Chef Craig Stevens

Personal Chef in Cleveland

I am a Certified Executive Chef (American Culinary Federation) I am a graduate of the Culinary Institute of American and the Cincinnati Culinary Academy I am very passionate about all areas of culinary arts I have taken Baking Classes in France and was with a team of chefs that went to China to cook some American cuisine . I Worked as a campus executive chef at the university of Mary Washington where I created and executed covid 19 playbook and menus for the safety of the students. I worked as a catering executive chef at the college of William and Mary where I cooked meals for the president of the college and her guess to include actress Glenn Close, CNN Reported Anderson Cooper, Senator Mark Warner. Former FBI Director James B Comey. I have acted as a advisor for Ugottaeat.com I have worked in all areas of food service from Schools, University hospitals and retirement. homes I have done many private catering and also in home cooking classes.

For me, cooking is...

my passion everyday I get to create and work in a industry where it does not feel like work. enjoying what you love to do and also bring joy to others

I learned to cook at...

Cincinnati culinary academy and Culinary Institiue of America . the true education was the many restaurants and hotels I worked in and country clubs

A cooking secret...

be organize work clean have all your ingredients ready. always have a plan and a backup plan.

My menus

Steak House

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Crab Cake with Heirloom Tomato Relish and Jalapeño Aioli

Lemon Herb Blinis with Smoked Salmon and Lemon Dill Sauce

Chicken Ragu over Pappardelle Noodles with Parmesan cheese

Braised Short Ribs with Potato Purée and Glazed Heirloom Carrots

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Burrata with Local Heirloom Tomatoes ,Gremalata , Crisp Duck Bacon and Basil Oil

French Onion Soup Slow Cooked Onions in A rich Beef Broth Topped with Baguette and Gryuer Cheese

Wedge Salad with cherry tomato, red onion, Applewood smoked bacon,blue cheese dressing candied pecans Balsamic reduction on

Mixed Greens and Pear Salad with Blue Cheese Spring mix, thinly sliced pear, crumbled blue cheese, and spiced pecans drizzled with a white balsamic and honey dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Center cut filet with Marsala sauce with garlic mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus

NY Strip served with caramelized red onion and Demi with Crispy Fingerling Potatoes and French Green Beans

Roasted Prime Rib with Fresh shaved Horseradish,Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Grilled Asparagus

Pan seared Salmon with lemon butter and caper sauce served over linguine

Airline Chicken Breast , Roasted Asparagus and Truffle Cauliflower Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Meringue tart

Basque Style Cheesecake with Raspberry Coulis

Classic crème brûlée

Chocolate with Chocolate ganache and Raspberry puree

Bistro

STARTER

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GIN & CITRUS CURED SALMON Fromage Blanc, Marinated Cucumber, Crispy Capers, House-Made "Everything" Bagel

LAMB MEATBALLS Thyme Polenta, Tomato Demi-Glace, Ricotta Salada

PAN-FRIED CRAB CAKES Roasted Red Pepper Emulsion, Brussels Sprout Slaw

QUAIL & WAFFLES Cornbread Waffle, Creamed Corn, Calabrian Hot Honey

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

CARAMELIZED APPLE SALAD McGrath Farm's Cheddar, Smoked Walnuts, Apple Cider Vinaigrette

ROASTED PEAR SALAD Hearty Greens, Spiced Pistachio, Halloumi Croutons, Tahini Vinaigrette

Caesar salad with croutons and Caesar dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

LOBSTER RISOTTO Butter Poached Lobster, Shaved Truffle, Arugula, White Truffle Oi

PAN SEARED SALMON* Cilantro Sticky Rice, Braised Bok Choy, Romanesco, Green Curry Nage

PAN-ROASTED DUCK BREAST* Confit Fingerling Potatoes, Braised Leeks, Cranberry-Orange Chutney

Airline Chicken Breast , Roasted Asparagus and Truffle Cauliflower Yukon Gold Mashed Potatoes

Ny prime strip with Caramelized red onions, and demi glacé ,roasted mashed potatoes French green beans

DESSERT

All inclusive

Caramelized Apple Cheesecake

Chocolate Bread pudding with caramel sauce

Double chocolate cake with raspberry sauce

Classic Creme Brulee

Italian Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Polenta E Funghi (Polenta with Wild Mushrooms Marscapone cheese and Fresh Basil And Parmesan

Cavatelli with Braised Beef Ragu,Tomato, Chili, Shaved Parmesan Cheese

Rissoto Al Tartufo - Rissoto with Black Truffle and Marscapone, Basil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caesar salad with croutons and Caesar dressing

Grilled Radicchio, Shaved Brussels Sprouts, Gorgonzola, Apples, Prosciutto di Parma, Manodori Aceto Balsamico, Pine Nuts

Macerated Kale, Dried Cherries, Roasted Beets, Shaved Pecorino Romano, Balsamic

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bone-in Short Rib, Honey Nut Squash, Broccolini Gremolata

Roasted Chicken, Braised Greens, Fingerlings, Black Trumpet Sugo

Bronzed Salmon, Olive Oil Crushed Potatoes, Tuscan Kale, White Truffle Bruere Blanc

Herb Crusted Lamb with Herb ed Crust, Garlic Flan, White Beans and a Merlot Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu with a trio of sauces raspberry, chocolate, Caramel

Cheescake panna cotta graham crust , roasted blackberries, white chocolate decor

Flourless chocolate espresso cake , & Creme Anglaise and raspberry sauce with Caramelized Macadamia nuts

Seasonal Heirloom Apples, Cinnamon, Vanilla Gelato

French

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Seared Foie Gras on Brioche French Toast with Carmalized Apples and Figs

