Andrew and his team put on a 40th birthday for us recently and it was absolutely impeccable.  From the pre-event planning to the clean-up, no detail was left untouched.  We were impressed by all of the flexibility as well as the ability to solve venue/food/beverage challenges.  Highly recommended for any event where quality, style, and execution are required.hat's this item about? What makes it interesting? Write a catchy description to grab your audience's attention...

March 25, 2020

How do I even begin? In case the below is too long for you to read (although I promise to try and make it as useful as possible for anyone throwing an event), here is the gist: Andrew is the most creative, professional, good humored and talented chef + event advisor you will find, and he will ensure you get the event of your dreams - and have fun doing it.

When I started planning my wedding (just 5 months before the actual day), I knew I wanted something truly different: a colorful and wild yet decidedly upscale party that was more an interpretation of a wedding than anything else. The problem? I'd never planned an event before -- not even a dinner party. So I had no idea where to begin. 

And then I found Andrew Spurgin.

I stumbled across him when Googling something along the lines of "upscale event design". I didn't want someone who only did weddings (or even specialized in them), since I found that many wedding vendors had a hard time thinking outside the traditional box.

From our very first email, I found Andrew to be the most enthusiastic, inspired (and inspiring!) professional whose endless ideas, network of truly THE most talented vendors (most of whom he's worked with for decades!!), and good humor turned my anxiety about party planning into one of the best things about the wedding. 

Most telling is the end result, which I can honestly say was executed absolutely flawlessly. My initial vision wasn't just realized, it was elevated in nearly every way thanks to Andrew's guidance, support and suggestions. Also, his incredible menu drew raves from even my snobbiest guests (there were some very picky foodies in attendance), and I had more guests than I can count tell me this was the best food they'd ever had a wedding. This is especially impressive when you consider that due to some limitations at our venue, we had two other (large and reputable) caterers tell me they couldn't do a full menu there. Andrew managed not only to do a full menu, but to produce it gorgeously. 

When I look back on my wedding 50 years from now, I will always think of Andrew and the fact that it wouldn't have been half the event it was if it weren't for him. I don't know how anyone plans any beautiful and impressive event without him - truly!

A million thanks to him for giving me the best day of my life - and our guests a day to remember!

Sept 17, 2019

Andrew assisted my wife and i with a party at our home for my wife's 40th birthday.  Being the first time we hired a private chef we were unsure what to expect.  Let me tell you that Andrew over delivered.  From the first time i talked to him he was extremely professional and super into our party.  He gave us several great ideas for theme and food.  He even draws pictures of each plate so you can envision your dishes at your party.  The food was unreal!!  Miso sea bass was out of this world.  

Andrew doesn't stop there.  He was able to help with all facets of our party.  Gave us the name of an unreal bartender and also helped us find a great furniture company.  

Andrew's staff is second to none.  From the minute they showed up they were so helpful and professional.   They helped us set up all furniture, lighting and made sure our house was in order before our guests arrives.  Once the guest arrived they were top notch!  Our guest didn't stop talking about how great and helpful they were.  

If your looking for someone to help you create an unbelievable food experience and party then Andrew is your guy.  I cant thank him enough for creating a birthday to remember.  Thank you Andrew!!

Aug 29, 2019

Andrew's team catered our wedding in Coronado this weekend. It was truly flawless. They worked in an extremely small kitchen for the number of people attending. I lost count of the number of people that said it was absolutely the best food they have ever had at a wedding. I could not agree more. Despite the challenging circumstances, which included a strong chance of rain for a wedding on the beach, we never felt stressed in anyway. The event simply unfolded as planned. With all the stress involved with planning a wedding, that's really all you want on the big day. Make a plan and execute on the plan. That's precisely what happened. The team was was really fantastic and, as mentioned above, the food was outstanding. THANK YOU SO MUCH!

Oct 15, 2018

Andrew assisted me in creating a world-class event for a myself and a host of esteemed wine-collector friends from around the country. 

