Chef Avara Yaron

Personal Chef in Boulder

My grandmother taught me to cook with love. I developed a plant-based delivery & catering company in Oregon, specializing in themed dinners. In 2010, I moved to Bali, Indonesia where I dreamed up a cafe on the grounds of Green School where my daughter was a student. Living Food Lab generated meals and snacks for 400 children from around the world, their parents, school staff, plus a flow of visitors. Next, a 2nd location in Ubud, Bali’s first collaborative business space. I created Living Food Lab Academy where I shared my enthusiasm for turning on people of all ages to the power of their food choices. I taught in Bali, Java, Singapore, Australia, Europe & the U.S. I sold the Lab in 2019, returning to the U.S. to cook delicacies as a personal chef, cater dinners & retreats, and counsel families in up-leveling their nutritional intake. Personal cheffing is my favorite work.

When not in the kitchen, writing novels is my passion.

I look forward to getting to know you and preparing wonderful food your family or friends are excited to eat.

For me, cooking is...

An artform. A passion. I have a degree in art and bring an awareness of color, line and presentation to delicious flavors.

I learned to cook at...

My grandmother's knee when I was small. We baked and cooked everything from scratch. She was a real food pusher!

A cooking secret...

Conscious food as a prayer. Freshest produce and proteins. Fresh herbs and spices. Making vegetables sing. Clean, healthy food that is inspiring.

My menus

Pan-Asian Celebration

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Mini Okonomiyaki (Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Toppings)

Lettuce Cups with Ground Chicken, Shiitake Mushroom, Ponzu & Wasabi Sauce

Crab Rangoon Dip with Wonton Chips

Adobo Filipino Chicken Wings with Creamy Ginger Dipping Sauce

Balinese Gado Gado (Indonesian salad with steamed and fresh vegetables and Peanut Sauce)

Thai Crab Cakes with Curry-Cilantro Dipping Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Thai Green Papaya Salad with Green Apple, Thai Basil, Mint and Chopped Roasted Peanuts

Asian Chopped Vegetable Salad with Almonds and Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette

Chili-Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Miso-Honey Glazed Celery Root and Edamame Purée

Balinese Urab (Green Beans, Spinach and Mung Bean Sprouts with Shredded Coconut)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chili-Garlic Prawns with Braised Baby Bok Choy in Spicy Fish Tea

Ginger-Soy Marinaded Steak Slices with Mushrooms, Garlic-Cilantro Asparagus, Curried Butternut Squash Purée

5-Spice-Glazed Salmon with Mango Slaw and Cilantro Drizzle

Red-Curry Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Vegetable Pad See Ew (Thick Thai Noodles)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chai Crème Brûlée

Vietnamese Coffee Crème Brûlée

Indonesian Black Rice Pudding with Toasted Coconut

Dark Cacao Torte with Coconut Chantilly Cream and Miso Caramel

Pan-Asian Essence

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Mini Okonomiyaki (Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Toppings)

Adobo Filipino Chicken Wings with Creamy Ginger Dipping Sauce

Lettuce Cups with Ground Chicken, Shiitake Mushroom, Ponzu & Wasabi Sauce

Crab Rangoon Dip with Rainbow Crudités and Wonton Chips

Shrimp Wonton Cups with Cilantro Cream

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Thai Green Papaya Salad with Green Apple, Thai Basil, Mint and Chopped Roasted Peanuts

Asian Chopped Vegetable Salad with Almonds and Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette

Balinese Gado Gado (Indonesian platter of steamed and fresh vegetables and hard boiled eggs with Spicy Peanut Sauce)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

5-Spice-Glazed Salmon with Mango Slaw and Cilantro Drizzle

Red-Curry Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Vegetable Pad See Ew (Thick Thai Noodles)

Ginger-Soy Marinaded Steak Slices with Garlic-Cilantro Asparagus, Curried Butternut Squash Purée

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Indonesian Black Rice Pudding with Toasted Coconut

Vietnamese Coffee Crème Brûlée

Dark Cacao Torte with Coconut Chantilly Cream and Miso Caramel

Japanese Essence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mini Okonomiyaki (Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Toppings)

Onigiri: Triangular Sesame-Seasoned Rice Balls

Baked Salmon Sushi Nori Cups

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Salad 3 Ways: Japanese Shredded Vegetable Salad with Japanese Cucumber Salad and Marinaded Buckwheat Soba Noodles

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken and Scallion Yakitori Skewers, Soy-Glazed Japanese Eggplant, Teriyaki Carrots

Miso-Wasabi Glazed Salmon Fillet, Braised Greens, Chili Oil, Microgreens

Mirin & Ponzu Steak Slices, Miso-Butter Shiitake Mushrooms, Roasted Squash Purée

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Green Tea Crème Brûlée

Furutsu Sando: Sweet Mini Japanese Fruit and Cream Sandwiches

Japanese Coffee Jelly with Chantilly Cream

Nama Chocolate Fudge with Japanese Whiskey

Mediterranean Essence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Abundant Appetizer Platter with Beetroot Hummus, Baked Brie en Croûte with Fig Jam, Baguette Toasts and Rainbow Crudités

