Look it up in your Oxford English Dictionary. Exquisite: “Extremely beautiful and, typically, delicate.” How about “delicious”? “Highly pleasant to the taste.” We’re not specifically talking here about our five-star restaurants at Golden Ocala Golf & Equestrian Club, although those Oxford adjectives certainly apply.

We’re talking about our wildly popular Chef’s Table – with culinary maestro Rick Alabaugh at the helm.  Dining is a major player in the Golden Ocala lifestyle, known for its elegant surroundings, stately homes, rich amenities and sumptuous cuisine at our three signature restaurants.

Perhaps we’ll return later to discuss the scrumptious wonders of Raspberry’s, Knickers or Café on the Green. But for now, we take flight to the Chef’s Table, an experience that transcends the culinary norm of mere fine dining.

At the Chef’s Table, you are elevated to royalty. The Chef’s Table is not just a dining experience at an exceptional restaurant at Golden Ocala. The Chef’s Table is THE experience. And when we say “the,” we turn again to Oxford’s definition: “Used to refer to a person, place, or thing that is unique.”

The Chef’s Table is indeed unique. Let us explore how. Your dining experience is set in Golden Ocala’s gourmet kitchen where you’ll get to watch the chefs prepare your multi-course tasting menu items. You settle back and enjoy the masters at work, savoring the delights and flavors they present.

The Chef’s Table is both intimately delicious and deliciously intimate – for your palate and for your company. The occasion requires a minimum of eight guests and a maximum of 16.

Executive Chef Rick Alabaugh Oversees Chef Table

Although the 57-year-old Alabaugh spent many years as a cop with early aspirations of becoming a lawyer, Golden Ocala’s top chef was always at heart something of an artist, he said. He views his task as executive chef is to create – with esoteric artistic expression – culinary masterpieces that always serve to amaze, excite and impress.

Some years ago his decision to leave law enforcement for the true love of his life – to become a chef – didn’t set well with his father. “My dad said, ‘What! Are you out of your mind?’”

The Chef’s Table expresses Alabaugh’s passion. “It is always our way to express our way of life,” he said. “It is like Disney. When your orders are coming, it’s like  you’re on stage.”

The Chef’s Table – a three- to four-hour experience – is available Thursday-Saturday by reservation. Cocktails are served at 6:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 7 p.m. Cost is $120 per person. Special dietary requests are available and must be made at least four days in advance.

For more information, call Alabaugh at 352-402-4347. Keep up with all of the latest news from restaurants at Golden Ocala by following us on Facebook and Twitter.