This once-in-lifetime dinner was truly special as we were pouring some of the most iconic and rare old vintages from houses such as Château Margaux, Château Pétrus & many more. 

I shared what we were pouring with Andrew and tapped him to pair the plates. What he created stunned me and all the guests--it was a suite of what everyone agreed were perfect pairings! (And this was a group of guests that has eaten at some of the finest restaurants in the world.)

I have had the pleasure of working with Chef Andrew for approximately 20 years and he has never disappointed. I highly recommend Andrew to any discerning client, he and his team of consummate professionals are not to be matched!

Sept 21, 2018

Count me in as one of the 30+ 5 star reviews for this gifted, culinary guru/pundit. 

I was assigned to elevate the Gala for The Fleet Science Center two years ago, and we hired Andrew to handle all the creative aspects of the food and execution of the dinner. Andrew was also tasked work with me on the wine pairings.
That first event in June of 2017 was a smashing success, serving a specialized wine themed dinner for over 200 people. Totally awesome results, which carried over to the event in May of this year. Many returning supporters reveled in his creativity and the solid foundation he brought to the dinner,

It is for sure we will be calling on Andrew again for May of 2019. We won't even take bids from anyone else, thats how confident we feel about him. It also speaks to how much we have enjoyed the process of working with Andrew, and the excitement he brings to The Fleet Science Center Gala events.

I wish I could hire him for my own restaurant . . .

Sept 8, 2018

Andrew Spurgin is the Poet Laureate of catering, his creativity and command of the event experience has the power to transport guests to places few chefs can take them.

June 12, 2018

MOPA had the pleasure of working with Andrew Spurgin to create a custom-designed menu for the Museum's signature fundraising event. The result was a magnificent culinary experience that left donors and directors raving  for weeks after the event.  Andrew's comprehensive knowledge of food, cultural fare, and flair for the creative will leave you with a menu suited for the Gods!

Jan 4, 2018

Andrew and his incredible team have served two of our health care events in the last year. Exceptionally designed menus and executed with perfection. Service was spot on and our guests felt well cared for while inspired by the delicious dinner. We are so very grateful for the talent and personal commitment to excellence in everything Andrew does.

Nov 1, 2017

Andrew served over 630 guests for our charity event the day before Easter.  He cooked along-side 25 of the best chefs in San Diego and took home the grand prize of most creative pairing dish!  Andrew is a consummate professional: artistic, detailed, creative, and a pleasure to do business with.  As the organizer of this event, I personally felt that Andrew brought incredible culinary legitimacy to our event and was a huge draw that helped raise needed funds for our charity.  He is an incredible chef which is only matched by his philanthropic ideals.  Thank you Andrew and I look forward to working with you on future Feeding San Diego events!

May 24, 2017

Andrew is, hands-down and unequivocally, the BEST at what he does.

I've had the pleasure of both working for him, and having him work for me.  As his cohort, I've helped him turn museums into Royal Halls, backyards into bazaars, and a non-descript commercial building into the offices of Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.  His inimitable talent isn't limited to conjuring up unique and exciting themes, however.  His culinary talents are as varied as they are impressive, and he always manages to exceed everyone's expectations.  The rest of his team are equally as dedicated to making sure that every aspect of every event is memorable and unparalleled.

For this particular instance and subsequent review, I called upon Andrew & co. to help me plan an evening that was very important to me.  I had recently finished filming season 12 of Food Network Star, and on the night of the premiere, I wanted my friends and family, and especially the people I had worked so closely beside for a large chunk of my culinary career to be able to celebrate with me.  During the planning process, I offered up a few ideas that Andrew welcomed with open arms, and he hit the ground running.  We were in constant communication, and I always felt "in the loop" when it came to knowing how the plans were progressing.

I knew that Andrew and his team could never plan an event that didn't knock everyone's socks off, but what they did for me absolutely blew me away.