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Dill Asparagus with Romaine Wedge, Seared Lemon Vinaigrette and Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Roasted Root Vegetables and Crisp Romaine Gem Wedges on Whipped Feta with Parsley Cream

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Slow-Roasted, Spice-Rubbed Salmon with Olive Tapenade on Jeweled Rice

Herb-Marinaded Steak Slices with Parsnip Purée and Hasselback Zucchini with Tahini Sauce

Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Spinach and Goat Cheese and Mushroom Reduction on Creamy Polenta

DESSERT

All inclusive

Dark Chocolate Mousse Torte and Amaretto Cashew Cream

French Essence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Baked Brie en Croûte with Cranberry Fig Jam, Baguette Toasts and Crudités

Smoked Salmon and Goat Cheese Pinwheel Tart in Puff Pastry

Hard Boiled Eggs filled with Olive Tapenade

Provence Roasted Pepper and White Bean Dip with French Street Toasts

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tuna Salade Nicoise with Caper Berries, Artichoke Heart, Hard Boiled Eggs, Baby Potatoes, Radish, Green Beans, Tomatoes, Anchovy Vinaigrette

French Country Salad: Arugula, Dill Asparagus, Beets, Goat Cheese, Walnut and Pumpkin Seed Brittle, Dijon Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Fricassee, Mirepoix & Crimini Mushrooms in Creamy White Wine Sauce over Buttered Egg Noodles

Slow-Roasted Salmon, Ratatouille, Lemon-Garlic Aioli

Duck a L’Orange

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Almond Créme Brulée with Berries

Dark Chocolate Mousse Torte and Amaretto Cashew Cream

Poached Pear with Cinnamon Cream

French Celebration

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Baked Brie en Croûte with Cranberries, Thyme and Pistachios, Baguette Toasts and Rainbow Crudités

Caviar d'Aubergine: Eggplant Dip with Sourdough Toasts

Smoked Salmon and Goa Cheese Pinwheel Tart in Puff Pastry

Provence Roasted Pepper and White Bean Dip with Sourdough Toasts

Hard Boiled Eggs filled with Olive Tapenade

Cake d'Alsace: Caramelized Onion & Gruyère Loaf

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tuna Salade Nicoise with Caper Berries, Artichoke Heart, Hard Boiled Eggs, Baby Potatoes, Radish, Green Beans, Tomatoes, Anchovy Vinaigrette

Provençal Vegetable Gratin: Rows of Zucchini, Eggplant and Tomato

French Country Salad: Arugula, Dill Asparagus, Beets, Goat Cheese, Walnut and Pumpkin Seed Brittle, Dijon Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Flat-Iron Steak with Crushed-Pepper Crust, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Chicken Fricassee, Mirepoix & Crimini Mushrooms in Creamy White Wine Sauce over Buttered Egg Noodles

Slow-Roasted Salmon, Ratatouille, Lemon-Garlic Aioli

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Almond Créme Brulée with Berries

Dark Chocolate Mousse Torte with Chantilly Cream

Individual Tarte Tatin

Poached Pear with Cinnamon Cream

Lemon Tart with Olive Oil Shortcrust

Chocolate Truffles Rolled in Cacao Powder and Shaved Coconut

Japanese Celebration

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Mini Okonomiyaki (Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Toppings)

Spicy Edamame

Onigiri: Triangular Sesame-Seasoned Rice Balls

Baked Salmon Sushi Nori Cups

Baked Sticky Japanese Chicken Wings

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Salad 3 Ways: Japanese Shredded Vegetable Salad & Creamy Soy Dressing, Japanese Cucumber Salad, Sesame Green Tea Soba Noodles

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Chicken and Scallion Yakitori Skewers, Soy-Glazed Japanese Eggplant, Teriyaki Carrots

Miso-Mustard Glazed Salmon Fillet, Braised Bok Choy, Chili Oil, Microgreens

Mirin & Ponzu Steak Slices, Miso-Butter Shiitake Mushrooms, Roasted Squash Purée

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Green Tea Crème Brûlée

Furutsu Sando: Sweet Mini Japanese Fruit and Cream Sandwiches

Individual Japanese Jiggly Cheesecakes

Matcha & White Chocolate Cookies

Japanese Coffee Jelly with Chantilly Cream

Pan-Asian Delight

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Mini Okonomiyaki (Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Toppings)

Lettuce Cups with Ground Chicken, Shiitake Mushroom, Ponzu & Wasabi Sauce

Baked Salmon Sushi Nori Cups

Crab Rangoon Dip with Wonton Chips

Adobo Filipino Chicken Wings with Creamy Ginger Dipping Sauce

Thai Crab Cakes

Balinese Gado Gado (Indonesian platter of steamed and fresh vegetables and hard boiled eggs with Spicy Peanut Sauce)

