Chef Aj Schmidt

Private Chef in Big Sky

I have always enjoyed the connection food can give to people and bring strangers together. I have worked around the country in different concepts from casual to upscale fine dining. My favorite thing to do when I am traveling is to explore food options and learn new flavors and techniques. I continue to learn and grow and spread the love through food!

For me, cooking is...

A work of art and expression. Being able to source fresh and local products and showing the care and attention to detail.

I learned to cook at...

I first learned to cook as a kid with my grandmother. For me it was a great way to bond, and I was very interested at a young age.

A cooking secret...

Work ethic, adaptability, yearning for knowledge, and respect for the food and where it comes from.

My menus

The Second Reveal

STARTER

All inclusive

Burrata / Greens / Confit Tomato / Fig / Spiced Pepita / Balsamic + Olive Oil Drizzle

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Whipped Feta Dip / Togorashi Cucumbers / Cracker

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Ora King- Miso Butter Salmon / Cauliflower Puree / Kale / Apple + Mango Salsa / Citrus + Cumin Vinaigrette

DESSERT

All inclusive

Sweet Cornbread / Berry Compote / Citrus Mascarpone / Hot Honey

Local

STARTER

All inclusive

Watermelon / Cantaloupe / Melon Creme / Frozen Grapes / Apricot / Cherries / Citrus Honey / Toasted Almonds

Elote Salad: Roasted Corn / Crispy Bacon / Avocado / Fresh Peppers / Cilantro / Cotija / Lime / Tajin

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Korean bbq meatballs

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Tenderloin: Creamy Polenta / Roasted and Glazed Turnip / Pickled Carrot / Garlic Chive Butter / Fried Garlic and Shallots

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Lava Cakes / Sea salt

Bananas Foster's French Toast: Sourdough / Caramelized Bananas / Foster's Sauce / Whip / Pecan Crumble

Sweet Cornbread / Berry Compote / Citrus Mascarpone / Hot Honey

Local Tastings

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Montana Caprese: Mozzarella / Heirloom Tomato / Cherry Tomato / Basil / Huckleberry Balsamic Glaze / Truffle Oil / Almond Crunch

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Pork Chop: Polenta Cake / Sage & Peach Creme / Apple Salsa / Fennel Pollen / Broccoli Rabe

DESSERT

All inclusive

Apple crisp - Honey Oat Topping

The Final Reveal

STARTER

All inclusive

Bison Carpaccio / Parmesan / Capers / Crostini / Olive Oil

Pork Belly: Roasted Mushroom / Apple Shallot Puree / Fish Sauce Caramel / Toasted Peanuts & Sesame

Baked Brie / Maple Glaze / Cranberry & Walnut / Crostini

Beef Tartare / Herb Oil / Cracker / Dijon Aioli / Micro / Radish

Burrata / Greens / Confit Tomato / Fig / Spiced Pepita / Balsamic + Olive Oil Drizzle

Caesar: Romaine / Parmesan / Caper / Dressing / Toasted Breadcrumb

Summer Berry Salad: Fresh Berries / Local Greens / Orange Segments / Roasted Leek / Walnut / Strawberry Orange Vinegrette

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Elote Salad: Roasted Corn / Crispy Bacon / Avocado / Fresh Peppers / Cilantro / Cotija / Lime / Tajin

Beef Bourguignon / Creamy Potatoes / Chives / Fried Shallot

Ceviche Tostada

Seared Ahi Tuna: Rice Noodle Salad / Peanut Sauce / Sesame crunch

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Gnocchi: Caramelized Vidalia Onion sauce / Blistered Cherry Tomatoes / Toasted Pancetta / Roasted Mushroom / Chicken Thigh / Garlic Breadcrumb / Herb Oil

Bison Curry - Jasmine Rice - Sesame Topping - Chili oil

Bison Bolognese / Garlic Bread

Elote en Fuego: Chorizo + Chicken / Roasted Corn / Poblano / Cream Corn / Salsa Verde Butter / Tajin

Ora King- Miso Butter Salmon / Cauliflower Puree / Kale / Apple + Mango Salsa / Citrus + Cumin Vinaigrette

Steak- Garlic + Herb Mash / Demi / Local Roasted Carrots / Brown Butter Honey / Pecan Crumble

Tenderloin: Creamy Polenta / Roasted and Glazed Turnip / Pickled Carrot / Garlic Chive Butter / Fried Garlic and Shallots

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bananas Foster's French Toast: Sourdough / Caramelized Bananas / Foster's Sauce / Whip / Pecan Crumble

Apple crisp - Honey Oat Topping / ice cream

Cheesecake (Seasonal)