Andrew, along with other outfits that he often collaborates with, turned a small grassy knoll into a bohemian spin on an Old-Hollywood afterparty, complete with twinkling lights and a HUGE projection screen, and luxe vintage furniture sprawled over ornate rugs.  It was charming and fashionable and comfortable, with even the smallest detail accounted for.  While an extensive menu didn't fit with the "Premiere Party" vibe, Andrew and his assistant Mindy stocked a sort of Artisanal Concession stands, complete with freshly-baked soft pretzels, popcorn, and even theater-style boxes of candy.  They even took care of the bar!  My guests were more than impressed with the efforts Andrew & co., and I could never have enough good things to say about how absolutely ESSENTIAL he was to that night's success.

If you're looking for a stress-free, exquisite, unforgettable event, I absolutely 100% recommend Andrew Spurgin!

Oct. 6, 2016

A sit down multiple course dinner for 14  people was presided over by Andrew and his amazing staff. The food was exceptional, the staff attentive but not overbearing and the evening was enhanced by their professionalism and obvious passion for what they do. Every aspect of the dinner was thoughtfully planned and executed. With absolutely no stress to us! We will definitely use Andrew and this terrific crew again! 
Cheers...

Sept. 20, 2016

If you want a chef, hire a chef. If you want a full-on, culinary experience, hire Andrew Spurgin.  Holy cow, he and his team are amazing!  We gave him two words for our wedding: "Roman Holiday."  From that, we ended up with a burrata bar, a mercato where they were grilling tuna and chicken, Sicilian appetizers served on the front lawn, gluten free options galore for our pickiest guests.  The list goes on.  But Andrew didn't stop at designing (and cooking) the menu.  His team looked the part of the party.  Every detail down to the condiments and napkins was perfect.  And when it was all over - poof! - Andrew and his crew had cleaned up and turned our Roman Holiday back into our yard.  I think I found one bottle cap in the aftermath of a 6 hour wedding for 140 people.  Andrew and event planner Janice Dodge are the best. Period.

Sep. 20, 2016

I recently contracted with Andrew for a private dinner party for to be held in my home.  It was a special event for me as I was hosting a group of friends who assisted me during a recent stint in hospital.  

Andrew exceeded my expectations in every way possible.  I had not ever hosted an event like this in my home or "hired" a private chef so I was a bit of a newbie.   Andrew and I met prior to the event and just talked about what I wanted to accomplish and he was great in creating a several course menu that "blew' everyone away with the creativity, presentation and various levels of flavor with each course.  I watched them during the prep, the attention to detail was like nothing I had ever seen before, and I'm in the industry.

Andrew worked with me to tweak the menu a bit and the end result was nothing short of spectacular.  Andrew brought with him a sous chef, Kiki, who was also great and she and Andrew interacted with my guests in a low-key, fun yet professional way which made the evening even more special.  

I would highly recommend Andrew and his team for anyone that wants to take a special event to the next level, .....well, .......maybe not the next level but several levels. 

Sept. 11, 2016

Delicious and Delightful!!  Andrew and his team created a simply magical evening for us at a private dinner party.  From the creative pre-planning, the excellent communication and attention to every detail, to the day-of execution, the experience with Andrew et al. was flawless.  The cuisine was nothing short of divine: On point to the theme of the evening, beautifully presented, and absolutely scrumptious!  We wrapped this amazing event dreaming of what future events will have in store....very exciting indeed!!

Sept. 10, 2016

At Voices for Children, we have worked with Andrew on our largest annual gala, "Starry Starry Night," and there is just one word to describe him:  AMAZING.  He is truly an artist in the kitchen, and designed menus that belied the usual "fundraising event" fare.  The food was beautiful to look at and delicious to eat.  Andrew works with a great team and we cannot recommend them highly enough.

