Chef Claudio Zannotti

Chef At Home in Sydney

As a Private Chef, I craft bespoke dining experiences that tantalise taste buds and evoke delight. With a passion for quality, precision, creativity and personalised service, I curate menus that reflect your unique tastes and preferences, elevating every meal into a memorable occasion. My dedication to excellence, the attention to detail, the engagement with guests, commitment to exceed expectations, and the ability to accomodate dietary restrictions, sets me apart from other private chefs.

Over the past 20 years, I have worked in high end venues in Italy, the Uk and Australia, including Michelin starred and hatted restaurants. I honed my skills through experimentation, formal training, and hands-on experience, constantly seeking to expand my culinary repertoire and refine my techniques. Cooking became not just a skill I acquired, but a lifelong journey of discovery, growth, and sharing the art of gastronomy with those around me.

I encourage you to reach out for inquiries, bookings or consultations.

I look forward to be serving you with passion and enthusiasm! :)

Thank you for taking the time to read this bio.

For me, cooking is...

For me cooking is not just a skill or a job; it's a form of art, a way to express creativity, passion, and love. Cooking is bringing people together.

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook at a young age, watching my mother on the stove while growing up in Italy, and then began cooking for her and my little brother.

A cooking secret...

Unlocking the potential to transform simple ingredients into extraordinary culinary experiences that leave a lasting impression to my guests.

My menus

Surprise - Indulge menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Scallop, truffled pea, marinated artichoke, salmon eggs

Beef carpaccio, mustard mayo, anchovy, rocket, balsamic glaze

“Yamba prawns cocktail” with avocado salsa and lemon

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto with crab, lemon, tomato, white pepper

Rigatoni pasta with wagyu beef ragout, carrot, Pecorino Romano cheese

Hand-made ricotta gnocchi, butternut squash, wild mushroom, Pecorino Romano cheese

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef tenderloin "surf & turf", broccoli veloute', fondant potato, red wine jus

"Glacier 51 Toothfish", tomato coulis, saffron potato, squid Ink "bagna cauda", roast zucchini

Lamb backstrap, artichoke puree', eggplant parmigiana, lamb jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dark chocolate cremeux, hazelnut, salted caramel, cocoa soil

Yoghurt and vanilla pannacotta, rhubarb gel, ginger crumble

Lemon curd tart with coconut meringue and raspberry

Seafood/Fish - Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Ceviche of ocean trout and scallops with creme fraiche and coriander

Tasmanian salmon tartare, avocado and lime gel, chilli oil, chive, crispy potatoes

Yamba prawns cocktail with avocado salsa and chive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto with Langoustine ragu'

Spaghetti "alla chitarra" with octopus ragu', nduja and bottarga

Hand-made tagliatelle with mussels, saffron and cherry tomato

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

"Glacier 51 Toothfish", tomato coulis, saffron potato, squid Ink "bagna cauda", roast zucchini

Red emperor, truffle cauliflower puree, slow-cooked tomato, salsa verde

Tasmanian ocean trout, herb and citrus mayo, oyster mushroom, rosemary soil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dark chocolate cremeux, hazelnut, salted caramel, crunchy cocoa soil

Tiramisu'

Lemon curd tart with coconut meringue and raspberry

Surprise - Exclusive - Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

AMOUSE BOUCHE: Japanese scallop sashimi, yuzu dressing, apple, caviar

1st ENTREE'; Salmon tartare, avocado and lime gel, chilli oil, chive, crispy potatoes

2nd ENTREE': Slow-cooked Fremantle octopus, carrot puree', grapefruit, kalamata olive soil

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Risotto with wild mushrooms and black truffle

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Duck breast with butternut squash, shallot, hazelnut, xeres jus

Beef tenderloin, broccoli veloute', duck fat potato, slow-cooked tomato, red wine jus

DESSERT

All inclusive

Green Tea Tiramisu: Layers of matcha-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone cream

Local - Basic

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Live-Sydney Rock Oysters freshly shucked in front of you served with lemon and shallot mignonette

NSW Yamba prawns salad served with avocado salsa and Calabrian chilli oil, leaves

Local yellow-fin tuna tartare, cucumber gel, quail egg, crispy chickpea

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken breast supreme, capsicum salad, field mushroom, chicken jus

Lamb backstrap, artichoke puree', eggplant parmigiana, lamb jus

Risotto with 4-cheeses from NSW

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pavlova, passion fruit, strawberries

Baked cheesecake served with berries coulis

Chocolate lamington served with sour cream and raspberry gel

Italian - Basic

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mixed Italian Antipasto with a selection of cured meats, cheeses, and pickles, served with home-made warm focaccia bread

