Chef Derricka Clayton

Private Chef In Dallas

I used cooking as a form of expression and continued to study and perfect my craft. For years I wouldn't cook for people as I was too shy, but as I continued to acquire more friends and co-workers, cooking for them was my way of showing love.

In January 2019, I experienced tragedy where my ex-husband/co-parent of my autistic daughter passed away unexpectedly. Then 2 weeks after that, I lost my job. I was in the darkest mental space in my life, just very depressed, not sure what was in store for my new normal. I prayed over my entire situation and asked God for guidance. Shortly thereafter, I have stepped out on faith to share my passion, "My vision of food..." with fellow food lovers who enjoy quality "dope" mealz.

I wanted to learn as much about my craft as possible and be a subject matter expert of my passion, so I enrolled myself at Escoffier School of Culinary Arts in April 2019 and obtained my culinary degree trained in all Cooking & Baking Techniques specializing in Unique Plating, World Cuisines, Farm to Table and completed an extensive Externship which included hands on fine dining and wedding catering experience. I proudly graduated with High Honors at the top of my class in June 2o2o.

Since then, I have been under the mentorship of Chef Kevin Johnson, Dallas Top Black Wedding & Events Chef/Caterer to become his protegé and our very own Top Chef All Star, Master Chef Tiffany Derry to help guide me into creating my own culinary lane.

I now specialize in Private Dining Experiences, Spectacular Catering Services, Convenient In-Home Personal Chef Services and Traveling Chef Services to accomodate the needs of all my clientele. I continue to share my culinary knowledge and experiences with up and coming chefs, while placing my unique thumbprint in the industry.

For me, cooking is...

My way to express myself and my love for food as well as the person enjoying the experience of my food.

I learned to cook at...

From my family and Escoffier School of Culinary Arts

A cooking secret...

Using herbs and flavor profiles that people aren’t used to, in order for people to expand their palates

My menus

Chef's Choice

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Charcuterie Board

Prosciutto Goat Cheese Crostinis

Bacon, Fig, and Gorgonzola Pizza/Flatbread

Garlic Butter Tuscan Shrimp Dip w/ Herb Butter Crostinis

Crab, Collard Green & Artichoke Dip

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted Red Pepper & Smoked Gouda Soup

Hatch Chile Soup w/ Roasted Corn

Truffled Parsnip Soup w/ Fried Collards & Toasted Hazelnuts

Moroccan Butternut Squash & Goat Cheese Soup

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Monterey Chicken w/ Creamy Elotes & Black Beans

Braised Pork Shoulder in Red-Wine Demi Glaze over Parmesan Truffle Polenta

Cajun Lobster Mac n Cheese

Creole Surf n Turf (Steak in Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce) w/ Parmesan Mashed Potatoes & Broccolini

Creole Shrimp n Gruyère Grits w/ Lobster & Jumbo Lump Crab Cream Sauce

Brussel Sprouts, Pesto, Artichoke Hearts, Sun-dried Tomato and Arugula w/ Balsamic Glaze Drizzle Pizza/Flatbread

DESSERT

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Bananas Foster

Chocolate Fondue w/ Fresh Fruits and Treats

24k Banana Pudding

Bourbon Bread Pudding w/ Whiskey Caramel Sauce served w/ Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Praline Brownie Sundae

Southern Comfort

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bourbon Glazed Chicken Wings

Southern Themed Charcuterie Board

Crab, Collard Green & Artichoke Dip

Black Eyed Pea Hummus

Specialty Deviled Eggs (BBQ, Cajun Seafood, Buffalo, Jalepeno Popper, Parmesan Mushroom Truffle, Pimento Cheese, or Bacon w/ Pepper Jam)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caesar Salad

7 Bean Salad

White Bean & Ham Hock Soup

Garden Salad

South in a Pot Soup (Collard Greens, Sweet Potatoes, & Black-eyed Peas in Herb Veggie Broth)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Smothered Chicken/Pork Chops over Rice w/ Fried Cabbage

Southern Pot Roast w/ Root Veggies over Garlic Herb Mash

Rosemary Fried Chicken w/ Braised Collard Greens & Brown Butter Sage Sweet Potatoes

Fried Catfish w/ 4-Cheese Mac n Cheese & Southern Style Green Beans

DESSERT

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Decadent Chocolate Cake with Fresh Berries