Aug. 18, 2016

Andrew Spurgin and Co. catered our holiday party and it was AMAZING!  They absolutely ran away with our Moulin Rouge theme and everything from the menu, to the decor, to the bar/cocktails, to the details of the glassware was absolutely perfect.  Special shoutout to Mindy for coordinating everything and making it all go so smoothly (with a smile, no less), despite a complete redesign of the layout taking it all indoors thanks to the rain.  We really could not have been happier.  The food and service were perfection.  Our guests were totally blown away.  Andrew and his team took us on late notice and were such a pleasure to work with.  Their energy, enthusiasm and professionalism are beyond compare.  We can hardly wait for our next party!

April 4, 2016

Definitely one of the most amazing teams that I have had the pleasure to work with.  From menu conception, to event design suggestions, to impeccable onsite service - Andrew and team delivered an amazing experience!  I wish I could take his team around the country with me for all of my events!

Mar. 7, 2016

Wow!  I had the pleasure of working with Andrew on a Baja Chefs event in San Diego. I can't say enough about his organization and professionalism. From the pre-plan to the plan to the implementation everything was perfect. I rarely give 5 stars, but Andrew and his team deserve every one of them.

Nov. 30, 2015

Andrew Spurgin is a class act. His cuisine delights and his execution is flawless and every detail is thought out.  If you need to impress and not stress, Andrew and his team of culinary mercenaries is the way to go.

Nov. 29, 2015

Andrew and his team are try culinary artists as well as event professionals.  They listen and understand what is important to the client and are meticulous in the execution.  I especially appreciate their crazy attention to detail.  Every bite is carefully and artistically crafted to perfection.  I would trust Andrew with any event big or small.

Nov. 23, 2015

From the very first meeting to the post-event follow-up, Andrew and his team turned up their creativity to make our Director's Circle 'Sea-To-Table' dinner at Scripps Oceanography an event that I will compare all of my other events to.

His ideas to bring in not only 5 of the best chefs in San Diego, but also the purveyors, the wine makers, the growers, the fisherman and even the guy that built a smoker from old wine barrels in which Chef Chad White smoked sweet potatoes at the event! Outstanding!!

His connections within the industry, his menu design, his knowledge of sustainabilty, and his desire to educate our guests helped make this a memorable evening for everyone. This is definitely not the end and we look foward to working with him again in the future to help promote sustainabilty and educate our donors. Fantastic job Andrew!! Chapeau! 

There was a wonderful event write-up in the La Jolla Light:

http://www.lajollalight.com/news/2015/nov/12/kitchen-shrink-fish-food/

Nov. 23, 2015

Andrew Spurgin creates beauty and magic. And it's all delicious. Andrew and his team helped my husband and I plan an amazing wedding celebration in June 2015 that guests continue to talk about. It was the wedding party of our dreams. We wanted to create an experience that was new and delightful for our friends and family. We had a very global and worldly crowd, and they were all left in awe of the experience. Andrew has impeccable taste and a very broad range of creativity, and he was so willing to craft an experience that expressed the essence of who we are as a couple. Beyond the amazing food, he knows how to create ambiance and structure style. He is extremely easy to work with, and so very kind. Jesseca Crissey was also exceptional, and I am deeply grateful for all of her ideas and support. This team works tirelessly and they have so much vision. If you're planning an event, I would highly recommend Andrew Spurgin and team! Lucky you!!

Aug. 22, 2015

Andrew Spurgin catered 2 events for my husband and me. From our first meeting I knew we were in the most capable hands! He & his team were amazing;  so enthusiastic, easy to work with & helpful with every detail. Our first event was an afternoon neighborhood open house. Andrew & his team created hors d'oeuvres that were both beautiful & delicious & enjoyed by all! Our second event was a wine tasting & dinner for 26. Again he & his team created an amazing menu from the passed hors d'oeuvres to the 5 course dinner. Every course was artfully presented & delicious! Our guests were completely wowed by the evening & are still talking about the amazing food. Having Andrew & his team cater our events was an awesome experience! Not to mention stress free from beginning to end for me!! I look forward to working with Andrew again and again.

