Chef Varun Mathur

Private Chef in Toronto

With over a decade of professional culinary experience, I have had the privilege of working in both fine dining establishments and high-end event catering, refining my craft in fast-paced, detail-oriented environments. My journey has taken me through renowned kitchens such as the Oliver & Bonacini Restaurant Group and La Locanda del Pilone, a Michelin-starred restaurant in Alba, Piemonte, Italy, where I developed a deep appreciation for precision, technique, and the art of elevated cuisine.

My culinary style is defined by creativity and intention. I take pride in bringing a personal and original touch to every dish, allowing seasonal ingredients to guide the menu while adding my own signature flair. I carefully design each experience with attention to presentation, balance, and flavor, ensuring that every plate is both visually striking and thoughtfully composed.

Understanding and anticipating my clients’ needs is at the heart of my work. I value flexibility, clear communication, and attention to detail, always striving not only to meet expectations but to exceed them. Whether preparing an intimate private dinner or a larger gathering, my goal is to create a seamless and memorable dining experience tailored specifically to each client.

For your peace of mind, I am fully vaccinated with three doses.

I look forward to the opportunity to cook for you and create a truly exceptional culinary experience.

For me, cooking is...

about making a connection to the food, the land & the people.

I learned to cook at...

home, restaurants where I worked

A cooking secret...

cooking with passion

My menus

Exclusive Gourmet Menu - Fusion

STARTER

All inclusive

Beetroot Goat Cheese Chaat - Sweet roasted beetroot with creamy goat cheese and tangy chutneys

Truffle Arancini - Truffle arancini stuffed with mozzarella, served with parmigiano reggiano emulsion

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Hokkaido Scallops - Delicate Hokkaido scallops, pickled red chili, citrus beurre blanc, cointreau, saffron

Beef Carpaccio - Black angus tenderloin that is thinly shaved and served with summer truffle, hazelnuts, hazelnut crema, watercress

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Lobster Ravioli - Rich pasta with a luxurious seafood center, chives, basil crisp, nut butter

Braised Lamb Shank Rogan Josh - Sous vide spiced lamb shanks, spice crisps, garlic naan, salad

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tiramisu - Marsala, Madagascar vanilla, amaretti

Mango Cardamom Cheesecake

Fusion Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Tandoori Chicken Tikka - smoky, spiced chicken with a bright yogurt marinade

Caprese Salad - ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil with olive oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Corn Coconut Soup - Light sweet corn soup infused with coconut milk, curry leaves, chickpeas

Creamy Tomato Shorba - Velvety spiced tomato soup finished with cream

Minestrone - Classic Italian soup with tomatoes, vegetables and herbs, served with Focaccia croutons

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Butter Chicken - classic butter chicken served with naan or rice, laccha (spiral) vegetable salad

Chicken Alfredo Pasta - creamy parmesan pasta with sautéed chicken and garlic

Atlantic Salmon - crispy skin atlantic salmon, honey roasted radicchio, roast kale, white wine & dill beurre blanc

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mango Kulfi - Traditional Indian ice cream infused with sweet mango and cardamom

Classic Tiramisu - Coffee soaked ladyfingers layered with mascarpone cream

Berry Panna Cotta - Silky vanilla cream custard topped with berry compote

Latin American fare - Gourmet

STARTER

All inclusive

Tuna Tostada - Crispy tortilla topped with fresh tuna and avocado

Shrimp Ceviche - Citrus cured shrimp with tomato, onion and cilantro

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Ancho Pork Chops - Roasted pork chops marinated in ancho marinade served with refried beans, escabeche verde, roast tomatoes and herbs

Guac Bowl - Creamy guacamole, pico de gallo, crisp tortilla, lettuce

Taquitos - Rolled taquitos, grilled chicken, melted cheddar on top

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Mushroom Enchiladas - Corn tortillas filled with roasted mushrooms, served with sour cream, queso fresco

Aztec Chicken - Maple glazed spicy chicken breast, organic buckwheat, mustard sauce, spicy squash, braised kale

