Chef Chris Malstrom

Private Chef in Los Angeles

I'm a professional chef with over 15 years in the food and beverage industry. Classically trained in AAA-rated fine dining restaurants in a variety of European/Mediterranean cuisines with an emphasis on local, seasonal and sustainably-grown food. I work with clients to craft delicious, inventive menus for the private dinner or event - paying specific attention to any dietary needs/concerns or allergens to avoid. Why go out for a fine-dining meal in a crowded, loud restaurant when you can have one prepared for you in your own home?

This dedication to the freshest + highest-quality ingredients carries over into the creation of seasonally-driven cocktail lists based on clients' tastes and preferences. For those looking for a more cocktail-driven event, I'll work with you to craft a drink menu based on party theme, guest tastes and ingredient seasonality.

I now travel between Salem, MA and Los Angeles, CA and am available to provide services in both areas!

For me, cooking is...

A passion and an expression of art.

I learned to cook at...

Classically trained in Greater Boston-area restaurants such as 80 Thoreau, Catalyst, and 62 Restaurant and Wine Bar

A cooking secret...

Always have fun with it

My menus

Mediterranean Dinner Party

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Cheese & Charcuterie Board with Mustard, Jam & Crackers

Seasonal Crudité with Smoked Balsamic Vinaigrette & White Bean Puree

Antipasti with Marinated Olives, Giardinara, Dolmas and Spiced Nuts

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Heirloom Tomato Gazpacho with Fried Halloumi

Greek Salad with Kalamata Olives, Feta, Cucumber, Cherry Tomatoes & Red Wine Vinaigrette

Minestrone with Tomato Broth, Spring Vegetables, Cannellini Beans & Parmesan

Chickpea & Roast Tomato Soup with Rosemary

Mixed Tender Lettuces with Radish, Fines Herbs & Champagne Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef Bourguignon with Roasted Root Vegetables & Hen of the Woods

Chicken Cacciatore with Hen of the Woods & Castelvetrano Olives Over Creamy Polenta

Herb Roast Lamb Racks with Slow-Roasted + Spiced Carrots & Tzatziki Whipped Feta

Pan Roast Salmon with Moroccan-Spiced Quinoa, Spinach & Almonds

Roast Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes with Quinoa, Feta, Spring Onion & Tapenade

Pacific Rockfish with Roast Lemon Potatoes, Spring Peas & Garden Pesto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baklava with Honey, Walnuts & Cinnamon

Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Sea Salt Caramel

Cannoli with Earl Grey Ricotta Cream & Candied Citrus

Melopita with Filo, Honey & Cinnamon

Basque Cheesecake with Spiced Strawberries

The Family Meal

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Salad of Mixed Lettuces with Radish, Fines Herbs & Champagne Vinaigrette

Tuscan Kale Salad with Quinoa, Clementine, Pistachio & Feta

Arugula Salad with Sunflower Seeds, Marinated Strawberries & Balsamic

Spring Greens Salad with Pepitas, Carrots & Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Pecorino Roast Potatoes

Slow Roast Carrots De Provence

Potato Au Gratin

Garlicky Roast Broccoli

Roast French Beans & Fresh Herbs

Spiced Sumac Cornbread with Honey Butter

Mini Cheddar Biscuits & Chive Butter

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan-Seared Sirloin Steaks & Chimichurri

Roast Bone-in Chicken Breast with Gravy

Garam Masala-Spiced Pork Tenderloins with White Wine Pan Sauce

Spiced Roast Salmon with Dill Pistou

Parm & Herb Crusted Cod with Lemon Basil Aioli

Roast Delicata Squash Stuffed with Black Rice & Gruyere with Purple Cauliflower Fondue

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whip

Cinnamon Roll Cake with Vanilla Glaze

Devil's Food Cake with Salted Caramel

Basque Cheesecake with Strawberry Compote

Italian Dinner Party

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Cheese & Charcuterie Board with Mustard, Jam & Crackers

Seasonal Crudité with Smoked Balsamic Vinaigrette & White Bean Puree

Antipasti with Marinated Olives, Giardinara, Dolmas and Spiced Nuts

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Baby Kale with Fennel, Toasted Almond & Clementine

