Chef Chris Cowell

Private Chef In Reno

I have spent 30+ years in the food and beverage industry working every position in a restaurant. New England Culinary Institute graduate based in the Reno/Tahoe area. The majority of my career has been centered around mountain communities and snowboarding. Growing up in a military family gave me the opportunity to travel the world and I continue to travel as much as possible. All those experiences have made me into a very well rounded Chef with the ability to create culinary experiences in several cuisines.

For me, cooking is...

Cooking is my life that I love to share with others.

I learned to cook at...

My career began in Vermont/New York. After culinary school I made Reno/Tahoe my home for 20+ years. I have been Executive Chef in several properties

A cooking secret...

Exploiting flavors with minimal ingredients and techniques. Less is more.

My menus

Seafood Extravaganza

STARTER

All inclusive

Ceviche (shrimp, lime, cilantro, tomato, red onion, serrano, avocado cilantro crema, blue corn tortilla chips)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Sea Scallops (diver scallops, arugula pesto, pickled red onion)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Latin Salmon (king salmon, black bean corn hash, pickled jicama, poblano cream)

Lobster Risotto (arborio, lobster, pinot grigio, shallots, grana padano, truffle oil)

Crab Stuffed Sole (dungeness crab, sole, burre blanc, roasted tomato, arugula, fingerling potato, red pepper coulis)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Belgian Waffle with Berries (belgian waffle, macerated berries, whipped creme friache)

Watermelon Strawberry Basil Granita

Surprise Celebration

STARTER

All inclusive

Charcuterie Board (thin sliced artisan meats, craft cheese, nuts, berries, fruit, pickled vegetables)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Endive Salad (endive, gorgonzola, dates, apple, candied walnut, fines herbs, champagne vinaigrette)

Gnocchi with Arugula Pesto (potato, egg, flour, arugula pesto, parmesan)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Petite Beef Tenderloin (filet mignon, roasted garlic mashed potato, asparagus, demi glace)

Latin Salmon (king salmon, black bean corn hash, pickled jicama, poblano cream)

Sea Scallops (diver scallops, creamy polenta, swiss chard, arugula pesto, pickled red onion)

Risotto Primavera (arborio, parmesan, english peas, portabella, zucchini, bell pepper, spinach nage)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baklava (phyllo, pistachio, cinnamon, vanilla, orange, lemon, honey)

Creme Brulee (vanilla custard, caramelized sugar, berries)

Passion Fruit Cheesecake (macadamia crust, passion fruit, cream cheese filling, berries)

Latin America

STARTER

All inclusive

Elote Salad (grilled corn, butter leaf, mayonnaise, tajin, lime, cotija)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Ceviche (shrimp, lime, cilantro, tomato, red onion, serrano, avocado cilantro crema, blue corn tortilla chips)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Barbacoa Brisket (dry rubbed slow smoked brisket, chipotle, ancho, onion, lime, white corn tortilla)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Flan (custard, caramel)

Italian

STARTER

All inclusive

Tomato Parmesan Soup ( san marzano tomato, marsala, parmesan, marjoram)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Sea Scallops (diver scallops, arugula pesto, pickled red onion)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Cherry Balsamic Tri Tip (tri tip, cherry, balsamic, garlic, thyme, arugula, grape tomato, roasted fingerling potato)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tiramisu (lady fingers, mascarpone, marsala, coffee, dark chocolate)

Asian

STARTER

All inclusive

Tom Yum Soup (shrimp, chicken, red chili, kaffir lime, oyster mushroom, tomato, coriander, galangal, lemongrass, fish sauce)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Vietnamese Spring Rolls (rice paper, red chili, kefir lime, bean sprout, cucumber, carrot, mint, shrimp)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Hibachi Trio (yakitori chicken, japanese garlic steak, red pepper miso shrimp, stir fry vegetable, jasmine rice)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Passion Fruit Cheesecake (macadamia crust, passion fruit, cream cheese filling, berries)

French

STARTER

All inclusive

Potato Leek Soup (yukon gold potato, leek, garlic, white wine, stock, truffle oil, chives)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Endive Salad (endive, gorgonzola, dates, apple, candied walnut, fines herbs, champagne vinaigrette)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Petite Beef Tenderloin (filet mignon, roasted garlic mashed potato, asparagus, demi glace)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Creme Brulee (vanilla custard, caramelized sugar, berries)

Mediterranean

STARTER

All inclusive

Quinoa Tabbouleh ( quinoa, cucumber, tomato, onion, garlic, lemon, mint, parsley)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Spanakopita (phyllo, spinach, caramelized red onion, feta, butter)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Moroccan Short Rib (piedmontese short rib, roasted tomato, apricot, kalamata olive, orange, cinnamon, spinach, polenta, braised short rib jus)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Baklava (phyllo, pistachio, cinnamon, vanilla, orange, lemon, honey)

Show me more

Chef Chris's reviews

4.83

•

54 services

Wonderful dinner, punctual and interesting!

Everything was amazing.

Chef Chris was incredible. From the start his communication in planning took the stress out. He arrived on time and his food was beyond delicious. He was engaging, went with the flow when our guest were last and adjusted when our teens ate like dinosaurs, he actually ran to the store to grab more meat to make sure the kids were happy. We were so impressed we booked him at the event to do another one while we are visiting! Thank you again Chef Chris!