Chef Johnny Messina

Private Chef In Sedona

I am professional Chef who grew up in the restaurant business and started cooking for my family in which my mother started teaching me at the age of 3. I Learned the business in our family restaurant back East in New York and Connecticut. I began my professional career at 19 and working for now Maters Chef and James Beard winner Chef Frank Audino of "Aglio" restaurant in Philadelphia. I committed at 23 when I began working at the highest level of restaurant and banquet At the Famous L' Auberge de Sedona , in Sedona Arizona ,and then The top 10 in the world "Enchantment Resort". Upon my growth and seeking more opportunity I moved to LA in 2004-5. I began working placement work at "Party Staff L.A." where My private in home work grew and I began to improve myself with my private clients . Years later I would be hired by Wolfgang Puck Catering at Hollywood and Highland, Along with Presidential and Oscar dinners. I worked as Sous Chef to Wolfgang for his Private Dinners side by side . I would prep his special dinners and then Sous for him during the dinner and event. My tenure at WP catering accrued some great experience for me and I met and learned from many great Chefs form all over the world. Wolfgang imports amazing chefs from all over Europe , central America, the U.S. and the rest of world. My experience and ability to tend to my Private clientele grew immensely and Brought me to levels I never knew . After Opening several restaurants and working through the rank and file of restaurant business, I dislocated and sought further Private work. Not soon after I had the privilege to meet with Chef Christian Paier and join his company Private Chefs Inc Los Angeles.. since then we have had an amazing and fulfilling business relationship for the last 9 years. I have to admit that this has been the finest move to date for my career.

I am extremely passionate towards my Career I will continue to work at this level for the rest of my life. The 30 some years experience in Restaurant, Banquet, Catering and private service have fully qualified me to serve you for all of your needs.

For me, cooking is...

my focus and true passion in life... I began my life learning to cook at the age of 3 and I am almost certain that this is where It will end ...

I learned to cook at...

then at 19 with Master Chef and James Beard Award recipient Chef Frank Audino, Aglio restaurant, , Lauberge du Sedona as a professional at 23 yrs

A cooking secret...

is to keep it simple and Pure, but always keep a surprise in store... " The WOW factor"

My menus

Sedona Inspired Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Roasted Chile Corn Tamales

Elote Corn Bisque

Smoked oyster ceviche shooters

Shrimp or Corn Fritters with roasted pepper gravy

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tomato/onion/avocado salad with red wine vinaigrette

Kale and apple salad with lemon vinaigrette

Mandarin jicama slaw with bay shrimp

Shredded cabbage salad with sesame aioli vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Poached chicken stuffed with quinoa & kale with choice of mustard pesto or green tomatillo sauce

Ginger-garlic Glazed Salmon with braised rapini or garlic parmesan roasted cauliflower, and jalapeno cheese polenta or parsnip mash

Roasted green chile tamales with roasted pepper salsa

Grilled New York Strip with choc-coffee glaze with broccolini or garlic Parmesan roasted cauliflower and jalapeno cheese polenta or garlic mash

Coffee Blackberry Short Ribs with broccolini and jalapeno cheese polenta

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bananas Carmelito

Baked apple walnut crumble a la mode

Poached peach or pear melba w/blueberry chambord a la mode

Chocolate cake with berry compote

Berry cobbler

French

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Chilled or hot tomato soup garlic croutons

Mixed green salad pear candied walnuts and fig balsamic vinaigrette’

Celery root vichyssois Creme fraiche

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Escargot ala Napoleon

Oysters champagne mignonette

Stuffed crusted mushrooms

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lamb loin chops crusted with cornmeal and toasted Pine Nut, With Either a Curry brûlée or a Balsamic Fig glace drizzle Israeli cous cos with kale shreds, tomato and feta

Filet mignon mushroom white butter potato fries creamed spinach

French roasted Chicken breast , braised rapini , fingerling potatoes

Pan seared Sable Fish ( black cod ) wAsabi mashed potatoes beurre blanc sauce to finish with braised rapini

