Chef Darius Knetsch

Private Chef in Croydon

Darius Knetsch,

My Passion for cooking started at a very early age. I remember helping my mother on Sundays with the roast and making cake for families and guests who would visit.

I took up my first position as a Chef in the Park Lane Hotel "London" Where I started as a Commis "trainee" Chef. While at Park Lane I took up Catering College to improve my knowledge in the Catering Industry. I continued college for seven years covering basic cooking and then advance my skills in Buffet and Larder work. I work throughout the Industry Picking up skills and knowledge from the different establishments. Since I started at the Park Lane Hotel I have constantly worked my way up the career ladder.

My deepest passion is for Oriental Cooking after work at the Crockford Casino "London," I have always been interested to know much more about this style of cooking, so I brought books. But this was not enough so I took up classes and started visiting foreign countries on holiday.

I visit New Orleans where I first tasted Cajun food and California where I experienced Real Mexican cooking.

It was a great enrichment to visit all the different countries and tasting the vast range of ethnic dishes from around the world, I would then try a master all the dishes on my return home

After my long period working in five-star hotel and Michelin style restaurant, I really enjoy working as a private chef more because you get to see your work being enjoyed giving you that first hand feeling to do more for the host and guest,

For me, cooking is...

is my way of life, am proud of whatever I put on the plate because it not just food its part of myself

I learned to cook at...

I have always loved cooking from a very early age, took my first position at the Park Lane Hotel which was a 5* hotel

A cooking secret...

I love the new challenge that hospitality brings each and every day, it helps me to enjoy and love the things I do.

My menus

Italian/Mediterranean - Exclusive

STARTER

All inclusive

Chef choice canapes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster ravioli

Beetroot and Apple Salad with Whisky Cured Salmon

Baked Red Pepper with Plum Tomato and Basil Oil (vegetarian)

Bruschetta with Duck Confit and Vietnamese Dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Classic Beef Wellington with vegetables and red wine Jus

Roasted Halibut on Romesco Sauce with fondant potato

Baked Wild Mushroom and Spinach Wellington (vegetarian)

Herb Crusted Rack of Lamb with Dauphinoise and jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dark Chocolate Fondant with Orange Compote

Coconut Panna cotta

Pantxineta (puff pastry filled with crème Pâtissière)

Lemon Tiramisu

French/fusion - Indulge

STARTER

All inclusive

Chef choice canapes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Boneless Quail with Wild Mushrooms and Port Jus

Falafel with Tahini and Coriander Dip (vegetarian)

Beetroot and Whisky-Cured Salmon with Apple and Celeriac Salad

Baked Tomato Galette with Olive Tapenade and Micro Cress (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan Fried Fillet of Stone Bass on Celeriac Purée with Ratatouille and Pommes Anna

Mushroom and Spinach Wellington with Light Vegetable Jus (vegetarian)

Duo of Lamb with Dauphinoise Potatoes and Rosemary Jus

Confit Duck Leg with Bean Casserole and Rosti Potato

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Crema Catalana (Spanish Crème brulee)

Pantxineta (puff pastry filled with crème Pâtissière)

Polenta cake with mix berries compote

Ginger cake tiramisu with shortbread biscuits

Surprise - Exclusive

STARTER

All inclusive

Chef choice canapes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tuna Tataki with Ponzu

Lobster ravioli

Avocado and Beetroot with Quinoa (vegetarian)

Boneless Quail with Mushroom and Devil Sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Classic Beef Wellington

Halibut with Romesco Sauce

Baked Wild Mushroom and Spinach Wellington (vegetarian)

Duck Leg Confit with Puy Lentils

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Passion Fruit and Apricot Sphere (please note we need 3 day for preparation)

Pantxineta (puff pastry filled with crème Pâtissière)

Dark Chocolate Fondant with Mint Fudge Sauce

Mango Pudding with Orange Syrup

Tradition English menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Chef Selection of 3 Canapes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Traditional Prawn Cocktail

Parma Ham and melon served with micro cress

Tomato tart with rocket salad

Baked Goat cheese and red onion marmalade

Ham hock & pistachio terrine served homemade piccalilli

Duo Gravadlax with celeriac & fennel salad (beetroot and dill gravadlax served with mix apple and celeriac)

Pan fried mackerel served with pickle vegetable and beetroot with rice wine and vinaigrette

Smoked salmon with blini served with lemon cream fraîche

Smoked salmon and prawn parcel served with micro cress and basil mayo dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Fillet of sea bass served with baby vegetable saffron new and tomato and basil butter sauce

Braised beef short ribs served with carrot, swede, mushroom and baby onion, mash potato and beef jus

Braised lamb shank served with carrot, swede, mushroom, baby onion, mash potato and thyme jus

