Private Chef in Santa Cruz
Rent one of our 178 private chefs for a unique dining experience. You choose the menu, and the cleanup is included.





















A personal chef for any occasion in Santa Cruz
Since the first private chef joined Take a Chef in Santa Cruz in April 2017, more than 178 Private Chefs have joined our platform in Santa Cruz and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in Santa Cruz.
Starting in 2017, 14,446 guests have already enjoyed a chef in Santa Cruz. To book your chef in Santa Cruz, just share your event details in our form. Receive proposals from top chefs and chat with them until you find your match.
Up until today, our chefs have shared 5,381 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 13,558 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.84 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 14,446 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in Santa Cruz usually book menus around 28,803 USD per person, including 4.88 courses, sharing an average of 5.68 messages with their chefs. If you've never had a chef at home but want to add an extra spice to your next celebration, just rent a chef in Santa Cruz.












How it works
Personalize your request
Share with us the details of your dream meal, including type of cuisine, preferences, and intolerances.
Receive menu proposals
Our chefs will design menus based solely on your wants and needs.
Get chatty with your chefs
Don't be shy about exchanging some messages with your chefs until your perfect menu is ready!
Book your experience
Once you are happy with your choice, submit your payment to secure your experience.
Enjoy!
All there is left to do is count down the days till your culinary experience begins!
Find your chef
Customize your request and start talking with your chefs.
178 Private Chefs in Santa Cruz
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in Santa Cruz












More than 14,400 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.65 Chef
The guests in Santa Cruz have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.65.
4.9 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in Santa Cruz received an average score of 4.9.
4.84 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 4.84 average score.
4.92 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in Santa Cruz has been scored with a 4.92 on average.
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5,381 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in Santa Cruz
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!