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Creme brulee

Apple tart vanilla bean ice cream

Peach Melba ,berry liquer glace vanilla bean ice cream

Fruit tart

Nippon/japanese

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Toasted edemame

Miso soup , tofu , edemame , crispy kelp

Seaweed salad medley

Pickled radish, green beans, cauliflower and cucumbers

SUSHI depends on guest but choices are : Tuna sashimi , salmon , shrimp , Spam , tempura shrimp... some rolls included

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Gyoza , chicken OR pork OR veggie ... dumpling stuffed with meat or veggie blend , steamed and then pan fried OR just steamed OR deep fried for ultimate crispy spicy dipping sauce

Shumai (Chinese) dumpling, mushroom and shrimp with egg stuffing and a soy sauce dip

Tempura ; Veggie carrot, green beans,broccoli squash AND/OR Shrimp or pork belly

Teriyaki skewers : Chicken , beef , pork belly

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Teriyaki : chicken , beef , pork belly , Tofu : Brown rice tempura veggies sauteed green

Udon bowl, same fills as teriyaki bowls (interchangeable)

Ramen soup bowl Chicken , Beef , Pork Belly , Tofu (list of accompaniments TBD with client and Chef) and boiled Quail egg ,

BBQ or Tempura Pork Belly , Brown rice and pickled veggies

Katsu of chicken, Fried rice, steamed baby Bok Choi

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mochi ice creams : strawberry , green tea , sesame , chcoloate etc. many more flavors

Sherbet ice cream: rainbow, orange, lime, lemon

Mango and sticky sweet rice

Fried banana vanilla ice cream

SURPRISE

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

TOMATO bisque, Garlic Sourdough crouton and Parmesan crisp stained glass basil

Shrimp and Avocado ceviche

Herb cheese stuffed baby bella mushrooms, crusted in parm and panko

Gochi Jang Glazed Chicken meatballs, cabbage slaw

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Artisanal baby Romain lettuce, frisée, Persian cucumber, baby San Marzanos , Honey crisp Apple pieces and a Red Wine Vinegar and Extra virgin unfiltered olive oil, vinaigrette

Foraged garden goodies salad: mixed garden greens curly and baby leaf , Crispy Shitake, roast beets and sweet potato, lemon fruit and baby sweet tomato, candied walnuts, lemon vinaigrette

Antipasto salad four items olives, cheese, pickled veggies, roasted tomatoes, artisanal lettuce

Italian Meatballs in Pomodoro, garlic crostini

Spinach and frisée sliced apples, grape tomatoes, champagne truffle vinaigrette

Spinach salad, egg, pancetta, tomato warm bacon vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef tenderloin filet truffle wasabi smashed potatoes, braised rapini

Berkshire Pork porterhouse, Crusted with Panko and Parmesan, Roasted fingerlings and sweet potato, Garlic green beans

Filet of Salmon, mushroom quinoa, roasted squash

Crusted white fish, forbidden rice pilaf, garlic broccoli

Lamb loin chops crusted with cornmeal and toasted pine nut, a balsamic fig glaze drizzle, Israeli couscous with tomato and feta ragu

Roast chicken breast stuffed with spinach, prosciutto and gruyere with roast Kale and rice pilaf

Chicken Picatta, steamed carrots, Angel hair

Grilled carne asada, or shrimp or chicken/fajitas

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Peach melba, French vanilla ice cream topped with a brandy poached peach and sauce

Bananas foster ala Grand Marnier with vanilla bean gelato

Fresh fruit platter

Fruit and yogurt parfait, topped with hand whipped cream

Chocolate cake with berry compote

Baked apple crumble a la mode

ITALIAN

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Caesar on half head of romaine , parmesan crisp, toasted garlic crouton

Baby Romain , persian cucumber, baby san marzano,, meyer lemon vinaigretre

Chilled or hot tomato soup garlic croutons

Antipasto salad four items olives ,cheese , pickled veggies, roasted tomatoes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Baked risotto dumplings , chicken broth