Roasted Beets Salad with Burrata & Pistachio-Parsley Pesto

Mixed Tender Lettuces with Radish, Parmesan & Red Wine Vinaigrette

Roast Cauliflower Soup with Crisp Prosciutto & Fresh Herbs

Minestrone with Tomato Broth, Spring Vegetables, Cannellini Beans & Parmesan

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef Tenderloin with Roast Broccolini, Fingerlings & Red Wine Sauce

Pan-Seared Scallops with Charred Lemon, Spinach & White Bean Ragu

Spring Vegetable Lasagna with Ricotta, Leafy Greens & Squash

Chicken Cacciatore with Hen of the Woods & Castelvetrano Olives Over Creamy Polenta

Roast Salmon over Roast Potatoes, Spring Peas & Morels

Veal Marsala with Prosciutto, Mushrooms & Sage over Garlic Potato Mash

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Candied Kumquats & Orange Curd

Almond Cake with Wine-Poached Pears & Vanilla Gelato

Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta with Spiced Pepita Brittle

Cannoli with Earl Grey Ricotta Cream & Candied Citrus

Pu'erh Tiramisu with Mascarpone, Dark Chocolate & Ladyfingers

Chef's Tasting Menu

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tuna Crudo with Tomatillos, Lime & Chili

Heirloom Tomato & Watermelon with Feta, Fennel and Anise Hyssop

Green Gazpacho with Tomatillos, Cucumber & Poblano

Curried Squash Soup with Garam Masala Croutons & Herbed Creme Fraiche

Steak Tartar with Capers, Cornichons, Cured Yolk & Pão

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto alla Marsala with Prosciutto & Wild Mushrooms

Tagliatelle with Roast Winter Squash & Curried Venison Ragu

Pan Seared Scallops with Oolong Varietals & Butter Braised Morels

Pan-Seared Gnocchi with Slow Roast Tomatoes & Chanterelles

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roast Delicata Squash Stuffed with Black Rice & Gruyere with Purple Cauliflower Fondue

Smoked Tea Duck with Lapsang Souchong, Mole Masala & Roast Carrots

Berkshire Pork Stuffed Tomatoes with Cilantro Rice & Woodear Mushrooms

Harissa Roast Lamb with Cauliflower, Pomegranate & Preserved Lemon Yogurt

Striped Bass with Chanterelles, Swiss Chard, Microgreens & Parmesan Brodo

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pu'erh Tiramisu with Mascarpone, Dark Chocolate & Ladyfingers

Husk Cherry Torte with Earl Grey Ice Cream

Devil's Food Cake with Salted Caramel, Spiced & Candied Nuts

Brown Sugar Buttermilk Cake with Spiced Apples & Sea Salt Caramel

Backyard BBQ

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Spiced Sumac Cornbread with Honey Butter

Mini Cheddar Biscuits & Chive Butter

Baby Potato & Green Bean Salad with Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette

Fresh Pasta Salad with Cherry Tomatoes

Mixed Tender Lettuces with Radish, Fines Herbs & Champagne Vinaigrette

Baby Spinach Salad with Strawberries, Candied Nuts & Balsamic Vinaigrette

Red & Green Cabbage Slaw with Apple Cider Vinegar & Old Bay;

Herb-Marinated Summer Squash Salad

Mixed Grilled Vegetables

Corn on the Cob

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Smash Burgers & Cheeseburgers with Pickles, Lettuce, Tomato, Onions & Sauces

BBQ Chicken Legs & Thighs

Slow-Roast BBQ Spare Ribs

BBQ Beef Brisket

Grilled Sirloin Steaks

Garlic Herb-Marinated Chicken Breast

Vegetarian Burgers & Hot Dogs

Grilled Pork Chops

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tres Leches Cake with Cinnamon Whip

Angel Food Cake with Macerated Strawberries & Whipped Cream

Cinnamon Roll Cake with Vanilla Glaze

Dark Chocolate Brownies

Basque Cheesecake with Spiced Strawberries

The Seafood Menu!

