Chef Marina Mellino

Private Chef in Calgary

Specializing in bespoke private dinners in client homes (including Airbnb locations), and offsite events; I bring years of experience from working in all kinds of kitchens in the world including Canada, USA and Argentina.

I ensure a very reasonable price for menu planning, shopping, prep, set up, take down and cleaning, and have a wealth of support available to expand your event to the size that you'd like, with connections to many top food and beverage professionals.

Working with your vision and your personalized tastes, I am well-versed in executing tasting menus, plated dinners, family-style service, canapés and hors d'oeuvres, and buffet-style events. Additionally, I am capable of executing a wide variety of cuisines, including Spanish, Italian, Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, Mexican and many more.

“My idea of a good night has always been having a lovely meal and a proper conversation.”

For me, cooking is...

passion with culture and flavour.

I learned to cook at...

Home! I used to shadow my Nonna (Italian grandmother) & auntie all the time, from them comes my passion & flavours.

A cooking secret...

Is passion & flavour, it needs to be tasty & memorable, that is all! Let your guests remember the meal, the experience.

My menus

Fusion/Surprise - Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Smoked Cashew Hummus with Mini Naan (vegetarian)

Tequila Shrimp

Baked Brie with Honey & Walnuts (vegetarian)

Sushi Platter

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Thai Dragon Bowl with Jumbor Shrimp

Falafel (vegetarian, GF)

Kung Pao Chicken (or vegetarian option)

Egg Salad - GF/Celiac

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Paella (Seafood or Vegetarian)

Thai Green Curry (vegetarian option available)

Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Peanut Sauce (or vegetarian)

Beef Wellington

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mango Sticky Rice

Matcha Mochi

Paleo Chocolate Zucchini Bread

Red Velvet Cake

Local - Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Duck Wings with Chipotle Mango Rub & Honey Glaze

Bruschetta with Tomato, Basil, Feta (vegetarian)

Grazing Board with Meats, Cheeses, Fruits & Pickles

Smoked Salmon Crisps with Crème Fraîche

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Maple BBQ Salmon with Quinoa & Vegetables

Savory Beef Empanada with Chimichurri

Nicoise Salad with fresh tuna

Sweet Potato Taco Salad (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bison Sirloin with Duck Demi Glaze

Beef Wellington with Green Peppercorn Sauce

Zucchini Lasagna (vegetarian, GF)

Grilled Lamb Rib Chops with Tzatziki & Roasted Potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Banofee pie (banana toffee)

Flan (custard)

Fresh Apple Pie with vanilla ice cream

Biscotti

Local - Exclusive

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Shakshuka (vegetarian, GF)

Smoked Cashew Hummus with Mini Naan (vegetarian)

Prosciutto & Melon

Bison Carpaccio Arugula, Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Shaved Parmesan, Crostinis

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seared Tuna Salad with Arugula, Olives & Honey Dijon

STEAK, Stout & Gruyere Stew

Vietnamese Chicken Salad

Falafel (vegetarian, GF)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Ribeye Steak with Seasonal Vegetables

Paella (Seafood or Vegetarian)

Mediterranean Chicken Breast with Goat Cheese & Pomegranate Molasses

Potato Gnocchi with Fresh Pesto (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Chocolate Profiterole, Mousse, or Apple Tart

Mango Sticky Rice

Italy Amore

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Charcuterie board

Bocconchini

Broccolini

Cheese platter

Prosciutto & Melon

Focacchia & olive oil

Olives

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Caprese Salad

Insalata verde

Best Italian Beef Meatballs

Linguini Pomodoro

Ravioli gigante with cream sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Rib eye steak (6oz) with vegetables in season, herbs

Grill fish & vegetables

Chicken Calabrese ( baked)

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Tiramisu

Gelato

Biscotti

Cannoli

Panetone

ASADO (ARGENTINA) EXPERIENCE

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Argentinean style meat pies (Empanadas)

Mini burger sliders

Antipasto platter

Mini Chori bites (sausage on a bun)

Caprese Sticks-Cherry tomato and mozzarella pearl skewers with balsamic

Truffle Mac & Cheese tarts

Smoked salmon roses on rye bread

Shrimp cocktail

Bruschetta

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Mixed garden green salad Potato salad