Salmon tartare, avocado and lime gel, chilli oil, chive, crispy potatoes

"Vitello Tonnato" Sliced veal served with tuna/mayo sauce, capers, tomato soil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy risotto with "Porcini" mushrooms, thyme, and Parmigiano Reggiano DOP

Salmon fillet, herbed aioli’, saffron potato, broccolini

Rigatoni pasta with "amatriciana sauce" & Pecorino Romano cheese

Chicken breast supreme, capsicum salad, field mushroom, wilted spinach and chicken jus

Beef tenderloin (cooked your way), sweet potato mash, salsa verde, jus

Lamb backstrap with ratatouille and red wine jus

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chocolate Crémeux, salted caramel, hazelnut, cocoa

Passion fuit pannacotta, mango gel, bunt white chocolate

Green Tea Tiramisu: Layers of matcha-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone cream

Italian - Exclusive

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Live-Sydney Rock Oysters freshly shucked in front of you served with lemon and shallot mignonette

Salmon tartare, avocado and lime gel, chilli oil, chive, crispy potatoes

Scallop, truffle pumpkin, marinated artichoke, crispy pancetta

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto with Langoustine's ragu'

Linguine with lobster, tomato petals and chive

Risotto with pumpkin, taleggio cheese and walnuts

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tasmanian ocean trout, saffron potato, herbed aioli', salted almond

Australian glacier 51 toothfish, olive oil mash, roast zucchini and slow-cooked tomato

Snapper with charred broccolini and puttanesca sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Green Tea Tiramisu: Layers of matcha-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone cream

Dark chocolate cremeux, hazelnut, salted caramel, cocoa soil

Passion fruit Pannacotta, mango gel, burnt white chocolate

Tilly's Italian menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mixed Italian Antipasto with a selection of cured meats, cheeses, and pickles, served with home-made warm focaccia bread

Beef carpaccio, lemon, rocket, balsamic and shaved parmesan cheese

Sauté garlic prawns with tomato butter, pea, pancetta and artichoke

Salmon tartare, avocado and lime gel, chilli oil, chive, crispy potatoes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto with Langoustine ragu'

Gnocchi with pumpkin, mushrooms and Parmesan cheese

Rigatoni pasta with wagyu beef ragout, carrot, Pecorino Romano cheese

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken breast supreme, capsicum salad, field mushroom, wilted spinach and chicken jus

Beef tenderloin "surf & turf", broccoli veloute', fondant potato, red wine jus

"Glacier 51 Toothfish", tomato coulis, saffron potato, squid Ink "bagna cauda", roast zucchini

Lamb backstrap with ratatouille and red wine jus

Tasmanian ocean trout, herb and citrus mayo, oyster mushroom, rosemary soil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Crémeux, salted caramel, hazelnut, cocoa

Passion fuit pannacotta, mango gel, bunt white chocolate

Green Tea Tiramisu: Layers of matcha-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone cream

Italian - Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

"Vitello Tonnato" Sliced veal served with tuna/mayo sauce, capers, tomato soil

Saute' mussels with saffron and black pepper

Burrata with sweet and sour vegetables and balsamic glaze

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pork shoulder "cappellacci", carrot puree', butter & sage sauce, Grana Padano cheese

Hand-made spinach and ricotta ravioli, tomato sauce, Parmiggiano Reggiano, Basil

Risotto with prawns, tomato, lemon and zucchini

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Slow-cooked veal with prosciutto, hazelnut butter and sage, served with tomato coulis

Red snapper fillet served "acquapazza" style

Baked eggplant “parmigiana”

Beef tenderloin (cooked your way), sweet potato mash, salsa verde, jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dark chocolate cremoso, roast hazelnut, salted caramel, cocoa soil

Yoghurt and vanilla pannacotta, rhubarb gel, ginger crumble

"Torta della Nonna" ( Tuscan cake filled with lemon cream, icing sugar and pine-nuts)

Show me more

Chef Claudio's reviews

4.84

•

76 services

What an incredible night ! Eight of us and none of us had ever experienced a private chef, and none of us were prepared for what we had the privilege of enjoying. Claudio was amazingly professional, and created meals that were delicious and served with grace. We could not recommend him highly enough, and we would definitely have him return for further occasions. Thank you for making our evening perfect, Claudio,

Chef Claudio was excellent, I would definitely book him again. So grateful that on the night he nailed every course.

We had the absolute pleasure of working with Chef Claudio for our recent NFP Leaders Dinner, and we couldn't be happier with the experience. He prepared a stunning 4-course menu that was not only delicious but beautifully presented — every dish was a hit!

Claudio was fantastic. From the food to the service, he made the night very enjoyable. He was very professional and is an excellent chef!

