I create memorable, healthy, beautiful dining experiences—crafted with creativity, skill, and real hospitality.

Don Carr

I bring people together through creative, heartfelt private dining.

I’ve had a lifelong love of food and dining, shaped by early experiences that sparked my curiosity and set the foundation for my creativity in the kitchen. I spent fifteen years in the restaurant industry, attended the Portland Culinary Institute, and had the privilege of serving everyone from celebrities to world leaders—always focused on making the meal part of a bigger, unforgettable moment.

Alongside a successful career in marketing and advertising, I kept honing my chef and hospitality skills by cooking for friends and family. Today I get to fully pursue my passion: creating intimate gatherings that celebrate love, friendship, and connection—so you and your guests can share memories over fine food and drink.

Plan my dinner with you

Cooking is a canvas for my creativity—each dish is unique, prepared with skill, and infused with love.

What you can expect when you dine with me

I cook with creativity and intention

Cooking is a canvas for my creativity. I make each dish feel unique, combining technique with care and love so the food looks beautiful and tastes unforgettable.

I bring real training and lived experience

I learned to cook in my home kitchen when I was young, then sharpened my craft at the Portland Culinary Institute. I’ve continued to hone my skills by cooking for family and friends, bringing both professionalism and warmth to every table.

I put people first—always

My secret in the kitchen is cooking with love and care in all I do, while keeping the people who come to my table as my main priority above all else.

Don’s Menus

I offer curated menus designed for intimate gatherings and celebratory evenings, with seasonal ingredients, thoughtful pairings, and options to match your preferences. I’m happy to coordinate details and tailor the experience around your occasion.

Request a menu and date

Stories and Testimonials

I hired Chef Don from Inspired Dining for my 56th birthday dinner and he along with Chef Bethany were fabulous! They set a magical table setting, made the most amazing cocktails (and kept them coming!), prepared and served delicious food - simply put we felt pampered all night. There were lots of personal touches too, like Chef Don's personal hand-written menus and thank you note and he also suggested Morrow Bay oysters for an app that were to die for (and I'm not even a big oyster fan!). To top it all off, they are also just super nice people and fun to hang out with throughout the evening.

Shanna Brown

Chef Don was amazing !!!

Joyce Gagnon

Chef Don was incredible. He made our event truly special and made it so easy on us to host. Our friends have been talking about it for weeks!

Nick Ferdinandi

Chef Don came with it. From presentation to taste, everything was amazing. Our group enjoyed engaging with chef Don and tasting the incredible meal. What an experience. Thank you chef Don and su chef for making a memorable meal for us.

Elizabeth Rodriguez

We had an incredible experience with Chef Don! The food was absolutely amazing — every dish was beautifully presented and full of flavor. He was so friendly and sociable, making the whole evening feel relaxed and enjoyable. Communication was easy from start to finish, and the service was seamless. We didn’t have to worry about a thing — just enjoyed a fantastic meal and great company. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a top-notch private chef experience!

Cortney Franz

We had a great experience with Chef Don Carr and his team! The food was very tasty, and it was coursed and presented in a way that best suited the needs of our group and our space. The team was professional and knowledgeable, and they went above and beyond to ensure we had a great experience during our trip to the region including connecting us with other great local vendors.

Jerrel Peterson

Chef Don’s team was incredible. We had a wonderful birthday dinner for my husband. Would highly recommend.

Laura Land

Chef Don and his partner Treva were absolutely incredible. From start to finish, they made the experience unforgettable. Not only are they genuinely wonderful people….warm, professional, and fun to be around, but the food they prepared was outstanding. Every dish was beautifully presented, perfectly cooked, and full of flavor. They went above and beyond to make the evening special, and we couldn’t have asked for a better experience. Highly recommend them to anyone looking for an exceptional private chef! ????????‍????????

Kelsi Barsocchini

Chef Don & Chef Treva completely made our the bachelor party weekend. They were professional, engaging, and served some of the best food we've ever had. You absolutely have to choose Chef Don for your event if given the chance - he won't disappoint!

Jared McMullen

Chef Don was amazing to work with and chef Bethany was a delight. The food was outstanding, the service was fun and professional and the clean up was superb.

Courtney Stillwagon