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Seasonal Crudité with Smoked Balsamic Vinaigrette & White Bean Puree

Tinned Fish Board with Toasts & Accoutrements

Maryland Style Crab Cakes with Cocktail Sauce

Shrimp Cocktail with Lemon

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Mixed Tender Lettuces with Radish, Fine Herbs, Crab & Spring Peas

Rockfish Ceviche with Lime, Red Onion, Serrano & Fresh Herbs

Tuscan White Bean & Kale Soup with Tuna

Spiced Garlic Shrimp with Garlic-Cilantro-Lime Butter

Tuna Tartare with Cherry Tomatoes, Cucumber & Dill

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Frito Misto of Scallops, Shrimp & Calamari with Shishitos, Potatoes & Roast Tomato Marinara

Pan-Seared Scallops with Charred Lemon, Swiss Chard & White Bean Ragu

Pacific Rockfish with Roast Lemon Potatoes, Spring Peas & Garden Pesto

Pan Roast Salmon with Moroccan-Spiced Quinoa, Spinach & Almonds

Tuna Steak with Anchovies, Broccolini & Sweet Potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Angel Food Cake with Macerated Strawberries, Dried Blueberries & Whipped Cream

Basque Cheesecake with Spiced Strawberries

Chocolate Zucchini Cake with Sea Salt Caramel

Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Candied Kumquats & Orange Curd

Pear & Cardamom Bread Pudding with Earl Grey Ice Cream

Vegetarian Italian Dinner

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Roast Cauliflower Soup with Spiced Florets

Mixed Greens Salad with Sliced Radishes, Fines Herbs & Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette

Winter Greens Salad with Clementines, Toasted Almonds & Citronette

Arugula Salad with Roasted Winter Squash, Spiced Pepitas & Smoked Balsamic

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Risotto alla Marsala with Sage & Wild Mushrooms

Winter Lasagna with Ricotta, Squash, Caramelized Onion & Kale

Tagliatelle with Raw, Roast & Pureed Carrots

Crispy Gnocchi with Asparagus, Parmesan Cream & Wild Mushrooms

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roast Tempe With Spiced Carrots, Herbed Red Potatoes & Tzatziki Whipped Feta

Roast Stuffed Heirloom Tomatoes with Quinoa, Feta, Spring Onion & Tapenade

Roast Delicata Squash Stuffed with Black Rice & Gruyere with Purple Cauliflower Fondue

Eggplant Parmesan with Tomato-Basil Marinara

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Olive Oil Cake with Candied Kumquats & Cara Cara Curd

Almond Cake with Wine-Poached Pears & Vanilla Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Panna Cotta with Spiced Pepita Brittle

Cannoli with Earl Grey Ricotta Cream & Candied Citrus

Winter Mediterranean Dinner

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula Salad with Roasted Winter Squash, Spiced Pepitas & Smoked Balsamic

Winter Greens Salad with Clementines, Toasted Almonds & Citronette

Beet Gazpacho with Fennel & Citrus

Curried Squash Soup with Garam Masala Croutons & Herbed Creme Fraiche

Mixed Greens Salad with Sliced Radishes, Fines Herbs & Grainy Mustard Vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Gnocchi with Harissa-Spiced Squash, Pomegranate & Broccolini

Risotto alla Marsala with Prosciutto & Wild Mushrooms

Tagliatelle alla Bolognese

Potato & Leek Ravioli with Roast Potato Jus

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef Bourguignon with Roasted Root Vegetables & Hen of the Woods

Cassoulet of Cannellini Beans, Confit Duck & Sausage

Garam Masala Spiced Pork Tenderloin with Curried Cauliflower & Sweet Potato Puree

Herb-Crusted Cod with Charred Lemon, Spinach & White Bean Ragu

Herb-Roasted Chicken Breast with Moroccan Quinoa, Olives, Toasted Almonds & Spinach

Salmon over Harissa-Spiced Couscous with Fennel, Citrus & Baby Kale

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Almond Cake with Wine-Poached Pears & Vanilla Ice Cream

Brown Sugar Buttermilk Cake with Spiced Apples & Sea Salt Caramel

Cannoli with Earl Grey Ricotta Cream & Candied Citrus

Dark Chocolate Brownies with Mint Ice Cream & Bourbon Caramel

Flan with Orange & Spice

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Chef Chris's reviews

4.81

•

68 services

Chris was phenomenal! We booked him for a bachelorette party to come to our airbnb for dinner and it was absolutely perfect. He was polite and professional, the food was amazing, and he left the place spotless. Would definitely recommend!

Chef Chris was great. It’s a little unsettling hiring someone you don’t know to host a 12 person work dinner. Chris did a fantastic job. The food was quality and delicious. He explained all the items and served beautifully. Everyone is raving about the meal from end to end. Everything cooked to perfection. Would absolutely recommend him!!