We had the pleasure of having Chef Claudio come to our home for a private three-course dinner, and it was an unforgettable experience. From the moment he arrived, Claudio brought not just incredible food, but also great energy and engaging conversation. The menu was perfect — starting with a fresh and zesty salmon ceviche, followed by a beautifully cooked sirloin steak that was full of flavour, and finishing with a rich chocolate dessert that hit the spot. Claudio was not only professional and well-prepared, but he also shared stories and made the evening feel relaxed and personal. You can tell he genuinely loves what he does. Highly recommend him for anyone looking to bring a fine dining experience into their home.

We had an exceptional evening with Claudio as our personal chef to celebrate a milestone birthday. His delicious food, beautiful presentation and kind demeanor made for a truly special experience. Highly recommend.

Chef Claudio created such a fantastic experience for our 5th wedding anniversary. We'd never hired a private chef before so we were unsure what to expect but it ended up being so positive that we're planning on doing it again and again. We chose to have a surprise menu and it made the experience even more special. The dishes were delicious, presented beautifully and catered to our dietary needs. Chef Claudio left our kitchen spotless too. Thank you for the experience!

Claudio is friendly and professional chef. He has good communication with me and my guests throughout the whole experience. He has put out the dishes amazingly and with explanations for each dish. Me and my guests truly appreciate the experience and will cherish the memories! Highly recommend!

We had the pleasure of working with Chef Claudio, and the experience was fantastic from start to finish. His communication was clear and professional, making the planning process smooth and stress-free. On the night, he was really attentive and engaging with our guests, adding a personal touch that made the event even more special. Everything ran seamlessly, and the food was exceptional. We highly recommend Chef Claudio and look forward to working with him again!

Thank you Chef Claudio for a great night with brilliant food!

Claudio was amazing for our at-home chef experience! He was extremely friendly, and the food he prepared for us was outstanding. We wouldn’t hesitate at all to hire him again. Grazie, Claudio!

Claudio was brilliant through the entire process. His communication was great, we designed a menu together and the food itself was delicious. He was very polite and left our kitchen spotless. It was a wonderful and memorable experience. We recommend him.

The love Claudio has for creating a fine dining experience comes through in all he does form his communication before the event, to the sensational food he delivers. He went above and beyond. My 13 guests loved the experience. Highly recommend.

Claudio was amazing, It was delightful having him in my kitchen though a few of my dinner party guests arrived late, Claudio was very patient and the meal was delicious. Thank you, chef ????

Claudio was excellent across every course. He was very polite, had good conversation and was very engaging with our kids too. Who didn't stop asking questions! Highly recommend him.

We had the pleasure of having Claudio cook incredible food for us. The whole experience was such a delight, he was professional, knowledgeable, adaptable and a lovely person to have in our home. He cooked such an incredible meal for us and all of our guests were blown away and more than enjoyed the experience. My kitchen was spotless when he left which was also a real treat after hosting a large dinner party. We would absolutely use Claudio again for any future events and would happily recommend him. Thank you for such a wonderful first experience!

For my mother’s 80th birthday, we wanted to create a celebration that was as special and memorable as the milestone itself. Claudio delivered an extraordinary dining experience that far exceeded our expectations! Claudio's professionalism and passion for Italian cuisine were evident. He took the time to understand our preferences, dietary requirements, and the tone of the event, ensuring every detail was tailored perfectly. His menu was a masterpiece, blending authentic Italian flavors with our request for a twist to add cod mains on the menu that delighted everyone. Claudio’s ability to balance flavors, textures, and presentation transformed our dining room into a fine-dining restaurant and unforgettable experience. Beyond his culinary expertise, Claudio’s warm and engaging personality added to the day's charm. He created an experience that will be talked about in our family for years to come. If you’re looking for a chef who brings passion, skill, and authenticity to your table, Claudio is definitely the pick. Grazie mille Claudio!

I wanted to take a moment to thank Chef Claudio for preparing and serving and absolutely delicious meal for us on Saturday night. From start to finish, everything was perfectly executed. Our guests were all thoroughly impressed and truly enjoyed the evening. The experience was exceptional!

Claudio was a true professional in preparing an outstanding menu for my partner and I. He made our day seamless and tasty with our 4 course meal. It was truely an amazing experience and looking forward to seeing him again in the very near future gathering.

I recently had the pleasure of enjoying a private dining experience to celebrate my parents 40th wedding anniversary that was nothing short of amazing. Claudio went above and beyond to make sure we had the perfect evening. The highlight of the evening was definitely the food! Each course was beautifully presented and bursting with flavour. It was a memorable night that I would highly recommend to anyone looking to celebrate a special occasion. Thankyou Claudio you made my parents very happy with full bellies and lots of laughs.