love. cook. nourish.
Clayton, California, Contra Costa
(17)
Clayton, California, Contra Costa
(17)
love. cook. nourish. creates one of a kind events for clients! We create personalized menus for each client and event. Some of our clients have described our food as having "layers of flavor" and also "delightfully busy".
We provide Personal Chef Services for busy families, and folks who desire to eat tasty, healthy meals while spending time not in the kitchen or eating out.
Show more
17 customer reviews
Lauren W.
Cindy was our INCREDIBLE wedding planner! We got married in July, and working with Cindy was truly one of the greatest decisions we made. She is incredibly organized, communicative, and thinks of every last detail for events. Planning a wedding is stressful, and Cindy's calm demeanor made it so much easier amongst our busy lives. My husband and I could never thank Cindy enough for coordinating the most wonderful day of our lives so seamlessly. Not only did she coordinate day of for us, but she coordinated with me personally for a few months leading up to our wedding. She took time to meet with me and talk details of everything, and met with us at the venue on multiple occasions. She even ran to the venue a few times when I was not able to for me! Booking Cindy as your wedding coordinator is the best decision you could make in planning a wedding - I promise! Thank you so so much Cindy! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
R L.
I could write a book on catering parties as a former restauranteur but most of you reading this would be bored. So I'll just get to the point. I have never hired a caterer for myself because I simply don't trust anyone else to cook for my guests - until now!This occasion was special - my wife and I were throwing our daughter an engagement party for about 70 people. Thank goodness I hired Cindy! Forget the fact there is no way I could have done this on my own for that many people anyway - but what really made the event was the fact she was beyond the ultimate professional she was a better version of me (sorry not trying to brag - just stating facts).She was incredibly prepared (and brought her daughter Ronnie who was an amazing help as well!). She knew her way around my grill as if it was her own. She brought all the right tools and gadgets to ensure every dish came out perfect - which ALL of them did! And she even took the tails off the 10 lbs of shrimp I had mistakingly ordered - in literally minutes - incredible! Everything was cooked, grilled and presented with absolute perfection.Last night was the start of something special between my family and love.cook.nourish. Cindy is now the only person I will trust going forward and is now unofficially an adopted member of our family or should I say my sister from another mother... Love.cook.nourish is hands down the best caterer for your event or party - regardless of how complex or simple, you want to make it! Â And if you have read this far you better get going and contact her quickly for your party because she is going to be in the highest demand as word gets out about this gem!PS - feel free to reach out to me for more specifics if you wish - always happy to share more details. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Theresa H.
love.cook.nourish, boy is that a Great name for this company  But you should know that, Cindy is also the Best Coordinator you can find for your events! !! We hired her for our wedding reception, my husband didn't want me to do anything for the reception, he told me to find someone to do it for us.Well I found Cindy, we sat down with her and in 5 minutes I knew she was the right person for our reception. We told her we would like to have a "Western theme" she took the reins () and ran with the idea.Next thing we knew we had the best "Upscale" BBQ for 80 people one could ask forAnd as advertised with love.cook.nourish, Cindy made our wedding cake also, Very Banana with Cream Cheese frosting  and two different flavors of cupcakes for our guest What a fantastic night we all had  Thank You Cindy and Staff at LCN More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Michele Lewandowski
Best red velvet cupcakes ever! Also best coconut pecan yams side dish that I say is so yummy that it should be considered a dessert!
Reviewed on Facebook
Adam Duran
I have only great things to say about the team at love.cook.nourish! Cindy and her staff build extraordinary meals for groups and families, they expertly plan large scale events and ensure every guest has an amazing time. I have eaten her creations many times and attended events she has organized so know what I'm talking about. Her creativity in menu creation and amazing baking skills make hiring her and her team a no-brainer. Talk to Cindy for five minutes about food and you will see her eyes light up and know the passion she has for serving others comes from a place of divinity! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Omayra Espino-Vázquez
Let me start by saying that I am a picky eater. I have issues with textures in food, flavors clashing, among other things.
This has not stopped Cindy from doing an amazing job! She has been patient with me and has always aimed to create something for me that I will love. She has even gotten me to enjoy foods that I didn't even think I would!
Not only is she a wonderful chef, but if you have an event that needs planning, she will take care of it too! I have a gallery show coming up and I didn't even think twice as to who I will hire to help me plan and cook for the event. She is sensational and will not disappoint you!
More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Sandeepa N.
Every Friday morning I look forward to attending our BNI network meeting and it makes it all so much enticing because of the delicious breakfast catered by Cindy Jakel-Smith. I wonder how she makes her coffee - the strong nutty flavor just breaths life into me :). I love her food presentations and her style. Â I love the yogurt and the homemade granola - just out of the world. Â I love the peanut and cranberry bars and egg frittata and cakes. The cakes are so so yummy.. dang I am hungry now. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Jeannette H.
