Chef Sakis Tsangadas

Private Chef in Heraklion

A Greek native with 16 years of culinary expertise, my passion for cooking began with rigorous training in Athens and at the esteemed Hellenic Club of Chefs. I've honed my skills across bustling restaurant kitchens and exclusive private settings, crafting exceptional dining experiences for clients in Mykonos , Athens and Crete to gatherings across Greece and the USA. Central to my philosophy is the uncompromising pursuit of perfect raw materials, as I believe the finest ingredients are the foundation of extraordinary cuisine. I take immense pride in transforming traditional Greek dishes with innovative techniques, promising a personalized and memorable culinary journey that highlights the true essence of each ingredient.

For me, cooking is...

Keep it simple , tasty and hot. Traditional taste with modern techniques works best .

I learned to cook at...

In a college in Athens and kept growing my knwoledge throw seminars and working in restaurants. Of course i had my mentors

A cooking secret...

Raw materials must be fresh- seasonal and with experience comes the best result

My menus

Local food at its best

STARTER

All inclusive

Always served in the table ''welcome bread with olive oil from our farm, olives and fresh ripped tomato with herbs

''Ntakos'' local salad with carob rusk ripped tomatoes & feta cheese with oregano

Traditional Greek tzatziki served with warm, pita bread

Golden-fried local feta cheese drizzled with Cretan honey and a ouzo infused sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Greek-style chicken gyros, served with a creamy mayo-mustard sauce

Fried beef and pork meatballs in slow simmered tomato & basil sauce

Modern Cretan "Spetsofai" A smooth spread from local sausages, sautéed peppers, and herbs, served with toasted bread

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Traditional Greek Giouvetsi with slow-cooked beef ragout, orzo pasta, and aged "mizithra" cheese

Authentic Greek Moussaka: A layered dish of eggplants, minced mixed meat, and a velvety rich béchamel sauce

Traditional "Skioufihta" local pasta with chicken, mushrooms, and grated graviera cheese

Slow-cooked Casserole Pork: Tender pork simmered with fresh Cretan mountain herbs, served with double-cooked country potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Traditional Sfakiani pita drizzled with honey and topped with crunchy walnuts

Traditional Greek Halva served with vanilla ice cream and cinnamon

Greek kataifi pastry filled with a creamy orange and mastiha filling

Greek traditional ''kormos'' with chocolate & butterscotch

Greek sensation (traditional) & meze

STARTER

All inclusive

Traditional tzatziki spread ,creamy yogurt dip with cucumber, garlic, and fresh herbs, served with warm pita bread

Classic Greek Salad ,cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, and premium feta cheese with extra virgin olive oil

Always served in the table ''welcome bread with olive oil , olives and local graviera cheese

Fava spread cooked with confit onions

Fish roe ''tarama'' with lemon zest , pink pepper and homemade greek flat bread

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Homemade Chicken gyros marinated with Greek yoghurt & spices

Fish carpaccio with lemon & olive oil and capers

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Day Fish on BBQ with greens and classic lemonon and olive oil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Traditional Greek Halva Semolina pudding sweetened with honey, cinnamon, and fresh orange zest

Greek Orange Pie (Portokalopita), aromatic syrup cake made with shredded phyllo and fresh oranges

Aromatic greek yoghurt with lemon zest and fruits

Cretan sea on the table

STARTER

All inclusive

Welcome bread served family-style with marinated sardines and olive oil

Fresh fish catch of the day carpaccio with lemon & olive oil , capers and deep fry onion

Cretan ntakos salad, local carob rusks topped with cherry tomatoes fresh basil sauce and creamy katiki feta cheese

''Tzatziki'' yoghurt dip with cucumber , garlic and pita bread

Golden fried feta cheese with ouzo & honey

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Sauteed or grilled marinated shrimps with spicy herb chimichurri and ouzo

Greek chicken gyros / pita bread / mayo-mustard sauce

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

BBQ Seabass Butterfly Style, whole fish opened butterfly style and grilled over live charcoal served with seasonal greens and lemon-oil essing

