the tiny chef NEWS & blog
CHARLOTTE PRIVATE CHEF & CULINARY EDUCATOR
SUSANNE DILLINGHAM
Stories, recipes, and behind-the-scenes moments from a life spent cooking — from in-home private dinners and cooking classes to food, wine, and farm life.
Farm & Food News — Susanne Dillingham may be small in size, but her love of food, wine, and farming is anything but.
The Tiny Chef is dedicated to creating meaningful culinary experiences — from private chef dinners and hands-on cooking classes to wine education for adults — all rooted in seasonality and a deep respect for North Carolina farmers.
Through these stories, recipes, and experiences, Chef Susanne invites you into her world, where beautiful food, thoughtful technique, and connection around the table come together in ways your friends and family will talk about long after the meal ends.
Serving Charlotte, Lake Norman, and surrounding North Carolina communities.
The Night I Almost Quit Cooking
There was a night I almost quit cooking. Not because I stopped loving it — but because I was tired. This is what I remembered before walking away.
From a Drafty Farmhouse to Masters Week: What It’s Really Like Hiring a Private Chef in Augusta
What is it really like to hire a private chef for Masters Week in Augusta? Go behind the scenes of menu planning, long-table dinners, and the energy that transforms a rental home into an unforgettable culinary experience.
How to Host a Private Cooking Class at Home in Charlotte
Thinking about hosting a private cooking class at home in Charlotte or Lake Norman? Here’s what to expect — from menus and kitchen setup to a relaxed, stress-free experience your guests will love.
Celebrating Community and Cuisine: The 3rd Annual Tiny Chef Farm Dinner
It's hard to believe, but another incredible Tiny Chef Farm Dinner is in the books! For the third year in a row, we had the immense pleasure of gathering our clients, friends, and the amazing local farmers who make everything we do possible right here in Charlotte, NC. It was a magical night, and my heart is full just thinking about it.
Twenty Years Later: Back to Where It All Began
In 2024, I returned to Florence for my 20-year reunion. I met up with my friend Gerardo, just before he moved to Rome. We shared drinks, swapped stories, and laughed like no time had passed. I also reunited with Chef Marcella Anzaldo, as brilliant and radiant as ever. We had cappuccinos over breakfast and reflected on where it all began. One of our earliest memories together? Learning how to extract an ink sac from a cuttlefish. (Story to come...)