Chef Daniela Perez Reyes

Private Chef in Santa Monica

I am a profesional chef with over 15 years of experience and culinary training. I specialize on dietary need. I have been working with dietary needs for over 10 years, from SIBO to Celiac , KETO and Paleo. However I love cooking regular yummy food as well. I love doing fine dinning and California fresh styles. Also I’m from Peru so I do very delicious Peruvian food . I named my catering company after my grandmother Mara because I learn to cook with her.

For me, cooking is...

I love cooking because it bring me peace and also I love the creativity when plating and creating dishes. Cooking makes me happy.

I learned to cook at...

I learn to cook with my grandmother, thats why I named my company after her. I also went to culinary school at the Art Institute and Le Cordón Bleu.

A cooking secret...

Cooking with Aloha. I lived in Oahu Hawaii for 6 years and learn to carry on the ‘Aloha’ from the islands. Meaning to cook with a welcoming attitude.

My menus

South Italian Menu

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Peruvian Fish Crudo -Pacific halibut , aji amarillo cream , toasted wontons, avocado cream

CARPACCIO DI TONNO Ahi Tuna, Citrus Soy Reduction, Jalapeno

Octopus Carpaccio (pulpo al olivo) - olive sauce , thinly sliced octopus cooked with panca chili and herbs

Calamari - celery root pure ,caviar, grapefruit supremes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Grilled Peaches & Burrata Salad - cucumbers, mixed greens, toasted nuts, mulberry-lemon vinaigrette

Avocado Primavera - Avocado stuffed with peas, corn, bell pepper , radish, aioli

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad - Bell peppers, red onion, cucumbers, basil, capers, citrus vinaigrette

Pear Carpaccio - Pears , sundry tomatoes, cambozola, walnuts , herb vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chicken Piccata - served over fresh pasta

Santa Maria Rub Tri-tip , Kabocha squash purée and roasted Brussels sprouts. Kimchi cream sauce

Bucatini Carbonara - Pancetta , eggs , butter, Parmesan

Seared Scallops with bell pepper sauce. Black Risotto, wild mushrooms

Clams & Linguine

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Turrón A la Mode

Luscious Chocolate Cake

Pistachio Baklava

Lemon Meringue Tart

Homemade Tiramisu

Mediterranean Coast

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Fruit Salad and Hummus Trio Crudité - seasonal veggies , and spicy, traditional and roasted tomato hummus. Assorted Flats Breads Basket - Lavash, Pita, Naan, and Tandoori bake flat breads. Olive tapenade, Roasted hummus spread, and herbed butter

Pear Carpaccio - Pears , sundry tomatoes, cambozola, walnuts , herb vinaigrette

Octopus Carpaccio - olive sauce , thinly sliced octopus cooked with panca chili and herbs

CARPACCIO DI TONNO Ahi Tima, Citrus Soy Reduction, Jalapeno

CHARCUTERIE Board: ⁃ Artisanal Cheese Boards- With assorted artisanal cheeses, (MANCHEGO, PARMESANO, Jarlsberg, gouda, ETC) assorted crackers, fruits, dry fruits and nuts. - Charcuterie and olives

Peruvian Fish Crudo -Pacific halibut , aji amarillo cream , toasted wontons, avocado cream

Seared Lamb Medallions Rosemary, cumin, eggplant tapenade, and mint yogurt

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Feta & Watermelon

Mediterranean Salad- Butter lettuce , cherry tomatoes, olives, feta , cucumber , fig crostini , lemon vinaigrette

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Basil, sundry tomatoes, kalamata, Basil, feta, reg tom, cucumbers

Avocado Primavera - Avocado stuffed with peas, corn, bell pepper , radish, aioli

Caprese salad - Tomatoes , mozzarella , fresh basil, balsamic reduction

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad - Bell peppers, red onion, cucumbers, basil, capers, citrus vinaigrette

Shirazi -Dolma Salad - Persian cucumber salad and dolmas over butter lettuce and Feta cheese

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Beef Tenderloin Roasted with a spicy chili infusion, served medium rare and topped with chimichurri salsa

Seared Scallops with bell pepper sauce. Black Risotto, wild mushrooms

Branzino over Roasted Potatoes

Chicken Curry Kebabs - Rice pilaf , Mediterranean Salad

Lemon Herbed Chicken Breast Roasted Honey Carrots on goat cream sauce & pistachio Roasted broccolini Roasted Potatoes

Lamb Seco & Vermichelli Persian Pilaf Rice - Green Lamb stew , served with baby potatoes, carrots over Mediterranean basmati pilaf rice

