“One cannot think well, love well, sleep well, if one has not dined well.”

- Virginia Woolf

Crave Culinary Arts:
Private Chef & Event Planning Boutique

Crave Culinary Arts provides an array of culinary and event planning services with our private chef service as the foundation of our passion. Our boutique private chef service provides on-site cooking for events ranging from intimate hors d’oeuvres, wine tastings and small dinner parties to thematic social events, noteworthy celebrations, weddings and more.

We utilize seasonal and local, fresh whole foods to prepare and serve simple or multi-course meals following traditional French culinary techniques. Our event menus are tailored to suit your needs and can range from savory family heirlooms to haute cuisine in the rustic or refined setting of your choice. We take pride in our cooking and maintain nutritive standards by adhering to artisanal cooking methods free of preservatives, flavor enhancers or other detractors.

The Force



Monique Wendt

Chef de Cuisine

Crave Culinary Arts was founded by Chef de Cuisine Monique Wendt, a native of a ranching valley in Southeastern Oregon where the family garden was plentiful, each day provided fresh milk and eggs, and the cellars and larder were filled with game meats from the hills nearby. Monique began cooking as a small child with her mother and grandmother, women who impressed upon her the beauty of cooking with fresh, seasonal foods. Her early start in the kitchen inspired Monique as she learned about food and wine through travel and hands-on and educational experiences in Europe and Latin America.

In 2008, Monique departed the greater Puget Sound and a career in the financial world of money management to embark on a new direction for life and explore her creativity through food. She spent the next year on Mexico’s Pacific Coast developing a course of action for her new endeavor. Upon returning to the United States she began her culinary career in the Pacific Northwest honing her cooking intuition at luxury resort communities, here and here. In 2012 Crave Culinary Arts was born with a culinary following of the prominent families of Costco, Amazon, Microsoft, Phillips Petroleum and Weyerhaueser and many other notable companies.

As Chef de Cuisine for Crave, Monique creates thoughtful and unique food experiences with an approach to classical cuisine that is adapted to the local flora and fauna. She and her team at Crave Culinary Arts believe that sharing an exquisite meal with friends and family elevates any of life’s many celebrations. We invite you on a one-of-a-kind culinary tasting journey.

“Good food is the basis of true happiness.”

- Auguste Escoffier

Our Services

  • Private Chef Services and Special Event Catering: At Crave, your dream is our mission. Rather than pre-set event design or menu plans our event and dining experiences are 100% bespoke to your wishes. An Amalfi repast? A glimpse of Southeast Asia? A seafood fete? Absolutely! Special requests; Gluten Free, Vegan, Dairy Free, Vegetarian? No problem! Our on-site cooking and event services are for one to one hundred guests for any occasion.
    • See Our Menus
  • Crave Private Events: You deserve to celebrate life in style — and planning these celebrations shouldn’t overshadow the event itself, which is where Crave Event Planning comes in. We’ll take care of all the hard work for you, so you can sit back and fully enjoy life’s most special occasions. Our areas of expertise include customized private events, theme parties, galas, non-profit charity events, intimate weddings, family reunions and corporate events.
    More Information
  • Gastronomique Excursion: Embark on a twelve course gastronomic culinary excursion with a menu featuring your selection of culinary creations from around the world.
    The Physiology of Taste
  • Menu Planning and Food & Wine Pairing: Group or one on one consultation to teach basic or elaborate menu planning for everything from weeknight meals to group parties. Other areas include creating menus for best food and wine pairings as well as menu planning consultation for special dietary needs.

  • Private Cooking Classes: One on one private cooking classes in your home or retreat focusing on the cuisine and menus of your choice. Classes can be one time or a series of classes.

  • Culinary Communion Meals: Group cooking parties where guests participate in hands on cooking under the guidance of Chef Monique. Once the meal is completed, the guests and Chef dine together and discuss everything food and drink! The evening’s motto is “Cook it, eat it, drink it!”

Contact

Reach out here if you’re craving us!








Let’s Get Social

(206) 353-3772

chefmonique@craveculinaryart.com

© 2025 Crave Culinary Arts
A Private Chef and Event Planning Boutique serving South Carolina and beyond.
All Rights Reserved.