Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering is a Sonoma-based, founder-led private chef and catering company founded in 2016 that delivers Michelin-trained, farm-to-table fine dining experiences into private homes and vacation rentals across Wine Country, with sister brands Songbird Parlour, West Wine Tours, and Valley of the Moon Kombucha.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersGlen Ellen, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering does
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering, founded in 2016 by Lauren Kershner, is a Sonoma-based private chef and catering operator that delivers Michelin-trained fine dining experiences directly into clients' private homes, vacation rentals, and event venues across Sonoma, Napa, Marin, and San Francisco. Its core product is a customizable multi-course tasting menu experience priced at $150-$290 per person with event minimums of $995-$1,590, covering setup, service, curated tablescapes, printed menus, and deep kitchen cleanup; ancillary offerings include wellness-culinary hybrids (Yoga + Brunch & Bubbles, Private Chef + Nutrition Coaching), seasonal family-style menus (Al Fresco Mediterranean, Hearth & Harvest), a Chakal molecular mixology pairing, and larger-catering capacity up to 50 seated or 150 cocktail guests.
The business operates a direct, inquiry-based sales motion supported by a curated referral and distribution network: boutique concierge Curate Sonoma County, vacation rental hosts and property managers, and a sister-brand ecosystem comprising Songbird Parlour (Victorian-inspired restaurant and event venue in Glen Ellen, expanded to five-day-a-week dining in 2024), West Wine Tours (vintage VW bus winery tours), and Valley of the Moon Kombucha Co. Marketing is content-led via an SEO-optimized blog, Instagram (@goodgraciouseats, @songbirdparlour, @westwinetours), email newsletter, and earned regional press.
Revenue mechanics are predominantly one-time per-event transactions with per-person unit pricing plus optional add-ons (cheeseboards, wine and cocktail pairings, ribeye upgrades) and a 20% service charge on certain SKUs; the Private Chef + Nutrition Coaching SKU adds a monthly recurring element. The team is small (~6 employees), founder-led, and bootstrapped with no institutional funding disclosed, generating 195+ five-star reviews since 2016 and receiving the 2023 Sonoma Valley Business of the Year award from the Sonoma Valley Chamber of Commerce.
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering
- Legal name
- Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering
- Website
- https://goodnessgraciouseats.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering is a Sonoma-based, founder-led private chef and catering company founded in 2016 that delivers Michelin-trained, farm-to-table fine dining experiences into private homes and vacation rentals across Wine Country, with sister brands Songbird Parlour, West Wine Tours, and Valley of the Moon Kombucha.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Private Chef & Catering Services
- NAICS
- Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232), Full-Service Restaurants (722511)
- SIC
- Retail-Eating Places (5812), Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Private Chef & In-Home Dining Services (HSACAGAE)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Private Culinary Experiences (Chef’s Table, Home Dining, Market-to-Meal) (THAJALAH), Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise) (HSACAGAA), Specialty & Dietary Catering (Vegan, Kosher, Halal, Allergy-Friendly) (HSACAGAH)
Keywords
Where Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Glen Ellen
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others
Revenue model
- Private Chef Culinary Experiences: Premium one-time private chef events delivered at clients' homes or vacation rentals. Clients pay per person for multi-course tasting menu experiences, with minimum spend requirements per event. Additional revenue from optional add-ons such as cheeseboards, craft cocktail pairings, and wine pairing upgrades.
- Larger Catered Events: Catering for larger celebrations accommodating up to 50 guests for seated dinners and up to 150 guests for cocktail-style receptions. Full bar catering services with professional bartenders, glassware, and beverage service available as an add-on for larger events.
- Songbird Parlour Restaurant & Venue: The company's sister restaurant and event venue in Glen Ellen operates as a Victorian-inspired lounge and restaurant available to rent for social and corporate gatherings from up to 85 guests. Revenue from both dine-in restaurant service and private event venue rentals.
