Catering dream

ChefauChef was the dream of Aaron Young for a long time. He started showing a love for cooking at 3 years old, says his mother, Cynthia Young.

Cynthia, who now works for her son’s company, says he pestered her so much as a child that she finally gave him some kitchen tools to play with. She gave him a mixing bowl, a whisk and put him in a tub of water, telling him to “have at it.”

Aaron started cooking at age 3 by making pancakes. His love of cooking continued, and now he is owner of the successful ChefauChef, (pronounced chef-aww-chef). The company averages 60 to 75 wedding catering jobs a year, Cynthia says.

Starting the catering company in 2012, she says, “was his dream.” The company slogan is: “ChefauChef – one word, many possibilities.

Aaron didn’t start with weddings. In the beginning Aaron focused on catering private dinners. He was the personal chef to professional baseball player Joba Chamberlain.

ChefauChef estimates 80 percent of its wedding dinners are buffet with the rest plated dinners. Popular dishes include herb crusted chicken breast and spinach artichoke chicken. Buffets usually include two proteins, two vegetables, two starches and rolls and butter.

Prices generally start at about $8 a person and go up, Cynthia says. Pricing depends not only on the food selected but the number of people to be served. The higher the numbers, the lower the pricing.

The company bills itself as “the best priced caterer in Lincoln” for the quality of food served. According to the company website, ChefauChef does not offer tastings. Menu ingredients are not kept in stock, so inventory is kept low. This has allowed the company to keep its prices low.

ChefauChef can be found at www.chefauchef.com.

This profile is part of a series by Lori Black Photography looking at Lincoln wedding caterers.

See the profile on Doorstep Diner.