💸 Understanding the $600 Minimum: What It Really Covers

By


① Why Is There a $600 Minimum? 🤔

You may have noticed we (and most hibachi catering companies) require a $600 minimum, typically equivalent to 10 guests. But why this number?

👉 Because behind every Love Hibachi party is a well-trained private chef, hours of preparation, fresh ingredients, logistics, insurance, and service coordination.

Here’s a breakdown:

  • 🧑‍🍳 80% of the cost = chef’s time, travel, setup, cooking, cleanup

  • 🍱 20% = food ingredients
    So yes — you’re not just paying for food, you’re paying for a full show + restaurant-quality service in your backyard!

② What If I Have Fewer Than 10 People? 🧮

No problem — we’re happy to serve small groups!
But the base cost will still need to meet $600 minimum, so the total price stays the same.

📌 Important:
Minimum = base food cost only.
🚫 It doesn’t include:

  • 🚗 Travel fees

  • 🍤 Upgrade protein (like filet mignon or lobster)

  • 💰 Gratuity (optional but appreciated)

③ What Do You Get for $600? 🍱

We always provide 20 protein portions, even if your group is small!
That means:

  • 💼 You can save leftovers for lunch tomorrow

  • 🍱 We can cook extra portions on-site and pack them for you

  • 💡 Use the extras for surprise guests or hungry teens 😋

④ Want to Upgrade Proteins But Stay on Budget? 🐟🥩

Great news — we’re flexible.
Let’s say you want to try filet mignon or lobster but don’t want to go over budget. You can swap regular proteins like this:

  • 1 Filet Mignon = 🥩 1.5 regular proteins

  • 1 Lobster Tail = 🦞 2 regular proteins

📲 Just let us know your request in advance — we’ll help customize the plan.

💬 Final Thoughts

We created the $600 minimum not to limit you — but to ensure your chef is fairly paid, your party is smooth, and your food is amazing.
Whether you’re booking for 8 or 18, we’ll make sure every dollar counts 🧡

🔗 Learn more or get your estimate: www.lovehibachi.com


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

The Ultimate Hibachi Party Setup Guide

By
Image
“Where should we place the chef?” “Do you provide tables and chairs?” “Is my backyard big enough for hibachi?” As a customer support specialist at Love Hibachi, I answer these questions every single day. Setting up your backyard for a private hibachi chef experience isn’t as complicated as it may seem — but getting it right can make a huge difference in comfort, interaction, and atmosphere. In this post, I’ll share 6 essential tips to help you plan the perfect hibachi layout, including exact measurements , table setup ideas , and highly-rated party rental companies in Los Angeles and nearby areas. 🔥 1. Grill Setup: Clear Space is Key Each of our chefs brings a professional hibachi grill to your home. The dimensions are: 68.3" (L) × 27.5" (W) × 41.3" (H) We recommend placing it in an open-air area that’s flat, wind-safe, and at least 3 feet of clearance around the back and sides. The chef will perform and cook right in front of your guests — smoke, fire,...
Read more

🛡️Food Allergies & Dietary Restrictions at Love Hibachi

By
Image
📍 1. Why This Matters At Love Hibachi, we believe that an unforgettable hibachi at home experience should be fun, interactive — and safe for everyone .  Food allergies and dietary restrictions are more common than ever. Whether you're hosting a birthday, backyard event, or a private  hibachi grill & buffet  night, food allergies can create stress — but we’re here to help. That’s why we’ve created this clear guide — so you’ll know what to expect, what we can accommodate, and how to make sure your event is enjoyable for every guest at the table . 🍽️ 2. What Foods Do We Actually Use? Here’s what we typically serve at a mobile hibachi party, perfect for backyard events or those searching for a “ hibachi near me ” experience without leaving home. Proteins: Chicken, NY strip steak, shrimp, salmon, scallop,  tofu，lobster tail (optional), filet mignon (upgrade) Veggies: Onion, zucchini, broccoli, mushrooms, carrots Starch: Fried rice (with soy sauce, plant-based ga...
Read more

💰 How Much Does a Hibachi Catering Party Cost — and Is It Worth It?