- Private Chef & Nutrition Coaching: Ongoing private chef meal services and nutrition consulting sessions. Includes meal planning, pantry consultations, and one-on-one nutrition coaching for wellness-oriented clients seeking sustained healthy eating habits.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chef's Tasting Menu Experience – $195 per person (groups of 18 or fewer, 4-hour experience, minimum spend $995) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Yoga + Brunch & Bubbles Experience – $150 per person + $250–$400 for yoga (groups of 18 or fewer, 3-hour experience, minimum spend $995) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Chakal Craft Cocktail & Culinary Experience – $290 per person (groups of 18 or fewer, 4-hour experience, minimum spend $1,590) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Instant Book Multi-Course Dinner – not publicly priced (available Tue–Thu, groups of 5–12) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Al Fresco Mediterranean Table Experience – pricing not publicly disclosed (May–October, groups of 18 or fewer) |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Hearth & Harvest Experience – pricing not publicly disclosed (November–April, groups of 18 or fewer) |
| Unit Pricing | Monthly | Private Chef & Nutrition Coaching – pricing not publicly disclosed |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Larger Catered Events – pricing not publicly disclosed (up to 150 guests) |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Goodness Gracious provides private chef and catering services that transform private homes, vacation rentals, and event venues throughout Sonoma and Napa Wine Country into intimate fine dining destinations. Michelin-trained chefs and professional service staff deliver fully customized multi-course tasting menus, themed experiences (Yoga + Brunch & Bubbles, Chakal Craft Cocktail pairings, seasonal Al Fresco and Hearth & Harvest menus), and full-service catering for seated dinners up to 50 guests and cocktail receptions up to 150 guests, with all setup, service, and cleanup handled in-house. The model is farm-to-table, built on hyper-local sourcing from Sonoma/Napa farms and artisanal producers, and is paired with ongoing private chef + certified nutrition coaching.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Chef's Tasting Menu Experience A 4-hour, multi-course tasting menu private chef experience for groups of up to 18 guests, including amuse-bouche, dedicated chefs and professional service staff, elegant tablescape setup, and optional wine pairings (3-course +$45, 4-course +$55, or curated cocktail pairing +$95 per person). Targeted at intimate gatherings hosted in private homes, vacation rentals, or event venues across Sonoma and Napa Wine Country.
- Yoga + Brunch & Bubbles Experience A 3-hour wellness-and-culinary hybrid combining a 60-minute vinyasa yoga session (instructor with mats, props, and music) with a hosted brunch featuring 1 bottle of sparkling wine per 4 guests, custom-printed menus, and full dietary accommodation. Targeted at celebrations, group retreats, and team-building bookings across Wine Country locations.
- Chakal Craft Cocktail & Culinary Experience A 4-hour immersive experience pairing three courses by a Michelin-trained chef with three molecular gastronomy cocktails by Tito of Chakal Mixology, featuring spherification, smoke infusions, clarified cocktails, foam garnishes, and liquid nitrogen presentations. Includes custom-printed menus pairing culinary and cocktail selections, organic stone dinnerware, and premium glassware; targeted at premium celebrations and cocktail enthusiasts.
- Instant Book Multi-Course Dinner A 3-course Instant Book private chef dinner for groups of 5–12 guests on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, including seasonal tablescape (flowers, candles, linens, placemats, charger plates), organic stone dinnerware, Michelin-trained chef, experienced service staff, deep kitchen cleanup, and full dietary restriction accommodation. Targeted at smaller groups wanting accessible mid-week bookings.
- Al Fresco Mediterranean Table Experience A 3-hour family-style outdoor Mediterranean dining experience available May through October for groups of 18 or fewer, with local boutique wine (1 bottle per 4 guests), dedicated culinary and service staff, curated dinnerware and tablescape, and full dietary accommodation. Optional add-ons include mezze board, artisan bread and olive oil, additional sides or entrees, seasonal craft cocktails, and additional wine.
- Hearth & Harvest Experience A 3-hour family-style seasonal dining experience available November through April for groups of 18 or fewer, featuring a seasonal menu, optional artisan cheeseboard add-on, optional seasonal craft or classic cocktails, and full dietary accommodation. Targeted at guests looking for cozy, harvest-themed winter in-home dining.