Lemongrass Chicken Sate and Spicy Peanut Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Thai Green Papaya Salad with Green Apple, Thai Basil, Mint and Chopped Roasted Peanuts

Asian Chopped Vegetable Salad with Almonds and Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette

Chili-Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Miso-Honey Glazed Celery Root and Edamame Purée

Balinese Urab (Green Beans, Spinach and Mung Bean Sprouts with Shredded Coconut)

Rustic Bean Soup with Shredded King Oyster Mushrooms and Wilted Spinach

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Sesame-Crusted Seared Tuna Steak, Wasabi-Japanese Sweet Potato Mash, Korean Gochujang Smashed Cucumbers

Chili-Garlic Prawns with Braised Baby Bok Choy in Spicy Fish Tea

Red-Curry Spinach-Stuffed Chicken Breast with Vegetable Pad See Ew (Thick Thai Noodles)

5-Spice-Glazed Salmon with Mango Slaw and Cilantro Drizzle

Ginger-Soy Marinaded Steak Slices with Mushrooms, Garlic-Cilantro Asparagus, Curried Butternut Squash Purée

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Chai Crème Brûlée

Vietnamese Coffee Crème Brûlée

Indonesian Black Rice Pudding with Toasted Coconut

Hong Kong Egg Tarts with Puff Pastry

Dark Cacao Torte with Coconut Chantilly Cream and Miso Caramel

Black Sesame Mochi Cake

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Chef Avara's reviews

4.93

•

91 services

A really lovely experience. Really love being able to watch a chef at work, and know that I'm getting exactly what I want to eat.

Avara was amazing. Her dinner was spectacular, her kindness enormous, her flexibility unparalleled, and her presence beautiful. I can’t recommend her enough.

Chef Avara is amazing! Her food was delicious and she has such a warm, zen vibe about her. Highly recommend!

Avara was incredible! My partner and I couldn't stop talking about how much we enjoyed the dishes, even hours after Avara had already left. Her presentation, personality, and just general attentiveness was out of this world.

We highly recommend Avara. And was great to work with.

Phenomenon experience all around. Avara is incredibly talented and a spectacular chef. Each dish blew us away and then her creative baklava cheesecake could easily win awards. The overall experience was wonderful. Such a smooth and thoughtful platform that is well structured and easy to use.

Absolutely amazing, the food was delicious and Avara was so kind and made the evening one to remember.

Amazing! Would highly recommend

Amazing. Can't say enough great things. Sorry it took so long to get a review up. Avara was great and had so many interesting things to say about her dishes and past experiences as a chef. This is what the personal chef interaction is all about. Finding out about the food, the dishes, what inspires chefs, and how they make everything. It was a perfect dinner and so much food. Loved her custom menu too to allow my kids to participate as well.

Avara was amazing. She built the menu specific to my request, showed up on time, and engaged in a delightful conversation with us. Her food was amazing, well prepared, and presented.

The chef, the food and the experience were Wonderfull. Very glad we did this experience. Chef was professional and we recommend the experience.

Avara was an awesome chef and very knowledgeable with food choices. She accommodated vegan and chicken meals for our group. The salad, veggies and Brie appetizer was delicious!! Will definitely request her again for future family dinners. Enjoyed her company as well! Private Feedback: Had a wonderful time with you and hope that we can utilize your services again! We truly enjoyed your company!! Food was delicious! The vegan meal and appetizers with salad was amazing! ????

Chef Avara was delightful and engaging during a private event at an Airbnb. Every bite was unforgettable and she did a great job explaining the backstory behind the ingredients and the dishes! She even used some ingredients from her own garden which was awesome. Everyone really enjoyed the dinner and Chef Avara's welcoming nature made us feel very special.

Chef Avara was amazing! Our dinner was meant to celebrate a proposal earlier in the day and we were very pleased with how it turned out. The menu was unique and the food and presentation were great. We really enjoyed being able to be in the comfort of our own home after a long day – we'd definitely recommend this service and Chef Avara.

Avara is personable, knowledgeable. and professional! We had 6 people learning a recipe that she taught at our request and she handled the crowd exceedingly well. So patient and easy-going! She is a lovely person who has eons of experience. We would have her over again in an instant!

Chef Avara was amazing! I have no words as we were blown away by the entire experience. We were a bachelorette party of 8 girls and every person enjoyed it so much. She was so easy to work with! Customized the menu to the bride's liking and exceeded our expectations. She was very personable and paid attention to details. We enjoyed Chef Avara so much! Thank you again!

Avara made our dinner experience a night to remember. I planned our private dinner as a surprise for my partner for our long weekend in Colorado. I'm a pescatarian but my partner is not, and I wanted to make sure he could have a meat option that was also delicious and something other than veggie or fish. She customized our dinner in such a unique and profound way, there is no way I would have eaten food like this anywhere in Denver. The combination of flavors were incredible and complimented each other so nicely. I will absolutely reach out to Avara the next time I am in Denver.