Chef Alan Irwin

Alan was a fantastic chef - catered to my numerous requests without complaint and presented beautiful dishes with incredible mix of textures and taste. Would highly recommend !

Alan is an absolutely fantastic chef and host, he really made my partners 30th Birthday so special. I was so worried that due to all the recent restrictions his milestone birthday would be rather non-existent but Alan really saved the day and made it an occasion to remember. We had a menu for 2 and everything was absolutely delicious, it felt just like eating in a Michelin star restaurant. I would not hesitate to recommend Alan and can't wait to book him again!

I cannot speak highly enough about Alan. His communication throughout the process was great. All the dishes prepared were delicious and presented amazingly. We also really enjoyed his company. He gave myself and my partner a truly wonderful and memorable experience and he was instrumental in my wedding proposal. I have never done anything like this before but I would do it again in a heartbeat! Thank you very much!

Alan was incredible! food was better than expected at a Michelin star level, very helpful with everything and a master at his craft. Will be using him again for sure.

Probably the best private chef cuisine experience I've ever had. Food was exceptionally nice. Really enjoyed everything especially the steak and desserts. Customer service was very good also, Alan was very friendly and respectful. polite and checked up on you regularly.

I had chef Alan Irwin prepare a decadent 8 course tasting menu with a champagne reception and wine pairings per course as advised by his sommelier to celebrate my parent's 30th wedding anniversary. WOW pretty much sums up the entire experience! From start to finish, Chef Alan Irwin was so incredibly helpful and flexible. The customer service was brilliant and Chef Alan and his colleague Collette really took to the brief (a luxury evening) and then took it an extra mile! Chef Alan took his time curating a menu specific to my parent's tastes, accepted many, many revisions from us, arranged a sommelier to pair wines for us, bought the wines at a cheaper price for us, accomodated last minute changes and even pushed our event back 3 hours for us on short notice! The food itself was delicious, exquisitely prepared and our wine glasses were constantly full - it really did feel like we were at a Michelin starred restaurant. Most importantly, my parents loved the entire experience so much (and they're regulars at Michelin star restaurants!) that they're still raving about it to all their friends! Highly highly recommend Chef Alan and the best part is that he left the kitchen cleaner and reorganised our cupboards for us which was actually incredibly helpful!!! Thank you so so much to Alan and Collette, a very memorable evening.

Alan has been an absolute delight to have around! He was attentive, super friendly, engaged us in great conversation (which we enjoyed), paid attention to our needs and, most importantly, cooked the most brilliant 7 course menu. Our expectations have been exceeded significantly. Not only did Alan provide an excellent dinner experience, he also surprised us with an additional desert as a birthday treat for my partner and a celebration of our little boy who was born a week before this private dining experience. Due to the having a newborn baby in the house, I needed to nurse the little one on a regular basis, which Alan patiently accomodated. Still, he kept the food at the highest standard! I recommend Alan's service to anyone who is looking for a first class dining experience, paired with Alan's down-to-earth and super friendly personality! A huge THANK YOU to Alan! We would welcome him back anytime.

This is the first time we have ever done something like this and it was AMAZING! My husband and I both had a fabulous time and have nothing bad to say about the whole experience. From the organising and choosing the menu, to the food, service and the cleaning up, Alan was absolutely amazing and I would highly recommend the whole experience! I think it is the best food I have EVER eaten! I had chosen a 4 course menu for my husband's 30th birthday and Alan provided us with so many extras which made the meal extra special and everything was absolutely delicious! We are still talking about the dishes daily! Thank you Alan!

This is our first time booking a private chef, and lets just say we were blown away by Alan's excellent service! Alan was very patient to confirm all the requirements for the meal and able to accommodate accordingly prior the day. On the day, Alan was really professional and attentive. Food was amazing too! Will definitely recommend Alan if you are looking for an amazing dine in experience.

Alan created us a great Indian inspired afternoon tea! It was a first for him but everything was on point! Amazing flavours really came out of cakes and sandwiches. A great experience and would definitely use Alan again.