By
Image
📍 Why People Always Ask About Price If you've ever Googled “ hibachi at home near me ” or “ how much is a private hibachi party ,” you're not alone. At Love Hibachi, we get asked this all the time — and we totally get it. You're planning a birthday, engagement, or just a fun backyard hangout, and you want to know: ❓ “Is it going to break the bank?” ❓ “What’s actually included in the price?” ❓ “Is it really worth it compared to going out?” We want to be fully transparent with how pricing works — not just what you’re paying, but why it matters. Let’s break it down for you — clearly, simply, and with real insights from hundreds of our parties.  🍱 1. What's Included in Our Base Price? Our base pricing is: $60 per adult $30 per child under 12 （$0 per child under 5） $600 minimum per party And here’s everything you get: 👨‍🍳 Private hibachi chef at your home 🍚 Fried rice, salad, mixed vegetables, sauces 🍤 2 proteins per person (steak, shrimp, c...
Read more

👋 Welcome to Hibachi Fever — Real Stories & Tips from the Heart of Love Hibachi

By
Hi! I'm Echo , a customer specialist at Love Hibachi , and the voice behind this blog.  Over the past few years, I’ve helped hundreds of families, couples, and party hosts bring fire, flavor, and unforgettable memories to their backyards — from California to New York, from birthday bashes to romantic proposals. But behind every flaming onion volcano, there’s a story. Behind every “How much does hibachi cost?” question, there's someone planning something meaningful. That’s why I started this blog. 💡 What You’ll Find Here: Real Stories : Party highlights, funny mishaps, touching moments — all from real Love Hibachi clients I’ve worked with. Practical Tips : What to prepare, how to choose your menu, how to avoid last-minute surprises. Local Guides : From Irvine to Inland Empire, what makes a great hibachi party in each city? Menu Deep-Dives : Filet vs Lobster? Kid-friendly options? Let’s talk food — honestly. My Insider Take : As someone behind the scenes of ...
Read more

🎉 Can Love Hibachi Handle Large Parties? Yes, We Can! 🔥🍱

By
At Love Hibachi, people often ask us: “How many guests can you accommodate?” The short answer? From intimate dinners to corporate feasts — we’ve got you covered. 😉 ✅ Our Party Size Range Minimum: 10 guests (We’ve even served cozy events with just 6 people – as long as the minimum fee is met. 💁‍♀️) Maximum so far: 120 guests! That was an unforgettable corporate party full of laughter, flame shows, and delicious bites. 💼🔥🍤 🎂 Most Popular Occasions We Serve Birthday Parties (🎈10–40 guests) Bachelorette / Bachelor Parties (💃🍾10–20 guests) Family Gatherings (👨‍👩‍👧‍👦6–30 guests) Corporate Events (📊10–120+ guests) 🥢 Two Great Ways to Serve Large Groups (50+ Guests) For larger events (50+ guests), we typically offer two styles of setup depending on your vision and space: 1️⃣ Group Rotation Format We divide guests into smaller groups (20–25 per set) for live hibachi cooking & performance . Each group enjoys the full show while others...
Read more

👨‍🍳 How Many Hibachi Chefs Will Be at My Party?

By
At Love Hibachi, one of the most common questions we get from new customers is: “We're expecting around 20–25 guests. Will one chef be enough?” Let’s break it all down: how we decide on chef count, why it matters, and what your options are. 💡 🔢 1. What's Our Chef Policy? Here’s the simple rule: 1 chef for parties with up to 25 guests 2 chefs for 26+ guests Yup — even for 24 or 25 people, one chef is enough (and trust us, they’ve done this hundreds of times 💪). 👨‍🍳 2. Are You Sure One Chef Can Handle 25 People? Yes — and not just any chef. All of our hibachi chefs are well-trained , show-savvy, and used to working solo. 25 guests? That's just another night at work. We carefully train our chefs to handle: 🍱 Cooking large volumes quickly 🎤 Managing crowd engagement 🔥 Performing signature teppanyaki tricks 💡 Keeping food hot, fresh, and fun You’re not just hiring a cook — you’re getting a full hibachi experience, all from one fire-...
Read more

🎂 Why Do So Many People Choose Hibachi for Their Adult Birthday Parties?