There is nothing more wonderful than coming home to a warm, wonderful meal that both looks and tastes amazingly scrumptious. Â And that's what Cindy and her staff provide - delicious, gorgeous meals for a very reasonable price.My work schedule goes into the evening so there's nothing I want less than to either eat out constantly or come home and cook. I've tried meal plans like Sunbasket and they just don't work for me for a number of reasons. Â However, Â I've been to a number of events catered by Love, Cook Nourish so when I saw that Cindy had a personal chef service I HAD to sign up. Â Cindy is an excellent chef and very creative. Â She really knows food and can accommodate any type of dietary restriction or diet plan. For example, when she learned I was on Weight Watchers she did her research and regularly makes delicious, nutritious, low-point meals that my husband and I both enjoy. Â Food is prepared in my home and stored in my refrigerator or freezer. Â They are ready and available when I need them and they are SO GOOD! Â You can't go wrong in hiring her either as a personal chef or to cater your event. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Omayra Espino-Vázquez
Let me start by saying that I am a picky eater. I have issues with textures in food, flavors clashing, among other things. This has not stopped Cindy from doing an amazing job! She has been patient with me and has always aimed to create something for me that I will love. She has even gotten me to enjoy foods that I didn't even think I would! More...
Reviewed on Facebook
Omayra E.
Let me start by saying that I am a picky eater. I have issues with textures in food, flavors clashing, among other things. This has not stopped Cindy from doing an amazing job! She has been patient with me and has always aimed to create something for me that I will love. She has even gotten me to enjoy foods that I didn't even think I would! Not only is she a wonderful chef, but if you have an event that needs planning, she will take care of it too! I have a gallery show coming up and I didn't even think twice as to who I will hire to help me plan and cook for the event. She is sensational and will not disappoint you! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Rhonda V.
Love. Cook. Nourish... those words say it all. Cindy and staff  makes every event memorable and unique. Everything she makes will tantalize ones taste buds.  The themed display, cake and variety of cupcake flavors she made for my daughters wedding were exquisite. Also, my daughter's and I drove 1.5 hours to attend  a Christmas tea at the Greenhouse at Clayton Farms. All I can say is WOW!!! It was definitely worth the drive. Again, I was amazed by the scrumptious and unique food selection. Not to mention how sweet it was to see  Cindy and her daughters, Darcy & Ronni working together to make such a memorable festive day for all who attended. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Kristin K.
After having tried Cindy's food many times at numerous events, I decided her talents would make perfect client gifts. Â When one of my clients had her husband pass away, Cindy made comfort foods I was able to bring. She was such a great help in her creative recipes, to make an easy to eat, flavorful nurturing and nourishing meal. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Melanie S.
Cindy just catered a baby shower that I hosted and, once again, she wowed! When we met to put together a menu a few weeks before the event, she came up with a couple options for a wonderful light lunch for 40 women, all while working within the budget. The Toasted Bread Parmesan Kale Salad was a HUGE hit, while the Spring Mix salad with chicken, quinoa and other delicious toppings was a close second. She also baked a batch of Rice Krispy treats that are not your typical Rice Krispies... they're on another level! Seriously. Book her NOW for your next event!! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Rise T.
I attended a business networking meeting where a box lunch was served. Â I was so impressed with the simple but elegant chicken salad, I had to get Cindy's information. Â She also served for dessert what looked like a typical rice crispy bar, boy was I ever mistaken! Â It was a salted caramel rice crispy treat!...again an elevated take on a simple dessert. Â Since then Cindy has catered a number of events for me where she has taken time and care in knowing what I like and the crowds I want to please. Â Thank you Cindy for making each event effortless with your amazing staff and bringing the most incredibly tasting,artful food to our table! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Jason M.
Love cook nourish is a must for all your catering needs! Cindy and company is by far the most professional catering company you will ever meet. Her cooking is by far superior to anything you will find in any 5 star restaurant. Deliciousness is an understatement of her food that she cooked for my wife's birthday party. Love cook nourish is all you will need for your next catered party! She will be doing our party's for years to come! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Leslie E.
I've hired Cindy several times since 2013 and I'm absolutely in love with not only her food, but the way she does business. Â Please see my pictures of Cindy, her staff, and her creations!I first got to know Cindy when she donated desserts for a charity event I was hosting at Laptop Lounge, and those desserts got rave reviews by everyone in attendance. Â The food, and her generosity, would not be forgotten. Â We continued to hire Cindy for our larger scale events, including another charity event, a speed networking event, and a surprise party for my boss. Â For two years, Cindy also catered a weekly breakfast at my networking group, constantly coming up with new creations. Â Who puts green tea in a muffin? Â Cindy, of course.Cindy offers a variety of dishes for any palette, from healthy to sinful, and everything in between. Â I've also been fortunate that Cindy can accommodate multiple food sensitivities and allergies, while still maintaining her high standard of excellent and unique flavors.When it came time for my daughter's Bat Mitzvah in 2015, I didn't hesitate to hire Cindy and her team for both the temple luncheon, and the evening teen party. Â Cindy and my daughter came up with all sorts of ideas, from a taco bar to a potato bar. Â In the end, the s'more bar and the fizzy flavor soda bar were the big winners of the night for the teen party. Â Catering is NOT just about the food. Â The layout and flow of the room, the color theme for the party, and the decor that she could bring in were all considered and discussed. Cindy's initiative to involve my daughter was much appreciated. Â The end result was a menu, and a presentation, that was a feast for the eyes, not just the palette. More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Joel H.
Cindy has done a number of excellent events for me from a small formal dinner, to business meetings, to large parties for over 100 people. Â Her food, set up and staff are all fantastic! More...
Reviewed on Yelp
Event Planner
Personal and Special Event Chef
Pastry Chef