Fillet cod on Butter new potato seasonal vegetables served with a tomato and basil butter sauce

Duck Leg confit served with seasonal vegetables and rosti potato with port jus

Fillet of lemon sole served with a lemon cream sauce, Seasonal vegetables and butter new potatoes

Stuffed Fillet of pork with Mix herbs sausage meat, wrap in bacon served with potato cake and seasonal vegetables and thyme jus

Beef and onion pie served glazed vegetables cream mash potato and beef jus

Rump of Lamb served with Dauphinoise potatoes mixed vegetables and rosemary jus

Traditional Steak and ale steamed Pudding with roasted root Vegetables and creamy Mash and gravy

Traditional Chicken and Mushroom Pie with mixed Vegetables and creamy mash and chicken gravy

English Shepherd pie with mixed green vegetables New potatoes and lamb gravy

Traditional one piece Lancashire hotpot, with, Baby Onions, Carrot, sliced Potato, Swede, Mushroom

One Piece traditional French Beef Bourguignon with Diced Bacon, Baby Onion, Carrot, Mushroom, boiled potatoes and Fennel, in a Rich Red Wine sauce

Classic one piece Irish Lamb Stew, with Carrot, boiled potato, Turnips, swede, Baby Onion, Served with Lamb Stock and fresh thyme

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Brioche and Banana Bread and Butter Pudding served with Crème Anglaise

Apple Pie and Custard

Profiterole Roll with Chocolate Sauce

Sticky Toffee Pudding with Toffee Sauce

Traditional English Sherry trifle

Treacle Sponge

Baked cheese cake with orange compote

Eton Mess

Dark Chocolate Fondant with Chocolate sauce

Mixed season fruit cobbler

Pear and Almond Sliced with Blue berry compote

Surprise - Basic

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Tomato bruschetta with mozzarella and basil (vegetarian)

Chicken Samosa with minted yoghurt dip

Goat Cheese and Mango Salad (vegetarian)

Vietnamese Chicken and Prawn Roll

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lamb Kofta with herbs and spices

Vegetable Enchiladas with red pepper and courgette (vegetarian)

Classic Italian Sausage meatballs with Spaghetti

Teriyaki Duck Breast with Pak Choi and Sticky Rice

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Coconut Crème Caramel

Pecan Pie with Crème Anglaise

Banoffee pie with crème anglaise

Lemon Tiramisu

Italian/Mediterranean - Indulge

STARTER

All inclusive

Chef choice canapes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Aubergine parmigiana (vegetarian)

Bruschetta with Parma Ham and Rocket Salad

Antipasto platter

Filo parcel stuff with feta cheese, mushroom and spinach (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Linguine Tomato Pasta with Parmesan Chicken

Mediterranean Stuffed Mushrooms with herb potatoes (vegetarian)

Sea Bass with roasted fennel

Herb Crusted Salmon with Fondant Potato

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Sicilian cheesecake with Mix Berries compote

Limoncello Tiramisu

Polenta cake with mix berries compote

Panna Cotta with a berry compote

Italian Shared menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Chef 3 choice canapes

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Bruschetta topped with mozzarella, and fresh basil, and garlic

Slices of ripe tomatoes, fresh mozzarella, and basil drizzled with balsamic glaze

Antipasto Platter - A selection of Italian cured meats, cheeses, olives, and marinated vegetables

Tomato, mozzarella and fresh basil served with basil oil

Chill grilled asparagus wrap in courgette and feta cheese

Italian Scot Egg with spicy tomato and garlic mayonnise

Melon, Tomato and prosciutto top with fresh mint and honey Glazed

Sun-blush tomato Arancini and garlic mayo and rocket salad

Piri Piri Prawn and garlic

Ham and Cheese Frittata with rocket salad and olive oil

Salmon and Prawn with a honey and soya sauce glazzed

Salted Cod Fritters in spicy tomato and mayonnaise Sauce

Sardine of herb toast top with herb oil and rocket salad

Stuffed Squid with Prawns

(V) Baked red pepper with plum tomato and garlic served with basil oil

Classic Italian Minestrone soup

Nectarines with heritage cherry tomato with burrata cheese and pistachio honey dressing and basil

Burrata cheese served with heritage Tomato, fresh Basil and olive oil

Buffalo Mozzarella served with heritage Tomato, Fresh Basil and olive oil

Boneless Quail on Peal Couscous Salad top with sherry glazed

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Spaghetti Pasta with Bolognese Sauce

Penne Pasta with Italian tomato Sauce

Chicken Thigh with all’arrabbiata Sauce with Asparagus and Potato Gnocchi

Classic Italian Sausage meatballs with Spaghetti

Salmon Top with fresh herb and cherry tomato on polenta Cake

Chicken Pomodoro with roasted new potato and Mediterranean mix vegetables

Italian style Steak with Herb Chimichurri Sauce with fondant Potato and Vegetable beans sauce