Chorizo Argentino / Argentinean style sausage

Pollo al Chimichurri / Boneless chicken breast marinated in Chimichurri

Morcilla / Argentinean blood sausage

Mollejas / Sweet breads

Tiras de Asado / Short ribs grilled peppers and onions

Cocktail Empanadas (Beef or Ham & Cheese)

Camarones asados con ajo y lima / Tango lime grilled shrimp

Grilled Peppers and Onions

Mac N' Cheese

Organic veggie burgers

Pasta salad (tortellini)

Grilled balsamic portobello mushrooms

Roasted potatoes

Roasted Garlic Beans

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Vacio / Flank steak

Filet Mignon

Ojo de bife / Ribeye steak

Tomahawk Steak (if in season)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Flan Dulce De Leche (custard)

Dulce de Leche Cheesecake

Crêpes (fresh grilled)

Gelato

Mediterranean

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Olives, peanuts, or some sort of canape, or a small piece of toast with a flavorful topping

Cheese platter

Focacchia & olive oil

Olives

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Cheese: The French reputably eat more cheese than anyone else in the world. After the salad, and before (may also replace) the dessert they appreciate a selection of it served on a wooden board and only if you are a foreigner would you be offered bread

Insalata verde

Mixed Greens with Raspberry Ginger Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Rib eye steak (6oz) with vegetables in season, herbs

Fish course garnished with vegetables comes between l'entree and the main course, though it might be considered the main course at home

Spaguetti Bolognesa

Grill fish & vegetables

Potatoe Gnocchi with fresh pesto

Ultimate BBQ (ask about this experience / seasonal)

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Chocolate profiterole, mousse, or an apple tart. A small demitasse of freshly brewed café usually accents the sweets

Gelato

Biscotti

Fresh Fruit with real whip cream

Fusion/Surprise - Basic

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Samosas (vegetarian)

Sushi Bites

Fresh Guacamole with Tortilla Chips (vegetarian)

Mini Chicken empanadas

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fajitas (choice of meat or vegetarian)

Chicken Stir Fry - GF/Celiac

Mongolian Beef

Zucchini Lasagna (vegetarian, GF)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Best Vegan Cheesecake

Paleo banana Bread

Canadian Crispy Apple Pie and Crema

Gelato

Italian/Mediterranean - Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Butternut Squash Ravioli with Goat Cheese (vegetarian)

Focaccia with Olive Oil (vegetarian)

Baked Brie with Honey & Walnuts (vegetarian)

Best Italian Beef Meatballs

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caprese Salad (vegetarian)

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad (vegetarian)

Seared Tuna Salad with Vegetables

Falafel (vegetarian, GF)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Calabrese ( baked)

Potato Gnocchi with Fresh Pesto (vegetarian)

Grilled Lamb Chops with Tzatziki & Roasted Potatoes

Zucchini Pasta with Lemon Garlic Shrimp

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Fresh Fruit with Whipped Cream

Panetone

Biscotti Bites

Cannoli Bites

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Chef Marina's reviews

4.7

•

52 services

We had never hired a private chef so didn't know what to expect. Marina was very professional and walked us through the experience with ease. She was very personable with our family and made us laugh. The food was amazing and presented very well. We all felt very spoiled, and enjoyed the evening. The kitchen was immaculate when they left. Mark and Carole

Chef Marina was amazing. Super friendly. So much good food. So memorable. Thank you

Our chef was amazing! She was so friendly & easy to work with & the food was AMAZING! We're already looking to book her for more events :)

The Chef was amazing! They loved the energy, the quality, and the fun that Marina brought to our private event. We would use her again.

Excellent! Amazing food and presentation

Chef Marina provided us meals for our retreat. She was engaging, accommodating, enjoyable and served us incredible food. We felt she was a part of the group instead of being a stranger with us. We highly recommend her. We definitely would use her services again. Hopefully sooner than later.

I had Chef Marina for a family reunion dinner, and let me tell you, it was anything, except extraordinary, superb, and of course, very delicious ????. She even came with some extras like a bottle of wine for me as a thank-you gift and also a surprise. The surprise was very delightful. It's those delicate touches and attention to detail that I think sets her apart. From the moment she entered the house until she left, she was nothing but professional and very friendly with everyone. Having her at the house felt like she was part of the family. She arrived on time, prepared, and was punctual with her timeline. It was an experience, and it was amazing. I hope to have more opportunities to invite Chef Marina in the future. My family and I can't thank Chef Marina enough for the incredible food and the lovely time she spent with us.

A great evening!