Cooking comes naturally to personal chef Darrin West, owner of Darrin’s Pantry. He fondly remembers growing up and seeing his grandmother make all kinds of delicious food, especially her famous biscuits, from scratch. “I would be right there at her knees, just watching and soaking it all up,” shares Darrin. “I was kind of like her sous chef without consent. She’d want me to come over and grate cheese or crack eggs...really be her hands in the kitchen.” Those precious memories, paired with an entire family who took pleasure in cooking, provided a natural foundation for Darrin’s career as a chef.
Cultivating the love of food engrained into his life, as a young adult, Darrin sought to gain experience through working at fine dining restaurants in the CSRA such as Café du Teau, Cadwalladers, and Manuel’s Bread Café. He says, “I had the opportunity to work around some of the best chefs in Augusta. I was very fortunate to have these different styles and settings of cooking and preparing food. I’m thankful for that.”
Add into the mix experience in catering for large groups through his work with St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church and the Columbia County West Rotary Club, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for the ultimate personal chef. Darrin combines his on-site catering experience with fine dining techniques to provide an intimate and exquisite experience for his clients.
“What I like most about being a personal chef is the fact that it is personable,” says Darrin. “There is a tighter knit between myself and the client enjoying the dish. I enjoy bringing the restaurant experience to the home. It’s beautiful to be able to bring that type of service in such an intimate way.”
As a personal chef, Darrin creates menus and settings based on your food preferences, dietary restrictions, size of party, and preferred serving style. Whether it’s a quaint dinner for two, a weeknight meal for a family, or a small gathering, Darrin says, “What I provide is the center of communication, fellowship, and celebrations because everything surrounds food. It’s my pleasure to provide that and do my best to be a convenience to my client and make their event memorable.”
What if you’re not sure where to start? Darrin explains, “If the client doesn’t already have a customized menu in mind, I will give them options of several menus according to the style of service they want.” He also provides everything needed for the occasion, including place settings, flatware, glassware, and so forth.
Darrin’s cooking repertoire contains an eclectic mix of recipes that range from his signature pan-seared fish with roasted red pepper stone-ground grits, to beef short ribs in a burgundy mushroom sauce, to orange teriyaki chicken served with black harvest rice and a vegetable medley. With his training in layering flavors, even those with dietary restrictions will find his food delicious because it’s specially prepared with their palette in mind.
In addition to table service, Darrin offers a weekly meal prep program. “If a client wants food for the week, I’ll come to their home, serve them that one day, and provide enough food that will last throughout the week,” he explains. “I’ll prepare it and package it so that they can conveniently warm it up and have it for each day.”
For those interested in learning how to cook, whether it be basic skills or mastering advanced dishes, Darrin provides on-site demonstrations and instruction. These sessions can be designed for individuals, small groups, or families.
In a season when many are finding unique ways to make their time at home special, Darrin’s Pantry provides restaurant quality experiences in the comfort of your own home.
To inquire about the variety of services offered through Darrin’s Pantry, email Darrin at DarrinsPantry00@gmail.com. Follow Darrin’s Pantry on Facebook and Instagram for cooking tips and for a sneak peek at many of the delicious dishes Darrin prepares.
A special thanks to Flowers on Broad for the beautiful bouquets!
In the photos: Franklin and Kelly Berry, owners of Franny's Farmacy of Augusta.