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

Chef's special - Exclusive

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Slow-Cooked Octopus with Carrot Purée, Ruby Grapefruit, and Kalamata Olive Soil

Green Tea-Infused Ocean Trout with Pomegranate, Porcini Soil, Trout Roe, and Chive Garnish

Cumin-Cured Yellowfin Tuna with Cucumber Gel, Quail Egg, Crispy Chickpeas, and Pea Shoots

Riverina Beef Tartare with Shallots, Capers, Egg Yolk Gel, and Charcoal Bread

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto with Langoustine Ragù

Hand-made live lobster ravioli, tomato coulis, chive, herbed cream

Pork Shoulder Cappellacci with Butter Sage Sauce and Aged Parmigiano Reggiano

Squid Ink Cannelloni with Hot-Smoked Salmon, Tomato, and Asparagus

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Glacier 51 Toothfish with Tomato Coulis, Saffron Potato, Squid Ink Bagna Cauda, and Roasted Zucchini

Herb-Crusted Lamb Rack with Sweet and Sour Vegetables, Goat's Curds, and Jus

Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Mash, Salsa Verde, and Slow-Roasted Tomato

Tasmanian Salmon Fillet with Saffron Lime Mayo, Asparagus, and Crispy Shallots

Snapper Fillet with Saffron Potatoes, Wilted Chard, and Puttanesca Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta with Mango Gel and Caramelized White Chocolate

Dark Chocolate Crémeux with Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, and Cocoa Soil

Textures of Smoked Chocolate with Coconut Gel

Chef's Special - Gourmet

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto with crab, lemon, tomato, white pepper

Hand-crafted lobster ravioli, tomato, chive, lobster sauce

Pork Shoulder Cappellacci with Butter Sage Sauce and Aged Parmigiano Reggiano

Squid Ink Cannelloni with Hot-Smoked Salmon, Tomato, and Asparagus

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Glacier 51 Toothfish with Tomato Coulis, Saffron Potato, Squid Ink Bagna Cauda, and Roasted Zucchini

Herb-Crusted Lamb Rack with Sweet and Sour Vegetables, Goat's Curds, and Jus

Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Mash, Salsa Verde, and Slow-Roasted Tomato

Tasmanian Salmon Fillet with Saffron Lime Mayo, Asparagus, and Crispy Shallots

Snapper Fillet with Saffron Potatoes, Wilted Chard, and Puttanesca Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Passion Fruit Panna Cotta with Mango Gel and Caramelized White Chocolate

Dark Chocolate Crémeux with Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, and Cocoa Soil

Textures of Smoked Chocolate with Coconut Gel

Italian - Casual

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Burrata with Prosciutto, Fresh Tomato, Basil, and Garlic Bread

Succulent Veal Slices with a Silky Tuna-Mayo Sauce, Lemon Zest and Crispy Shallots

Salmon Tartare with Avocado-Lime Gel, Crispy Potato, Chili Oil, and Chives

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Onion Purée, Baby Carrots, Salted Peanuts, and Sherry Jus

Venison Backstrap with Truffle Polenta, Wild Mushrooms, and Red Wine Jus

Snapper Fillet with Wilted Cime di Rapa on Puttanesca Sauce

Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Mash, Salsa Verde, and Slow-Roasted Tomato

Glacier 51 Toothfish, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mash, Charred Zucchini and Pizzaiola Sauce

Lamb Backstrap, Eggplant Parmigiana, Artichoke, Rosemary Jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Hazelnut Tiramisu with Shaved Chocolate and Coffee Gel

Vanilla Bean Pannacotta with Mixed Berries Compote and Toasted Almonds

Milk Chocolate Cremoso, Hazelnut, Milk Salted Caramel, Cocoa Soil

Lemon Curd Tart, Italian Meringue, Mango & Raspberry

Local - Gourmet

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Hand-Crafted Local Crab Ravioli with Tomato Coulis, Thyme, and White Pepper

Risotto with Moreton Bay Bugs and Aromatic Herbs

Linguine with Live Lobster, Chilli, and Lemon Butter

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Coral Trout with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce and Char-Grilled Zucchini

Pan-Seared South Coast Tuna with Wasabi Mash and Citrus Capsicum Salad

NSW venison backstrap, truffle polenta, wild mushrooms, red wine jus

Victoria's grass-fed "white pyrenees" lamb backstrap, ratatouille, saffron potato, lamb jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Gold leaf pavlova

Vanilla bean and Macadamia creme brulee'

Wattleseed and dark chocolate delice, salted caramel

Italian - Gourmet

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Hand-Crafted Pappardelle with Slow-Braised Lamb Ragù, Fragrant Rosemary, and Aged Cheese

Luxurious Risotto with Live Lobster Ragù, Tomato Petals, and Fresh Chives

Hand-crafted duck ravioli, pumpkin, burnt shallot, hazelnut, 30-Months Parmigiano Reggiano

Ricotta Gnocchi with Juicy Tomatoes, Fresh Mussels, and a Luxurious Saffron Lemon Sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pork Tenderloin Medallions with Onion Purée, Baby Carrots, Salted Peanuts, and Sherry Jus

Venison Backstrap with Truffle Polenta, Wild Mushrooms, and Red Wine Jus

Snapper Fillet with Wilted Cime di Rapa on Puttanesca Sauce

Beef Tenderloin with Sweet Potato Mash, Salsa Verde, and Slow-Roasted Tomato

Glacier 51 Toothfish, Extra Virgin Olive Oil Mash, Charred Zucchini and Pizzaiola Sauce

Lamb Backstrap, Eggplant Parmigiana, Artichoke, Rosemary Jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Hazelnut Tiramisu with Shaved Chocolate and Coffee Gel

