Big City Chefs Nationwide Private Chefs

Highly recommended. We had an informal 4th of the July barbecue for 17 family members and 4 children. We tweaked the menu to avoid all our dietary quirks and ordered rental tableware to limit the load on our well and septic system. The staffing was perfect without being intrusive. Chef Alex helped us every step along the way, including indulging our obsessions with using both our wood fired oven and Argentine grill on a hot day.  Our barbecue was served right on time, every single item delicious, quantities more than ample. We've had private chefs half a dozen times over the years. None was better than Chef Alex. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I don't even know where to begin. Chef Alex made my mother's 70th birthday complete. He worked with my budget, helped design a menu to my mother's taste, answered a lot of my questions, and was patient and professional throughout the whole process. Every dish he made us was plated beautiful and the taste was phenomenal. The quality of his food and the execution of each dish was far superior to any restaurant I have been to in a very, very long time. My mother's friends and our family were equally impressed. We couldn't stop raving about Chef Alex's food the entire weekend. We won't ever forget this experience with Chef Alex. Tim and Chef Alex, it was a pleasure to work with you and I hope we get to work again together soon! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Alex was great!We had a dinner party of 17 for my wife's birthday at our home. Chef Alex was very flexible and creative with the menu. Everything was delicious and presented well and all guests left happy and full. Would highly recommend and we would happily call Big City again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Jeff and his wife Becky were the perfect team for a low-key dinner party for 8 at my home. I love to cook, so it was hard to let go of my kitchen, but about 10 minutes (and 1 glass of wine) after they arrived, I learned to chill to the idea of being a guest at my own party!  My husband and I are vegan - our guests were not - but Jeff and Becky put together a menu that seamlessly blended our requirements and left everyone thrilled with the result.  At the end of dinner, I stepped back into a clean kitchen and marveled at how well the evening had gone.  Instead of hours of pre- and post-party work, my husband and I were able to enjoy a fabulous meal, attend to our guests, and really savor the experience! After being spoiled by Big City Chefs, it will be hard to ever have a dinner party any other way.  Thanks Chef Jeff and Becky for an evening everyone is still raving about! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Catherine did an amazing job preparing the perfect omakase meal to celebrate my wife's 32nd birthday! We had just welcomed our newborn daughter into the world two weeks prior, so going out to dinner wasn't an option, so I wanted to bring dinner in.  Chef Catherine was very warm and caring, and also an extremely talented chef.  We worked together to develop the menu and she really took the time to research some of my suggestions and re-created my wife's favorite appetizer to perfection! I also couldn't believe that she prepared this amazing meal for six people, then cleaned up afterwards, leaving the kitchen looking better than before.  I would highly recommend Big City Chefs if you're looking for a private chef for your next celebration! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Our family was celebrating a 75th birthday and wanted to make it a special, at home dinner. Big City Chefs worked with us and our budget to make everything spectacular. The food was carefully curated to our liking, tasted incredible, and looked amazing.The chef was flexible with our changes (we added a couple of guests to the dinner last minute...)  and pulled off the whole evening with a bang! They even helped us cut up some of our own cheeses, and arrange it all beautifully. Would highly recommend and will definitely use again!Thank you! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Matt was awesome - we had such a fun anniversary dinner thanks to him. He's fun and he's a great cook - he cooked us incredible Thai food and there was SO much! He even taught us how to cook fried rice the right way. I'd recommend hiring Matt from Big City Chefs for a fun meal in your own home. We are looking for an opportunity to do it again! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Alex was great! I wanted to do something special for my boyfriend's birthday and an in-home dinner with friends seemed like a better choice than a restaurant.  We were a group of eight and opted for plated salad, entree and dessert.  Chef Alex explained the food in detail.  He's very personable and arrived on time fully stocked with his supplies.  The food smelled great as he was cooking and tasted even better.  If you ever think about having a chef I highly recommend Chef Alex. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I've had the pleasure of working with Chef Alex from Big City Chefs two times now for special dinners and he knocked it out of park both times! First of all, working with Big City Chefs is easy and seamless. The servers they work with are great also if you want to hire one, which I highly recommend as it makes the experience much smoother and cleanup is taken care of. But the best part about the business, in my opinion, is the amazingly talented Chef Alex. He is excellent at understanding what kind of menu you are looking for, and working with you to curate the perfect plan. Then, his execution is truly unbeatable. I mean really, really delicious flavors, all delivered with perfect balance. Even for the most discerning guests, I would be completely comfortable trusting literally anything he puts out on the table at this point. My family and I eat most meals at high end/ Michelin rated restaurants, and a meal by Alex is up there if not better, plus served in the comfort of your home. Lastly, he's also a friendly, cool, professional guy who is just a great pleasure to have around. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I contacted Big City Chefs to cater a dinner party for my executive team at the home of my boss/CEO. I received a quote from Chef Danielle Kuhn almost immediately. After emailing back and forth, we settled on a menu that my boss was happy with (which also stayed within our budget) and I moved forward with booking Chef Danielle's services. I am very happy to report that she exceeded my expectations of the evening. Chef Danielle and her team arrived with plenty of time to set up and prepare the food. The food was absolutely delicious, the presentation divine and the service exceptional. And at the end of the evening, they quietly cleaned up and slipped out, leaving the kitchen spotless. We were so relaxed and had so much fun, that we forgot to take pictures of the event, which is my only regret.The evening went so well, that we have already booked Chef Danielle for two more events. I would definitely recommend Chef Danielle to anyone in Orange County looking for a personal chef to help them create a memorable dining experience! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I used this company in Georgia and I have to say our meal was amazing. Chef Alice Pedersen and team were the best. Our gathering was a lunch the day before our son's wearing. We wanted everything to be perfect. That is what was delivered.  Top notch!  I would absolutely recommend them. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We could not recommend this service highly enough! Alex recreated our wedding menu for our first anniversary. Not only was the food incredible but the memory will last forever! Super responsive and easy to work with. Will definitely  use again! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

