Close

Lucifer Lighting Proposal May 19 2026

Essential Herbs — Lucifer Lighting Proposal

Essential Herbs — Event Proposal

Post Panel Dinner Gathering

Private dinner · May 19, 2026

Event
Post Panel Dinner Gathering
Date
May 19, 2026
Guests
12–14
Service Style
Coursed dinner
Duration
3 hours
Client Contact
Roselyn Mathews

An intimate coursed dinner designed for conversation.

Three courses, refined plating, sophisticated table service. Chef Russell will execute each dish with architectural precision and visual consideration. The evening is built around table conversation — food that represents the season, courses paced to breathe.

Service is attentive but never intrusive.

May's abundance.

Russell visits the farmers market every week to build menus around what's genuinely at peak. As of May 1, we're seeing multicolor radishes, cucumber abundance, ramps, leeks, early strawberries, asparagus in three colors, vibrant chard, and spring garlic and onion coming into bloom. Broccolini is flowering.

Your May 19 menu will be built from what's thriving in the soil right now — not a template, not what was booked in advance, but what's actually at its peak this week.

Menu Flow

Menu to be finalized based on seasonal farmers market availability and any dietary preferences. Options below are indicative of our approach.

Proposed Menu To be refined with client

Evening flow.

May 19, 2026

7:20 PM — Arrival + table setup final check
7:30–8:00 PM — Cocktail + two starter bites
8:00 PM — Service begins (first course)
8:25 PM — Second course
9:15 PM — Third course + coffee/tea
10:00 PM — Dinner complete

Pacing is flexible based on table conversation and client preference.

Three-person team.

Russell — Executive Chef, kitchen, plate execution
1 Back of House — Prep support, kitchen coordination
1 Front of House — Table service, beverage management, client liaison

Past Meals

Browse past menus and events on Russell's Instagram to get a sense of aesthetic, plating approach, and the caliber of execution.

Chef. Curator. Sourcing obsessive.

Russell Markus founded Essential Herbs to bring chef-led rigor to private events. Every menu is built from his understanding of what's at peak season, who grew it, and how to honor those ingredients. He approaches each event as a full production — menus are never recycled, service is never generic, and the sourcing philosophy is non-negotiable.

Russell maintains direct relationships with farmers across the Northeast. He visits farmers markets weekly, builds seasonal menus around what's abundant, and ensures every dollar spent on ingredients flows back to the people who grow them. This approach takes more time. It costs more. It's also the only way he knows how to work.

Seasonal. Ethical. Direct.

All produce sourced within 250 miles of Brooklyn at peak season. Chef Russell maintains direct relationships with growers, ensuring ingredients are harvested days before the event. This approach delivers three benefits: maximum freshness and flavor, environmental integrity through minimal transportation, and fair compensation that allows farmers to maintain their teams and economies.

Complete execution.

Line Item Detail Amount
Base Services
Dinner service Food, staffing (Chef + 2), service design, plating, rentals
12–14 guests, May 19, 7:20 PM – 10 PM
$3,500
Additional Guests
Additional guests beyond 12–14 Per additional guest
Optional if guest count increases
$250
Event Investment $3,500

This covers all food, executive chef, staffing, service, and rentals (flatware, glassware, plateware, servingware, linens) for 12–14 guests.

Premium Ingredients
Additional charges may apply for premium proteins or specialty ingredients upon approval.

Dietary Restrictions
Please share any allergies or dietary preferences from your guest list. Menus are fully adaptable.
Venue & Logistics
Confirm venue address, kitchen access, table setup requirements, and any AV/music equipment details.

100% payment due upon securing the date to confirm final timing and logistics.

ACH / Bank Transfer
Essential Herbs will provide ACH details upon booking confirmation.

Credit Card
Pay by credit card here (includes 4% processing fee)

Follow for ongoing work.

More food, menus, and event work on Instagram:

Essential Herbs
instagram.com/essentialherbs.nyc

Russell Markus
instagram.com/russellmarkus