The Vision

Traditional Shabbat. Generous portions. Family gathered together.

The night before the wedding, a moment to slow down and honor tradition with immediate family. This is intimate, unhurried food — big platters to share, simple but exquisite execution, built around the rhythm of Shabbat itself. Wine blessed, bread broken, conversation long. After family departs, close friends drop by for wine, beer, good music, and the kind of natural gathering that happens when the house is already warm and full.

Proposed Menu

Menu Flow

Event Timeline

Two Distinct Moments

Accommodations

Investment

Alcohol (wine + beer) for both parts is not included in the base pricing — to be finalized during kickoff conversation.

Next Steps

About Russell Markus

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.

Sourcing Philosophy

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.

Payment Methods