Bourbon Butter Cake

Carrot Cake

Grilled Peach Whiskey Cobbler

24k Banana Pudding

7UP Cake

Creole

STARTER

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Jambalaya Dip w/ Herb Butter Crostinis

Crawfish Beignets

Boudin Balls

Cajun Crab Cakes w/ Remoulade Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster Bisque

Chicken & Andouille Sausage Gumbo

Blackened Shrimp or Chicken Salad

Creole Ceaser Salad

Crawfish Étouffée

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Blackened Catfish Ponchatrain w/ Crawfish Sauce over Dirty Rice

Creole Shrimp n Smoked Gouda Grits

Cajun Lobster Mac n Cheese

Creole Surf n Turf (Steak in Creamy Cajun Shrimp Sauce) w/ Parmesan Mashed Potatoes & Broccolini

Creole Red Beans n Rice w/ Andouille Sausage

Seafood Voodoo Pasta

DESSERT

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Bananas Foster

Creole Hummingbird Cake

Cheesecake w/ Fresh Fruit or Salted Caramel

Bourbon Bread Pudding w/ Whiskey Sauce served w/ Whiskey & Honey Ice Cream

Brunch

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Fresh Fruit

Mini Quiche Assortment

Buttermilk Biscuits

Mini Shrimp & Grits

Mini Chicken & Waffles

Assorted Brunch Crostinis

Mini Avocado Toast Assortment

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled Stuffed French Toast

Southern Pancakes

Tex-Mex Breakfast Scramble

Creole Shrimp n Smoked Gouda Grits

Rosemary Fried Chicken n Belgian Waffles served w/ Bourbon Maple Syrup & Rosemary Truffle Brunch Potatoes

Salmon Croquettes served w/ Rosemary Truffle Brunch Potatoes & Eggs

Eggs Benedict - Can be Customized & Elevated, served w/ Rosemary Truffle Brunch Potatoes & Eggs

Breakfast Tacos/Burrito

Chiquiles (Mexican Breakfast Nachos w/ Scrambled Eggs, Chorizo, Queso Fresco & Ancho Chili)

DESSERT

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Breakfast Bread Pudding

Coffee Cake

Brunch Parfaits

Monkey Bread

Mexican Fusion

STARTER

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Marinated Fish & Shrimp Ceviche

Mexican Street Corn Elote Dip

Carne Asada Fries

Chips w/ Fresh Guacamole & Salsa

Loaded Nachos (Ground Beef/Turkey, Chicken, Steak, Carnitas, or Shrimp)

Cheesy Ground Beef/Chicken Empanadas

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Gazpacho {Heirloom Tomato or Watermelon)

Mexican Black Bean Salad

Tequila Lime Shrimp Salad

Chicken Pozole Soup

Hatch Chile Soup w/ Roasted Corn

Roasted Poblano Corn and Potato Chowder w/ Bacon and Smoked Gouda

Ancho Chili Chicken Tortilla Soup

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Deep Dish Mexican Pizza

Quesadillas (Chicken, Steak, Shrimp or Portobella Mushroom)

Birria Style Tacos With Consome

Monterey Chicken over Creamy Mexican Risotto w/ Sweet Corn and Cojita Cheese served with Black Beans

Mexican Pork Ribs with Creamy Cheese Grits

Chile Rellano stuffed with Ground Beef & Cheese, Shrimp & Cheese or Fajita Chicken or Steak

Stacked Chicken Enchaladas w/ Poblano Sauce

Dos Eqis Fish Tacos w/ Cilatro Rice & Pinto Beans

Mexican Skirt Steak w/ Choice of Chimichurri or Avocado Salsa over Cilantro Lime Rice

DESSERT

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Churros

Mexican Hot Chocolate Brownies

Sopapillas w/ Chocolate or Caramel Drizzle

Japanese Fusion

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Harumaki / Japanese Spring Rolls

Gyoza / Japanese Pot Stickers

Asian Chicken Wings

Handmade EggRolls

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Miso Soup

Egg Drop Soup

Japanese Salad w/ Ginger Dressing

Sesame Ahi Tuni Asian Salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Garlic Saikoro Steak w/ Sticky Rice

Stir Fry w/ Fried Rice, Fresh Veggies & Choice of Protein (Steak, Chicken, Shrimp or Combo)