What an incredible job Thomas Numprasong, his co-chefs Alice and Chris and server Laura did for our evening!  Everything was wonderful and we couldn't have celebrated our 25th anniversary any better!  All of our guests were so pleased and highly complimentary of the food and service that they gave us and several of us came back for seconds!  I definitely recommend using them for any occasion and cannot say enough good things about them!  Thank you for making our celebration a wonderful memory!Jean K. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Matt was great.  This is the second time we used him.  The other review described our situation perfectly.  So there is nothing more to add.

Reviewed on Yelp

We couldn't have been more happy with our experience with Chef Alex! We hired him for a 10 person dinner party at our home. Alex was communicative, easily adapted menus to deal with diet restrictions, and was enjoyable to be around during the event itself. And the food was delicious, really amazing! We will definitely be hiring him again soon! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I want to let everyone know, just how awesome the 60th Birthday Party for my hubby turned out to be! Chef Luke Keller and his side-kick Chef Roger showed up on time with all the food, dishes, pots & pans needed. They went right to work and cooked us a delicious meal a la Marocco since the theme for the party was "Caravan to Marrakesh". Lamb, chicken, salad, scrumptious appetizer and dessert. We did not have to do anything besides eat, drink and be merry. Even the kitchen was clean when they left. They are likable, efficient, fun and gave us a night to remember! If you ever have an opportunity to try them out - do it! I was never so relaxed; there was no cleaning up to do - and our family and friends were astonished. All in all, this was one night to remember! Thank you Big City Chefs for this experience. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Mr.  Tom Stieber,I am writing in order to provide a  review of my intimate dinner party for six last Monday.  Kurt (chef) arrived early and he was not kidding about bringing his pots etc. I don't cook so It was an additional task for him.I cannot put into words how fabulous it ALL was. He was at my house at 1pm.cooking away.  My guest and I arrived home appropriately  6: 30 pm...The appetizers were ready and Kurt was passing them around. ...(shrimp wrapped in bacon, chicken satay, bruschetta)..ALL delicious.Kurt maintained the door from formal dining to kitchen closed. He would silently step out serve and later collect plates but the noise of kitchen and kitchen itself could not be seen or heard..everyone could chat comfortably in a roundtable conducive to conversation.  His level of professionalism was stupendous. Dinner was over at 11pm.  Kurt hand washed every single plate and glass and it looks like no one had been there due to the cleanliness. Hiring personal chefs is not something I had thought of before..now it will be something I will always use.In later conversation everyone wanted his higher-ups' email or phone number  .. to rave about the evening ..On a scale of 1 to 10 guest reported an 11!Much much much better than going out for dinner..no one is hurrying one, the food was better and was personalized ...Kurt was the best! Someplaces promise things and underdeliver.... they (bigcitychefs) promised things an OVER DELIVERED! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I hired Chef Saul Jauregui of Big City Chefs for a dinner party with my best girlfriends at a house rental on the beach in Malibu. It was my Birthday celebration and WOW; Saul made an amazing meal and was so fun and personable! We were all hugging him thanks after a beautiful meal and the memorable experience he created. He even did all the dishes. Saul is a skilled chef and a wonderful person, thank you for making our evening Chef Saul! It was very easy to set up the event through Big City Chefs and was very reasonably priced. I can't wait to set up another dinner. Karna Davis More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Big City Chefs helped us out with a special dinner for a pastor's retreat!  Chef Ashok was fantastic in the kitchen!  Every plate came out beautifully and the food was delicious.  It was a great atmosphere to help the group feel special for the evening! I will plan to use Big City Chefs for some of my future events. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Ashok Nageshwar was delightful, professional and made one of the best vegetable curry dishes I have ever had! He was very accommodating to all of the food restrictions and allergies from the guests in our party which we were so grateful for. The whole evening was amazing!