Beef Barbacoa - Slow braised beef with bold chili and spice flavors, served with grilled tortilla, fresh salad

Seafood Enchiladas - Corn tortillas filled with spiced and roasted seafood served with sour cream, queso fresco corn salsa

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mexican Chocolate Mousse - Dark chocolate mousse with cinnamon and chili

Dulce de Leche Flan - Silky caramel custard dessert

Cinnamon Churros Crispy fried pastry coated in cinnamon sugar, with vanilla crema

Gourmet Italian Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Heirloom Tomatoes & Burrata Salad - Creamy Burrata paired with heirloom tomatoes, fresh burrata, basil pesto, maldon salt, arugula, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic

Prosciutto & Melon - Classic Italian pairing of cured ham and sweet melon

Grilled Zucchini & Ricotta - Charred zucchini with whipped ricotta and herbs

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Seafood Cioppino - Light soup of shrimps, clams, mussels and lobster in a rich tomato & saffron broth

Truffle Mushroom Soup - Velvety mushroom soup finished with truffle oil

Roasted Tomato Basil Soup - Slow roasted tomatoes blended with fresh basil

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Lobster Risotto - Saffron risotto, sea scallops, lobster tail, parmigiano reggiano, Portobello mushrooms, focaccia croutonettes

Beef Short Ribs - Roasted rapini, roasted fingerling potatoes, jus, chives, herbs

Ravioli - Spinach & ricotta, confit cherry tomato emulsion, crispy parmesan crumble, herbs

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tiramisu - Marsala, Madagascar vanilla, amaretti

Pistachio Panna Cotta - Creamy custard with nutty pistachio flavor

Lemon Ricotta Cheesecake - Light cheesecake with bright citrus notes

Flavors of India - Gourmet

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Beetroot Goat Cheese Chaat - Sweet roasted beetroot with creamy goat cheese and tangy chutneys

Tandoori Prawns - Spiced prawns grilled in a traditional clay oven marinade

Dahi Puri - Crispy shells filled with yogurt, chutneys and spiced chickpeas

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Tomato Shorba - Velvety spiced tomato soup finished with cream

Corn Coconut Soup - Light sweet corn soup infused with coconut milk, curry leaves, chickpeas

Chicken Shabnami - Slow roasted chicken kebab in a fragrant floral marinade served with fermented whole wheat bread

Lamb Chapli Kebab - Melt in the mouth kebabs made with a mix of fragrant spices served on fermented bread, pickled onions on top

Achari Broccoli - Broccoli marinated in an Indian pickle marinade and tomato salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Butter Chicken - classic butter chicken served with naan or rice, laccha (spiral) vegetable salad

Chicken Malai Tikka with Pulao - Creamy marinated grilled chicken served with fragrant rice (Pulao)

Paneer Lababdar - Paneer simmered in a luxurious tomato butter gravy and roasted cashewnuts

Veg. Biryani - classic north Indian biryani flavored rose, saffron and mint served with Raita

Chicken Biryani - classic north Indian chicken biryani flavored rose, saffron and mint served with Raita

Lamb Biryani - classic north Indian Lamb biryani flavored rose, saffron and mint served with Raita

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Saffron Rasmalai - Soft cheese dumplings soaked in saffron milk

Rose Cardamom Kheer - Slow cooked rice pudding scented with rose and cardamom

Flavors of India

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tandoori Chicken Tikka - Yogurt-marinated chicken grilled with smoky North Indian spices

Paneer Tikka with Mint Chutney - Charred cottage cheese cubes with refreshing coriander mint sauce

Chicken Lollipop - tender chicken lollipops tossed in sweet and spicy sauce, served with salad

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Butter Chicken - classic tomato butter curry with tender chicken and fragrant basmati rice

Paneer Makhani with Jeera Rice - Rich tomato butter sauce with soft paneer and cumin rice

Baingan ka Bharta - fire roasted eggplant mince prepared with tomatoes, garlic, ginger, spices and green peas

