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 Essence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

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 Wonton Chips

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

Mediterranean Essence

STARTER

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

FIRST COURSE

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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

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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

Birthday Brunch

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mini Okonomiyaki (Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Toppings)

Baked Oatmeal Squares with Berries and Banana

Banana Bread Slices with Caramelized Bananas

Blueberry Oat Muffins

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Asian Chopped Vegetable Salad with Almonds and Ginger-Lime Vinaigrette

Fruit Platter with Raspberry Lemon Yogurt Dip

MAIN COURSE

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Individual Gluten-Free Quiches with Vegetables and Turkey Bacon

Gluten-Free Potato Casserole

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

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chai Crème Brûlée

Indonesian Black Rice Pudding with Toasted Coconut

Dark Cacao Torte with Coconut Chantilly Cream and Miso Caramel

Persian Pistachio Love Cake Loaf

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

Japanese Delight

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Mini Okonomiyaki (Japanese Vegetable Pancakes with Toppings)

Baked Salmon Sushi Nori Cups

Spicy Edamame

Baked Sticky Japanese Chicken Wings

Cucumbers filled with Black Sesame Paté

Onigiri: Triangular Sesame-Seasoned Rice Balls

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

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

Crisp Romaine Gems, Shredded King Crab, Shredded Vegetables, Creamy Black Sesame Garlic Dressing,

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

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

Sake-Ginger Mahi Mahi with Braised Spinach, Japanese Eggplant, Sesame Mirin Drizzle

Nishime: Dashi-Braised Vegetable Bowl with Chicken and Shrimp

Soy-Glazed Beef rolled around Scallions, Crispy Rice Cake, Hasselback Zucchini

Hokaido Chan Chan Yaki: Miso-Butter Salmon on Shredded Cabbage, Carrots and Mushrooms

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Green Tea Crème Brûlée

Furutsu Sando: Sweet Mini Japanese Fruit and Cream Sandwiches

Japanese Coffee Jelly with Chantilly Cream

Individual Japanese Jiggly Cheesecakes

Matcha & White Chocolate Cookies

Nama Chocolate Fudge with Japanese Whiskey

Mediterranean Celebration

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Crispy Polenta Rounds with Sautéed Greens and Parmesan

Antipasti Skewers with Stuffed Cherry Peppers, Olives, Mozzarella, Prosciutto, Spinach and Sun Dried Tomatoes

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms

Roasted Eggplant and Bell Pepper Dip with Sour Dough Garlic Toasts

Homemade Hummus Trio: Lemon-Garlic, Beetroot and Roasted Carrot with Rainbow Crudités

Mediterranean Puff-Pastry Pinwheels with Kalamatas, Feta, Spinach and Tomatoes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Dill Asparagus with Crisp Romaine Gem Wedge, Seared Lemons and Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Pan-Fried Halloumi and Very Green Lebanese Tabouli with Barley in Romaine Cups

Mediterranean Taverna Salad with Artichoke Hearts, Chickpeas, Shawarma Chicken and Oregano Vinaigrette

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

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan-Seared Sea Scallops in Beurre Blanc with Braised Leeks and Butternut Squash Purée

Filet Mignon with Crispy Potato Cake, Crème Fraîche, Rosemary-Shallot Mushrooms and Bordelaise Reduction

Spice-Rubbed Slow-Roasted Salmon Fillets and Olive Tapenade on Jeweled Rice

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Espresso Créme Brulée with Berries

Dark Chocolate Mousse Torte and Amaretto Cashew Cream

Baklava Cheesecake

Autumn in the Colorado Rockies Feast

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Butternut Squash & Black Bean Mini Tacos with Homemade Colorado Corn Tortillas

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus and Chives

Grilled Palisade Peaches and Plums with Mozzarella and Balsamic Drizzle

Hot Pink Beet Hummus with Rainbow Crudités

Pulled-Chicken Stuffed Jalapeños

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Coconut Mushroom Soup

Arugula, Palisade Peach & Basil Salad with Sheep Feta and Poppy Seed-Citrus Vinaigrette

Basket Woven Dill Asparagus with Crisp Romaine Gem Wedge, Seared Lemons, Seared Lemon Vinaigrette and Savory Pumpkin Seed Brittle

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bison Medallion, Colorado 3-Bean Chili, Braised Greens

Herb-Marinaded Steak Slices, Mashed Purple Sweet Potato, Garlic Charred Baby Broccoli, Chimichurri

Trout en Papillote (Rainbow Trout cooked in parchment with Shallot Butter), Caramelized Fennel and Herbs, Potato Stack au Gratin

Lamb Chop with Red Wine-Strawberry Pan Sauce, Vegetable Pearl Couscous, Roasted Cauliflower

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mini Peach Galette with Amaretto Cream

Mini Colorado Cantaloupe Bread Bundt Cake with Praline Caramel

Colorado Pear & Apple Puff Pastry Turnover with Cacao Drizzle

Summer in the Colorado Rockies Feast

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Butternut Squash & Black Bean Mini Tacos with Homemade Blue Corn Tortillas

Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus and Chives

Grilled Palisade Peaches and Plums with Mozzarella and Balsamic Drizzle

Hot Pink Beet Hummus with Rainbow Crudités

Pulled-Chicken Stuffed Jalapeños

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy Coconut Mushroom Soup

Arugula, Palisade Peach & Basil Salad with Sheep Feta and Poppy Seed-Citrus Vinaigrette

Basket Woven Dill Asparagus with Crisp Romaine Gem Wedge, Seared Lemons, Seared Lemon Vinaigrette and Savory Pumpkin Seed Brittle

Chilled Avocado Soup made with Craft Beer

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bison Medallion, Colorado 3-Bean Chili, Braised Greens

Herb-Marinaded Steak Slices, Mashed Purple Sweet Potato, Garlic Charred Baby Broccoli, Chimichurri

Trout en Papillote (Rainbow Trout cooked in parchment with Shallot Butter), Caramelized Fennel and Herbs, Potato Stack au Gratin

Lamb Chop with Red Wine-Strawberry Pan Sauce, Vegetable Pearl Couscous, Roasted Cauliflower

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mini Peach Galette with Amaretto Cream

Baklava Cheesecake with Almond Crumble

Mini Cantaloupe Bread Bundt Cake with Praline Caramel

Pear & Apple Puff Pastry Turnover with Cacao Drizzle

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Chef Avara's reviews

4.92

•

97 services

A wonderful experience all around. I highly recommend it!

Avara was a delight to work with. We'd never worked with a private chef before and she patiently took us through multiple menu options, explained what could expect, and walked us through the process. Avara accommodated multiple dietary restrictions and was able to roll with multiple menu changes in the weeks leading up to our event with no complaint! Most importantly, the event went great. The presentation of the food was top notch, in particular the french garden salad. The various courses we had were unique and delicious, in particular the dessert (which was a special request of the birthday girl). And at the end of the night, our kitchen (and nice dishes) was totally cleaned!

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.