Reviewed on Yelp

I had them do a birthday dinner for about 30 of us at our house. The food, preparation and attention to detail were outstanding. The team was very friendly and interactive. Open to suggestions/customization and overall a very solid five star experience. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Alex and his team were above and beyond all expectations for my wife's birthday.From speedy and efficient coordination and payment over phone and email to a seamless, funny, and hugely enjoyable dinner event- I can not recommend the team enough. If you choose to add the server option, I would be more prescriptive, since they are subcontractors and we're not quite up to the same level the chefs were... but it did not detract from the experience.Their expertise, openness, and focus on your event makes these guys someone you'll absolutely not regret! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Wonderful working with Big City Chefs! I worked with Chef Alex for a special 40 person dinner. We had a lot of special requests on our end and had never tried organizing a dinner like it before. He was patient in working with us as we learned what was needed to pull off the event, and put together a fantastic meal that the guests loved. He was very professional, responsive to questions and communications, and enjoyable to work with. I would certainly work with Chef Alex again! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I cannot sing their praises enough. I HIGHLY recommend using them. We worked with Chef Alex for a dinner series we were producing with a short turnaround and 40 VIP guests. We had a lot of unique requests and a specific vision for the event. He took the time to understand what we wanted and why, and created an amazing meal that impressed our guests. He was a professional and a pleasure to work with, and went above and beyond to make sure our event was a success. I would use them again anytime! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I would HIGHLY recommend using Big City Chefs and specifically Chef Alex. I was hosting a Bachelorette Party for a group of 17 ladies up in Wine Country (Sonoma County, California). Many of my friends are foodies so I knew a private chef dinner would be over the top fabulous but I was concerned if we would be able to afford it. Chef Alex was amazing to work with...we first outlined my budget and vision and he worked with me to not only deliver an amazing meal that truly impressed all of my guests, but also fit our price point. I would hire Chef Alex again in a second and recommend him to anyone! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I contacted Big CityChefs via their online form to inquire about a dinner party for my sister's bachelorette. I was emailed shortly by Chef Thomas, and we hashed out the details of regarding time and menu. I told him that we were looking for a relatively light, healthy and tasty menu. We ended up with a great menu: (1) Ahi Tuna Tartare with Avocado, Cucumber, Pine Nut, Shallot, Parsley, in a Lemon & Soy Vinaigrette; (2) Sautéed Shrimp on top of Thai Papaya Salad (Green Papaya, Green Beans, Bird Eye Chilis, Tomatoes, Garlic, Peanuts, and Lime); and (3) Orange Creamsicle Panna Cotta - Eggless Vanilla Custard with Orange Segments, and Toasted Streusel. The food was fantastic, and the chef and his assistant were professional throughout. The chef was also pretty flexible - I found out the day before the dinner that one of the girls didn't eat seafood, and the chef was able to accommodate her (though she did bring her own chicken). They also took care of serving the food, and cleaning the dishes and the cooking area - at the end of the night, we just had to start the dishwasher. The night went really smoothly, and a lot of the girls said it was one of their favorite nights of the bachelorette! I would definitely recommend Big City Chefs and Chef Thomas! Thanks a lot for a great night :) More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Highly recommend Big City Chefs! We had Chef Jeff come out to host a wine and hors d'oeuvres event for our residents last week. Chef Jeff was very attentive to the residents and the presentation and taste of everything was phenomenal. He also used local wines and was very knowledgeable about them. We definitely look forward to hosting another event with Big City Chefs in the future. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We had an absolutely fantastic experience with Big City Chefs.  From the booking process to the actual evening, it was so easy and so delicious!  I highly recommend them!

