Frequently Asked Questions

Pricing is structured based on the specific culinary menu and guest count. For example, our premium sushi omakase begins at $200 per guest with a 6 guest recommended size ($1,200 total package minimum). Private izakaya experiences begin at $150 per guest with a 6 guest recommended size ($900 total package minimum). Norimaki Sushi Parties start at $120 per person with a 6 guest recommended size ($720 total package minimum).

For our Sushi Omakase we source our seafood directly from Japan; seafood is vacuum packed, stored with dry ice in Styrofoam coolers and air shipped to Montana. This allows your menu to showcase a variety of premium ingredients (Uni, Chutoro, real wasabi). Norimaki Sushi events use locally sourced seafood from Flathead Fish.

Yes, we love hosting intimate dinners! While you are welcome to book an experience for fewer than 6 guests, please note our base package minimums (Such as the $1,200 minimum for Sushi Omakase or $900 minimum for Izakaya) still apply. To ensure you receive full value, we elevate your menu with larger portion sizes and ultra-premium ingredient upgrades.

Yes, due to the unique service style of each menu. Our premium Sushi Omakase is strictly limited to a maximum of 8 guests to preserve the hyper-immediate, personalized pacing of traditional counter-to-plate sushi service. Conversely, our Izakaya small-plate experiences are highly scalable and can comfortably accommodate seated dinner parties of up to 12 guests or larger cocktail-style events with family-style platters. Norimaki Sushi events can also accommodate larger groups with family-style plating and service.

Gratuity is not included in the final price. As owner and head chef I price my private culinary experiences to fully value my time and service upfront.

Transparency is vital to us, and your custom proposal will clearly itemize all costs upfront. The only additional charges outside our standard package rates would be for events located outside our local Flathead Valley driving radius or for customized luxury ingredient additions (such as premium fish flown from Japan or A5 Wagyu requests) that you explicitly choose to add to your menu.

Payment through Square Space credit card processing is subject to a 3% fee, however there is no processing fee for check or cash payments.

Absolutely. That is the beauty of building an entire menu from scratch for your event; Gluten-free ingredients like tamari over soy sauce can be substituted for all courses. Whether members of your party require gluten-free options, have severe shellfish allergies, or follow specific dietary restrictions, your menu can be adjusted. Please notify me of all allergies during our initial consultation so I can ensure a menu that all of your guests can enjoy.

Every dinner is a highly collaborative experience. Once your date is locked in, we will schedule a consultation to discuss your preferences, favorite flavor profiles, and the style of Japanese cuisine you’d like to explore (from an intimate sushi omakase to traditional yakitori or multi-course tasting menus). I will then design a bespoke menu tailored specifically to your group.

Because of Montana liquor laws, Yukiyama Kitchen cannot directly sell or provide alcoholic beverages. However, I am happy to design custom beverage or wine pairing recommendations tailored explicitly to your bespoke menu. Once you choose your selection, I can handle the retail pickup and delivery of the alcohol to your home, ensuring everything is chilled and ready to be poured by you or your guests during your event.

Yes, I have a culinary background cooking a wide variety of global cuisines. However, when I founded Yukiyama Kitchen, I chose to specialize exclusively in Japanese food to bring a unique cuisine to the Flathead Valley.

Currently, Yukiyama Kitchen operates exclusively as an on-site private chef service. Because of local regulations and our dedication to peak freshness, we do not offer drop-off food or off-site catering at this time. However, we are actively in the certification process with Flathead County to expand into full-service catering options in the near future.

To comply with private cheffing regulations and ensure absolute peak quality, all final cooking, plating, and assembly take place entirely on-site in your kitchen. While I handle the structural menu planning and ingredient sourcing, your multi-course meal is prepared from scratch right in front of you.

Once you approve your menu, we stay in close touch leading up to your event. I will handle all the premium ingredient sourcing, selecting high-quality seafood, specialized Japanese components, and local Montana ingredients, as well as the structural prep work. I'll reach out a few days before your dinner to confirm the final headcount, coordinate arrival times, and check for any last-minute details so everything goes flawlessly.

I typically arrive 2 hours prior to your desired dinner start time to unpack, set up, and begin on-site prep. However this depends on your menu selection as some courses require more prep time. The course-by-course service moves at a relaxed, comfortable pace tailored to your group's energy, usually lasting between 2 to 3 hours.

Because everything is executed on-site, you just need to provide a clean kitchen with a working stovetop, oven, and cleared counter space for plating. I will utilize your heavy appliances, but I pack in my own specialized Japanese cutlery, prep tools, and niche culinary equipment.

Yes, I provide curated specialty dinnerware specifically chosen to complement the aesthetic and presentation of certain signature Japanese courses, alongside complimentary chopsticks that are yours to keep as a token of the evening. We will utilize your home’s glassware and standard plates for the rest of the meal.

My goal is to leave your home exactly as I found it. Before departing, I will thoroughly wash all dishes used during the event (or load your dishwasher), wipe down countertops, and clean the cooking surfaces. I will gather and bag all kitchen trash generated from the dinner and place it in your household's designated waste bin, ensuring you won't have to lift a finger once service is complete.

Yes. Yukiyama Kitchen is the registered trade name (DBA) for The Traveling Chef LLC. We are a fully licensed corporate entity and carry comprehensive liability insurance. Additionally, I am ServSafe Manager Certified, which is the highest credential in food safety, health, and sanitation management. This ensures that strict temperature controls and commercial-grade safety standards are maintained from the moment your premium ingredients are sourced until they hit the plate in your home.

To secure your requested date on our calendar and begin the custom menu collaboration process, a 50% non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking. The remaining balance is due in full 7 days prior to your scheduled event date.

Because we source highly fresh, seasonal ingredients and reserve your date exclusively for your party. Consequently, cancellations made within 7 days of the event are non-refundable. If you need to request a date change prior to this 7-day window, we will do our best to accommodate you based on our current seasonal availability.

Our culinary experiences are priced based on the final guest count confirmed 7 days prior to the event (when the final balance is paid). Because ingredients are curated and prepped specifically for that headcount, we cannot offer partial refunds for guest cancellations after that window. However, we will gladly scale up the portion sizes or add extra courses for the remaining guests.