This was the first time I booked a private chef and it was for the occasion of my husband’s birthday dinner. Alan quickly sent a sophisticated proposal after I submitted a request through the website. I was highly impressed by the number of excellent, pretty much just 5 out of 5 reviews he received from his previous clients. After exchanging a few messages through the website, I asked if we could speak over the phone to understand how the process works, especially as I have never done anything like this before, and this was no problem for him. Alan responded quickly every time I reached out to him. He also asked questions on my expectations and he took on-board every detail to be able to customise our meal experience to ensure it was the best for the birthday celebration, and included lots of my husband’s favourite foods. The dinner was a huge success, in terms of quality, presentation and deliciousness. We rate Alan’s professionalism to the highest standard and not only that, his company was delightful. Quite simply, thanks to Alan, the whole experience exceeded my expectations and we will definitely book Alan again in the future (if we manage to find a free evening in his already very busy calendar), and can completely understand why he already has many repeat customers. Without hesitation we would recommend Alan to others.

This was the first time I booked a private chef and it was for the occasion of my husband’s birthday dinner. Alan quickly sent a sophisticated proposal after I submitted a request through the website. I was highly impressed by the number of excellent, pretty much just 5 out of 5 reviews he received from his previous clients.After exchanging a few messages through the website, I asked if we could speak over the phone to understand how the process works, especially as I have never done anything like this before, and this was no problem for him. Alan responded quickly every time I reached out to him.He also asked questions on my expectations and he took on-board every detail to be able to customise our meal experience to ensure it was the best for the birthday celebration, and included lots of my husband’s favourite foods.The dinner was a huge success, in terms of quality, presentation and deliciousness. We rate Alan’s professionalism to the highest standard and not only that, his company was delightful. Quite simply, thanks to Alan, the whole experience exceeded my expectations and we will definitely book Alan again in the future (if we manage to find a free evening in his already very busy calendar), and can completely understand why he already has many repeat customers. Without hesitation we would recommend Alan to others.

I am so pleased I booked Alan for my special occasion, he was very prompt at getting back to me throughout the booking and planning process, and helped me create a bespoke tasting menu. From start to finish the meal was excellent! Incredible food, presentation and service. I would definitely recommend Alan and hope to book him again another time!

Alan was amazing. From initial booking and menu selection through to the fantastic food created. He made a really special feast to enjoy and was super clean & tidy as he worked. Kitchen was left spotless. Would definitely recommend.

Alan exceeded our expectations in every way. We requested a chef for an informal birthday lunch at home to celebrate my husband's birthday, and said we'd love to get our kids involved with the cooking. Alan embraced the request fully and the kids loved working with him. He even made extra pasta to show them different techniques and left us with enough dessert for two further days! He was punctual, communicative, fun and friendly. He left the kitchen spotless and we thoroughly enjoyed spending the time with him. The food was superb and we'd love to have Alan cooking for us again. Couldn't fault it, absolutely spot on. Thank you Alan, awesome!

Alan provided such an amazing experience for my husbands 40th. He was both professional and friendly. We really enjoyed chatting to him while he created delicious dishes for us. His experience and enthusiasm for his craft shone through. I would highly recommend booking him for any occasion.

Alan was absolutely fantastic. Aside from the wonderful and delicious meal, he was very personable and we really enjoyed his company. We’ll definitely be working with Alan again!

What a great experience! Alan is not only an amazing chef (we were stunned how delicious and beautiful all dishes were), but also a great person to have around. There is nothing he could have done more and we have thoroughly enjoyed our dinner. The two of us had separate menus due to dietary requirements and not only that, Alan has designed a menu consisting of traditional South African dishes for my partner which made the whole experience unique and overall fantastic. Alan is also very quick to respond and puts you at ease in each step of the way. Thank you!!!

Chef Alan made a delicious, elegant meal for my group of 9. He was very organized, the dish presentation and taste were exceptional. He was also very discreet, making dishes in our open kitchen/dining during our party. His assistant was also wonderful and very attentive.

Alan was fantastic. Chatted with us when we wanted conversation and left to ourselves when we didn't. The food was truly great and Alan showed flexibility in his menu right up until the week before. Truly fantastic evening and a great way to enjoy brilliant food.

Alan was excellent from start to finish. We had a wonderful evening and would definitely recommend Alan!

