Chef Jesse Mcclelland

Personal Chef In Monterey

I started my culinary adventure 16 years ago in Melbourne Australia where I attended culinary school at William Angliss Institute Of Tafe. One of Australia's most pristine culinary programs. While attending culinary school I worked and learned as an apprentice at Melbourne 2 hat restaurant the iconic Stoke House. From there I have travelled and work all over the world. From the islands of the Great Barrier reef, Asia, Alaska and California. Recently I was the Executive Chef for the Evergreen Lodge in Yosemite National Park for 6 years where I created amazing seasonal Californian cuisine for hundreds of visitors from all over the world. I then moved to the Monterey Peninsula where I was the Executive Chef at Grasings Coastal Cuisine located in Carmel by sea. We served many high end clients beautiful sustainable organic dishes including many 5 to 6 course wine pairing dinners.. I have a well rounded knowledge of all aspects of food from butchery, baking, molecular gastronomy, wine pairing, buffets, fine dining, seafood, vegetarian, vegan, dietary needs, barbeques. Great with any type of cuisine, south east Asian, Italian, French, Mediterranean, Indian, German, American, British. I am extremely motivated and passionate about food and look forward to cooking for you.

For me, cooking is...

My life. Art, creativity, knowledge, sustainability, organic, exspiriencing different cultures from all over the world. learning as well as teaching,

I learned to cook at...

In Australia at William Angliss Institute of Tafe. Also from many great chefs I have been fortunate to work with.

A cooking secret...

Is to source the best seasonal local, ingredients then creating intresting techniques to transform the dish into something incredibly tasty and unique

My menus

Mediterranean Menu

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Crispy duck breast, goat cheese polenta s croquettes, crispy sage, cherry orange compote

Dungenous crab brandade fritters, picked red onion, citrus crem

Arancini with a smoked lemon aioli, Stuffed with sundried tomatoes, artichoke hearts, cambazolacheese

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Butternut squash & apple soup, pomegranate, creme fraiche

Grilled diver scallops, yuzu marmale, blackberry gastrique, parsip puree, watercress

Grilled Lobster Rissotto, sweet corn, peas, citrus zest, chili oil, butter poached lobster tail

Roasted beet salad, strawberry, fig salad, with arugula tasted pistachios, burrata cheese, balsamic reduction

Ministrone soup, seasonal vegetables, sorel pesto, manchago cheese

Steamed mussels, spansh chorizo, apple cider, fennel, herbs, grilled baguette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Braised Lamb Shank, poached figs, celeriac yukon gold potato mash, sauteed rainbow chard, lamb jus

Grilled bone in pork chop, goat cheese polenta, sauteed baby spinach, pear & onion mostarda

Cod two ways, pan seared black cod, salt cod croquette, pickled red onion, citrus crema, micro green salad

Paella, spanish chirizo, saffron, orzo, clams, mussels, shrimp, chard fennel, peas, white wine tomato sauce

Grilled ribeye steak, roasted bone marrow butter, grilled broccolini, charred cherry tomatoes, garlic confit roasted fingerling potatoes

Roasted airline chicken breast, buttermilk sage veloute, pancetta apple cranberry chutney, sauteed haricot vert, smoked parsnip & celeriac puree

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Cannoli with lemon ricotta and mascarpone, tart cherry orange compote

Crème de Catalan, cinnamon, nutmeg, blood orange

White chocolate raspberry panna cotta, salted caramel butterscotch

Chockolate espresso cake, vanilla bean ice cream, dark cherry & grand marnier sauce

South East Asian Menu

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Lobster spring rolls, green papaya, red cabbage, bean sprouts, heirloom carrots, namjim pozu dipping sauce

Chili lime chicken wings, ginger, sweet chili glaze

Pork belly bah mi sliders, slaw, brioch bun, sweet chili lime aioli

Oysters on the half shell, pozu, dashi, wakame

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Green papaya salad, green beans, heirloom cherry tomates, cucumber, dried shrimp, kaffir lime chile giner dressing

Shrimp & pork dumplings, soy mirin galangal dipping sauce

Steamed mussels, peppers, green curry sauce

Crab cakes, miso lime caramel

Gado gado salad, bean spouts, cucumber, soft boiled egg, tofu. Potatoes, green beans, napa cabbage, carrots, cilantro, cripy onions, peanut satay dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Coconut poached black cod. Shitake mushrooms, peppers, bokchoy. Thai green cococonut broth, black forbidden rice

