Chef Umberto Caltabiano

Private Chef in Saint-Cyprien

Chef Umberto Caltabiano is a professional private chef available for one-off celebrations, regular bookings and everything in between. Other options include grocery shopping, fridge-filling, BBQs, pizza parties, cooking classes, picnics and meal delivery.

Based in Saint-Cyprien (66), serving the Roussillon coast, Occitanie, Aude and the Costa Brava.

Chef Umberto has over twelve years' experience working as a private chef offering authentic Sicilian and Italian food in the UK, Sicily and now France and Spain.

We discuss your requirements and can create bespoke menus which focus on the finest, scrupulously-sourced, high-quality, seasonal local produce to ensure a truly gastronomic experience for you and your guests. The food is based on traditional, rustic regional Italian dishes which make the most of the wonderful produce to be found in South West France and Spain.

We can tailor menus to your budget and offer options to accommodate allergies, intolerances, dietary restrictions and include your favourite ingredients and dishes .

Perfect for Any Occasion

From birthdays and anniversaries to corporate events and weddings, Chez Umberto Private Chef service adds a touch of authenticity and luxury to any occasion.

If you're ready to elevate your dining experience with Italian style, reach out to discuss your event and menu preferences. Let's create unforgettable culinary memories together!

For me, cooking is...

what I was born to do. After working for 25 years in Italy, UK, Spain & NL I focus on great local produce to deliver memorable dining for you

I learned to cook at...

my Nonna's home in Aci Castello in Sicily. She inspired me to develop the skills and passion to work as a professional chef travelling around Europe.

A cooking secret...

is to personally-source authentic, seasonal, local ingredients of the highest quality. I work with the best produce to bring you Italy on a plate.

My menus

Fiorentina - Steak Florentine-style

STARTER

All inclusive

Gnudi - spinach and ricotta dumplings, San Marzano tomato sauce and aged Parmesan

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Bistecca alla Fiorentina Florentine cut T-bone steak of extraordinary depth and flavour, seared to a deep char and served gloriously rare. Dressed simply with a squeeze of lemon and a drizzle of the finest olive oil

Patate al Rosmarino Golden, crunchy roast potatoes perfumed with rosemary and garlic. Finished with flaky sea salt

Peperonata Vibrant red and yellow peppers slow-cooked with tomato, garlic and white wine

DESSERT

All inclusive

Zucotto Fiorentino - sponge cake soaked in liqueur, ricotta and chocolate and/or candied fruit

La Festa della Porchetta - Porchetta Feast

STARTER

All inclusive

Sgombro alla torcia - torched mackerel fillet with dill emulsion

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Porchetta al Finocchio Selvatico - slow-roasted rolled pork belly with wild fennel, garlic, rosemary and lemon zest

Patate al Forno con Aglio e Rosmarino - roast potatoes with garlic and rosemary.. Finished with flaky salt and rosemary

Cuori di Lattuga con Finocchio e Acciughe -crisp gem hearts, shaved fennel and radish with a punchy anchovy and lemon dressing

DESSERT

All inclusive

Torta della Nonna con Gelato - lemon pastry cream tart in buttery shortcrust, topped with toasted pine nuts and icing sugar served with vanilla icecream

Mediterraneo

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Insalata di polpo - a refreshing, tender braised octopus tossed olive oil, lemon juice, garlic & parsley with potatoes, celery & olives

Carpaccio di tonno - a delicate, fresh Italian appetizer paper-thin slices of lightly-cured, sushi-grade tuna, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice

Tartare di manzo - an elegant dish of finely hand-chopped raw beef fillet, with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper

Insalata di Pesche Grigliate e Pomodori - chargrilled peaches and heritage tomatoes with torn burrata, fresh basil and aged balsamic

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Trofie al pesto - trofie pasta with vibrant, fresh Pesto alla Genovese, potatoes and green beans

Pasta alla Norma - classic Sicilian dish of pasta tossed in a rich, sweet tomato and garlic sauce, with fried aubergine (eggplant) and garnished with fresh basil and a generous grating of ricotta salata cheese

Linguine alla Siracusana - vibrant, Sicilian pasta dish of linguine with an aromatic sauce of anchovies, garlic and juicy tomatoes topped with crispy toasted breadcrumbs and fresh herbs

Gnocchi al burro e salvia - soft, pillowy potato dumplings with a rich, nutty sage brown butter sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Nasello alla siciliana - hake fillet with a herb crust, red pepper velouté, crispy zucchini, sultanas and capers

Branzino con veloutata di finocchi - pan-fried seabass fillet with fennel velouté

Tagliata di onglet - onglet steak (hanger steak) seared, sliced, and served on a bed of rocket finished with Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings, a drizzle of aged balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil

Petto d'anatra estivo - pan-seared duck breast cooked medium-rare, sliced and served with pea purée, pickled apple and farro salad

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Babà al rum - rhum baba served with strawberries and Chantilly cream

Crostata di limone bruciato - Sicilian burnt lemon tart with Swiss meringue

Mousse di castagne e cioccolato - Chestnut and chocolate mousse with mandarin jelly and hazelnuts

Pesche con prosecco - Roussillon peaches poached in prosecco and aromatics chilled and served with its own syrup and creamy mascarpone

Primavera

STARTER

All inclusive

Risotto primavera - peas, artichokes and asparagus with carnaroli rice

FIRST COURSE