---
title: Murder Mystery Birthday Dinner | Chef Ana
description: Murder Mystery birthday dinner for 30 guests, with a gluten-free and dairy-free menu, filet mignon, braised lamb, chocolate mousse, photos and kitchen video.
canonical: https://personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-murder-mystery-birthday-dinner/
language: en-US
---

[Private Dining Portfolio](/portfolio/private-dining/)

# Murder Mystery Birthday Dinner

A Murder Mystery birthday dinner for 30 guests with a gluten-free and dairy-free menu, coffee-crusted filet mignon, pomegranate-braised lamb shanks and chocolate mousse.

Date

November 7, 2026

Guests

30

Dishes

14

![Shrimp and crostini displayed on a red table with roses and candles.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/shrimp-and-crostini-table.jpg)

The appetizer table with shrimp and crostini.

![Chocolate mousse in individual glass dishes beside red roses and candles.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chocolate-mousse-rose-display.jpg)

Chocolate mousse on the dessert table.

![A charcuterie board beneath a tiered crostini stand beside red roses.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/charcuterie-and-crostini-display.jpg)

Charcuterie and crostini on the appetizer table.

Behind the Scenes

## In the Kitchen

The chefs finish dishes in the kitchen, bring out the roasted squash and arrange the appetizer display.

![Two chefs finish a dish together at a kitchen counter.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chefs-finishing-dishes.jpg)

Finishing the dishes in the kitchen.

![A chef in a white jacket stands behind the appetizer display and red roses.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chef-behind-appetizer-display.jpg)

The chef with the appetizer display.

![A chef carries trays of roasted squash topped with garnish.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chef-carrying-roasted-squash-trays.jpg)

Bringing the roasted squash to the table.

## Menu

Murder Mystery Birthday Dinner

### Appetizers

- Prosciutto Arugula Crostini

  Whipped lemon-chive spread, aged balsamic reduction, micro arugula, gluten-free baguette

- Bacon Roasted Dates

  Maple drizzle, dairy-free goat-cheese alternative, fresh thyme

- Smoked Salmon Bites

  Gluten-free artisan crisps, smoked Atlantic salmon, whipped dairy-free cream cheese, Ossetra caviar, gold leaves

- Grilled Jumbo Cocktail Shrimp

  Zesty cocktail sauce, fresh lemon

- Charcuterie Selection

  Cured meats, dairy-free cheese alternatives, house-marinated olives, artisanal preserves, gluten-free crackers

### Salad

- Fresh Fig & Smoked Pecan Salad

  Crisp greens, dairy-free feta crumbles, balsamic vinaigrette

### Mains

- Coffee-Crusted Beef Filet Mignon

  Prime sliced filet, roasted espresso rub, Sicilian Salmoriglio herb emulsion

- Pomegranate-Braised Lamb Shanks

  Slow-braised lamb, pomegranate reduction, dried stone fruits, fresh garden herbs

### Sides

- Saffron Basmati Pilaf

  Persian saffron, tart barberries, fresh mint coulis

- Truffle Potato Wedges

  Black truffle oil, horseradish dip with dairy-free yogurt, chives

- Roasted Acorn Squash

  Whipped chickpea hummus, pistachio-fennel dukkah

- Charred Broccolini

  Whipped dairy-free ricotta alternative, Marcona almonds, hot honey-chili drizzle

### Dessert

- Rich Chocolate Mousse

  Wild raspberry coulis, Fresh raspberries, pistachio crumbs, gold leaf

- Seasonal Fruit & Berry Board

  Selection of ripe seasonal fruits, berries, fresh mint

Gluten-Free & Dairy-Free Menu

Created by Chef Ana

## The Dinner On Film

Watch the kitchen preparation and the finished Murder Mystery birthday dinner.

Watch the kitchen preparation and the finished Murder Mystery birthday dinner.

## Event Gallery

The red-draped appetizer and dessert displays, filet mignon, braised lamb, seasonal sides and the printed Murder Mystery dinner menu.

![A red-draped display with fruit, small desserts, roses and appetizer platters.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/event-display-with-fruit-board.jpg)

The Murder Mystery dinner display.

![Prosciutto and arugula crostini arranged on three white serving tiers.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/prosciutto-arugula-crostini-stand.jpg)

Prosciutto arugula crostini.

![A charcuterie board beneath a tiered crostini stand beside red roses.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/charcuterie-and-crostini-display.jpg)

Charcuterie and crostini on the appetizer table.

![Small smoked salmon bites on a white platter beside a crostini stand.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/smoked-salmon-bites-display.jpg)

Smoked salmon bites.

![Grilled shrimp arranged on dark shell-shaped plates with lemon wedges.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/grilled-shrimp-on-shell-plates.jpg)

Grilled jumbo cocktail shrimp.

![Sliced beef filet, saffron rice and potato wedges with bowls of sauce.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/filet-pilaf-and-potato-wedges.jpg)

Filet mignon, saffron basmati pilaf and potato wedges.

![Chocolate mousse in individual glass dishes beside red roses and candles.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chocolate-mousse-rose-display.jpg)

Chocolate mousse on the dessert table.

![A serving board filled with grapes, sliced fruit, berries and figs.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/seasonal-fruit-and-berry-board.jpg)

The seasonal fruit and berry board.