Chocolate Lava Cakes / Sea salt

Sweet Cornbread / Berry Compote / Citrus Mascarpone / Hot Honey

Local Eats

STARTER

All inclusive

Roasted Beets: Goat Cheese Creme Fraiche / Mirepoix Puree / Citrus Honey / Herb Oil / Mint / Walnut Dust

Baked Brie / Maple Glaze / Cranberry & Walnut / Crostini

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Whole Roasted Carrot - Brown Butter Honey - Pecan Crumble - Local Greens - Fresh Lemon

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tenderloin: Creamy Polenta / Roasted and Glazed Turnip / Pickled Carrot / Garlic Chive Butter / Fried Garlic and Shallots

DESSERT

All inclusive

Cheesecake (Seasonal)

The First Secret

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Summer Berry Salad: Fresh Berries / Local Greens / Orange Segments / Roasted Leek / Walnut / Strawberry Orange Vinegrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Elote en Fuego: Chorizo + Chicken / Roasted Corn / Poblano / Cream Corn / Salsa Verde Butter / Tajin

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tres Leches Cake

Italian

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Potato and Pancetta soup

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Cacio e pepe

DESSERT

All inclusive

Vanilla panna cotta

French

STARTER

All inclusive

Green Bean a la Parisienne

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

French Onion Soup / Gruyure / Crostini

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Tenderloin: Creamy Polenta / Roasted and Glazed Turnip / Pickled Carrot / Garlic Chive Butter / Fried Garlic and Shallots

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chocolate Mousse / Fresh Strawberry / Almond Cream

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Chef Aj's reviews

4.65

•

136 services

AJ was Great? Food was delicious. Our group of 8 had a great time with AJ cooking for us.

AJ was great! He showed up on time, interacted with the crew and prepared a great dinner. He left the kitchen spotless. I would highly recommend him.

Aj was a phenomenal chef! The experience was so enjoyable and the meal was delicious. As MT farm to table as he could get, I would highly recommend Aj! I look forward to booking Aj again in the future!

He was a very nice person and communicative.

AJ was great. Very efficient, friendly, and easy to work with. Appreciated his professionalism and easy rapport he established. Great chef!

We had an amazing experience with AJ as our private chef. He traveled to our Airbnb and cooked for our family, and every single dish was outstanding. The food was delicious, well thought out, and perfectly executed. It was such a treat to relax and enjoy a restaurant-quality meal at home. We would absolutely book AJ again!

Aj was incredible. Our guests kept saying it was the best wedding food — and honestly some of the best food ever. Every dish was amazing, but his apple crisp has me completely obsessed. He was kind, professional, and made the whole experience feel so personal. We’re so grateful we chose him.

AJ provided an incredible experience. The dishes were amazing and everyone loved them. He also recommended local things to do in the area. The whole experience was perfect.

Chef AJ was absolutely incredible! The food was amazing and beautiful and we truly had the best time. AJ navigated all of our requests, arrived timely, and was super professional. This was the best private chef experience ever! Highly highly recommend.

For "How did you receive the menus", we discussed it over the Take a Chef chat. AJ was incredibly responsive and super easy to plan this dinner. He made the whole experience extremely enjoyable, relaxing, and worthwhile. Definitely would recommend Chef AJ to others.

Aj was great. On time and great preparation.

Chef AJ was amazing. We hired him for our elopement dinner with our family and friends and he took what we wanted and created an incredible spread. My husband wanted a specific steak and AJ had no problem accommodating anything we had asked. Everything from the appetizers to desserts was phenomenal, I would highly recommend him to anyone!

Really listened to the needs of my clients and built a fantastic menu that they enjoyed very much!

Chef AJ was phenomenal. We had such a wonderful time and the food was delicious. I would highly recommend him if you are in the Bozeman/Yellowstone area.

We hired Chef AJ for a bachelorette weekend at our Airbnb in Pray, Montana and he absolutely delivered! He was punctual, super communicative throughout the planning process, and made everything so easy. The food was incredible—every dish was beautifully prepared and full of flavor. It felt like a luxury dining experience right in our own kitchen. Highly recommend!

Great chef

Chef AJ did an amazing job! He was prompt, fun, and cooked some amazing meals. We experienced some transportation issues as we came into Montana, and he adjusted beautifully. 10/10 recommend!

Chef Aj listened to what I wanted in the food and the evening and took the reins and delivered on every point. He was punctual, engaging, and professional in every way. Most importantly the food was outstanding.

This experience was the highlight of the entire trip. Couldn't recommend enough

Chef AJ was amazing and the food was delicious!