Roasted Lamb Ribs - roasted potatoes , roasted carrots glazed, cous cous

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Turrón A la Mode

PETIT CREME BRULEE

Pistachio Baklava

LEMON CURD BEIGNETS with cardamom sugar

Raspberry Cheesecake

Fruit Tart - white chocolate covered crust , vanilla custard crème pâtissière, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries , raspberries

Mediterranean Deluxe

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Calamari - celery root pure ,caviar, grapefruit supremes

CARPACCIO DI TONNO Ahi Tuna, Citrus Soy Reduction, Jalapeno

Octopus Carpaccio - olive sauce , thinly sliced octopus cooked with panca chili and herbs

Curry Chicken skewers on yogurt mint sauce , toasted pita

Pear Carpaccio - Pears , sundry tomatoes, cambozola, walnuts , herb vinaigrette

Hummus Trio Crudité - seasonal veggies , and spicy, traditional and roasted tomato hummus

Assorted Flats Breads Basket - Lavash, Pita, Naan, and Tandoori bake flat breads. Olive tapenade, Roasted hummus spread, and herbed butter

FIRST COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Caprese salad - Tomatoes , mozzarella , fresh basil, balsamic reduction

Heirloom + Burrata Caprese Salad

Avocado Primavera - Avocado stuffed with peas, corn, bell pepper , radish, aioli

Seared Lamb Medallions Rosemary, cumin, eggplant tapenade, and mint yogurt

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Basil, sundry tomatoes, kalamata, Basil, feta, reg tom, cucumbers

Mediterranean Salad- Butter lettuce , cherry tomatoes, olives, feta , cucumber , fig crostini , lemon vinaigrette

Feta & Watermelon

MAIN COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Lamb Seco & Vermichelli Persian Pilaf Rice - Green Lamb stew , served with baby potatoes, carrots over Mediterranean basmati pilaf rice

Roasted Lamb Ribs - roasted potatoes , roasted carrots glazed, cous cous

Clams & Linguine

Branzino over Roasted Potatoes

Herb crusted Salmon + roasted Peruvian blue potatoes + rocoto sweet bell pepper puree + cilantro mole

Beef Tenderloin Roasted with a spicy chili infusion, served medium rare and topped with chimichurri salsa

Seared Scallops & Risotto - Seared scallops , caviar, beet lemon grass -coconut risotto

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Alfajores Strawberry Shortcake- Short bread cookies with Dulce de leche filling , strawberry sauce , and Vanilla ice cream

Homemade Tiramisu

Fruit Tart - white chocolate covered crust , vanilla custard crème pâtissière, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries , raspberries

Pistachio Baklava

Crema Volteada - Creme caramel

Lemon Meringue Tart

Simple Latin Cuisine

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Aguachile de Res - Black and blue filet mignon , lemon, cucumber, herbs , jalapeños , serranos

Peruvian Cebiche

Peruvian Fish Crudo -Pacific halibut , aji amarillo cream , toasted wontons, avocado cream

Scallops on the half shell

Shrimp & Tostones

Shrimp Causa - Peruvian potato salad and shrimp dish

Ahí Tuna Causa - Peruvian potato salad and ahi tuna

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad - Bell peppers, red onion, cucumbers, basil, capers, citrus vinaigrette

Avocado Primavera - Avocado stuffed with peas, corn, bell pepper , radish, aioli

Ceviche Tostada - Pacific halibut, lemon and lime marinade, avocado, onions, cilantro

Calamari - celery root pure ,caviar, grapefruit supremes

Heirloom + Burrata Caprese Salad

Octopus Carpaccio - olive sauce , thinly sliced octopus cooked with panca chili and herbs

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lomo Saltado - Beef Tenderloin sautéed served over roasted potatoes with a side of rice

Ají de Gallina - Shredded chicken , ají cream sauce , roasted potatoes , rice pilaf

Arroz con Pollo

Huancaina Fettuccini & Lomo Saltado

Shrimp Saltado

Arroz Tapado

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Alfajores Strawberry Shortcake- Short bread cookies with Dulce de leche filling , strawberry sauce , and Vanilla ice cream

Crema Volteada - Creme caramel

Luscious Chocolate Cake

Lemon Meringue Tart

Asian Fusion

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Assorted Nigiri

Assorted sushi Rolls - tuna , salmon, avocado , soy y tuna

Asian Pear Carpaccio

California Ahi Tuna Poke on wonton chip - avocado , cucumbers, onions and jalapeño - dragon fruit cream

