/ Business of the Month / Private Chef Luke
Business of the Month: August 2023
Private Chef Luke
Private Chef Luke
Email: [email protected]
or via Facebook
It was such a pleasure spending time recently with Luke Olejniczak, Owner, Private Chef Luke, to learn about how he founded his business creating exceptional “food memories” for his clients in their homes.
Tell us how you started Private Chef Luke.
The idea of creating food memories is a driving force in my life and a true obsession. I began by preparing meals at a local hunt club for weary hunters coming in from the cold at the end of the day, and it quickly grew into my private chef service. I started this service because I truly enjoy being part of my guest’s special meal and the “background music” to their special occasion. I began offering my chef service kind of quietly in the area and that’s when I realized there was a real desire for this kind of pampering.
Why was starting your own business important to you?
I don’t want to have any regrets in life, I had an unsatisfiable hunger for this. Most importantly, to be able to come into someone’s home as a stranger, create food memories, make people happy, and then leave as a friend is unbelievable. I feel that one of these days someone is going to tell me I need to get a real job!
What are your chef specialties?
I love steakhouse inspired plating’s whether it is a prime rib, a premium filet, or even a beautiful piece of salmon. Chicago style steakhouse dishes are the epitome of what I believe in. It's all about the Simplicity and Execution of premium ingredients. Let the ingredients speak for themselves and present them on a canvas (plate) in a way that is clean and crisp.
I also enjoy preparing wild game. Aside from being an outdoorsman, I feel wild game is a protein at its purest state and a way to express the Northwoods through food.
As an undertone and to just be diverse, I have also studied southern style BBQ with some pits in the southern states to assure I stay true to the BBQ roots.
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?
Freedom, every day is an opportunity to hone your skillset. I get to create my work day, I control everything, whether it is the temperature of a burner to what my day looks like. I am at the controls and I love that.
Tell us why you wanted to establish your business in Vilas County.
This is where I was born and raised, the people in Vilas County are some of the most down to earth, authentic people you will find. To be able to know almost every time your clients are going to be pleasurable to deal with has a lot of value to me. Furthermore, when I’m not working, I love my time in the fishing boat and tree stand and there is plenty of opportunities around here for that.
Tell us how your business has grown.
This endeavor has really started modestly to bring a few of my favorite pans and knives to the hunt club in the back of my truck, to now having a state-of-the-art mobile kitchen at my fingertips. I designed my mobile kitchen with a team in southern Georgia and decided to team up with them because they were the most reputable, and I knew it was well worth driving that far to make sure my customers are served in the best way possible. Early on I had to really search for customers and now have a regular rotation of clients.
I have a wonderful group of servers and a kitchen helper to execute these memorable dinners. I like where I am at size-wise now because as you get bigger you will get more into the catering side of things and for me that’s not where my passion lies. I truly love groups from 2-20, however, I will take a larger group from time to time. I truly believe in food memories and by keeping groups smaller and more intimate I can continue to provide these. You can’t do that as much with large groups. I will continue to serve small intimate dinner parties, etc. I personally want to be the one preparing your special meal.
Is there anything else that you would like to add?
My new state-of-the art mobile kitchen is just a tool that I can bring to a site if needed, however, I prefer to prepare meals in client homes, thoroughly enjoying conversing and being part of their special dinner. After all, having myself and staff in the kitchen is all a part of the memorable food experience I create.
Congratulations Chef Luke!!
