Your Questions, Answered

  • Arbutus Collective connects you with independent chefs — and, if you'd like, a sommelier or bartender — for private dinners, lunches, and small-to-mid-sized events across Victoria and the South Island. Instead of booking one caterer with one set menu, you get access to a curated bench of established local culinary and beverage talent, matched to your event.

  • Most Victoria caterers run a single kitchen with one house style. We work with a roster of independent chefs, so you can choose someone whose specific style, cuisine, or reputation fits your event — and add a sommelier or bartender to round out the experience. We handle the booking, coordination, and logistics so you don't have to find and manage each professional yourself.

  • We currently serve Greater Victoria, the Saanich Peninsula, and the West Shore (Langford, Colwood, Sooke), with availability extending north toward Duncan and the Cowichan Valley. If you're just outside this area, reach out — we may still be able to help.

    • Private in-home or private-venue dinners (plated or family-style), typically 2–30 guests

    • Private lunches, casual to elevated

    • Milestone celebrations — birthdays, anniversaries, engagement parties

    • Wine-club and estate/winery dinners

    • Corporate hospitality and small offsites (under ~150 guests)

    • In-villa chef experiences for vacation rentals

  • Submit a brief through our inquiry form with your date, guest count, budget range, occasion, and any dietary needs. We'll review it and shortlist chefs (and a sommelier or bartender, if requested) who match your event.

  • The sooner the better, especially during summer and wedding season when demand is highest. We recommend reaching out several weeks ahead where possible, though we'll always try to accommodate shorter timelines if a partner is available.

  • Yes. If you've seen a chef's work or have someone in mind from our roster or Victoria, let us know in your inquiry and we'll check their availability.

  • We match you with 1–3 suitable chefs (and beverage partners, if requested), they propose a menu or pairing concept, and we put together a full quote covering the chef's fee plus our coordination service. Once you approve, we confirm logistics — venue access, kitchen setup, timing, and any rentals — ahead of the event.

    • Chef-Only Drop-In — the chef designs and cooks a set menu; you or your own staff handle serving. Great for smaller, budget-conscious dinners.

    • Chef + Service — the chef plus a server for plating and table service. Our most common option for private dinners of 6–12 guests.

    • Full Experience — chef, server(s), and a sommelier and/or bartender for a fully hosted evening. Ideal for special occasions, corporate hospitality, and winery dinners.

  • Pricing depends on the chef, menu, guest count, and service tier. Each quote reflects the chef's proposed rate plus our coordination fee, so the final price is clear and transparent before you book.

  • Yes — a deposit is required to confirm your booking, with the balance due before or on the event date. Exact terms will be outlined in your quote.

  • We use a tiered cancellation policy based on how close to the event date you cancel. Full details will be provided at the time of booking.

  • Yes — let us know any dietary needs when you submit your brief, and we'll factor that into chef matching and menu planning.

  • Yes. Our roster includes sommeliers for wine pairing and bartenders for cocktail or full bar programs — available as part of a Full Experience booking or added on request.

  • Most private-home bookings work with your existing kitchen. For venues with limited kitchen access, we can help coordinate additional equipment or rentals.