Alan was amazing. He made our first anniversary very special. We enjoyed every dish he made and his presentation was outstanding. We would definitely have him back again. He is generally such a nice guy and very professional. Thank you Alan for our amazing meal.

Alan was fantastic from the start. We had a call before the evening to discuss the menu and he was more than happy to make amendments throughout. On arrival, he was wonderfully friendly spending time to talk through the dishes and his culinary experiences. This was at our request and he was suitably discreet during the meal itself and I have no doubt would work in line with a client’s preference. The food itself was excellent and the first high end restaurant quality food we have had in 3 months due to lockdown. As an unexpected bonus, Alan left a few spare food items to enjoy the next day such as some crab and scallops ravioli! The kitchen was left spotless. I would have no hesitation in recommending Alan to others and booking again.

It didn't take long to decide on using Alan based on the previous recommendations on here. It's safe to say he didn't disappoint. We had an amazing experience from start to finish and, said without hyperbole, this was one of the best meals either of us has eaten. I didn't think food of that quality could be cooked in my kitchen! If considering booking Alan, stop considering and get booking!

Alan cooked for mine and my wife’s first wedding anniversary and I truly can’t emphasise enough how great the evening was! The food was incredible, and Alan took onboard all of my requests to create and cook a fantastic menu! However it was not just the 5 star worthy food we were treated to, from ensuring our drinks were continuously topped up to leaving the kitchen spotless it really was the perfect night. Alan’s friendly and easy going nature really was the icing on the cake putting my wife and I at ease and making the night extra special. I would 100% recommend Alan!

This was a surprise for my husbands birthday. It was a great experience from when he opened the front door to the end of the meal. The food was amazing and the chef was great. The kitchen was left clean and tidy. Everything put away and you would not have known we had completed a four course meal plus two extra small dishes. I would recommend him highly

We booked Alan for my 40th Birthday and it couldn’t have been anymore perfect. The food was amazing especially the canapés, fish and chips with tartar sauce was a winner. The sea bass was the best I have ever tasted. Alan was happy to engage and chat to us when we wanted which made the evening even more personal. We will definitely use Alan again in the future. Hayley & Paul

Chef Alan prepared the perfect celebration dinner for us. He was super-flexiible, even adding in a Japanese Tuna dish at our request. The overall menu was seasonal and very well prepared & the chocolate delice was simply divine! ALan himself was very friendly and we enjoyed being able to communicate with him, even though socially-distancing. Highly recommended.

Chef Alan was AMAZING!..... He rescued our 21st Birthday dilemma! Communication from the point of placing the Ad with Takeachef was quick with no messing around - confirmation of his availability along with a top menu, which sold it to me. You had me at hand dived scallops, roasted celeriac and golden raisin!!. ; ) We requested a few different options for starters and a meat free alternative for one guest. None of this was any problem at all.....in fact the opposite is true. Chef Alan seemed to take pleasure in offering different options for our menu and the choices were so good it was hard to pick just one. We wanted them all!.. Alan was so easy to be around on the night and he pulled off a fantastic service. He's top class and his food tells you that if you were ever in any doubt!. He is 100% professional - down to earth with it and we all loved having him around . We can't wait to have Chef Alan back and have recommended Alan to everyone we know in the hope of getting an invite to any dinner parties where he's involved!. Don't waste time comparing other menus/chefs from other websites - if Chef Alan is available snap him up. You won't be disappointed!.... A quick note on the kitchen after we left - as with the other reviews - kitchen was spotless - Alan left this cleaner than he found it when he arrived!. Lovely to be able to get on enjoying the rest of your night without dealing with a messy kitchen. Thanks Alan

Alan was word class, as a self confessed foodie I have eaten around the world. Alan cooked classic amazing food, there had been thought, preparation and his execution was seamless. He left the kitchen cleaner than he found it. We will use take a chef again and most certainly would opt for alan! 5 stars!!!

A delightful experience, that made for a memorable event. Chef Alan was a delight, and we very much enjoyed his presence and his professionalism.

Alan was prompt with his responses beforehand as well as perfectly friendly and then surpassed our expectations while in our home. He left the kitchen cleaner than when he arrived, made the most delicious food and didn't mind that our children were running around. We'd definitely use Take A Chef (and Alan!) again - we had such an enjoyable afternoon celebrating my partner's birthday with high end food from the comfort of our own home.