BBQ chicken thigh fillet marinated with mustard

DESSERT

All inclusive

Assorted Chocolate Textures, Rich Mousse, Silky Crèmeux, and Cocoa Soil, Paired with Salted Butterscotch

Seafood BBQ Exclusive

STARTER

All inclusive

Welcome bread served with extra virgin olive oil, tapenade & marinated sardines

Traditional fava purée yellow split pea purée cooked with aromatic confit onions & served with dry onions

Cured fish carpaccio thinly sliced fresh catch of the day with lemon-infused olive oil capers and smoked sea salt

Summer green salad with cream cheese , seasonal greens paired with fresh summer fruits , beetroot , crunchy toasted nuts & strawberrie vinaigrete

Tuna tataki ,sesame seeds served with citrus-soy vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Seafood orzo pasta cooked with a medley of fresh locally sourced seafood & pesto

BBQ shrimps Premium marinated grilled shrimps tossed in a spicy green herb Cretan chimichurri sauce

BBQ octopus with summer asparagus salad & mint - orange vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Rib-Eye with Double-Cooked Potatoes, Herb Cream, Maldon Sea Salt, and Aromatic Butter

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

A selection of refreshing sliced local fruits of the season

Crispy traditional kataifi pastry filled with a creamy orange and Chios mastiha cream

Deconstructed citrus pie, featuring vibrant citrus elements with creative textures

Greek BBQ

STARTER

All inclusive

Always served in the table ''welcome bread with olive oil from our farm, olives and fresh ripped tomato with herbs

Marinated zucchini salad thinly sliced raw zucchini marinated with sea salt, fresh basil pesto, cherry tomatoes pickled onions & feta cheese

Traditional Greek tzatziki served with warm, pita bread

Golden-fried local feta cheese drizzled with Cretan honey and a ouzo infused sauce

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Greek-style chicken gyros, served with a creamy mayo-mustard sauce

BBQ pork chops with leeks on the grill

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

BBQ beef stake with spicy aromatized butter & chimichurri

Local lamp chops with salt

BBQ Marinated Chicken thigh fillet with green pepper spread

DESSERT

All inclusive

Greek traditional ''kormos'' with chocolate & butterscotch

Mediterranean essence

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Welcome bread served with extra virgin olive oil and local olives

Traditional Taramosalata Bruschetta crispy crusty bread topped with smooth fish roe mousse, capers, and marinated anchovy

Marinated zucchini salad thinly sliced raw zucchini marinated with sea salt, fresh basil pesto, cherry tomatoes pickled onions & feta cheese

Hands on secret greek salad with feta cream & herb oil

Crispy chicken croquettes served with a homemade aromatic tomato chutney

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Cured Fish Carpaccio with lemon-infused olive oil, capers, and smoked sea salt

Sautéed Shrimps with a spicy, aromatic green herb chimichurri sauce

Shrimp Saganaki simmered in a fresh, rich tomato sauce with crumbled local feta cheese

Beef Tartare hand-cut beef tartare served with potato chips, confit egg yolk, and sweet caramelized onions

Fresh raw fish marinated in lime juice, fresh coriander, and serrano pepper dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh seabass fillet served with a delicate white miso and fresh herb infusion

Salmon served with pickled cucumber ribbon salad and a light lemon-butter sauce

Beef stake served with a silky wild mushroom purée and a rich red wine reduction sauce

Herb-crusted stuffed chicken ballotine, served with traditional Romesco sauce and glazed seasonal vegetables

Mussels pasta infused with ouzo , celery & lemon

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Assorted Chocolate Textures, Rich Mousse, Silky Crèmeux, and Cocoa Soil, Paired with Salted Butterscotch

Greek kataifi pastry filled with a creamy orange and mastiha filling

Smooth white chocolate ganache served with crunchy crumble and a seasonal fruit gel