Shrimp Tempura - glazed soy sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Ahí Tuna Sashimi

Nikkei Peruvian Fish Crudo -Pacific halibut , aji amarillo cream , toasted wontons, avocado cream

Korean Fried Chicken – Gochujang Glaze, Kimchi Scallion Salsa, Mushroom Crostini

Asian Octopus Carpaccio - Asian sauce , thinly sliced octopus cooked with panca chili

Miso Pumpkin and Butternut squash cream soup -With tomato confetti and coconut foam

Miso Salad - Cucumber , fennel, edamame, carrots , radish and apple over chopped kale , mixed greens & miso dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Asian Lomo Saltado - Beef Tenderloin sautéed served over roasted potatoes with a side of rice

Ahí Tuna Katsu - Jasmin rice, Asian slaw

Chicken Katsu - Jasmin Rice , Asian Slaw

Kalua Pig ( sub fish or seafood) & Japanese sweet-potato Puree- Hawaiian traditionally made pulled pork , coconut sweet potatoes mashed potatoes and furikake roasted butternut squash. (Roasted Eggplant for vegetarian option)

Seared Ahi Tuna - Wasabi mashed potatoes , sautee -mirin alii , maitake and enoki mushrooms, soya glaze

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

ASSORTED MACARONS

LEMON CURD BEIGNETS with cardamom sugar

Butter Mochi & Green Tea ice cream - Traditional Japanese mochi, green tea ice cream , topped with sweet berries and sweet condensed milk

Lemon Meringue Tart

Fruit Tart - white chocolate covered crust , vanilla custard crème pâtissière, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries , raspberries

Simple Mediterranean Cuisine

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Curry Chicken skewers on yogurt mint sauce , toasted pita

Fried Green tomatoes -and spicy yogurt sauce

Hummus Trio Crudité - seasonal veggies , and spicy, traditional and roasted tomato hummus

Assorted Flats Breads Basket - Lavash, Pita, Naan, and Tandoori bake flat breads. Olive tapenade, Roasted hummus spread, and herbed butter

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Mediterranean Salad- Butter lettuce , cherry tomatoes, olives, feta , cucumber , fig crostini , lemon vinaigrette

Mediterranean Pasta Salad Basil, sundry tomatoes, kalamata, Basil, feta, reg tom, cucumbers

Caprese salad - Tomatoes , mozzarella , fresh basil, balsamic reduction

Avocado Primavera - Avocado stuffed with peas, corn, bell pepper , radish, aioli

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lamb Seco & Vermichelli Persian Pilaf Rice - Green Lamb stew , served with baby potatoes, carrots over Mediterranean basmati pilaf rice

Roasted Lamb Ribs - roasted potatoes , roasted carrots glazed, cous cous

Herb crusted Salmon + roasted Peruvian blue potatoes + rocoto sweet bell pepper puree + cilantro mole

Branzino over Roasted Potatoes

Chicken Kebabs

Beef Kebabs

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pistachio Baklava

Crema Volteada - Creme caramel

Lemon Meringue Tart

Alfajores Strawberry Shortcake- Short bread cookies with Dulce de leche filling , strawberry sauce , and Vanilla ice cream

Simple Italian

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

CARPACCIO DI TONNO Ahi Tuna, Citrus Soy Reduction, Jalapeno

Octopus Carpaccio - olive sauce , thinly sliced octopus cooked with panca chili and herbs

Salmon Tartar

Salmón Carpaccio

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad - Bell peppers, red onion, cucumbers, basil, capers, citrus vinaigrette

Grilled Peaches & Burrata Salad - cucumbers, mixed greens, toasted nuts, mulberry-lemon vinaigrette

Heirloom + Burrata Caprese Salad

Bocconcini + Cherry Tomatoes Salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fettuccine Alfredo

Bucatini Carbonara - Pancetta , eggs , butter, Parmesan

Chicken Parmesan - served over fresh pasta, eggplant or veg alternative parm for vegetarian option

Chicken Piccata - served over fresh pasta

Pesto Primavera - Ricotta Ravioli, homemade pesto, toasted pistachio

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Turrón A la Mode

Lemon Meringue Tart

Bourbon Brownies - Served with Hazelnut chocolate sauce

Homemade Tiramisu

Latin Deluxe

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Ahí Tuna Causa - Peruvian potato salad and ahi tuna

Shrimp Causa - Peruvian potato salad and shrimp dish

Peruvian Fish Crudo -Pacific halibut , aji amarillo cream , toasted wontons, avocado cream