Reviewed on Yelp

I had the pleasure of having Chef Kevin Des Chenes come to our home and cook us a lovely anniversary dinner. I reached out to Big City Chefs via their website. I was nervous that no one would be available on such short notice (i inquired a little over a week before my event). I received an email directly from Chef Kev D the very next morning asking what time I preferred, menu etc. He was very professional and prompt! He worked with me to create a custom menu based on our preferences and it was delicious!  We live on Long Island, New York but we were lucky enough to have Chef Kev D cook for us since he was already going to be in Manhattan the day prior so it all worked out! Overall, I would highly recommend Chef Kev D and Big City Chefs! They helped me win some major brownie points by helping me surprise my boyfriend for our anniversary. :) More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We had a wonderful dinner with Chef Alex who prepared an amazing meal. We had 4 kids running around and he handled it well with all the noise, and with all the questions and interruptions.  Alex was also very responsive and easy to work with during planning of the meal, and was so helpful. I would definitely invite Big City Chefs over for another shindig in the future. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Fantastic!! Nicoletta and Fanny were rockstars! Engaging, talented and really made our dinner party ! Big city chefs were super communicative and friendly! Highly recommend!!

Reviewed on Yelp

Highly recommend Big City Chefs.     I've had them twice in my home for dinners for clients and prospects, and each time it was high class and high quality.   Chef Lauren did a superb job both times.     It's a great value, and the best part is you can enjoy guests with complete confidence that will be done very well and with class. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Geordie hosted the event "Tastes of Italy" at LaJolla Crossroads last night.  He showed easy prep for outstanding charred caesars salad and lasagne.  He was very informative and fun-everyone had a great time.  I will definitely be using his techniques to recreate this meal.Thx Chef Geordie.  Enjoyed the event and look forward to learning more from you at future events.  Thankyou LaJolla Crossroads for having these events for our community. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I had a private dinner for 4 at my house and selected an Italian themed, 3 course dinner (appetizer, main entree, and dessert).  All courses were absolutely incredible (taste) and the presentation was just as great.  I'd highly recommend Big City Chefs (specifically, Chef John) in the Houston area.  The communication before and after the private dinner was proactive and timely.  Definitely recommend to others to give them a try.  I'll be looking to gift a similar private dinner experience for my parents sometime on the East Coast. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This was an amazing Mother's Day gift!! Chef Alex thought of everything and we learned so much. The food was epic too. He is so knowledgeable having worked in many kitchens and attending culinary school. He also is very fun and you can tell he has been teaching for a long time. It felt like having a friend in the house rather than a stranger. He was also wonderful to our baby and dog & was very accommodating. The food was unforgettable too and we have already made some of the things he taught us again (the next day!). The salmon was some of the best I've ever had and the handmade pasta reminded me of my childhood summers in Italy with my grandmother. Last but not least he left us with a clean kitchen! We felt so spoiled and could wipe the smiles from our faces. You are really really lucky if you ever get to do this. We are already trying to decide when Alex can come back!!! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I would highly recommend Big City Chefs if you're hosting a dinner party and want to enjoy it. We had a great evening with Chef Alex for a dinner party of 7 ladies. I was hosting a dinner in honor of my sister (at her house) and wanted to make sure we weren't spending the night in the kitchen worrying. Chef Alex was busy in the kitchen and let us get on with our girly night. Importantly the food was delicious and beautifully plated. We most appreciated that the ingredients were so fresh and local and Alex explained where everything was sourced from. The evening ended with lots of wine and nothing to clean - a perfect evening exactly how I'd imagined it. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I had Chef Alex come to my home to do a cooking class.  As it turned out we mostly drank, watched Alex and asked questions.  He was a great sport and a great cook.  Everyone had a great time and I would absolutely use him again! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

