Over the past few months, I’ve significantly increased the number of cookbooks I own, the hours I spend at grocery stores and in the kitchen and the quality of food that I serve. And I’ve learned one thing – I can cook most things better, and for sure cheaper, than restaurants.

So instead of going to a restaurant for my birthday, my boyfriend decided to have a private chef cook us dinner in my kitchen. The dishes even took from recipes I had flagged in my favorite cookbooks – in this case, Sababa. Below are the incredible dishes we ate.

First course: Labneh trio (roasted tomatoes; oyster mushrooms; caramelized pineapples and sumac) and watermelon/feta salad

Main course: Rack of lamb with pistachio mint chutney

• Yellow cauliflower with walnuts and dates
• Carrots with pomegranate molasses

Dessert: Cardamom and saffron crème brûlée

If you need a private chef in Houston, check out @eatelier.co on Instagram – not only does she cook fantastic meals, whichever way you’d like, but she’s great to talk to!