Get to know me better
Chef, culinary commentator, writer and lover of all things food.
Currently working statewide but forged in the trenches of the Orange County music scene and over the campfires of the High Sierra, the culinary talents of Chef David Christian Mau need no introduction to those “in the know”. As ”The culture of cool, personified (per Riviera Magazine) and “… an arbiter of all things hip in Orange County” (per Dan Bradley of the Memphis Group,) Dave has earned a rock solid reputation through fine food, unbounded hospitality and a tight connection to the OC music and social scenes. His ancestors also came to California from France in 1849 and settled Sonoma.
Dave has opened numerous properties around the country including Proof and Cooper in Austin, Texas, Solana in Venice Beach, California, The Alibi in Palm Springs, California and The ReTreat in Costa Mesa California. Voted Best Chef in the Orange County Weekly's "Best Of" issue he maintains a tight connection with his Southern California roots. In addition he has spent more than two decades cooking during the summer near Yosemite.
He is also a full-time food photographer for Disney's West Coast properties and writes about restaurant culture for numerous publications.
He is passionate about West Coast Amercana, regional Mexican, Greek and Mediterranean cuisines and enjoys presentations from rustic to elegant.
My services
As a Private Chef, I can offer you:
David's Food Gallery
We all eat with our eyes first! Below you can find a little demonstration of what I can bring to your table.
Chef David's reviews
Chef David Mau was... AMAZING!!!
What a talented chef with such a down to earth attitude. The man can’t help but radiate kick back vibes. He is a Michelin star caliber chef with a rock and roll style. He can make anything work. He can take a basic suburban kitchen that does not have all the right tools and still manage to pull out the best food that we have had, period. My guests and I devoured his food. You could tell that cooking was more than a passion, but a way of life for Chef David.
I hired Chef David for my wife’s surprise 30th birthday and Chef was not only super on point with all details, but was happy to be a part of the whole process. He worked with me a little ahead of time and I can feel he was excited for me. He was supportive and took the lead with his experience when I needed him too. My wife and her friends were absolutely shocked by Chef David’s talent and charming personality. He will leave your home just the way it was before you started, and likely cleaner.
You can tell that this professional chef has spent COUNTLESS Hours putting in the work it takes to be a chef that has opened several restaurants, all the while brining his own flavor and style to the process, not once making you feel that anything was beneath him. His talent was only surpassed by his class. Thank you Chef David and thank you Take a Chef for all making this happen for my wife. I will be doing this again in the future.
Ryan Metzen - Apr 19 2021
Dave was great! He made the evening effortless and yummy! Thank you Chef Dave!
Daniel Gage - Apr 05 2021
Chef Dave was awesome! We couldn’t be happier with his level of service, professionalism, quality of food was excellent. Our guests went back for seconds. Would definitely recommend/rehire Chef Dave again.
Lizbeth Sherman - Mar 31 2021
Book your experience with Chef David
Specify the details of your requests and the chef will send you a custom menu just for you.
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