Roasted Stone bass top with artichoke and lemon butter dressing, Baby new and vegetables potato parisienne

(V)Aubergine Parmigiana with pearl couscous and broccoli

Vegetables Cianbotta, with Rice

DESSERT

All inclusive

Classic Italian Tiramisu

Amerian blueberry pie

Panna Cotta with a berry compote

Ricotta and orange pie top with Black cherry compote

Sicilian cheesecake with Mix Berries compote

Apple and almond sliced with creme Anglaise

Chocolate tart with ginger and walnut syrup

Baked Fruit with crème anglaise

Apple pie with creme anglaise

Polenta cake with mix berries compote

Olive oil cake with black cherries compote

Mediterranean

STARTER

All inclusive

Chef Selection of 3 Canapes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tomato and Mozzarella top with Fresh Basil, Balsamic Glaze and Herb Oil Dressing

Goat Cheese, Mango and Orange Salad

King Prawns and Avocado served with a Tomato and Caper Salsa and Rocket Salad

Roasted Beetroot and Avocado on a Quinoa with Micro Cress and Japanese Mayo Dressing

Boneless Quail on a Bed of Wild Mushroom served with a rich Devil Sauce

Baked Tomato Galette with olive tapenade, goat cheese, pine nuts and micro cress

Antipasti (meat and vegetables)

Trio of Prawn Cocktail. (traditional on blini, Mexican with tomato in a glass and american in pickle vegetables and lemon dressing),

Tofu and Asparagus served with teriyaki and honey dressing

Classic Chicken ceasar salad

Nectarines with heritage cherry tomato with burrata cheese and pistachio honey dressing and basil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Stone Bass served with Saffron Risotto and Baby Vegetable with a Light Butter and Lemon Sauce

Lemon Corn-fed Chicken Breast served with Baby Spinach and Potato Cake with Chicken Jus

Classic duo of pork served with stuffed cabbage, baby carrot Dauphinoise potato and rich port and apple Jus

Grilled Aubergine Stuff with Feta cheese and Quinoa served with a tomato sauce served vegetable and potato from main course

Baked Tofu and wild mushroom wellington served with turned vegetables and glazed potato and vegetable glazed

Braised beef short ribs served with carrot, swede, mushroom and baby onion, mash potato and beef jus

Braised lamb shank served with carrot, swede, mushroom, baby onion, mash potato and thyme jus

Stuffed chicken breast with basil and ricotta, baby vegetables fondant potato and red wine jus

Cod steak served on new potato and Mediterranean vegetable and basil oil dressing

Chicken Breast stuffed with goat cheese and smoked bacon wrap in pancetta, served with grilled vegetables and fondant potato and chicken Jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Brioche and Banana Bread and Butter Pudding served with Crème Anglaise

Molten Chocolate with Mint Fudge Sauce

Tiramisu with Chocolate Sauce

Lime Panna-Cotta with Pineapple Compote

Apple Pie and Crème Anglaise

Creme Brulee with Shortbread Biscuit

Cheesecake

Baked cheese cake with mix berries compote

Show me more

Chef Darius's reviews

4.8

•

146 services

We had the absolute pleasure of hosting Darius for a private dinner, and the entire experience was exceptional from start to finish. Not only was the food delicious and beautifully presented, but he was genuinely lovely to have in our home. Friendly, thoughtful, and incredibly professional, Darius made the afternoon feel effortless and special. Every dish was crafted with care, and you could truly taste the passion and skill that went into the menu. Beyond the incredible food, what stood out most was the warm, welcoming energy Darius brought. It felt like having a talented friend cook for us. I can’t recommend Darius highly enough—if you’re looking for someone who delivers both amazing cuisine and a wonderful personal touch, look no further! We’ll definitely be booking again!

We had a wonderful experience with Darius K. He was professional, polite, and friendly. The food was outstanding and his attention to detail, alongside the serving and preparation help from hos daughter made the evening unforgettable. Many thanks!

So grateful for Darius’ exceptional service, dishes, and energy! He curated a personalised menu for our party and was a fantastic addition. Very much recommend his services!

Darius did a fabulous job helping to celebrate my mother’s birthday. The food was absolutely delicious and served exactly as we’d asked. Darius and his assistant left the kitchen spotless. Totally fantastic - don’t wait around just book!