- Private Chef & Nutrition Coaching An ongoing private chef engagement paired with certified one-on-one nutrition coaching for wellness-oriented clients, including personalized meal preparation, meal planning, kitchen and pantry consultations, and 60-minute initial plus 45–60-minute follow-up nutrition sessions. Led by chef and certified nutrition coach Jeanne Norsworthy and billed on a recurring monthly cadence. Targeted at busy professionals and wellness-focused individuals seeking sustained healthy eating habits.
- Larger Catered Events Full-service catering for larger celebrations including seated dinners up to 50 guests and cocktail-style receptions up to 150 guests, with optional full bar catering (professional bartenders, glassware, beverage service), hourly labor pricing, and rental coordination for tables, chairs, dinnerware, and décor (5% production fee plus direct pass-through for events over 18 guests). Targeted at micro-weddings, rehearsal dinners, corporate functions, and large private events across Wine Country venues.
- Songbird Parlour Restaurant & Private Event Venue Sister restaurant and event venue in Jack London Village, Glen Ellen, offering dine-in restaurant service inspired by a Victorian salon aesthetic, plus private event rental for social and corporate gatherings of up to 85 guests. Functions as both a revenue-generating hospitality venue and a preview/dining channel that drives referrals into Goodness Gracious private chef bookings (named Sonoma Magazine Best New Restaurants of 2024).
Quantifiable outcome
- Deep kitchen cleanup included — team leaves the kitchen cleaner than they found it
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Songbird ParlourcoreSongbird Parlour is a woman-owned, posh Victorian lounge and restaurant in Glen Ellen operated by the same founder, Lauren Kershner. It serves as a preview dining experience where prospective private chef clients can taste Goodness Gracious's style and quality. The venue (up to 85 guests) is available for private rental events, creating a seamless experience for clients who also book private chef services. Reciprocal referrals flow between both businesses.
- Valley of the Moon Kombucha Co.minorValley of the Moon Kombucha Co. is another venture by founder Lauren Kershner, brewing and distributing kombucha in batches of 10 gallons twice weekly. The company supplies several stores in Sonoma, Napa, and Marin counties with two flavor combinations. The brand is co-featured in press alongside Goodness Gracious and Songbird Parlour as part of Lauren Kershner's portfolio of food and beverage businesses.
- West Wine ToursminorWest Wine Tours operates a fleet of restored vintage VW buses offering boutique winery tours in Sonoma Valley. The company is a sister brand and cross-promotes with Goodness Gracious on Instagram (@westwinetours). Tour guides share recommendations for culinary experiences including private chef services, creating referral traffic and bundled Wine Country experience packages.
- Curate Sonoma CountycoreCurate Sonoma County is a boutique concierge service run by Jennifer West, a lifelong Sonoma County native specializing in luxury travel planning. The company curates bespoke Wine Country experiences for affluent travelers and connects clients with Goodness Gracious for private chef services, cooking classes, and event catering as part of comprehensive trip planning.
- Local Farms, Winemakers & Artisanal ProducerscoreGoodness Gracious maintains deep sourcing relationships with local farmers, winemakers, and artisanal food producers throughout Sonoma and Napa Valley. The company sources seasonal ingredients from local farms, features boutique wines from family-owned wineries, and highlights the stories of these producers as part of its culinary experiences. This hyper-local sourcing network is a core element of the brand's farm-to-table identity.
- Chakal Mixology (Tito)coreChakal Mixology, led by Tito, provides craft cocktail programming as part of the Chakal Craft Cocktail & Culinary Experience. Tito brings heritage-inspired mixology with molecular gastronomy techniques including spherification, smoke infusions, clarified cocktails, foam garnishes, and liquid nitrogen presentations. The collaboration creates a differentiated premium experience pairing cocktails with chef-curated seasonal menus.
