We’ve used personal chefs at home before, and this was easily the best experience we’ve had.
The food was excellent from beginning to end. The pear salad was probably the biggest surprise. It was fresh, balanced, and unexpectedly one of our favorite dishes of the evening. My husband normally doesn’t like nuts, but he ate all, and loved it! This salad had many fresh herbs and ingredients- it was unique and so special!
The ratatouille was beautifully done, with the vegetables thinly sliced and the outstanding sauce served alongside rather than overwhelming them. It was a simple detail, but it made the dish feel especially thoughtful.
The mushroom risotto was outstanding; it was genuinely the best risotto I’ve ever had. It was rich and creamy without feeling overly heavy, and the mushrooms really came through. The braised chicken was incredibly tender, flavorful, and exactly what you hope for from a slow-braised dish.
Another thing that really impressed us was how much care he puts into sourcing his ingredients. He uses fresh, organic ingredients as much as possible, shopping at farmers markets, Whole Foods, and Trader Joe’s. That level of attention isn’t something you always see with an in-home chef, and it says a lot about how seriously he takes the quality of what he serves.
What really elevated the evening, though, was the overall experience. He introduced and explained each course as he served it, helped us with our wine selections, and was knowledgeable without ever being pretentious. He was also extremely kind, humble, and comfortable to have in our home.
There was a real sense of care in both the cooking and the presentation. We would absolutely have him cook for us again.