Issue Nº 001 · Vol. I Cooking · Plating · Holding the room Spring / Summer 2026 Philadelphia, PA
A magazine of one chef · No. 01

girlwith knives.

An introduction to a world. Chef Kayla Flores, plating Philadelphia & the long way around.

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Est. 2026 ● Phila.
A candle-lit dinner table mid-service Photography & food — Kayla Flores
From the Chef · A note · Spring 2026 · Philadelphia, PA
§ IFrom the Chef

"I curate thoughtful, design-forward dining experiences — bringing together food, atmosphere, and detail so you can be fully present and feel like a guest in your own home."

My style is seasonal, ingredient-driven, and design-forward. Mediterranean and Latin lean in. Soulful when the night calls for it. Cuisine isn't fixed — it's shaped around the moment, whatever the moment is asking for.

What this means in practice: I think through the menu, the timing, the table, the playlist, the way the wine sits next to the plate. By the time I leave, there shouldn't be much left for you to do. That's the work.

Kayla, x Chef & founder · Philadelphia
Editor's note · § I · Issue One · Vol. One · Edition One
§ IIThe Table of Contents

Seven ways to set a table.

Pick the one that suits the moment — or write me about something we haven't yet named. The form is shaped around you.

  1. In-home dinners

    An evening, plated. Yours. Multi-course service in your kitchen, with a menu shaped around the night and the people at the table.

    Read · Pg. 04

  2. Weekly meal prep

    Six days of dinners portioned, labeled, and in your fridge by Sunday. Built around how you actually eat, week to week.

    Read · Pg. 09

  3. Small events & dinner parties

    Up to twenty around your table. Menu, service, styling, cleanup — handled, so you can be present in your own house.

    Read · Pg. 14

  4. Catering

    Full-service catering for moments that scale beyond the dinner table — without losing what makes the food yours.

    Read · Pg. 18

  5. Cooking classes & demos

    Learn the way I work, with hands and heat. Group or private, standalone or built into an event.

    Read · Pg. 22

  6. Pop-ups

    A temporary room. A temporary menu. A Saturday people remember. Tell me where, and let's build it.

    Read · Pg. 26

  7. Picnics

    Outdoor menus without compromise. Cold and warm dishes that travel well, served in a park, a yard, or a rooftop.

    Read · Pg. 30
§ IIIThe Approach

The food is seasonal, ingredient-driven, and shaped around the night.

Pricing's transparent — per-person, per-event, or weekly, with food and labor itemized so you know what's going into it. For ongoing clients, day rates and weekly packages live in their own conversation. For most things, write me first.

  • Allergen-aware
  • Gluten free
  • Vegan / vegetarian
  • Keto / low-carb
  • Whole30 / paleo
Hands preparing ingredients on a wooden board
§ IVNotes from the Table

What people tell me after I leave.

"

Chef Kayla is truly one of the best. Her attention to detail, creativity, and culinary skill are unmatched. From the taste to the presentation to her signature style, everything is consistently outstanding.

Tatiana C. · Philadelphia, PA

"

Beyond delicious. Very much appreciated. Till we meet again.

Meegan R. · Villanova, PA

"

Without even being asked, she took the time to entertain our toddler so we could relax and enjoy our meal together. That meant more to us than words can say.

Ashley F. · Downingtown, PA

"

If you ever thought about having a chef come to your house and cook for you, I'm telling you — do it. girlwithknives was amazing in every way.

Joyce H. · Glassboro, NJ

"

The thoughtfulness of each course and attention to detail was very much appreciated. Bev, Eulah and I could not stop talking about it.

Kyneika K. · Woodstock, VT

"

I got tearful because you took the time and remembered what I had shared regarding my husband. Please continue to be the amazing you.

Beverly S. · Woodstock, VT

"

Everything was absolutely delicious. I will definitely be having you back.

Denyse M. · King of Prussia, PA

§ VThe Index

Where I work.

Philadelphia at the center, then a circle out to thirty miles, then anywhere the right night happens to be.

  • Fishtown
  • Fairmount
  • Center City
  • Northern Liberties
  • South Philly
  • Bryn Mawr
  • Main Line
  • Bucks County
  • South Jersey
  • Within 30 mi.

— and farther, for the right night. I've cooked in cities I'd never been to and a few countries that weren't this one. Tell me where.

§ VIInquire

Tell me about the night you're planning.

I read every note and respond within two days. The more you tell me — date, headcount, the kind of evening you're imagining — the better the first reply.

Or visit @girlwithknives on Instagram and DM me there. Direct calendar booking is in the works for ongoing clients.