For Christmas, I gave my girlfriend who loves to cook, a private cooking class at her home with Chef Geordie and it was such an amazing and fun experience.  I actually now know the proper way to hold a knife and chop onions!  The food was fantastic and Chef Geordie was so much fun.  I highly recommend it to anyone that is looking for private cooking classes. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

My review of Big City Chefs is looong overdue.  I started working for a property over a year ago, planning events for residents.  Big City Chefs was already in rotation for chefs for cooking classes and brunches, so once I got on board I continued to use them and also branched out for bigger events.  I must say these Chefs are the best of the best!  They each bring their own flavor to the table (no pun intended) and the residents love them!  Special mention to the following (Chef Gina, Chef Syd, Chef Geordie, Chef Ron and Chef Nicoleta) who I've used several times that always bring their A+ game along with delicious things to eat and drink! This company has a fab selection of Chefs and they will work with your creative and budget.  So happy to have them with us monthly! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

Chef Alex created a fabulous dinner menu for my birthday celebration with a party of 18pp. We had tasty hors d'oeuvres, perfectly cooked roasted boneless leg of lamb and braised chicken thighs served with whipped potato purée, roasted baby broccoli, and ended with a delicious panna cotta.   This was my first event with Big City Chefs and I really appreciated their responsiveness and professionalism.  They answered all my questions and addressed my concerns.  I liked that Chef Alex was on top of the meal prep and was ready with everything ahead of schedule so that I can relax before my guests showed up.  My friends and I enjoyed the experience and meal. I would go back to Big City Chefs for future events. Special thanks to Chef Alex for making my birthday dinner very memorable! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I used this company twice in the Palm Desert area, we had 2 different chefs and they were both fantastic! The recipes were unique and the experience was amazing!  I would highly recommend their services! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

We hired Chef Danielle to cook for a private dinner party in Palm Springs. We were a group of 10 girls for a bachelorette party, and Danielle made us an amazing menu. It did take some time to craft the perfect menu together, but I was very happy with our end result. Danielle did a Mediterranean inspired menu with a seasonal salad, rack of lamb on polenta with Brussels sprouts, and delicious chocolate covered figs for dessert. I would absolutely do this again. I think it's important for people to realize that this service can add up, but you are paying for the entire experience, not just for the meal. I'm so glad we did this! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I contacted Big City Chefs to host an intimate dinner party for my best friends birthday. Chef Danielle reached out to me, and I had expressed my vision for the evening.  I was aiming to recreate a dining experience of a full 8 course tasting menu with wine pairings that I had experienced a year or so ago while on vacation. After emailing ideas back a forth, I decided to hire chef Danielle, she did not disappoint. Not only did she come up with a creative and fun menu, but made sure she carried out my vision for the perfect evening. My only regret for the evening, was it had to end. I look forward to the next reason I can think of to book chef Danielle again. More...

Reviewed on Yelp

I started planning my 40th birthday dinner five months in advance because I wanted to be sure and lock in the August date as I heard Alex books up fast! From the minute I contacted Alex, to the very end of his service, he was professional but also friendly and approachable which was nice since he was working with us in our home. The food was excellent and presented beautifully. Alex spent about 10 hours at our home preparing and executing and I swear we didn't even know he was there - everything was so smooth. We hired three servers through Big city chefs and they were also terrific, and left the kitchen spotless when they left (about an hour after the chef). We highly recommend Alex for any event needing a private chef! More...

Reviewed on Yelp

This dude(chef Brad) is awesome! He is a good teacher and is a fun person to be around. Definitely recommend him, especially his food!

Reviewed on Yelp