- Cassidy Ranch VineyardsminorCassidy Ranch Vineyards in the Carneros region is a multi-faceted destination combining an organic produce farm, flower fields, pickleball, and fine wine. Goodness Gracious collaborates with Cassidy Ranch for flower farm picnic experiences and the 'Field to Fork' annual event, featuring chef-curated meals sourced from the farm's fresh ingredients paired with estate wines.
- Local Rental CompaniesminorFor events exceeding 18 guests, Goodness Gracious coordinates rental orders for dinnerware, tables, chairs, and special décor through third-party rental companies. The company passes through direct billing from the rental company to the client (plus a 5% event production fee) and handles the coordination and planning of these logistics.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights3 records
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Zerocater: Corporate catering platform providing managed meal programs for offices. While focused on workplace catering, the underlying model of chef-curated group meals parallels Goodness Gracious's larger event (up to 150 guest) catering service.
- Hungry: Corporate catering marketplace offering group meal solutions and chef-curated office dining. Overlaps with Goodness Gracious in chef-led group catering but skews toward corporate/office use cases rather than vacation rental and wine country celebrations.
- The French Laundry: Iconic Napa Valley fine dining restaurant and farm-to-table institution. Operates in the same Wine Country culinary landscape and shares the local sourcing and Michelin pedigree that anchors Goodness Gracious's brand, but delivers experiences through a fixed venue rather than in-home service.
- Roaming Hunger: National marketplace for food trucks and event catering services. Comparable in providing on-location group catering and event food service, though focused on casual/event scale rather than luxury in-home fine dining.
Direct peers
- Cozymeal: Online platform connecting customers with private chefs and cooking classes for in-home experiences. Comparable offering (private chef dinners, custom menus, dietary accommodation) targeting similar celebration and date-night use cases.
- Take a Chef: Global online marketplace that books private chefs into clients' homes for in-home dining experiences. Directly comparable business model — Michelin-trained chefs, multi-course tasting menus, in-home delivery — competing for the same affluent traveler demand.
- Songbird Parlour: Sister company to Goodness Gracious — a Victorian-inspired restaurant and event venue in Glen Ellen operated by the same founder. Comparable dining experience and audience; functions as both a sister brand and the restaurant-format counterpart to the in-home chef service.
Regional players
- Single Thread Farms: Sonoma farm-to-table fine dining destination with a 12-course tasting menu and on-site farm. Comparable hyper-local Sonoma sourcing narrative and Michelin-caliber fine dining positioning, though delivered via a restaurant rather than in-home service.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering social profiles
Digital presenceGoodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles2 records
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering
What does Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering do?
Goodness Gracious provides private chef and catering services that transform private homes, vacation rentals, and event venues throughout Sonoma and Napa Wine Country into intimate fine dining destinations. Michelin-trained chefs and professional service staff deliver fully customized multi-course tasting menus, themed experiences (Yoga + Brunch & Bubbles, Chakal Craft Cocktail pairings, seasonal Al Fresco and Hearth & Harvest menus), and full-service catering for seated dinners up to 50 guests and cocktail receptions up to 150 guests, with all setup, service, and cleanup handled in-house. The model is farm-to-table, built on hyper-local sourcing from Sonoma/Napa farms and artisanal producers, and is paired with ongoing private chef + certified nutrition coaching.
Is Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering a public or private company?
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering founded?
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering based?
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering is headquartered in Glen Ellen, United States, in the North America region.
How does Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Private Chef Culinary Experiences are the primary driver. The others are larger Catered Events, songbird Parlour Restaurant & Venue and private Chef & Nutrition Coaching.
Who are Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Zerocater, Hungry, The French Laundry and Roaming Hunger. Direct peers are Cozymeal, Take a Chef and Songbird Parlour. Single Thread Farms is listed as a regional player.
Does Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering have an API?
No public API is recorded for Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering.
What industry is Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering in?
Goodness Gracious Private Chef and Catering's product category is Private Chef & Catering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HSACAGAE, Private Chef & In-Home Dining Services, with a secondary code of THAJALAH, Private Culinary Experiences (Chef’s Table, Home Dining, Market-to-Meal). Its NAICS code is 722320 and its SIC code is 5812.