Jul. 22, 2015

Andrew is a true artist.  From the bespoke menu design along with his team's impeccable execution, our two back to back events at the San Diego Museum of Art were amazing.  We have never received so many compliments from an event!!  Both Jesseca and Andrew were so accommodating and easy to work with. I would highly recommend using Andrew Spurgin for your event needs.  Andrew even takes the time to illustrate the menu for the chef's plating the meals- WOW!!

May 17, 2015

A truly masterful performance and flawless dining experience. Andrew Spurgin & Company wowed 35 guests with a dinner service like I've never experienced before. Andrew was a joy to work with. His can-do attitude, vision, and expertise allowed us relax and enjoy every minute of our event!

Come back soon, Andrew!

May 7, 2015

Andrew and his team were great to work with. The food amazing, and his suggestion of the biodegradable ware for serving the food was a hit!  Andrew and Jesseca were very efficient when we were planning, and I highly recommend working with them.

Dec. 10, 2014

Andrew and his team provided fabulous food and service at our corporate event for 200 people.  I wish we could find more people that provide such great service.

Dec. 9, 2014

A call to Chef Andrew Spurgin was the first and only call we made when my partner and I began planning our wedding. Andrew was absolutely amazing!! His vision and ideas were spot on and his execution was brilliant. He is wise, imaginative and very playful and an absolute joy to work with. He communicated frequently, was always very professional and his rates were well below what I thought. 
We had Japanese food with Indian infused drinks and our guests just raved about our theme and food. Everything was superb!! My new wife and I were talking about our beautiful wedding and we had zero complaints about anything, all of this was because of the talent of Andrew Spurgin. Do yourself a favor and blow your event away, use Andrew.

Meredith K

Oct. 17, 2014

Ag execution of each dish was flawless! His enthusiasm for a great food and fabulous parties makes him a true asset on our team! I highly recommend Andrew!
Cheers!

Aug. 22, 2014

Andrew and his staff just put on a fabulous wedding shower for us at the Rancho Santa Fe Riding Club. From the very beginning, he and Jesseca were a pleasure to work with, offered creative solutions and executed the event flawlessly. Every vendor we contracted with was incredibly professional, knowledgeable and fun to work with. Hors d' oeuvres, dinner and dessert were absolutely delicious! Really, we could not have been happier with our experience! Would give them 6 stars if I could!

Aug. 5, 2014

Andrew and I have worked together for more years than either of us probably care to count, and he's helped me throw memorable parties for dozens of my clients over those years. So when it came time to hire someone to help me plan my own wedding, he was the first call I made. He listened to what we wanted, asked a few questions to get our likes/dislikes, and made several recommendations on other event planners to help us pull the entire wedding details together - all of which were flawless.

The highlight was Andrew's menu, which was inspired from interesting global flavors that made the cuisine really different than regular wedding fare. He set up food stations, and drew our guests into cool conversations about unique spices, interesting ingredients and delicious tastes. Everyone raved about the food and Andrew's creations. 

He was a delight to work with, and always has been. And the best part for me was not worrying about the food that night, or any night leading up to our event. He made it all look flawless, and certainly delivered a stress-free experience for me!

I look forward to working with Andrew again and again.

Jun. 12, 2014

Our organization reached out to Chef Spurgin to host our benefit Luncheon and we could not have asked for a better gent to play the part. Chef Spurgin was an incredible guy to work with for the event. His experience in event production truly made a difference when collaborating on the event. He understood exactly what was needed of an emcee for the event and delivered 200%. He is professional, kind and an incredible person to be around. He and his staff are experienced and are familiar with the philanthropic climate in San Diego; making working with them a true delight. I would recommend Chef Spurgin to any organization who is looking for an experienced event stylist to bring your function to the next level and provide first-class service. Cheers, to Chef Spurgin!

