Tucked away on Old Lancaster Pike in Hockessin, Delaware is Chef's Haven, a small gourmet prepared food shop where Chef Mark has been teaching the local populace how to make really great food for the last 20 years!!! In the rear of the shop, past the fine cheeses, freshly baked baguettes, and clam chowder that is to die for, Chef Mark has a small kitchen area and raised settings for 10 lucky people to sit, watch and learn as Chef Mark and his Sous Chef Ethan prepare a themed menu upon which the class participants get to enjoy. And enjoy is truly an understatement!!!! I've taken three of the classes and have booked three more. My first class was Italian steak which began with a hearty white bean, escarole, and sausage soup, followed by a fresh and balanced panzanella salad, which the class dined happily on while Chef Mark prepared the main event. It was a 2+ inch thick steak topped with Gorgonzola cheese and a caramelized onion sauce. The taste, size, and quality of this steak was not to be believed!!! Chef Mark must have some deep connection to the Beef Gods themselves. In short, a magnificent meal where I met some very nice people, learned a lot from Chef Mark who is low key but very personable and full of entertaining stories of his life and career as a chef including tips on buying quality, healthy, ingredients!! My last class was a Greek themed class. It began with a tasty starter of slices of his fantastic, and freshly made baguettes and a dipping sauce of whipped feta, topped with finely diced green onion, garlic, and sundried tomato!! The Chef does not play when he is tempting your taste buds. It was delicious!!! This was followed by a Greek Lemon Chicken Soup which tasted so fresh, clean, and healthy, I designated it as the first new recipe I will try and make myself. The chicken, carrots, and soft rice in a yummy lemon tinged chicken stock was pure heaven!!! And if I hadn't already had a fork stuck in me, I'm done feeling the main course is ready!! 2 inch thick lamb chops sourced from the Greek Gods themselves, over crispy, browned roasted potatoes which were also covered with the pan drippings!!! Just kill me now so I can die a happy man!!! Or maybe just wait till after dessert!!! Once again, a fantastic meal taught simply by a fantastic Chef, and Sous Chef and enjoyed completely by a nice group of people who wanted to learn and expand their culinary horizons. Chef Mark and Sous Chef Ethan without a doubt nourished our minds and even more importantly our bellies!!! Take a class and savor the experience!!!! read more

Lovely evening watching Chef Mark prepare winter soups. Food was delicious and I learned plenty of new things! read more

Chefs' Haven - Sweet Potato and Salmon Soup! - Cheese Shops Near Me - Hockessin, Delaware

Chefs Haven is a nice atmosphere, good food, and fun experience if you do not claim to have a food allergy. We went to a gluten free class and informed the chef we were gluten free and then the debate started. The chef did not believe in gluten allergies and told me this at least 15 times. This debate continued from before the appetizer to when I checked out. It was so uncomfortable. I tried to use humor and stop talking about it to not ruin others dinners, but it continued. He made the steak with soy sauce, which has gluten. Most people would have said I am sorry and we all would have moved on, but he continued to discuss how his soy sauce was high end and wouldn't impact me. My friends and I left annoyed, stressed, and not happy. If you have a gluten allergy and don't want to convince someone all night that it is real for you, skip this experience. read more

What a great experience! My wife took me here for my birthday for their Seafood class. Chef Mark and his assistant Anthony were great. We literally started learning before the class even started - what we learned was that we do everything wrong! Watching Chef Mark was inspiring - he is so talented, funny and interesting. And (the best part of the night) was getting to eat the absolutely INCREDIBLE food that we learned to prepare. A 5-star meal!! We can't wait to go back again with friends. read more

Chefs' Haven - Salmon over jasmine rice with a shrimp sauce. - Cheese Shops Near Me - Hockessin, Delaware

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I never went to a class here so I can't rate that. Cheese shop? Hmmm. They have some cheeses. They have some other nice fancy food gifts and chocolates. But the best thing made here is the bread. I never thought of bread the way I do now. Really the bread deserves 10 stars. And they have some good cheeses to go with it. I give them 4 stars for the "cheese shop" and the variety of products available. It is a small store and the chef needs space for the classes. But from what I hear if you want a really good private meal get a group of 6 or 8 people and some wine and take a class. Some people go there to learn how to cook and some people go just to have great food made for them. Everything is high quality food and not cheap. The bread is a bit expensive, but worth it, and most of the food items are unusual products you don't see at regular grocery stores. read more

This is in regard to the retail side of the business only. I drove about 30 minutes to visit this shop. From the minute I walked in until I left with my purchases the owner was complaining and generally negative and surly. The website is not accurate - sourdough is not available. You have to order it. If you cannot be pleasant to your customers, close the retail side. I may not have a culinary degree but I do know how to treat patrons who are giving you money for your products. read more

I have been to 5 cooking classes at Chefs Haven including 3 cooking essentials classes which teaches you basic skills. Chef Mark is not only an amazing chef but he also is an outstanding instructor. The food he prepares during lessons is better than meals prepared at the best restaurants in the area. He creates an accepting atmosphere in which all aspects of food preparation are discussed and questions are answered usually with a wry sense of humor. The bottom line is this; I have learned how to prepare many delicious dishes that I have integrated into my cooking repertoire with practice and through following his recipes. I have the confidence to host dinner parties and prepare dishes like gazpacho,Caesar salad, chicken breast with mushroom sauce and bananas foster. read more

I cannot emphasize enough how delicious their treats are here. The breakfast treats like muffins, scones, etc are good but a little pricey for me- I paid $4 for a tasty but small scone- but the prepared desserts and soups and such are fantastic and absolutely worth the expense. The triple chocolate hazelnut cake is to die for, and the tiramisu as well, and they're both steals for about $4 compared to what you'd pay in a restaurant. The carrot cake is also fantastic, if it's a favorite of yours. I can't vouch for anything else, but I will be returning! read more

Okay, selection. Went bc they were close to me. They use to sell fresh bread by spicy chef. I have to drive all the way to newark now bc they never keep it in stock. Terrific bread, never had anything close, would be nice to see it back again. Shame. Oh, noticed I can buy it online on his website this morning, I'll give it a try. Karen read more

Best scones ever! Savory on Saturday, sweet on Sunday. And the breads are second to none. The French baguettes taste like the ones we had in Strasbourg France. read more

Chef Mark is awesome, had an excellent class there (sushi making) and will definitely go back.

Where else can you go and receive food, fun, laughter and recipes!! There are amazing dinners with instruction while having fun. Some of the classes on actually hands on classes. Every class I learn a new technique or about preparing an old food a new way or a new food item. It is an intimate group so you converse with others and fun to meet new people. Chef Mark and Anthony keep conversations moving and jovial. It is a wonderful evening and well worth the cost of the class. Finish off the great event with a bottle of wine and you have had a great evening out !!! read more

Excellent cheese selection. The homemade bread is awesome. Call ahead and order, it does sell out quickly. Great appetizers for parties. Very knowledgable about his products. read more