Beef Pho, rice noodles, ribeye beef, carrot, bean sprouts, mint, basil, jalapeno, cilantro, rich vietnamese beef broth

Airline chicken breast, grilled broccolini, nasi goreng, hoisin glaze

Vegetarian Pad Thai, bok choy, bell peppers, cashews, chili, zucchini, rice noodles, marinated tofu, sesame seeds, green onions, ponzu lemongrass chili sauce

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Filipino chocklate rice pudding, toasted shaved coconut

Vietnamese bread pudding, asian pear, coconut cream, cinnamon, nutmeg, raisins, vanilla bean ice cream, spiced warmed butter scotch

Crispy fried banana fritters, carmel, green tea ice cream

Southern menu

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Fried green tomates, burratta, micro arugula, balsamic reduction

Shrimp & grits spoons, white cheddar polenta, smoked hatch chilli & chipotle salsa verda

Slow cooked ribs, southern babeque sauce, green onions

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Crab and corn hushpuppys, avocado aioli

Pulled pork Mac & Cheese, pimento cheese bechamel

Beef chilli, crem fraiche, hominy, black & pinto beans, green onions, smoked gouda

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Jambalaya, shrimp, andoulie sausage, crab, okrah, rice, rich seafood stock

Southern fried chicken, buttermilk sage gravy

Fried catfish, house made pom frittes, remoulade aioli, nappa cabbage slaw

Crayfish boil, fingerling potatoes, corn, spanish chorzo sausage, fresh lemon

Slow cooked brisket, southern potato salad, sauteed green beans

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Bourbon sweet potato pie, butterscotch ice cream

Southern peach cobbler, whipped chantilly cream

Pecan Pie, vanilla bean ice cream

West coast exspirence

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Crostini, House made Ricotta, Smoked Heirloom Tomato & Fennel Chutney, Ver Jus White Balsamic Reduction

Halibut Crudo, Tangerine Fresno Chili & Honey Vinaigrette, smoked Moldon Salt, Crispy Dulse Seaweed, Micro Cilantro

Lamb Lollipops, Pistachio Dukkha, Fig Jam, Pomegranate, Mint & Honey Yogurt

Flatbreads, Caramelized Onions, Prosciutto, Figs, Burrata, Wild Arugula, Pesto, Pine Nuts, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, Aged Balsamic Reduction, Truffle Oil

Beef Tartar, Cornichons, Capers, Evo, Parsley, Snake River Wagyu Beef Filet, Whole Grain Mustard, Caraway & Rye Crostini's

Spicy Tuna Bites. Crispy Fried Rice, Avocado, Sesame Seeds, Yuzu, Ponzu, Ginger, Ahi Tuna

Crispy Duck Breast Bites, Goat Cheese Polenta Croquettes, Crispy Sage, Cherry Orange Compote

Filet Sliders, Caramelized Onions, Horseradish Cream, Smoked Gouda Cheese

Slow Cooked Pork Belly Bites, Celeriac & Parsnip Puree, Apple & Pear Jam

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan seared Diver Scallops, Bacon & Blood Orange Marmalade, Brown Butter Parsnip Puree

Lobster Risotto, Sweet Corn, English Peas, Single Malt Whiskey, Fresno Chili Oil

Burrata Salad, Roasted Beet, Strawberry, Fig, Micro Arugula, Pine Nuts, Basil, Heirloom Cherry Tomatoes, White Balsamic Reduction, Arugula Pistachio Pesto

Butternut Squash & Apple Soup, Pomegranate, Creme Fraiche

Harvest Salad, Artisian Greens, Pomegranate, Roasted Acorn Squash, Seared Feta, Caramelized Pears, Toasted Sunflower Seeds, Cranberry Orange Thyme Vinagrette

Minestrone Soup, Seasonal Vegetables, Lentils Sorel pesto, Manchego cheese

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Open faced tamale with mole, plantain chips, roasted corn heirloom tomato salsa. Avocado lime crema ( Vegan )

Spätzle Carbonara, Crab, Prosciutto, Pumpkin Spätzle, Peas, Manchego, Quail Egg Yolk, Micro Greens, White Wine Truffle Cream Sauce