Peruvian Cebiche

Papas a la Huancaina - Roasted potatoes with huancaina sauce

Ahí Tuna Sashimi

Nikkei Fish Crudo - Pacific halibut , aji amarillo cream , toasted wontons, avocado cream

FIRST COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Avocado Primavera - Avocado stuffed with peas, corn, bell pepper , radish, aioli

Shrimp & Tostones

Heirloom Tomato Panzanella Salad - Bell peppers, red onion, cucumbers, basil, capers, citrus vinaigrette

Caprese salad - Tomatoes , mozzarella , fresh basil, balsamic reduction

Octopus Carpaccio - olive sauce , thinly sliced octopus cooked with panca chili and herbs

California Ahi Tuna Poke on wonton chip - avocado , cucumbers, onions and jalapeño - dragon fruit cream

Salmon Tartar with avocado

MAIN COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Arroz con Pollo

Arroz Tapado

Beef Tenderloin Roasted with a spicy chili infusion, served medium rare and topped with chimichurri salsa

Huancaina Fettuccini & Lomo Saltado

Lomo Saltado - Beef Tenderloin sautéed served over roasted potatoes with a side of rice

Ají de Gallina - Shredded chicken , ají cream sauce , roasted potatoes , rice pilaf

Shrimp Saltado

Herb crusted Salmon + roasted Peruvian blue potatoes + rocoto sweet bell pepper puree + cilantro mole

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Alfajores Strawberry Shortcake- Short bread cookies with Dulce de leche filling , strawberry sauce , and Vanilla ice cream

Crema Volteada - Creme caramel

Lemon Meringue Tart

Fruit Tart - white chocolate covered crust , vanilla custard crème pâtissière, strawberries, blackberries, blueberries , raspberries

Luscious Chocolate Cake

Churros & Ice Cream Sundaes- Berry compote , Dulce de leche, hot chocolate

Show me more

Chef Daniela's reviews

4.58

•

75 services

The food was terrific and the evening was wonderful. Definitely hire her asap!!

Daniela is a warm soul that provided a great service to my family. Throughout the planning phase, she was great at communicating ideas and providing solutions.

This was an amazing experience from start to finish! Chef Daniela prepared a menu of fantastic dishes with interesting stories behind each. I received this experience as a gift for my 60th birthday and it was a unique and unforgettable experience.

Daniela was the perfect addition to our dinner party - her service was truly 10/10. Her cooking was absolutely delicious, she went above and beyond to accommodate our guests’ dietary needs. Daniela’s energy was both beautiful and engaging, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for everyone. Communication leading up to the event was seamless and professional. We highly recommend her and would gladly welcome her again.

The entire booking process was incredibly simple start to finish. Chef Daniela was amazing, the meal was great, and we were able to relax and enjoy our evening thanks to their hard work!

Chef Daniela and her team were awesome! They made an amazing Japanese dinner and even taught the kids how to create their own sushi rolls. The food was great and we will definitely work with her again!

Chef Daniela was amazing to work with! She assisted our company with sampling our product at a show. She was engaging, flexible, helpful and very reliable. We would definitely recommend her for you next event :)

I had an incredible experience with Daniela Perez Reyes! The food was absolutely amazing—classic farm-to-table Mexican with a unique twist. She was able to accommodate a gluten-free menu for the bride-to-be, which was a huge plus. Daniela was kind, punctual, and cleaned up thoroughly after the meal. I would highly recommend her for any event!

Chef Daniella was absolutely amazing!! She is extremely professional and conversational. She was able to walk us through techniques she used while cooking. Each course was elegantly prepared and delicious. We had so much fun that night and ate like Kings and Queens!! We will use Chef Daniella again and may even take her on some trips with us!! Thank you Chef!! So much fun!!

Chef Daniella was wonderful!! As was her fantastic menu that she prepared for us. Her communication leading up to the birthday party for my Dad's 70th was excellent, we were able to talk about the menu so we knew exactly what to expect. She also recommended different wines for us to pair with the menu-- which we loved. During the family dinner party she was wonderful about humoring all of our conversation (it must have been exhausting, we talk too much). But we had so much fun talking with her! The food was fantastic, we were all so full by end of the evening. The scallops and the ceviche and shrimp were our top favorites, she made this crazy avocado mousse that we all loved. The Short ribs over polenta were so good and the churros as well. Highly recommend Chef Daniella. The house was left maybe cleaner than when she arrived-- and we were all very pleasantly surprised to find leftovers in the refrigerator!

Fantastic job. Highly Recommend!