![Small bacon-wrapped dates topped with white spread on a round platter.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/bacon-roasted-dates-platter.jpg)

Bacon roasted dates.

![An overhead view of beef filet, rice, lamb shanks and vegetable side dishes.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/dinner-buffet-from-above.jpg)

The main courses and sides.

![Empty white appetizer stands beside a printed menu, red roses and candles.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/appetizer-stands-before-service.jpg)

Setting up the appetizer display.

![Shrimp and crostini displayed on a red table with roses and candles.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/shrimp-and-crostini-table.jpg)

The appetizer table with shrimp and crostini.

![An overhead view of chocolate mousse coupes topped with raspberries.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chocolate-mousse-coupes-from-above.jpg)

Individual chocolate mousse desserts.

![Prosciutto crostini with leafy greens on tiered white serving boards.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/prosciutto-crostini-close-view.jpg)

A closer view of the crostini.

![A platter of pomegranate-topped lamb shanks beside broccolini with almonds.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/lamb-shanks-and-broccolini.jpg)

Pomegranate-braised lamb shanks and broccolini.

![A long red-draped appetizer table with shrimp, crostini, salmon bites and roses.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/mystery-party-appetizer-display.jpg)

The appetizer display ready for the dinner.

![Glass dishes of chocolate mousse topped with fresh raspberries and green crumbs.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chocolate-mousse-with-raspberries.jpg)

Chocolate mousse with raspberries.

![A charcuterie board with rolled cured meats, olives and fruit beside red roses.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/charcuterie-beside-red-roses.jpg)

The charcuterie selection beside the flowers.

![Bacon-wrapped dates with small white toppings beside a vase of red roses.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/bacon-roasted-dates-close-view.jpg)

A closer view of the bacon roasted dates.

![Slices of roasted acorn squash with green garnish on a long white platter.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/roasted-acorn-squash-platter.jpg)

Roasted acorn squash.

![Braised lamb shanks topped with pomegranate seeds and chopped herbs.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/pomegranate-braised-lamb-shanks.jpg)

Pomegranate-braised lamb shanks.

![Prosciutto crostini arranged across three levels of a white serving stand.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/crostini-three-tier-stand.jpg)

The three-tier crostini stand.

![A diagonal view of sliced filet, saffron rice, potatoes and lamb shanks.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/main-course-buffet-angle.jpg)

The main-course buffet.

![Small chocolate desserts on a red table with tall red rose arrangements.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/dessert-table-with-red-roses.jpg)

Desserts, roses and candles.

![Cured meats, cheese-shaped slices, olives and fruit arranged on a rectangular board.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/charcuterie-board-close-view.jpg)

A closer view of the charcuterie selection.

![A close view of prosciutto and leafy arugula on small crostini.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/prosciutto-and-arugula-crostini.jpg)

Prosciutto and arugula crostini.

![An overhead view of chocolate mousse dishes, roses and candles on a red table.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/dessert-table-overhead.jpg)

The dessert table from above.

![A lamb shank platter alongside a white platter of broccolini with almonds.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/lamb-and-broccolini-platters.jpg)

Lamb shanks and broccolini on the buffet.

![Grilled jumbo shrimp with lemon wedges on two dark shell-shaped serving plates.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/grilled-jumbo-shrimp-shell-display.jpg)

Shrimp on shell-shaped serving plates.

![The full appetizer table with red draping, white serving stands and rose arrangements.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/red-draped-appetizer-table.jpg)

The red-draped appetizer table.

![A green salad with sliced figs, pale crumbles and chopped nuts in a black serving dish.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/fresh-fig-and-pecan-salad.jpg)

Fresh fig and smoked pecan salad.

![A framed dinner menu beside chocolate mousse dishes and red rose centerpieces.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/printed-menu-and-dessert-table.jpg)

The printed menu on the dessert table.

![Sliced beef filet arranged beside a bowl of green herb sauce, rice and potatoes.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/sliced-filet-with-herb-sauce.jpg)

Coffee-crusted beef filet mignon with herb sauce.

![Small smoked salmon bites arranged in rows on white individual spoons.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/smoked-salmon-bites-close-view.jpg)

A closer view of the smoked salmon bites.

![A wide view of the red-draped event display beneath red curtains.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/full-mystery-party-table.jpg)

The full Murder Mystery dinner display.

![Rolled cured meats, olives, fruit and pale slices on a board beneath the crostini stand.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/charcuterie-selection-and-fruit.jpg)

Charcuterie and fruit on the appetizer table.

![Grilled shrimp on a shell-shaped plate with the framed menu and roses behind it.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/shrimp-and-printed-menu.jpg)

The shrimp display beside the printed menu.

![Appetizer platters arranged around tall red rose centerpieces.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/appetizer-table-and-rose-centerpiece.jpg)

Appetizers and the red rose centerpiece.

![Chocolate mousse dishes on a red table beneath red roses and a framed menu.](https://cdn.personalchefana.com/portfolio/nov07-26-mystery/chocolate-mousse-table-close-view.jpg)

The chocolate mousse display close up.

## Planning a Themed Dinner?

Tell us the occasion and the flavors you enjoy. We can plan a private dinner menu for your table.

[Plan a Private Dinner](/contact/) [(346) 218-3912](sms:+13462183912)

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