Vanilla Bean Pannacotta with Mixed Berries Compote and Toasted Almonds

Milk Chocolate Cremoso, Hazelnut, Milk Salted Caramel, Cocoa Soil

Lemon Curd Tart, Italian Meringue, Mango & Raspberry

Mediterranean - Casual

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Burrata with Heirloom Tomato, Almond, and Basil Salad with Garlic Crostini

Yamba Prawns with Garlic-Lemon Butter on Panzanella Salad

Cured Meat and Cheese Board with Pickles

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roast Cod with Olive Oil Mash, Zucchini, and Slow-Cooked Tomato

Grass-Fed Lamb Backstrap with Ratatouille and Red Wine Jus

Swordfish Steak Served Mediterranean-Style on Puttanesca Sauce

Wagyu Rump MS 8+ with Smoked Carrot Velouté, Duck Fat Potatoes, and Salsa Verde

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Raspberry Clafoutis with dulce de leche

Dark Chocolate Crémeux with Hazelnut, Salted Caramel, and Cocoa Soil

Yogurt and Vanilla Panna Cotta with Rhubarb Gel and Ginger Crumble

Local - Casual

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Freshly Shucked Sydney Rock Oysters with Lemon and Shallot Mignonette

Yamba Prawns from NSW with Garlic-Lemon Butter on Panzanella Salad

NSW Riverina Beef Tartare with Shallot, Caper, Egg Yolk Gel, and Charcoal Bread

WA Char-Grilled Fremantle Octopus with Carrot Purée, Grapefruit, and Black Olive Soil

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Coral Trout with Lemon Caper Butter Sauce and Char-Grilled Zucchini

Pan-Seared South Coast Tuna with Wasabi Mash and Citrus Capsicum Salad

NSW venison backstrap, truffle polenta, wild mushrooms, red wine jus

Victoria's grass-fed "white pyrenees" lamb backstrap, ratatouille, saffron potato, rosemary jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Gold leaf pavlova

Vanilla bean and Macadamia creme brulee'

Wattleseed and dark chocolate delice, salted caramel

Mediterranean - Gourmet

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto Nero with Squid and Gremolata

Caramelized Onion and Goat Cheese Tart

Hand-Crafted Spinach and Ricotta Ravioli on Tomato and Basil Sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roast Cod with Olive Oil Mash, Zucchini, and Slow-Cooked Tomato

Grass-Fed Lamb Backstrap with Ratatouille and Red Wine Jus

Wagyu rump MS 8+ burnt carrot veloute', confit potato, broccoli, red wine jus

Swordfish Steak Served Mediterranean-Style on Puttanesca Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Creme brulee' with almond biscuit

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

Yogurt and Vanilla Panna Cotta with Rhubarb Gel and Ginger Crumble

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Chef Claudio's reviews

4.85

•

88 services

Claudio delivered a visually stunning, luxurious and plentiful menu that he happily customised to suit fussy guest preferences. We chose a seafood menu, and Claudio was happy for us to have a mix of plated and shared options, resulting in a menu consisting of 7 different dishes. Our guests were wowed with insanely generous portions (this was an insecurity of mine - Claudio was right when he told me ‘no one has ever left a meal of mine hungry’). The salmon sashimi entree plate was piled high with honestly a main size portion of salmon and tasted divine with the avocado and crispy potato. The handmade gnocchi with langoustine was artful and well balanced, and was so enormous a serve, again it could have been served as the main. The toothfish was a show stopper - delicate, succulent and perfectly cooked. The passion fruit panna cotta was the perfect amount of fruit, cream and tartness to round off the meal. Claudio was the consummate professional, calm, in command, reading the room to time our courses, presenting his food, then seamlessly clearing it away, and like a magical fairy godmother leaving the kitchen spotless at the end. It was a fabulous experience end to end - thanks a million Claudio !

Chef Claudio cooked our Christmas Day lunch for family and friends, and it was perfect in every way. From start to finish, the experience was seamless and thoroughly enjoyable. Claudio is not only a genuinely nice guy, but also an exceptionally talented chef. The food was spot on, beautifully balanced flavours, cooked to perfection, and presented to a very high standard. Every dish looked as good as it tasted. What truly set Claudio apart was his professionalism throughout the day. His organisation and clean-up were among the best we’ve ever seen, leaving the kitchen immaculate and allowing us to simply relax and enjoy time with our guests. We would highly recommend Chef Claudio for any private event and will absolutely be using him again in the future.

Chef Claudio made our stay in Sydney extra special. He made us breakfast and dinner for three days. Each meal was incredible, well presented and delicious. He was very professional, committed and worked very hard. He takes pride in what he does. He was very attentive, easy to have around and was very perceptive with our needs as a family. A big thank you Chef Claudio. 10/10, if you are thinking of asking Chef Claudio to cook for you, go for it!

Claudio was amazing. Would highly recommend

We hired Chef Claudio for our family Christmas dinner party with 16 guests, including both kids and adults, and he exceeded all our expectations! The food was absolutely delicious, and Chef Claudio expertly accommodated three different dietary requirements without compromising on quality or taste. Every dish was beautifully prepared and presented, with the dessert being a particular highlight that had everyone asking for seconds. Beyond the exceptional food, Chef Claudio was incredibly professional, punctual, warm, and friendly throughout the entire experience. He made the evening stress-free and enjoyable for everyone. We highly recommend Chef Claudio for any occasion and would absolutely hire him again!

We had an incredible experience celebrating our 15th wedding anniversary. The food was outstanding beautifully presented and full of flavour and the service made the evening feel truly special. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a memorable private dining experience.

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 ????