Chris made a surprise family birthday party an evening to remember! Each course was amazing, the kids LOVED the menu he prepared for them, and he went out of his way to make a special birthday dessert and refused to let a series of unfortunate events that day deter him from delivering! We really appreciated his determination, the food and the entire overall experience.

Chef Chris did a fantastic job! Every dish was incredible and made for a special night. Would highly recommend!

We had an incredible experience, will definitely be back.

Chef Chris provided a memorable experience. He was on time, the food was delicious, and had personalized the menu per our request. He even went above and beyond with a few surprise additions. We had a great conversation with him and appreciated his professionalism. Thank you Chef!

Chef Chris presented us with lots of great menu options and the final menu was amazing. He was very accommodating to allergies and preferences. The food and presentation was amazing. It was fresh with complex flavors. We all finished the meal feeling completely satisfied! I highly recommend Chef Chris!

Chef Chris was incredible, I would highly recommend!!

Chris was such a wonderful chef - we cannot recommend him enough! The dishes were so thoughtful and creative and he did such a great job seamlessly incorporating dietary restrictions, which we really appreciated. The evening was everything we were hoping for - I hope we can book another dinner with him sometime in the future!

Chef Chris helped us to celebrate a 40th wedding anniversary and exceed all expectations. One of the best meals I have ever had! It was such a wonderful experience and I would highly recommend Chef Chris. The menu was thoughtfully crafted and sourced-everything was delicious!

Chris was wonderful, warm, excited about the food, where is was sourced and took great care in the preparation! He was also very adept at honoring dietary restrictions so gracefully. The food was amazing! He was able to help elevate a special night with an incredible meal! My family was blown away! Thank you Chris!!

Chef Chris was incredible! We did a family dinner for my mom’s 60th birthday and every dish was delicious. Chris was very friendly and kind and knowledgeable about the food he was serving us. We had a great night and would highly recommend the experience!

Chef Chris was excellent. He made this a truly amazing experience for my brother’s birthday. The food was amazing and he was a delight to have in our house. Would definitely book him again!

Chris was phenomenal! He was responsive and open during the menu process. He was punctual and attentive day of. The food was delicious and generous. We had some leftovers for the next day! Overall, great experience. I would highly recommend.

Chef Chris was absolutely amazing! He worked with us to build a menu we absolutely loved. He was super kind and very professional. The food far outdid our expectations and my very picky boyfriend loved and ate absolutely everything. We loved having him for our Valentine's Day dinner and cannot recommend him enough!

Chef Chris was incredible, he was everything I wanted for my wife’s surprise birthday dinner, he came with flowers straight from his garden, was very punctual and flexible. The food presentation and taste was out of this world. We had fun conversation and really enjoyed the experience

Chef Chris was amazing. Was great with our two girls and made a memorable meal for my wife’s birthday! Would highly recommend Chef Chris!

We had a wonderful night with Chef Chris at the helm. The dishes were presented with flair and each one had exquisite surprises in both taste and ingredients. Do yourself a favor and have Chef Chris Malstrom prepare dinner for your next date night or special occasion. We will highly recommend Chef Chris to all our friends and acquaintances.

Chef Chris is truly a treasure. With such little time to prepare he exceeded our expectations and his kindness towards our curious kids and personality all elevated the experience and evening. If you have the opportunity to book with Chris, consider yourself lucky. He is very talented and creative.

Chef Chris was INCREDIBLE. What an amazing experience that I wish everyone would try. Chef Chris is prompt with his responses as well as delivery. He was very accommodating for our 10th anniversary event and presented wonderful choices where it was hard to choose :). I asked for "warm and inviting" and he delivered that and more. He arrived with flowers in hand which was such a delight. Very nice touch. Days after we even kept talking about even his simple lemon-spritzer as being a wonderful accent to his fine dining menu. The presentation matched the aroma and the taste. Just FANTASTIC. Not only was the food the best we've ever had but the experience felt like once-in-a-lifetime. We had a few time constraints for an evening concert, and he adjusted the timetables to make sure we had an amazing experience without feeling rushed. He had all courses out in a well-timed manner where we were able to go out on our patio or have some intimate time talking by ourselves and yet engaging when we visited the kitchen to watch him work. Chef Chris is our next chef every time. Oh, and our kitchen was spotless.