, the remaining balance must be paid in full no later than 7 days prior to the event.

This allows us to confirm your booking, secure premium ingredients, and prepare every detail of your event to the highest standard.

What do I need to prepare as a host?

We kindly ask hosts to arrange table settings, glassware, and beverages for the event.

If you require additional support, we would be pleased to discuss this with you.

Your Private Chef at Home in Sydney

Hosting at home shouldn’t mean spending the night in the kitchen. When you book Refine Catering, Chef Lyan Shim comes to your home, cooks on site and serves each course to your table, so you can stay with your guests.

Our menus draw on Korean, Japanese and South-East Asian flavours, finished with modern Australian technique and seasonal local produce. Choose canapés for a cocktail-style gathering, a three- or five-course sit-down dinner, or an omakase menu curated entirely by Chef Lyan.

We cook for everything from a dinner for four to celebrations of around thirty guests, including birthdays, anniversaries, family get-togethers, Christmas dinners and corporate events. Dietary requirements are always welcome; just let us know when you enquire.

We take care of the cooking, plating and clean-up. You set the table and pour the drinks.

How It Works

1. Enquire – Tell us your date, guest numbers and location.

2. Plan your menu – We’ll help you choose your dishes and work through any dietary needs.

3. Enjoy – Chef Lyan cooks and serves at your home while you relax with your guests.

Areas We Serve

Based in Sydney, we cook for private dinners and events right across the city, including the North Shore, Northern Beaches, Eastern Suburbs and Inner West. We also travel north for private chef bookings in Newcastle and on the Central Coast. For larger functions, see our Asian catering in Sydney options.

Private Chef at Home in Sydney