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Gulab Jamun - Warm milk dumplings soaked in fragrant rose-cardamom syrup, served with vanilla ice cream

Mango Kulfi - Traditional Indian ice cream infused with sweet mango and cardamom

Asian Cuisine - Gourmet

STARTER

All inclusive

Asian Mushroom Slaw - seasonal wild mushrooms, crispy celery, rutabaga, black bean, chili oil (vegan)

Beef Dumplings - bulgogi style beef, soy, Sichuan chili oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Miso Salmon - crispy skin Atlantic salmon, pickled daikon, salmon caviar

Seafood/Beef Hakka - marinated seafood/beef stir fried & cooked with egg noodles in a vibrant tomato soy sauce

Kaki Furai - fried local Oysters, slaw, mustard dill sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Kung Pao Chicken or Cauliflower Steak - soy sauce, chili, lemon emulsion, sesame, cilantro, honey

Chicken or Beef Katsu curry - chicken cutlet, Japanese curry, roast Japanese sweet potato tart

Asian Beef Short Ribs - soy glazed, sesame roasted rapini, chilli emulsion, crispy fingerlings, jus, herbs

Atlantic Salmon - crispy skin miso glazed Atlantic salmon, marinated soba noodles, asparagus, arugula

Red Thai Seafood Curry - traditional red Thai curry with mussels, clams & shrimps served with light as air rice crisps & butternut squash

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Yuzu Cheesecake - mascarpone, yuzu, citrus fruits, cotrus gelee, matcha eclair, dark chocolate ganache

Thai Coconut Pudding - creamy coconut pudding with tropical fruits

Matcha Basque cheesecake - berry emulsion, fresh berries, elderflower

Mediterranean Fare

STARTER

All inclusive

Bruschetta - cured tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, extra virgin olive oil

Cheese Platter - assortment of artisan cheeses served with fresh grapes, berries & pears, fresh honeycomb, nuts, salad greens

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Heirloom Tomatoes & Burrata Salad - duo of heirloom tomatoes, fresh burrata, parsley pesto, maldon salt, arugula, extra virgin olive oil, aged balsamic

Grilled Peach Salad - Fresh & grilled ontario peaches, honey roasted pecans, goat cheese, parsley & pecorino emulsion, aged balsamic, evoo

Beet Salad - pickled roasted beets, pepitas, arugula, goat cheese, balsamic vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Bistecca - rib-eye steak, navy bean cassoulet, sautéed baby spinach, red wine jus, black truffle

Cannelloni di Carne - beef ragu, wild & tame mushrooms, cherry tomato sauce, parmigiano reggiano, mozzarella

Linguini Frutti di Mare - linguini pasta, shrimp, PEI mussels, clams and calamari in a white wine tomato sauce

Duck Confit - scalloped potatoes, red wine jus, citrus compote

Halloumi - marinated and grilled Halloumi cheese, basil pesto, vegetable roast, focaccia

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baba - rum soaked cake, chantilly, candied citrus, raisins, ginger crumble

Budino - butterscotch budino, salted caramel, vanilla gelato, pistachio genoise

Tiramisu - marsala, Madagascar vanilla, amaretti

Basque cheesecake - berry emulsion, fresh berries, elderflower

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Chef Varun's reviews

4.5

•

9 services

We were able to hire Chef Varun for a special 60th birthday gift for my aunt and her husband. They both raved about the scrumptious food, the amazing company and the overall experience. Chef Varun was attentive and kind, with a clear passion for his craft. He is highly recommended by our family! We would definitely choose him again!

Varun was very professional. He was a great communicator leading up to the event and arrived early to set up. Food was excellent and my kitchen was spotless when he left. I’d highly recommend him!

Chef Varun Mathur made our special occasion even more memorable with his delicious dishes, service & stories! We had so much fun and hope to do this more often and try more of his specialties.

My boyfriend and I really loved our Take a Chef experience he even wanted to have them over again for dinner on Saturday night. It was a birthday surprise for him and he really enjoyed it. Would definitely recommend Chef Varun Mathur.