New York food enthusiasts are lucky in that they have hundreds of incredible restaurants to choose from on a nightly basis.  The nation’s top chefs and hottest restaurants are right at their fingertips.  Nevertheless, many seek something a bit more personal or a little more special than just another evening out, ordering off the menu.  This is exactly what we’re all about here at Underground Eats, and it was also the goal of another culinary events guru, Lynne Ryan, when she started Chefs To Dine For.

As a chef and culinary insider, Lynne Ryan is well connected in the New York restaurant industry.  She knows where to go, what to order, and usually likes to sample a little bit of everything (or whatever the chef, who is usually a friend, recommends).  Friends of Lynne would say, “Oh how I wish I could eat like you and your husband do!”  And Lynne sympathized since she agrees, the experience is so much fun when it becomes more personal by meeting the chef and trying out new dishes.  So she came up with a brilliant idea, build a company that would open the doors for all food-lovers to dine on a more experiential level by meeting the chefs and tasting exclusive menus.

This is the idea behind Ryan’s Chefs To Dine For.  Chefs To Dine For hosts intimate dinner parties at some of the best restaurants in the city where guests enjoy special menus and a chance to meet big-name chefs.  ”These dinners offer a chance for everyone to feel like they are getting special treatment in a relaxed, welcoming environment,” says Ryan.  Events are typically around $150, (which includes food, wine pairings, and gratuity) allowing people to get VIP treatment without breaking the bank.

Chefs To Dine For creates value for the chefs involved as well.  Everyone who attends is truly passionate about food and is excited to be there.  This offers chefs a great, receptive audience for them to showcase their favorite dishes or try out something new.  And as Ryan points out, nearly everyone who attends each dinner comes because they are particularly interested in that restaurant or that chef.  The events offer chef-groupies a chance to finally meet their favorite culinary star, enjoy the food, and take a photo with the chef to put on the fridge.

Chefs To Dine For’s next event offers more than just an awesome culinary experience.  On September 20th, Ryan is combining culinary magic with theater magic for her dinner event with chef Brando de Oliveira at Red Eye Grill.  Following the dinner, diners will enjoy orchestra seating at Chaplin, Broadway’s newest hit musical.  And it doesn’t stop there.  After the curtain closes, everyone is invited to attend the exclusive after-party where guests will bump shoulders with the stars of the show.  Private dinner party?  Meet the chef? Orchestra seating on Broadway? After-party with the actors?  This is an exceptional experience offering backstage access to New York’s restaurant and theater scenes.  Purchase tickets, here.