Summer rolls
Chilled avocado gazpacho
Summer melon salad
Roasted beet salad
Smashed sweet potato
Vegan moussaka
Lentil bolognese
Mushroom risotto
Curried cauliflower casserole
Marble bundt cake
Chocolate mug cake
Zucchini brownie
Fish ceviche with onion, sweet chili, coriander, lemon and tostones
Mixed ceviche, pinky shrimp and fish with smells and corn tortillas
Palmito ceviche with avocado, mango and passion fruit
Patacones with shredded meat and cheese
Banana basket stuffed with shrimp in white sauce
Banana basket filled with shredded meat and cheese
Chorizo with tortillas and creole slaw
Chayote and carrot mince with ground beef and tortilla
Tico salad, lettuce, fresh cheese breaded, sweet corn, tomato, cucumber and blackberry sauce
Fried tico tacos with corn tortilla and stuffed with meat with slaw and salsas
Shredded tacos in cheese crust and fresh salad
The following dishes represent the typical food of our daily gastronomy, they are available in central markets, or in bars they are small plates but with a homemade flavor and beautiful stories
Fried pork rib, with yucca and cabbage salad
Beef tongue in tomato sauce with tortilla or rice
Chickpeas with achiotado chicken and rice
Lentil and chicken stew with homemade tortillas or rice
Cream of seafood with vegetables
White beans with pork hoof and rice
Potato and chorizo empanada with spicy sauce
Cassava spheres stuffed with cheese and meat
Seafood soup with coconut milk
Breaded shrimp with mango salsa
Squash cream with pinky shrimp and crotones
Black bean soup with hard-boiled egg and rice
Sausage with homemade tortillas and cabbage with sauces
Soup (meat pot with vegetables) white rice
Casado (in spanish casado) typical dish composed of rice, beans, salad, vegetable mince, ripe plantain, tortilla and the following proteins to choose from
Chicken in tomato sauce with potatoes, grilled or breaded chicken breast breaded or garlic fish fillet bisteck with onions or chimichurri bbq pork rib, or spiced pork chop. beef in sauce with panamanian chili and potatoes
Rice with shrimp, salad and potatoes
Chicken rice with ground beans and russian salad
Rice with seafood, potatoes and salad
Fried snapper with head, patacones, ground beans and creole salad
Rice and beans cooked with coc milk accompanied by bananas, cabbage salad and jerck chicken
Chifrijo bowl of rice, baby beans, tortilla chips, picó de gallo, avocado and pork rinds
Pork rib with mini potatoes and mixed salad
Rice pudding
Coconut flan
Ice cream cup with jelly and fruits. churchill,
Churchill, snowflake with glue, powdered milk and condensed milk and ice cream
Tico ceviche
Guacamole & pico de gallo with chips
Bread & butter
Hearth of palm salad
Chef special ceviche
Green salad with turmeric dressing
Pejibaye cream with ginger glaze
Pumpkin soup with sour cream and ginger chips
Costarrican casado with the protein to choose
Costarrican fried rice with chicken
Roasted whole chicken
Bbq platter
Caribbean whole fish with patacones
Beef stew with mash potato and veggies
Costarrican tradicional rice pudding
3 leches cake with ice cream
Corn bread with ice cream
Ripe plantain flambé with tequila
Costa rican fish ceviche with heart of palm, coconut milk, and malanga root chips
Yuca croquettes with soft cheese
Chayote bites with roasted red pepper sauce and habanero crunch
Casado with grilled mahi-mahi, rice, beans, fried plantains, and cabbage salad
Shrimp rice with celery, garlic, sweet peppers, and potatoes
Costa rican–style jumbo shrimp with achiote sauce, mashed potatoes, and mixed salad
Grilled pineapple with coconut cream and caramelized brown sugar
Passion fruit cheesecake
Chocolate lava cake
Thinly sliced fresh fish served with a citrus dressing, fresh herbs, and a touch of chili
Caribbean-style ceviche served in tiger's milk and coconut milk with habanero peppers
Pati caribbean empanada served with a moderately spicy fish paste
A traditional costa rican black bean soup made with slowly cooked beans, onions, garlic, and spices, finished with fresh cilantro and a soft-poached egg. comforting, rich, and deeply rooted in costa rican cuisine
Corn tortillas filled with seasoned trout and finished with pickled red onion
A crispy corn tortilla topped with tender achiote-marinated chicken, smooth refried black beans, and a touch of fresh guacamole. a balanced costa rican–inspired dish combining smoky, earthy flavors with creamy freshness
Cauliflower and broccoli puree with local trout and grilled vegetables with red tomato and chipotle pesto
Soft potato gnocchi served in a vibrant caribbean-style tomato sauce, gently spiced and aromatic, finished with creamy goat cheese. a comforting yet fresh dish that blends classic gnocchi with tropical caribbean flavors
Costa rican grass-fed ribeye with pejibaye & potato puree and chimichurri
Cas-filled profiteroles with ayote honey syrup
Ripe plantain croquettes in syrup with mozzarella cheese
Cacique guaro eggnog mousse cacique guaro eggnog mousse, light and creamy
🥟 argentinian empanadas
Chorizo
Grilled argentine sweetbreads traditional argentine sweetbreads, grilled until golden and crispy on the outside, yet tender and juicy on the inside. seasoned with lemon and served hot, they are a classic and much-loved dish in argentine cuisine
Vegetales a la parrilla
Roast potatoes
Traditional argentinian russian salad with potatoes, carrots and creamy mayonnaise
Beef sirloin tip
Beef tenderloin tail
Grilled pineapple with dulce de leche fresh pineapple lightly grilled and served warm with dulce de leche, combining sweetness and caramelized notes
Dulce leche crepes
Fish ceviche with plantain chips
Ensalada de lechuga,tomate,pepino,palmito,maiz dulce en aderezo culantro
Chicken filet or steak with onions , rice, beans, potato picadillo, plantain, whrite cheese, homenade tortilla
Three milk cake
Costarican creole tomato soup with cheesse brousquette
Costarican empanadas: set of three small costarican empanadas chicken, beef and cheesse with cabagge salad and fresh tomato salsa
Casado: traditional costarican rice, beans, picadillo, sweet plantain, traditional salad with roasted chicken, breaded fish, porkchop or mixed fajitas.(please choose one protein option)
Gallitos costarricenses: set of three galltos shrimps, achiotado chicken, bisteck encebollad
Chifrijo: costarican dish made it with rice, frijoles verdes, pico de gallo, avocado, corn chips, and pork chicharrones
Honey sweet plantains wipped coffee cream on the top and strawberrys
Personalize your menu
A romantic dinner or a gathering of friends. Traditional dishes or exotic flavours. A fine dining experience or a family-style meal. Every private chef experience is unique! Submit your request and personalize yours.








Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find the most common questions about private chef services in Santa Cruz.
What does a private chef service include in Santa Cruz?
A private chef service includes everything necessary to enjoy a personalized dining experience at home. This includes:
- Customization of a menu based on your preferences;
- Purchase of ingredients;
- Mise en place (preparation of ingredients) before arrival;
- Preparation of the menu at your home;
- Complete table service;
- Set up and cleaning of the kitchen and used spaces.
Please note that tableware and glassware are not included. Gratuity is entirely at your discretion.
How much does a private chef cost in Santa Cruz?
The price of renting a chef in Santa Cruz can vary depending on the specifics, but smaller groups tend to have a slightly different price per person compared to larger gatherings.
Booking prices range from 48,533 USD to 69,096 USD. For groups of 13 people or more, the price is 48,533 USD per person. For groups of 7 to 12 people, the cost is 32,247 USD per person. For groups of 3 to 6 people, the rate is 32,977 USD per person, and for 2 people, the price is 69,096 USD per person.
Seasonal ingredients, your location, and how soon you book also affect the final price. If you're interested in getting free quotes with no obligation, fill out our form and let the best chefs near you send unique proposals for your event.
How can I hire a private chef in Santa Cruz?
Booking is easy! Just tell us the date of your event, number of guests, dietary preferences and any allergies, and a few details about your kitchen. Within a few hours, you'll receive customized menus from qualified chefs. Each chef's profile will include their experience, reviews, and photos of their dishes.
Feel free to chat directly with the chefs through our platform. Ask them to modify menus, discuss pricing, or get answers to any questions you might have. Once you've found the perfect chef and menu, finalize your reservation online. We'll then provide the chef's contact information to confirm any final details.
How can I find a private chef near me?
There are currently 178 chefs available in Santa Cruz. Fill out a form specifying your needs and the date. Take a Chef will connect you with the best available chefs in Santa Cruz who will send you their menu proposals. You can then choose the chef and menu that suits you best.
Is there a maximum number of guests for a private chef service?
While there's no strict limit on guest count, private chef experiences are designed to create a more intimate atmosphere, perfect for gatherings of friends and family. Since most homes have limited space to accommodate large groups, parties typically don't exceed 15 people.
Does the chef cook at my house?
Yes, the chef always prepares the menu at your home for a more personalized experience. However, some prep work might be done beforehand for complex dishes.
Can I cook along with the chef?
Absolutely! Many guests are passionate about food and relish the chance to learn from the chef. You can pick up new kitchen skills and get a behind-the-scenes look at each dish on the menu. Feel free to jump in and cook alongside the chef for a truly interactive experience!
Are the ingredients fresh?
Yes, they're 100% fresh. Unlike restaurants with pre-made dishes, private chefs prioritize using the freshest ingredients possible. This is because the chef creates a customized menu specifically for you, then goes out and sources the finest ingredients to bring your chosen dishes to life.
Are drinks included in the personal chef service?
Drinks are not typically included, but you can discuss adding them to the menu proposal with the chef.
How much should I tip my private chef in Santa Cruz?
Tipping for private chefs is entirely at your discretion. Our goal is for you to have an unforgettable experience, and the chef always appreciates a nice tip. However, the decision and amount are completely up to you.
Key information about our chefs in Santa Cruz
Discover more details about our private chefs and their services.
The average age of our private chefs in Santa Cruz
Percentage of our women chefs in Santa Cruz.
The average wait time from submitting the request and receiving the first menu.
Our very first private chef service in Santa Cruz.
Percentage of services with kids in Santa Cruz.
Maximum number of bookings for a personal chef by a single client in Santa Cruz.
Increase in the number of bookings for a chef from last year in Santa Cruz.
Languages spoken by our personal chefs in Santa Cruz.
Percentage of guests that hired a chef more than once.
Average number of days booked for multiple services at home with a private chef.
Photos uploaded to the platform by our private chefs in Santa Cruz.
Average timeframe from sending the request to booking.
How many chef services are booked in Santa Cruz each month?
Private chef reservations can vary seasonally depending on the destination. In Santa Cruz, for example, demand often increases during special dates like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, so it's best to book in advance.
If you're wondering about the best time to hire a chef, any month is perfect for enjoying a private chef. Just keep in mind that prices may vary, especially for last-minute bookings. So, don't wait—book your chef early to secure your unique dining experience in Santa Cruz.
Cost of a private chef in Santa Cruz
The cost of hiring a private chef in Santa Cruz can vary based on several factors, including the number of people in your group or seasonality. Larger groups tend to have a different average rate per person compared to smaller groups that hire a chef:
Booking prices range from 48,533 USD to 69,096 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 48,533 USD
For 7 to 12 people: 32,247 USD
For 3 to 6 people: 32,977 USD
For 2 people: 69,096 USD.
Additionally, prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year, location, and how soon you book your personal chef. If you want to get free quotes, just fill out our form and receive tailored proposals for your event. No committment at all.
Private chefs registrations
After many years of offering our services, we are lucky to have a fantastic team of chefs that keeps growing in Santa Cruz!
1 personal chefs register with us every month. Our verification team reviews these new chef profiles daily to categorize them, allowing you to discover incredible new chefs every month.
What is the most reserved type of cuisine in Santa Cruz?
We mainly offer six types of cuisine in Santa Cruz: Mediterranean, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, and surprise. The type of cuisine with the highest number of bookings is the Chef's special, but you can have anything you want (our surprise menu will cover that!).
Beyond these six types of cuisine, our private chefs personalize diverse menus for their clients every day, adjusting every detail to find the perfect menu for every occasion and every group. Our private chefs can accommodate any allergy or dietary restriction and suggest other cuisines or fusion dishes. Submit your request and hire a chef in Santa Cruz!






Talk to our chefs in Santa Cruz
Each of our chefs is one-of-a-kind, with professional culinary training and years of experience in diverse restaurants. Craving Italian pasta, Spanish paella, or traditional sushi in Santa Cruz? You’ll get it. Tell us about your event in Santa Cruz, and discover the best chefs who will customize every detail of your experience.










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