Chef Tara Khattar Redefines the Art of Event Hosting via Multi-Sensory Studio Maison Tara

Lebanese chef Tara Khattar is on a mission to redefine how people see event hosting, especially catering. The Top Chef France and Chopped alumna and award-winning cookbook author, wants to do away with the image of catering as food that hasn’t been prepared fresh and instead sits in a hot box for several hours. Rather, she uses her experience as a veteran of multiple Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and Southern France to create fine dining experiences for catered events.  

Her latest venture, Maison Tara, is a multi-sensory studio that engages all the guests’ senses and elevates every aspect of an event, from the culinary delights to the ambiance and design, taking a holistic and comprehensive approach, becoming a one-stop shop for those looking for a unique experience.  

Starting with a one-on-one call with a client, Maison Tara creates an entire ecosystem that tells their story and conveys the message that they want to portray to guests. The clients range from global brands and organizations to individuals in the luxury space, looking for a bespoke and different experience.  

“We have a tendency to plan our wedding day like it's the biggest event of our lives, why should we leave every other event to become sub-par? We plan every event as if it's the biggest event we will ever do.” The idea sprouted from Tara’s previous experience, joining wedding teams to provide unique food experiences for the guests. However, Tara wanted to take this a step further, reimagining the industry and creating events that live on in the minds of guests long after the event is over.  

While culinary artistry is obviously the centerpiece, Tara also brings her expertise to other aspects of the event, such as attractive floral arrangements and expertly crafted tablescapes. All of these contribute to the immersive experience. By curating every detail with care, Tara and her team ensure that all of their events leave a lasting impression on guests. 

According to Tara, handling almost every aspect of an event in-house has several advantages. First of all, it provides a cohesive theme and experience for guests. She likens an event to storytelling, and having a single master storyteller ensures a continuous narrative. There’s a reason why most novels are written by a single author. Furthermore, clients can have the peace of mind that each and every aspect will be handled by Maison Tara, rather than having to coordinate with several vendors and having to explain their vision time and time again. Over the years, Tara’s extensive expertise and creative vision, meticulous attention to detail, and passion for beauty and design shine through in every aspect of her work. 

"Lebanese and Middle Eastern culture, in general, are big on parties and hospitality. We always go above and beyond for guests,” Tara says. “Maison Tara creates mind-blowing centerpieces that echo the abundance and generosity of the Middle East, marrying elegant food displays with gorgeous flowers, transporting guests to a different dimension. Since I was young, I've always wanted to have a business that makes people happy, so I created Maison Tara. I believe in the transformative power of shared experiences and the ability of food and hospitality to bring people together. Maison Tara seeks to create unforgettable experiences and memories for our clients and guests by redefining hosting as an art form.”  

Prior to founding Maison Tara, Tara became known to the public by competing in reality TV-based cooking competitions. She was the first-ever Middle Eastern contestant on Top Chef France, and she later won Chopped on two separate occasions. She credits her love for cooking to the influence of both her grandmothers, and she dedicated her first cookbook to them. Available in French and Arabic, Liban contains more than 100 recipes from Lebanese cuisine, celebrating Tara’s heritage and bringing back memories of her childhood with her grandmother’s scrumptious creations.  

At the age of 18, Tara moved to France to study at the Institut Paul Bocuse in Lyon, earning a degree in gastronomy and international restaurant management. After gaining further experience at several Michelin-starred restaurants in France, she moved to New York to study for her master’s degree in food studies from NYU.  

After her stints on TV and working as a private chef and restaurant consultant, Tara saw how some event companies and caterers were creating sub-par output, much to the disappointment of clients and guests. She believes there is a way to do better, in turn spurring the industry to do better, as well. 

“Event hosting is an art, but I approached the problem in the same way tech companies do, which is finding out how to do something in a better, smarter, and more efficient manner,” Tara says. “I believe that the restaurant and catering industries haven't changed in decades. It's the same thing over and over and over again, and they put so much stress on the presentation, but not enough on the food. For me, the client comes first, and this is the foundation of Maison Tara’s multi-sensory experience, everything we do stems from our clients. Whether it’s a small party for 10 people or a large event for 500, I treat it the same and strive to deliver a top-notch, memorable event for everyone.” 

In a world where connections have become automated, and people increasingly feel like a simple number, Maison Tara is reversing the clock, creating an ultra-personal experience that is carefully crafted around the client, be it an individual or a brand, just like a haute-couture garment that fits like a glove.