Apr. 28, 2014

Neighborhood House Association (NHA) commends Andrew Spurgin for his efforts to go above and beyond to support underserved communities. Andrew is a very talented individual, chef and event coordinator that was instrumental in helping the agency organize its first ever celebrity chef table event. Andrew shares a passion to support those in need and to support the importance of healthy nutrition in our communities. NHA supports Chef Andrew and highly recommends him to anyone looking for an amazing chef and culinary artist.

Apr. 18, 2014

Extraordinary Event Visionary. Creative guru par excellence. Unparalleled professionalism. From Mad Men legal office launch party with every detail accounted for to the exquisitely nuanced culinary time travel for the New Children's Museum of San Diego's two galas - Feasting in Versailles and Feasting in Wonderland, to serving as culinary chair for events that encompass an array of international chefs - one need look no further than Andrew Spurgin! Whether producing an intimate soiree or a full blown red-carpet gala Andrew's expertise, passion, and genius are sure to guarantee splendid success! Hand down my number one recommendation!

Mar. 30, 2014

I had the pleasure of working with Chef Andrew on the 2013 From Farm to Bay Food & Wine Classic at The Living Coast Discovery Center.  Andrew served as our Culinary Chair for the event.  Chef and his team really went above and beyond our expectations, and were instrumental in helping us produce our most successful event to date!  Not only is Andrew a stellar chef, he is an expert party planner, an enthusiastic community supporter, and a culinary genius!  And one of the most impressive things about Andrew is his dedication to any job or project he is working on.  He is organized, quick to respond, and a Man of his Word!!!  A combination very rare in the "chef" scene.  I highly recommend Andrew and his firm for any of your culinary / event / consulting needs!

Mar. 5, 2014

Chef Andrew Spurgin is amazing. He was the Culinary Chair for a fundraising event for the non-profit organization I work for. Being such a busy man I was inspired by Andrew's willingness to help and give of his time for a worthy cause. He went above and beyond the event committees expectations and played a key role in making the event a success. His creative event ideas, delicious food and easy going personality made him the ideal chef to work with.

Feb. 21, 2014

Andrew is a chef's chef, professional, educated and curious about all things food. His enthusiasm, conviviality and gracious hospitality permeate all his events and relationships in our San Diego good food community. Andrew's events seem to always have a bit of magic to them; the perfect balance of drama, art and really great food.
Andrew is a thoughtful, entertaining and excellently prepared speaker on sustainability. I especially appreciate his care and attention he gives to up coming chefs, sharing his knowledge, passion, sustainable business practices and always mindful that pleasure and good food are at the center of gathering around any table.

Feb. 20, 2014

I have had the pleasure to work with Andrew Spurgin over the course of 18 years where he planned and executed our parties and company events all over the US and in Europe. His work has been and is amazing, his love for detail, his talent to find the best places and most wonderful local people to work with has always deeply impressed me. The venues chosen, the decoration, the fantastic food, the music, absolutely everything was always out of this world. Recently he catered a private dinner for us at our house and the food was the best I had for  avery long time. I can only highly recommend Andrew and his team.

Feb. 6, 2014

Andrew continues to blow my mind, every event he touches seems to be better than the last.  There are no words to describe how amazing his work is.  A pleasure to work with.  The event at the New Children's Museum in San Diego was OUT OF SIGHT!

Dec. 17, 2013

Chef Andrew Spurgin is nothing short of amazing. He catered a private dinner party at my house and from someone who dines out a lot I have to say it is still the best meal I have ever had.  Not only did he cook up an amazing five course meal but also worked the layout of the event from decor to party ideas.  He is amazing and I highly recommend him to anyone who wants something out of the box.  

Cheers to Chef Spurgin!

Dec. 12, 2013

Andrew is a seasoned professional who always succeeds in creating fabulous customized experiences for his clients.  He has produced several events for us and we have enjoyed them all immensely.  In addition they received rave reviews from those who attended. His food is divine and quite frankly he must be one of the best chefs in San Diego.

Dec. 10, 2013