Duck Breast, Goat Cheese Pierogies

Steak Tartare on Brioche with Quail Eggs

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Asparagus Veloute with Walnut-parsley Pistou

Mixed greens with Grapes, Candied walnuts, and Aged Balsamic Vinaigrette

Grilled Romaine, Preserved Lemons and Poached Duck Egg

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Porcini Braised Chicken Thighs

Seared King Salmon ,Cedar Planked Porcini

Pan Seared Halibut with Fingerling Potatoes, Roaemary Aioli

Filet of Beef au Gratin, Truffle pommes Anna, Braised Kale with Pickled Shallots

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Raspberry Cremeux Tart wit a Sable Breton Crust and Raspberry Sorbet

Classic Creme Brulee

Caramel-filled Chocolate Molten Cakes WIth Caramel Ice Cream

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Chef Craig's reviews

4.85

•

105 services

Chef Craig was wonderful. Guests were able to enjoy a fantastic meal while having an engaging and wonderful social get together. Much thanks for helping to create an outstanding event for all involved.

Chef Craig Stevens was fantastic. We caused him for our 31st anniversary dinner. The food was incredible. I particularly like that he has a unique prescribe on food and works to display food in unique ways. Every course was well thought out and tasted delicious. I enjoyed chatting with him ahead of the meal. He has a calming presence that we appreciated on our special night.

Craig is phenomenal. He comes well prepared and delivers an incredible experience. Amazing presentation, balance of flavors, portions. You cannot go wrong with Craig. I would happily book him again. Thanks for a great evening

Chef Craig provided us with a delicious and memorable meal to enhance our 50th anniversary celebration. Our experience with Chef Craig was delightful and we recommend him and Take a Chef to others looking for a special occasion dinner.

Chef Craig was excellent. He communicated throughout the process, was flexible on our changing requests, arrived on time, and did a fantastic job on the food presentation. He had 2 assistants - both were nice and professional, and the whole team did a great job on cleaning up when finished. Would easily reserve again for a future event.

Craig and his partner were fantastic! They prepared a delightful meal for us. Planning with them was a breeze! The food was delicious! They were wonderful to talk to as well!

Our experience with Chef Craig was 10/10 from start to finish!! Truly one of the most incredible meals we have ever eaten!!!! Every single course was so delicious and cooked to perfection! He was very professional and gave us one of the most memorable evenings!! We highly recommend him to any and everyone!!!

First time experience. Chef Craig was great! Really made for a wonder family birthday celebration. Thanks so much!

My manager gifted me this experience and I decided to book it for my husband & I's 5th wedding anniversary. This was our first time having an in-home, private chef and it was incredible. Chef Craig was certainly the highlight. You can tell that he's passionate about his craft and takes pride in creating delicious meals for his clients. His conversation was great and we had a mutual love of music which made for some good discussions. We learned about his travels, children, the different languages he speaks, and his passions & hobbies. Given that we were celebrating our anniversary, and he's been married for 20 years, we also talked about love, marriage, and growth. Good conversation and customer service aside, the dishes were also phenomenal! We had the short ribs to start, followed by the caesar salad with poached egg and NY strip as our entree. For dessert was a caramel apple cheesecake which was perfect for the start of fall. Everything was prepared perfectly and flavorful. All in all, this was a 10/10 dining experience and we're already looking forward to booking our next meal!

Chef Craig really likes to cook and takes his craft seriously. He was engaging and very professional. He will make sure his clients are happy. I would give him a grade of A. Thanks Chef Craig for a wonderful evening.

Both the app and the chef were amazing and I will be telling others.

Chef Craig and his team were phenomenal! They did an amazing job and made our party a. If by to remember! The food was delicious, they arrived on time and were very friendly, and cleaned everything up very well. I would highly recommend them!!

Chef Craig was incredible! He was very personable and kind, and has some fascinating life stories. We really enjoyed all four courses of the meal he made us! He put the meal together in a very timely manner and left the kitchen tidier than he found it. He created a very special experience for us!

I hired Craig as a birthday surprise for my caregiver. Craig’s gentlemanly manners made our dinner more wonderful. While meticulously cooking and serving, his charm and humor made the atmosphere more celebratory. Each course was delicious, especially the chicken parmigiana and tiramisu! Since I have difficulty swallowing due to cerebral palsy, Craig even mechanically processed my salad and entrée! My caregiver couldn’t stop saying how much she enjoyed the evening!

Chef Craig Steven’s was amazing! He made us an amazing meal and did a great job leaving the kitchen spotless! I would recommend him to anyone looking for a chef

10/10 would hire Chef Craig again.

Chef Craig and Chef Jason were wonderful to have to our home. We requested a Mexican themed meal for 6 adults and 4 kids and they did not disappoint! They were timely, engaged so kindly with the kids, and served us a delicious 4 course meal. The kids loved chatting with them and even getting to help a little. The kitchen was left spotless! Everyone was thrilled with the experience and we plan to book them again!

Chef Craig was beyond awesome. We enjoyed our conversations and his culinary knowledge! He made this experience absolutely amazing. I will recommend him to family and friends hands down. Nothing but accolades for Craig and the experience.

Five-star magic! Chef Craig turned my boyfriend's birthday dinner into an unforgettable experience. The four-course meal was a delicious journey, starting with heavenly meatballs and a refreshing Caesar salad. The airline chicken and strip steak entrées were cooked to perfection, and the desserts - a decadent caramel apple cheesecake and a rich chocolate cake - were the perfect sweet ending. But beyond the amazing food, Chef Craig's professionalism and warm personality made the evening truly special. We'll definitely be booking again!

Chef Craig Stevens was very engaging and polite. His food was excellent. The experience was worth repeating.