Kate S.
August 2025 • Bachelorette Party
Chef Nathan catered a private dinner for a bachelorette party of 8 gals in San Diego and he was incredible! Communication was easy, his menu options were all so tempting we had a hard time choosing and he was prompt and timely the day of the event. We started with the most amazing grazing board I've truly ever seen and then his entree and sides spread was over the top in the absolute best way. But the star of the show was the ice cream sundae bar for dessert featuring homemade chocolate sauce, fresh fruit, dozens of toppings and a few fun surprises that knocked our socks off (I won't ruin for any future clients). I cannot recommend Chef Nathan and Plates by Payne enough. He is a must book - I promise you won't be sorry!
Alexa
July 2025 • Other Party
Plates by Payne catered my bridal shower, and wow — they absolutely crushed it. The food was incredible (seriously, people are still raving about it, especially the romesco sauce) and everything looked as good as it tasted. The team was super friendly, professional, and made the whole experience so easy. Nathan put together a delicious menu of food that complied with my dietary restrictions and during the event Rachel was always there with a friendly smile, refilling mimosas before we even had a chance to realize we needed a refill. They handled everything with such care and made my guests and I feel totally taken care of from start to finish. And they nailed the lavender shortbread cookie I made a special request for. Nathan even made a few in the shape of the first letter of my name as take away gifts for my guests. And the best part? We actually got to relax and enjoy the party without worrying about a thing. They even cleaned up the kitchen before they left. If you’re hosting any kind of event and want to impress your guests without the stress, Plates by Payne is the way to go!
Dana E.
July 2025 • Bachelorette Party
Chef Nathan was an excellent choice for our private dinner at a short-term rental in La Jolla! Nathan and his team pulled off a great, multi-course plated dinner for our bachelorette group of seven. The theme was "off the market" and the menu matched that perfectly. Amazing produce, beautiful presentation. Nathan was so helpful during the menu development, suggesting surf and turf for our entree, which was an epic surprise for the bride. We really appreciated the lengths they went to source the fish. We were a persnickety group with many preferences and restrictions, and the team made a delicious low-gluten, dairy-free, soy-free meal that accommodated pescatarians and omnivores alike. On top of all of that, Nathan prepared two mocktail bases (fruit purees and herbal simple syrups) for us to mix ourselves the following morning for an 'elixir bar.' YUM. We initially said that we'd do the tablescape, but the Plates by Payne team swooped in and did it all for us. The dinner service was attentive and seamless so I could simply spend the evening celebrating with friends. Our airbnb kitchen was tiiiny, but this dinner was a HUGE win.
Julia
June 2025 • Other Party
What fabulously delicious dinner and brunch. Thanks for answering our questions and being a delightful human being.
Helen
June 2025 • Birthday Party
Thank you Nathan for an amazing dinner for our friend's birthday. We thoroughly enjoyed each and every course you prepared for dinner. Brunch the next day was fabulous as well! We are still enjoying our left-overs. I am happy to recommend you and Kaitlin to anyone in the San Diego area.
Katie M.
June 2025 • Birthday Party
Do not hesitate to hire Nathan and his team for your next event. We hired Nathan for a birthday dinner. His follow through and attention throughout the process was excellent. He delivered a lavish celebratory meal for 11 guests. The food and service were perfect. Nathan and our server Rachel created a magical night for our guests. I look forward to hiring him again, treat yourself, hire Plates by Payne.
Rachael
June 2025 • Group-Trip Party
Nathan provided a fantastic Spanish/Tapas meal for our team of 5 in our Airbnb. From start to finish, his culinary skills and service were top-notch. The flavors were authentic, and the overall experience exceeded our expectations. Highly recommended for a delightful and hassle-free dining experience.
Katie
June 2025 • Birthday Party
Nathan is a talented chef, a good communicator and an excellent service provider. We hired Plates by Payne to cook for a birthday dinner in our home. From first contact to the day after the event, Nathan was attentive, timely and thorough. Nathan worked with us to create a fun and celebratory menu for the party, and he delivered. The food was creative, bright and delicious. The service was impeccable. We hosted an upscale lavish dinner party and did not lift a finger. Nathan and our server Rachel created a really magical night for our guests. I strongly recommend hiring Plates by Payne for your next event.