Private Chef Melissa Avrick

I’m a professional vegan/vegetarian chef with 15 years of global experience. I’ve been nomadic for quite some time which has allowed me to discover new techniques and flavor combinations I never would have imagined. Over the years I started experimenting more with the senses and now create full on sensory experiences for my clients. From blindfolded eating ceremonies to an ambience to indulge in.

For me, cooking is...

A homecoming. It’s a meditation that allows my mind to create. I watch ideas come to life through my kitchen and it couldn’t make me happier.

I learned to cook at...

I didn’t take the typical route of going to school. i learned to cook at restaurants and kitchens all around the world.

A cooking secret...

Is to try something new! Improvise when you can, sometimes accidents are your new favorite dish.

My menus

The med spread

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Whole Roasted & Spiced Cauliflower atop Zesty Labaneh, Topped with Tahini, Spicy Tomato Salad & Pomegranate

Baked Brie Sourdough with Carmelized Onions, Honey (optional) and Seasonal Fruit of Choice

Beetroot Carpaccio Served atop spiced Lentils drizzled with Olive Oil, Fresh Herbs, and Feta

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

White Bean Soup with Harissa & Tahini (spicy)

Lemon Basil Zuchini Soup

Halloumi Salad w/ Roasted Root Veggies, Kale, Pomegranate & Grains tossed in a Sundried Tomato Dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Vegan Mousakka with Eggplant and Lentil Walnut filled in Herabceous Spiced Tomato Sauce

Crispy Spiced Chickpeas and Oyster Mushrooms tossed In Zesty Harissa Sauce topped w. Herbs

Stuffed Peppers with Grains, Vegetables and Topped with Melty Cheese

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Orange Rosemary Olive Oil Cake w/ Cream

Avocado Chocolate Pudding Layered with Raspberry Compote & Coconut Whip

The Holiday Spread

STARTER

All inclusive

Pomegranate-Rosemary Sparkler (available as alcoholic AND non-alcoholic)

Roasted Orange Soup - Creamy roasted pumpkin, carrot, and charred oranges blended together with coconut cream and spices topped with pumpkin seed oil and seeds

FIRST COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Homemade Bread and Herbed Brown Butter - Brown butter freshly made with seasonal flavors

Rosemary & Sage Roasted Potatoes

Maple Roasted Root Vegetables

Cranberry-Pear Chutney

Baked Brie Toasts with Poached Pear & Port Wine Reduction

Crunchy Green Salad with Shaved Fennel, Walnuts, and Cranberry Vinagrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Spiced Lentil & Mushroom Wellington w/ Rosemary Red Wine Reduction

Creamy Polenta

Stuffed Butternut Squash w/ Wild Mushroom Rice topped with nuts and seeds

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Warm Sangria optional Cream

Spiced Chai optional Cream

Mango Mousse Parfait - Pureed mango topped with sweet coconut cream and crunchy granola

Warm Apple Berry Cobbler optional with Ice cream

Rich Chocolate Peppermint Torte

The Umami Affair

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Apple Crunch Wakame Salad - Shredded apple, carrot, and cabbage mixed with rehydrated wakame, topped off with toasted pumpkin and sesame seeds tossed in a pumpkin seed oil infused ginger dressing

Down To The Roots Salad - Thinly sliced beetroot, carrot, cucumber and radish with orange ginger miso dressing

Lemongrass Coconut Miso Soup - Silky smooth lemongrass coconut miso with chunks of tofu in every bite. A tropical twist on the classic

Pumpkin Ginger Miso Soup - Creamy pumpkin miso soup with chunks of pumpkin and tofu topped with pumpkin seed and chili oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seasonal Nigri - seasonal umami marinated "fish" atop a bed of cauliflower cashew rice wrapped in nori served with ginger and wasabi

Apple Pear Napa Kimchi - Your classic kimchi with apples and pears added in to give you a bright, sweet, and tart to go along with the spice

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Pistachio Dream - Crispy tofu and cucumber wrapped in avocado and topped with pistachio cream, toasted sesame seeds and lemon zest

The HeartBEET - Roasted carrots and peppers wrapped in roasted beetroot topped with smoked beetroot aioli and sesame seeds

Red Hot Dragon - Spicy "salmon" and cucumber wrapped in avocado topped with sweet and spicy chilli sauce

The Goku - cucmber and onion jam wrapped in sweet potato topped with sesame seeds, panko, teriyaki and roasted almond pieces

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dark Chocolate Matcha Torte - Silky smooth dark chocolate torte with date and nut crust and a layer of sweet matcha mousse

Mango Mousse Parfait - Pureed mango topped with sweet coconut cream and crunchy granola

Carrot Cake Sushi. - Coconut almond rice filled with spiced carrot cake filling with vanilla cashew cream drizzle and finished with toasted sesame seeds and coconut flakes

Black Sesame Pannacotta - Creamy black sesame pannacotta topped with hot berry compote