Meat & seafood BBQ

STARTER

All inclusive

Always served in the table ''welcome bread with olive oil from our farm, olives and fresh ripped tomato with herbs

''Ntakos'' local salad with carob rusk ripped tomatoes & feta cheese with oregano

Traditional Greek tzatziki served with warm, pita bread

Golden-fried local feta cheese drizzled with Cretan honey and a ouzo infused sauce

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Greek-style chicken gyros, served with a creamy mayo-mustard sauce

BBQ Marinated shrimp sauteed with garlic , lemon , ginger, pink pepper and chimichuuri

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

BBQ Chicken Thigh Fillet, boneless chicken thighs marinated in mustard and salt with Greek green pepper spread

BBQ Seabass Butterfly Style, whole fish opened butterfly style and grilled over live charcoal served lemon-oil dressing

BBQ pork chops with lemon oregano & leeks on the grill

DESSERT

All inclusive

Greek traditional mosaic ''kormos'' with chocolate & butterscotch

Family traditions

STARTER

All inclusive

Classic Greek Salad ,cucumbers, tomatoes, onions, olives, and premium feta cheese with extra virgin olive oil

Marinated zucchini salad thinly sliced raw zucchini marinated with sea salt, fresh basil pesto, cherry tomatoes pickled onions & feta cheese

Haloumi cheese with homemade tomato chutney

Always served in the table ''welcome bread with olive oil & GF bread

Roasted potatoes in the oven with lemon

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Marinated shrimps with spicy herb Cretan chimichurri sauce

''Tzatziki'' yoghurt dip with cucumber & garlic

Seasonal vegetables with petimezi dressing

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Beef fillet with petimezi reduction

Fresh fish fillet with lemon sauce & greens

Chicken fillet with lemon & oregano

DESSERT

All inclusive

A selection of refreshing sliced local fruits of the season

Choco mouse only with water , chocolate soil , salt and olive oil or butter-scotch

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Chef Sakis's reviews

4.87

•

112 services

Don’t think twice about booking. Dinner with Sakis was the highlight of our Trip! Everything really exceeded our expectations. Every single meal he made was delicious and the communication was effortless. We surprised the Bride on her Bachelorette and Sakis even played along with the surprise. Sakis and his colleague were easy going and fun to talk to, which also made the evening so perfect :) I would definitely recommend him and we would all book him again in the future! Thank you again!

Sakis and Paul were absolutely fantastic! The food was amazing, and they were both such lovely, friendly guys. They went above and beyond to make our grandfather’s birthday trip really special and made the whole experience even more memorable. We couldn’t recommend them highly enough and would definitely use them again!

Chef Sakis and his team were amazing! Outstanding meal and experience. Highly recommended.

Chef Sakis was kind and courteous. The food was amazing and we loved the experience.

We have enjoyed the menu with my family. Sakis was very kind. It was delicious We strongly recommend Sakis

We hired Sakis during our visit to Crete as part of a 40th birthday celebration. Everything was seamless from the initial contact and menu planning through to the perfect execution of the meal itself, including catering for some specific dietary requirements. The food was plentiful and delicious! Our group of 12 thoroughly enjoyed the Greek BBQ feast. I would highly recommend Sakis and would certainly use his services again next time we’re in Crete. Thank you!

Food and service was amazing! Chef also prepared vegetarian options for vegetarians of our group. Keep in mind that food portions are quite big, so for our 12 lady group we had quite a lot of leftovers.

Chef Sakis did an amazing job and my friends and I were blown away with how amazing the food was.

Sakis is a culinary master - he created a bespoke menu for our celebratory dinner of 32 people from various international locations- and simply surpassed everyone’s expectations Unique, highly creative, stunningly presented, bold in flavor and complex in execution, the multi course feast he developed for us was Greek in origin but fused Mediterranean flavours with haute cuisine touches. He catered for various dietary requirements with ease. We literally felt the love and care he felt about his cuisine and the pride he displayed in making his guests content A totally impressive experience- right through to his wife’s family’s home- made olive oil As you can tell, we can’t rate this chef highly enough. 5 stars !!