Chef Alan was excellent. Everything was prepared and presented on time. Grateful for the company and food. It was a lovely experience.

Alan was amazing. Firstly his communication to us ahead of the event was fantastic. He replied promptly to all questions and went out of his way to be flexible to our requests. We very much felt that this was a personal experience, that he’d thought about our family and what I’d told him and tailored his menu accordingly. He encouraged my 11 year old to « help » him in the kitchen and she felt very special. He had the perfect balance of being focused whilst still talking to us and our guests. He smiled throughout and his food was beautifully presented and divine! The Knole Park venison was the most tender and tasty meat I’ve ever had... he made a carrot and walnut cake especially on request as I wanted something special for our parents’ 70th birthday. I really can’t praise him enough.

Alan was amazingly punctual, attentive and professional. Also we had some issues with our oven and he was not only super chill about it, but also super resourceful. He was also very understanding of last minute changes and allergies. It was a pleasure to share our evening with him and would recommend him 100%!! Thank you Alan!

Alan was absolutely outstanding. He was of course, professional, however also very kind and caring. The food was exceptional, the service equally fantastic.

Alan Irwin was excellent in every way. The food was visually stunning and incredibly tasty. Alan and his team were professional yet friendly and really helped make it very special. Nothing was too much trouble. The whole experience was completely amazing and we would not hesitate to recommend Alan to anyone.

Alan was fantastic and even managed to sort out the dishes when we realised last minute we had two extra people! Food and service amazing.

Excellent service, delicious food!

Amazing experience with Alan, from start to finish, easy going, relaxed and exactly what we wanted. Alan arrived, he got on with what he had to do no problems just showed him where a few things were, he laid the table prepared everything, the foods was delicious he tided away, all without any fuss. It was a lovely surprise for my partner. Thank you Alan, we would highly recommend you

Alan was amazing and I’d highly recommend him for anybody looking for a special evening of dining. The presentation and taste of the food was incredible - something you’d expect to find in a Michelin star restaurant, but in the comfort of our own home. The occasion was my fiancée’s birthday and he made us a cake of our favourite dessert of sticky toffee pudding! On top of the amazing food, Alan was great company and shared some fun stories of past experiences which made for a really special evening.

Could not recommend more highly. The level of attention was amazing and food absolutely gorgeous.

Alan is an amazing Chef!!! He is kind, thoughtful, experienced and has blessed hands! Together with him came Tom an experienced and super professional waiter/sommelier. We had an amazing Dinner!

Fabulous experience. Great chef and amazing food. The best part for me was how open Alan was to talk and answer any questions. He was so approachable and great to talk to. It just made the whole experience much better. Had a great night.

Alan provided and excellent service, the food was amazing and there was lots of it! Communication was brilliant and he was able to accommodate the different food requests. He left the kitchen better than he found it!! Would def recommend Alan and use again.

From the moment Alan arrived I was instantly put at ease by his professionalism and clear high level of knowledge. The food was served bang on time and was cooked perfectly. He was able to work round a few dietary requirements I had failed to warn him of and was more than happy to help with some last minute extras that were outside of what he had agreed to do. I’m certain the kitchen was cleaner and tidier when he left than when he arrived! Overall I could not be happier with the service received and would very much recommend Alan to anyone.

Chef Alan blew us away. Excellent service, presentation and conversation. The perfect birthday evening for my wife. Thank you

Firstly it was the menu that made us go for Alan and he really delivered. Lovely food, prepared and presented beautifully. All 5 courses were excellent. Alan also made the evening tick perfectly. It was a Valentine’s dinner but we chose to eat in the kitchen/diner so we could see him at work which was great and Alan was a lot of fun to chat to. Definitely recommend Alan.

We had the most amazing birthday meal at home. Alan is an exceptional chef and I am amazed that this quality of service is possible in your own home. We had a wonderful evening with some of the best food we have ever had - with our two small children just upstairs. I can’t recommend this service highly enough.

The overall experience was wonderful. The ingredients and the way the food was cooked was delicious. The service of the food and attentiveness of the waiter was perfect. I would have no hesitation in recommending to family and friends. Well done!