Chef Dane Berkel

Private Chef in Oranjestad

Bringing the flavors of the Caribbean to your table with a gourmet touch! As a passionate private chef in Aruba, I specialize in crafting unforgettable dining experiences using the freshest local ingredients. Whether it’s an intimate dinner, a family gathering, or a celebration, I create customized menus that blend bold island flavors with international techniques.

With years of experience in fine dining and private catering, I take pride in delivering exceptional service, elegant plating, and a truly personalized experience. From fresh seafood feasts to multi-course tasting menus, every dish is designed to impress. Let me handle everything—from sourcing the best ingredients to serving a restaurant-quality meal in the comfort of your home or villa.

Book your exclusive private dining experience today and savor the best of Aruba!

For me, cooking is...

a gift and a passion

I learned to cook at...

at Colegio E.P.I. The Island's culinary school.

A cooking secret...

treat every ingredient with respect

My menus

Local - Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Kala fritters (vegetarian)

Crab cake

Greek salad with feta cheese and watermelon vinagret (vegetarian)

Tuna tartar

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Arubian seafood soup

Shrimp & Corn Chowder

Roasted pumpking soup (vegetarian)

Tuna tataki

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Snapper crioyo

Grilled mahi mahi

Keshi yena taco

Vegetable curry (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bolo di ponche crema ( arubian creamy liqour cake )

Warm brownie and vanilla ice cream

Mango creme brûlee

Strawberry & Cream Shortcake Jars

Local - Basic

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Kala fritters (vegetarian)

Watermelon tomato Gazpacho (vegetarian)

Mix of Arubian party snacks hot & cold

Arubian seafood soup

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fried red snapper with local sides

Carni stoba

Chicken legs with local sides

Vegan catch of the day

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pan boloi

Bolo di ponche crema ( arubian creamy liqour cake )

Warm bread pudding with ice cream

Coconut Creme brulee

Seafood/Surprise - Basic

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp cocktail

Tuna tartar

Seafood soup

Watermelon tomato Gazpacho (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fried fish with local sides

Seafood pasta tomato sauce

Grilled mahi mahi

Vegan catch of the day

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Key lime pie

Panna Cotta

Chocolate cake

Coconut Creme brulee

Seafood/Surprise - Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Tuna tataki

Scallop carpaccio

Shrimp and avocado

Greek salad with feta cheese and watermelon vinagret (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp bisque

Shrimp & Corn Chowder

Pumpkin soup (vegetarian)

Tuna tartar

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled Seabass & garlic shrimp

Seafood pasta red sauce

Snapper fillet with aritichoke risotto

Vegetable curry (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lava cake with ice cream

Salted carmel chocolate cake

Coconut Creme brulee

Sorbet Ice

Seafood/Surprise - Exclusive

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Tuna tartar with soy graze wasabi foam and rice chip

Scallop carpaccio

Greek salad with feta cheese and watermelon vinagret (vegetarian)

Crab cake

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Seafood Soup

Lobster bisque

Shrimp ravioli

Roasted pumpkin soup (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster & shrimp pasta

Grilled Filet of Grouper with Shrimp Cream Sauce

Seafood aioli

Lion's Mane Steak (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Profitterols

Chocolate temptation cake

Mango creme brûlee

Sorbet Ice

Local - Exclusive

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Tuna tartar with soy graze wasabi foam and rice chip

Mini arubian beef wellington

Greek salad with feta cheese and watermelon vinagret (vegetarian)

Scallop carpaccio

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Oyster Soup

Arubian seafood soup

Roasted pumpking soup with crispy pork belly

Tuna carpaccio

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Whole snapper with local sides

Grilled Seabass & garlic shrimps

Land & Sea (steak and seafood combo)

Lion's Mane Steak (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bolo di ponche crema ( arubian creamy liqour cake )

Salted carmel chocolate cake

Profitterols

Chocolate & rashberry mouse

Mediterranean - Basic

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Greek salad with feta cheese and watermelon vinagret (vegetarian)

Bruschetta al pomodoro (vegetarian)

Tuna tartar

Cheese platter (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled fish

Grilled chicken

Pasta pomodoro (vegetarian)

Vegetable curry (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Panna Cotta

Fruits

Sorbet Ice

Mediterranean - Exclusive

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Scallop carpaccio

Tuna carpaccio

Greek salad with feta cheese and watermelon vinagret (vegetarian)

Escargots

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seafood soup

Spinach & Feta Ravioli (vegetarian)

Lobster bisque

Shrimp ravioli

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grouper with a Artichoke risotto

Lamb chops with truffle risotto

Poached lobster tail

Lion's Mane Steak (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Salted carmel chocolate cake

Chocolate & raspberry mouse

Profitterols

Creme brûlee

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Chef Dane's reviews

4.67

•

20 services

Chef Dane was very professional his ability to explain all of the dishes were just the best experience for me and my guests he made my birthday the best way to end a perfect day definitely would recommend

Chef Dane was amazing! We had his Aruban dinner on our next to last night on the island. What an excellent grand finale for an awesome vacation!! It really was a special way to top off our trip. The dishes were absolutely perfect, we loved the Aruban background he told us about them, and he made it a memorable last dinner for us in Aruba. He was very personable and the cleanup was certainly appreciated. :) We would definitely recommend Chef Dane... 5/5 for sure!

Chef Dane was fantastic! He was very engaging, polite, friendly and extremely skilled. He prepared a fantastic traditional American Thanksgiving menu for us. I've had Thanksgiving turkey my whole life, and I can honestly say this was the juiciest, most succulent Turkey I ever had. Overall, Chef Dane prepared a fest for 8 people that consisted of an appetizer, entree, 5 sides (!) and a dessert - all by himself! Would highly recommend

This Chef was spectacular the cooking skills were awesome and the presentation and taste was the best I will use this chef again and refer him to my family and friends

Chef Dane is absolutely fantastic! His food is beyond delicious and he really enjoys doing what he does. He is very personable and a joy to work with. And he knows the area so use his expertise. Trust me, once you eat his food, it will be difficult to eat out.

Couldn't have been happier. Got everything we wanted and more!

Amazing service! Great chef!

Chef Dane was a wonderful addition to our honeymoon. He is extremely passionate about his dishes and being a local, we felt he embodied all of the qualities we were looking for. He has local connections for the freshest fish and produce.

Chef Dane is ver reasonable and understanding. His dishes are flavorful. He also knows the island very well and can help with any questions about travel! Very happy with Chef Dane

Chef did an excellent job and this was a great way to end our family vacation. He was very sweet and worked so hard to please us. His dishes had all the flavors I was looking for and more. The ceviche was bomb!! We warmed the fish the next morning for fish tacos and it was as good as the night before. We all really enjoyed our time with Chef Dane and would highly recommend him. Bonappetit, Chef Dane.