By
Let’s be honest: as adults, birthday parties can feel... predictable. Dinner at a restaurant? Been there. Drinks at a bar? Done that. But there’s one experience that’s been quietly taking over backyards, rooftops, and driveways across the country — a private Hibachi party . Here’s why so many people are choosing Hibachi as their go-to way to celebrate a grown-up birthday — and why it might be perfect for yours too: 1. 🥳 It’s Fun, Not Formal Forget awkward small talk and assigned seating — Hibachi parties are all about laughter, energy, and interaction . Our chefs don’t just cook; they entertain. From onion volcanoes to sake sprays, every guest gets a front-row seat to the show. It’s dinner and entertainment in one. 2. 🍽️ Everyone Eats at the Same Time No more waiting for the server to bring dishes out one by one. At a Hibachi party, the chef prepares everything right in front of you — hot, fresh, and all at once. Everyone gets their food at the same time, which means more tim...
Read more

💼 What’s the Travel Fee for? Understanding the Cost Behind the Miles 🚗🍽️

By
At Love Hibachi, our chefs don’t just cook — they travel , set up , and bring the show to you . Whether you're hosting in your backyard, an Airbnb, or a private venue, the party starts when our chef hits the road. But you may wonder — why is there a travel fee? Let’s break it down: 🧭 How It's Calculated ✔️ Free for the first 20 miles 💵 $2 per mile after 20 miles (calculated from the chef’s location to your event address, one way) For example, if your party is 35 miles away from the chef's hub: ➡️ You’ll be charged $30 for 15 extra miles . We always include this info in your estimate — no hidden fees! 🧾 Why Is There a Travel Fee? Because we’re not a fixed-location restaurant — we’re fully mobile. Every event means transporting a full hibachi setup, from propane tanks and grills to fresh ingredients and cooking tools. This travel fee helps cover: Fuel & tolls Chef's travel time Equipment transport Setup & breakdown efforts Most cat...
Read more

🔥 Is Hibachi at Home Safe? Here’s Everything You Need to Know.

By
At Love Hibachi, we bring the thrill of live cooking straight to your backyard, patio, or even your dining room — but not without serious attention to safety. Here’s how we keep every event secure, smooth, and fun from start to finish. ✅ Certified Equipment, Always Inspected We exclusively use Blackstone griddles and AmeriGas propane tanks — both widely recognized for their reliability and built-in safety mechanisms. Propane tanks are regularly inspected and certified Chefs run leak checks before every event All equipment is stored and handled according to strict fire codes In short: everything we use is industry-grade and handled with care. 👨‍🍳 Experienced Chefs with Fire Safety Training Our chefs aren’t just cooks — they’re also trained professionals who’ve undergone comprehensive fire safety certification . Each team member brings: 5–10 years of experience or well trained  in hibachi or teppanyaki Fire extinguisher on hand at every party Trainin...
Read more

🏡 Can I Host a Hibachi Party at an Airbnb?

By
  Absolutely YES — and it’s one of the most fun ways to enjoy your rental! 🔥🥢 We get this question all the time — and the answer is: Yes, you can totally have a private hibachi chef come to your Airbnb! Here’s how it works and what you need to keep in mind 👇 ✅ 1. Space Requirements We bring a full-size flat-top hibachi grill and a chef who’s ready to put on a show. All we need is: A flat outdoor area   Access to the space (e.g. a backyard, driveway, or patio) A safe, open-air environment — we’re working with fire! 🔥 ✅ 2. Permission from Your Host Always double-check with your Airbnb host that outside vendors are allowed. Most hosts are totally fine with it — especially when they hear it’s a private chef experience! 👨‍🍳 (Pro tip: It helps to mention it’s a “private dinner” instead of a “party” 😉) ✅ 3. Insurance? No Problem. Some Airbnbs or rental properties require outside vendors to show proof of liability insurance. 💡 We’ve got that covered...
Read more