Key Takeaways
TL;DR: Five private sushi chefs you can book in Los Angeles are Chris Manos, Chong Kim Ooi, Morgan Mead, Benjamin Kalifa and Kayla Utahna, each bringing restaurant-level technique to your kitchen, whether for an omakase for two or a tasting for a group.
- What to expect: Hand-crafted nigiri prepared on the spot, fish such as tuna from Toyosu Market, properly seasoned rice and, with some chefs, sake pairings or a full setup with staff, for anything from an omakase for two to a tasting for a group.
- Price: Across the 60 Japanese menus booked in Los Angeles since we started, the median was $181 per guest; in the US over the last 24 months it went from $218 per guest for one or two people to $150 for 13 or more.
- Chris Manos: Trained in Greek fine dining, including the two-Michelin-star Spondi in Athens, Chris was chef de cuisine at Le Grand in Los Angeles and The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica, and cooks a full sushi menu, from nigiri and sashimi to spider rolls.
- Chong Kim Ooi: A 2002 Le Cordon Bleu graduate with more than 18 years of experience, Chong Kim Ooi has worked in Southern California restaurants such as Joe’s Restaurant and Ortolan and cooks from Los Angeles to Palm Springs.
- Morgan Mead and Benjamin Kalifa: Morgan Mead grew up in a family farm-to-table restaurant and runs event and pop-up dining projects in Los Angeles, and Benjamin Kalifa reached the semifinals of the first season of Top Chef France, in 2010.
- Kayla Utahna: With more than ten years of pastry and savory cooking, Kayla has worked in several countries, from pubs to royal households, and has extensive experience with dietary restrictions.
Looking for a private sushi chef in Los Angeles who can turn your dinner party into something people won’t stop talking about? This list covers five of the best. Whether you’re after a quiet omakase for two or a lively tasting for a group, these chefs bring restaurant-level skill and precision straight to your kitchen.
Some trained in fine-dining kitchens, spending years mastering the basics before ever touching a knife in public. Others found their voice in Los Angeles kitchens, blending old-school technique with their own creative edge. You’ll notice different styles, but there’s one thing they all have in common—an almost obsessive attention to detail. From sourcing the fish to how the rice hits the plate, nothing’s left to chance.
Expect more than sushi. Think tuna flown in from Toyosu Market, hand-crafted nigiri prepared on the spot, and warm rice seasoned just right. A few chefs offer sake pairings, others come with full setups and staff. The point is—you’re not just booking a meal, you’re booking an experience.
These aren’t your average caterers. They’re artists with knives, and your countertop is their stage.
Índice
Los Angeles’s Best Private Sushi Chefs You Can Book Right Now
Chef Chris Manos
Chris Manos trained in Greek fine dining, including Hytra (one Michelin star) and Spondi (two stars) in Athens, before moving to Los Angeles, where Chris was chef de cuisine at Le Grand and at The Huntley Hotel in Santa Monica. Based in Marina del Rey, Chris cooks Mediterranean, French and Californian food and a full sushi menu: nigiri, sashimi, spider rolls, tekka maki and a shrimp tempura roll.
Chef Chong Kim Ooi
Chong Kim Ooi graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in 2002 and has cooked everything from American comfort food to East Asian cuisines in Southern California restaurants such as JiRaffe, L’Orangerie, Joe’s Restaurant and Ortolan, the last two of which held a Michelin star. Chong is one of the most requested chefs for Luxury Retreats and the Amex Centurion club, and cooks from Los Angeles and Beverly Hills to Palm Springs, La Quinta, Indio and Palm Desert.
Chef Morgan Mead
Morgan Mead grew up in a family-owned farm-to-table restaurant and has worked on every side of hospitality, from cooking and bartending to wine and event planning, including Los Angeles projects such as LA Peacock Events, Peacock Picnics and Five Star Fifteen. Morgan’s Asian menu opens with nigiri and an ahi tuna, mango and avocado stack, built on fresh, locally sourced ingredients.
Chef Benjamin Kalifa
A French chef from Paris, Benjamin Kalifa competed in the first season of Top Chef France, in 2010, and reached the semifinals. Now based in Los Angeles, Benjamin cooks private dinners and events, with a Japanese tasting experience among the menus.
Chef Kayla Utahna
Kayla Utahna has more than ten years of experience in pastry and savory cooking, in several countries and in kitchens ranging from humble pubs to the private homes of royalty. Kayla has extensive experience with dietary restrictions, loves exploring other food cultures and offers omakase menus in Los Angeles.
What a private sushi chef costs in Los Angeles
These are real prices, not estimates. Across the 60 Japanese menus our clients in Los Angeles have booked since we started, the median was $181 per guest, and the middle half paid between $160 and $248. The price per guest goes down as the group grows, because the chef’s time, travel and setup are shared. These are the medians across the 395 Japanese menus booked in the US over the last 24 months:
| Group size | Median price per guest | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| 1-2 guests | $218 | $182–$250 |
| 3-6 guests | $170 | $155–$200 |
| 7-12 guests | $154 | $135–$185 |
| 13+ guests | $150 | $125–$165 |
Chefs send you their menu and price before you book, so you know the final cost up front; it depends on the menu, the ingredients and the number of guests.
If you’re ready to book a private chef in the city, you can explore our full list of private chefs available in Los Angeles, covering all cuisines and occasions. Looking for something more specific? Check out our dedicated private sushi chef service to see what’s possible when tradition meets personal dining.