Ahi Tuna/Salmon Poke Bowl

Spicy Koren Gochujang Chicken

Lemongrass Pork over Coconut Rice

Grilled Tofu Teriyaki over Spicy Bok Choy Udon

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mochi Ice Cream

Asian Pear Upside-down Cake

Japanese Strawberry Shortcake

Ginger Creme Brulee

French Fusion

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mushroom & Fontina Quiche

French Onion Crostinis

Brushetta w/ Brie & Artisan Local Jam

French Tian Provencal (Tomato, Herb, Zucchini & Squash Tart)

Baked Fig, Proscuitto & Brie Bites

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

French Onion Soup

Pear Fennel Arugula Salad

Mushroom Barley Soup

Rosemary Orzo Soup

Balsamic Roasted Beets, Sweet Orange & Chevere Salad

French Bistro Salad w/ Brie & Pears

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Shrimp Orzo

Coq au Vin

Ratatouille

Cognac Shrimp w/ Beurre Blanc

Chicken Confit braised in Duck Fat w/ Garlic Confit Red Potatoes & French Style Green Beans

DESSERT

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Honey Glazed Pear, Thyme & Brie Tartlet

Champagne Chocolate Truffles

Lemon Panna Cotta

Creme Brûlée

Italian Fusion

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Brown Butter Seared Scallops w/ Artichoke Pesto

Baked Spinach Artichoke Dip served with Herb Butter Crostinis

Freshly Baked Focaccia Bread w/ Rosemary, Heirloom Tomatoes & Goat Cheese

Bruschetta w/ Seared Tomatoes, Garlic, Proscuitto & Burrata

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Antipasti Salad

Minestrone Soup

Pear Fennel Arugula Salad

Italian Wedding Soup

Lemon Arugula Salad

Grilled Caesar Salad

Herbed Gnocchi and Mushroom Soup

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Ragu alla Bolognese served on Grilled/Creamy Polenta

Spaghetti and Meat Sauce/Meatballs

Chicken/Eggplant Parmesan

Chicken/Shrimp Fettuccine

Lasagna Roulade with Tomato Coulis*

Chicken/Portobello Mushroom Marsala

Palenmo Style Italian Steak w/Parmesan Pesto Roasted Potatoes

Italian Land & Sea: Seared Steak & Scallops, Roasted Artichokes & Eggplant drizzled w/ Marsala Dressing

Veal Scallopini w/ Angel Hair Pasta

Braised Pork Shoulder in Red-Wine Demi Glaze over Parmesan Polenta

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Italian Almond Creme Brûlée

Italian Creme Cake

Cheesecake w/ Fresh Fruit or Salted Caramel

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Chef Derricka's reviews

4.76

•

33 services

We had a wonderful experience, such a nice change of pace to have a gourmet meal at home. Derricka was super friendly and professional. I would absolutely recommended her without reservation and plan to keep her at the top of my list for future events.

Chef Derricka was amazing and so was her food! It was sophisticated while still retaining an element of comfort food. The portions were large and all of us were stuffed by the end of the evening. I can't recommend her enough and will absolutely have her cook again for us in the future!

Derricka was absolutely incredible! She made our event extra special. Her twist on classics was a bonus. She has a great personality and joyful countenance. You can tell she loves what she does. Her food was delicious and presentation was beautiful. We will use her again!

Cheff Derrika was amazing, professional and very friendly. A wonderful overall experience and delicious dinner

Great experience

Chef Derricka did a great job. Very personable and provided great food with a memorable experience. We will definitely use her again.

Our dinner was amazing! It was a great experience. I would highly recommend trying this for a special occasion.

Danika was an excellent chef. She was very professional and the presentation was excellent. I would definitely use her request her again.

Chef Derricka was excellent. She was on time. Her dishes not only looked great but also tasted amazing. I would definitely book her again. It was a pleasure having her.

Derricka was great! The food was excellent, the Brie bites were amazing!! She was willing to explain every time we asked silly questions, and made us feel comfortable right away.

Chef Derricka is amazing!!! Very attentive and full of Charisma. She was so attentive, so professional, full of laughter and an overall experienced chef with a spectacular array of dishes. What an incredible experience to have her on our engagement night. A recommendation is an understatement.

Great flavor. Presentation was wonderful

I liked how easy the process was using Take a Chef. We chose Derricka. She was amazing. Her food was spectacular. I will definitely have her back again for more events.