Grilled Pork Chop, Smoked Gouda Polenta, Sautéed Spinach, Pear Apple Bacon Mostarda

Paella, Spanish Chorizo, Saffron Orzo, Clams, Mussels, Shrimp, Chard Fennel, Peas, White Wine Roasted Red Pepper Tomato Sauce

Lemon Spinach Herbed Ricotta Gnocchi, Roasted Butternut Squash, Crispy Sage, Sundried Tomatoes, Golden Raisins, Capers, Baby Kale, White Wine Brown Butter Sauce

Pistachio Dukkha Crusted Lamb Rack, Fetta Mint Saffron Honey Greek Yoghurt Custard, Couscous, Golden Raisin, Crispy, Brussels, Sautéed Baby Spinach, Pomegranate molasses

Macadamia Nut Crusted Halibut, Saffron Risotto, Meyer Lemon Herbed Sabayon, Fava Bean Heirloom Tomato & Roasted Corn Salsa

Sword Fish, House Made Lemon Pepper Fettuccini, Baby Green, Crispy Fried Capers, Wild Mushrooms, Cherry Tomatoes, Peas, White Wine Meyer Lemon Burr Blanc

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Crème Brule, cinnamon, nutmeg, blood orange, passionfruit

Chocolate Mousse, Marchino Cherrys, Crem Anglaise, Candied Walnuts

French Lemon Tart, Toasted Marshmallow Topping, Wild Blue Berry Compote

White Chocolate & Passionfruit Panna Cotta

Eton Mess, Macerated Strawberries, Lavender Infused Chantilly Cream, French Meringues, Crem Anglaise

Bananas Fosters Bread Pudding, Dulse De Leche, Peanut Brittle

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Chef Jesse's reviews

4.79

•

26 services

The dinner planned by Chef Jesse from start to finish was amazing. He was very accommodating as we had guests that RSVP’ed the day of and a last minute change to the menu. Dinner went smoothly and the food was delicious.

Chef provided a night of ease, the food and food quality was unmatched.

Working with Chef Jesse was wonderful, start to finish. Leading up to our dinner, he was always prompt in responding to questions and was able to accommodate dietary restrictions. The night of, he cooked an AMAZING meal that made celebrating my parents' 50th anniversary really special. Could not be more pleased with our experience- would definitely recommend Chef Jesse!

We had an incredible night, amazing food!

Chef Jesse was amazing! He had very good communication, was open to making changes to the menu and the food was incredible! Chef Jesse was very personable and made it an amazing evening for my family as we celebrated my mom's birthday! Would highly recommend him to anyone looking for fantastic food and a night to remember!

Jesse and Talia provided a wonderful meal and we highly recommend them.

Chef Jesse was a last minute hire and boy did he surprise and delight. He gave me several options for all courses and was super flexible. He showed up on time and was so understanding that I had to pop in and out of the kitchen to feed the little ones before they went down. The food was gorgeous and tasted even better. We have a chef we typically use but now we have another option that is just as fantastic!! Can’t wait to host another party and use Chef Jesse!

Jesse was very professional and polite. We enjoyed his meals a lot. We will definitely reach out for future events.

Chef Jesse was just wonderful. He was very attentive and answered all our questions. He offered suggestions and options to make the birthday dinner celebration super special and truly just a wonderful success. We were very lucky to have found him. I would HIGHLY recommend Chef Jesse!!!

From the start, Jesse was very communicative in answering all of my questions and was very helpful in the creation of the menu, as we have some dietary restrictions. Overall, the night was fantastic and we owe it to the great food and conversation that Jesse provided us with. Everything that was served to us was new and presented beautifully. He was very safe with COVID protocols and kept the place very clean. We had a great experience and I highly recommend working with Jesse and using Take A Chef.

Jesse is a consummate professional. Communication was excellent while planning the menu and he showed up well prepared. The menu was as advertised and Jesse explained each dish. Most importantly, the ingredients were high quality, fresh and cooked to perfection. Highly recommended!

Chef Jesse was the PERFECT addition to our first anniversary in Monterey. He prepared for us a detailed seafood 4 course dinner that he worked with us on to create specifically for our night and even made accommodations for my husbands with his allergies. His quality of food was superb and he truly creates an experience when serving his meals. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!!!