Amazing experience having Darius cooking for us all week. Very friendly, very professional and loves his job. The food was extraordinary! Truly recommend

Darius cooked us an amazing meal for eight last night for my husband’s 60th birthday celebration with friends. Appetisers were served followed by an extremely high quality three course meal. Darius had provided an extensive menu from which we chose two options for each course. Everyone was very happy with their meal and whilst we all enjoyed every course we would highly recommend the Duo of lamb (one comment was “That’s the best lamb I’ve ever had”). Portion sizes were very generous. Darius and his assistant were both discreet and informative about the food and their experience, they were happy to prepare and serve dinner at the leisurely pace we wanted in a very calm and relaxed way. Everything was taken care of from laying the table to leaving the kitchen spotless. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Darius for a stress free amazing dinner party.

Darius and his assistant made it a great evening. The quality of the food was exceptional. Throughout the process Darius had been friendly, flexible, Easy to do business with, just all round excellence. Would totally recommend him ????????

Darius was incredible! He took over our kitchen with utter professionalism, produced beautiful, delicious food and served it to us with grace and efficiency. Could not have asked for more!

WOW....Chef Darius creations were ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS. This was the highlight of my Birthday weekend London getaway. Highly recommend "Take a Chef" and more specifically Chef Darius!

This is the second time we have booked Darius and it won't be the last. Absolutely incredible evening and the food was amazing. Big thank you to Darius and his team.

Great experience with Darius for our mum’s birthday lunch for the whole family. Ahead of the day, he worked with us on the menu to cater for all tastes. On the day he delivered great food, both in look and taste, in a relaxed manner. We had four courses spread over an entire afternoon, timed as we wanted them. Darius and his assistant/waiter were attentive without being obtrusive; then at the end of the meal they left the kitchen spotless. We had a great time and would recommend Darius to anyone looking for a special experience in the comfort of their own home.

We had an incredible evening with family, thanks to Darius. There were 12 of us and I was able to completely relax and enjoy my family’s company, with Darius and his assistant taking care of all the food. The food was lovely and served so well - from gorgeous canapés right through to beautifully presented desserts. My kitchen was left sparkling at the end. I wouldn’t hesitate to repeat the experience - it was a night to remember! Thanks Darius!

We had the pleasure of having Chef Darius cater for a dinner party of 12, and he exceeded all expectations. The seared scallops starter was perfectly cooked and beautifully presented, setting the tone for a fantastic meal. The salmon en croute for the main course was absolutely delicious, with flaky pastry and perfectly seasoned fish that impressed all our guests. Not only was the food outstanding, but Chef Darius also brought a warm and friendly demeanour that added to the evening’s enjoyment. He worked seamlessly in our kitchen, keeping everything spotless and organized throughout. His professionalism and attention to detail made the entire experience stress-free Many thanks

Darius was amazing and we all agreed it was one of our best Christmas Day lunches.

Darius's service was exceptional! The food was absolutely delicious and the presentation was beautiful. His experience and love for food shone through in the quality of his work. I would 100% recommend using Darius and will be looking forward to booking him again in the future. He brought a lovely waiter with him who was so friendly and ensured all the food was delivered professionally and with a smile on his face. Thank you again for making our special occasion all the more enjoyable!

We had an excellent meal prepared by Darius, who was also very professional and friendly. Communication pre-dinner was great. Would certainly recommend. Thanks for a brilliant meal!

Darius was absolutely perfect! Warm and engaging, he is clearly expert in his trade as chef and also responsive to specific requests (intolerances, allergies - and a love of extra vegetables!). He had to put up with a curious young beagle wandering into his kitchen at the same time. He made our evening super special and we would, without a doubt, recommend him wholeheartedly. We are already looking forward to next time.

Lovely food, lovely man! We had a great evening and would highly recommend Darius

This was our first time to hire a private chef to cook for us at home. Darius was an excellent introduction to hiring a private chef and we will certainly be hiring him again (provided he is not already fully booked up). His food was delicious and he respected what we liked/did not like. He was flexible and adjusted the menu to our taste (including respecting my nut allergy). Darius added in a few pleasant surprises like canapés and biscuits which were delicious! Personally, I have learnt a lot about where to buy wholesome food as we were educated on the ingredients used. Darius was very punctual, discreet, considerate and left the kitchen spotless. We only wished Darius could cook for us every night. It was a wonderful way to celebrate our wedding anniversary whilst the little ones sleep. Thank you Darius.

We had the absolute pleasure of eating a wonderful meal prepared by Darius. We were only a family of 3 ( one of us with a dairy & gluten intolerance) but this was not a problem for Darius at all. All courses were adapted to suit the main menu choices; and it all tasted divine. The food was well portioned, and very flavoursome. Darius can offer a very varied menu, which will certainly suit, most/if not all food preferences. A very talented chef, who is engaging, yet unintrusive. Do not hesitate to book. We are certainly looking forward to having him cook for us again!!!