What an incredible experience. Sakis was fantastic! His food was delicious and knowledge of our dishes beautiful. Sakis truely made our birthday experience wonderful. Extremely polite and tidied everything away. Fabulous and would certainly recommend Sakis for your Cretan experience. Thankyou ????

Chef Sakis is an exceptional chef! The dinner was absolutely delicious, and the presentation and overall setup were outstanding. Communication throughout the process was excellent, and every request and preference we had was accommodated without any issues. Chef Sakis was professional, attentive, and delivered a truly memorable dining experience. We highly recommend him and would gladly book him again in the future. Thank you, Sakis, for a wonderful evening! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sakis was a wonderful chef! The food was delicious and he was so kind and friendly! We were 100% happy with the experience he gave us!

We had the pleasure of hiring Sakis and Maria to come to the house we were renting and cook for us, and the experience was absolutely exceptional from start to finish. Both of them were incredibly warm, friendly, and highly professional. They made our rented home feel like a fine dining restaurant while still keeping everything relaxed and personal. The Greek food they prepared was outstanding—authentic, full of flavor, and clearly made with great skill and passion. It was exactly what I had hoped for when booking them, and even better in reality. They truly helped make my birthday celebration unforgettable for the whole group. Having them cook in the house we were renting added something very special to the evening, and we will remember it for a long time. Highly recommended!

The food was amazing, we enjoyed every single meal! The handling with Sakis was very easy and he could do any adjustment for us! We will book again! :)

Wonderful experience. He knows how to combine flavours. Excellent ingredients.

Excellent exeprience with Chef Sakis. Very tasty food, good vibes and overall just a very enjoyable evening with everything handled very professionally by the chef!

Chef Sakis made delicious dinner for our family: from the eggplant appetizer, to fried feta, to the olive oil from his family’s farm, to the perfectly cooked mackerel fish and a carefully picked local ice cream - everything was incredible. We never thought we could be so excited about grilled carrots and broccoli. It was easy and pleasant to interact with him throughout the evening. Would definitely recommend this Chef to anyone.

The dinner was amazing! Everything tasted fresh and full of flavor — especially the fried feta with honey and ouzo and the perfectly cooked meats. The kantaifi dessert with orange cream was a great finish. The dishes were nicely explained, and everything was left spotless afterward. Such a great experience overall!

Do not look any further. Sakis was -hands down- one of the absolute highlights of our trip to Greece. His food is more than delicious- it’s an experience. We hired Sakis for a surprise long-lunch to celebrate my mother’s 70th birthday- with a group ranging from 8months to 75- and he accommodated everyone perfectly. From his easy manner and ability to create a menu that ticks all the boxes, to his friendly demeanour and professionalism, to his ability to create incredible dishes and share their origin (whether it’s been made with items from his family farm, or highlight the cultural tradition)- the meal was unforgettable. Please do yourself a favour and book Sakis for whatever your special occasion is- you will be blown away. Thank you for helping us to celebrate my mother’s 70th birthday. We will never forget you or your food!

*"5-Star Private Chef Experience! ????"* "I had the pleasure of hiring chef sakis for a private dinner party, and the experience was truly exceptional! ???? From the initial planning stages to the final dish, chef sakis exceeded all my expectations. The menu was tailored to my guests' dietary needs and preferences, and the food was absolutely divine ????. Each course was expertly prepared and presented, with flavors that danced on the palate. The service was seamless, with sakis working discreetly behind the scenes to ensure everything ran smoothly. What impressed me most was chef sakis’s creativity, attention to detail, and passion for delivering an unforgettable culinary experience. The evening was a huge success, and my guests are still raving about the food! ???? If you're looking for a private chef who can deliver exceptional cuisine and outstanding service, look no further than sakis and his team. I would highly recommend them for any occasion! ???? *Rating: 5/5 stars ⭐️*"