Baked crispy Quinoa crusted mozzarella in marinara

Sicilian Crispy Tuna balls in plum tomato sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Picatta , lemon caper sauce , fresh angel hair

Crispy quinoa crusted chicken parm toppedbwoth fresh Buffala mozzarella , marinara capellini

Porterhouse pork steak over spinach and a pomodoro sauce or a lemon caper sauce

Medallions a poinded tenderloin filet in a tomato caper sauce over Angel hair

Spinach Ravioli in a florentine sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ricotta and emacerated strawberry raspberry parfait

Lemon curd ricotta tart

Apricot or fig ravioli with a sweet cream reduction and stainglass sage leaves

Mediterranean

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Grilled avocado quarters olive tapenade smear and feta crumble

Handmade Hummus, dolmas, kalamata olives, grilled Naan Bread

Greek antipasto platter, Olives, Dolmas, pickled veggies, pepperocini peppers

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Baby cucumber , heirloom grape tomatoes avocado and lemon vinaigrette

Falafel, hummus, avocado and tatziki

Greek salad: Romaine salad , persian cucumbers , heirloom grape tomatoes, avocado, meyer lemon vinaigrette , topped with forbidden rice and toasted pine nuts

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cornmeal crusted Lamb loin Chops, Bruleed with curry glaze over CousCous ,red pepper , lacinato kale, sundried tomatoes , feta

Curried Lamb and eggplant stew over crispy rice

Balsamic glaze roasted chicken over saffron crispy rice with tangy braised garden greens

Grilled Tofu and feta with grilled tomato and eggplant over orzo and rosemary

Grilled Eggplant stuffed with wild rice topped with tomato tapenade feta cream sauce

Grilled Kebabs: Beef, chicken, salmon, lamb peppers onions and tomatoes, feta cream sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baked peach Filo tart topped with vanilla bean ice cream and honey mint sauce

Baklava topped with, Dates Taosted pine nuts

Mint sauce over Vanilla bean ice cream, pistachios and sugar cured lemons

Latin American

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Albondigas soup

Avocado and shrimp ceviche

Bay scallop ceviche

Chilled or hot tomato soup

Shredded cabbage slaw with black beans, corn, tomatoes and chipotle vinaigrette

Tortilla salad greens, tomatoes, red onions, corn, shredded cheddar, tortilla crisps and avocado vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled stuffed avocado with smoked crab or shrimp or vegetarian

Baby tacos carne asada / shrimp / chicken pico avocado

Smoked glazed Shrimp and avocado dressing

Stuffed green chile with cheese, rice and egg /option chorizo

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled carne asada /fajitas

Toastada of Shrimp / chicken / carne asada

Grilled prawn skewers with peppers onions cherry tomato

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Caramel Flan

Ice cream tortatillo, crispy flakes, honey drizzle and chili lime dust

Bananas carmello a la mode

Tres Leches (special order)

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Chef Johnny's reviews

4.68

•

90 services

Chef Cord was fantastic. He was prompt, well prepared and organized, and was very engaging during the meal. He shared stories about the choices, answered questions and was very friendly. The food was exceptional. The presentation made everything extremely inviting and taste was off-the- charts good. Highly recommend Chef Cord!

Everything was so delicious and chef and assistant were friendly, punctual and just the perfect fit for our group!!!

Chef Johnny was incredible and made my daughter’s birthday celebration a truly special one. Prior to our event, I had several text and phone exchanges with Johnny and I knew I was in great hands! I selected a menu, made a few minor adjustments and then waited for the magic to happen! Johnny arrived totally prepared and organized and within minutes of meeting my family, he felt like part of our family. The experience from start to finish was perfect!!

Johnny and Candice created a truly special experience for our group. The food was amazing but they created a lovely atmosphere for our party. Would ABSOLUTELY use them again. PS go for the wasabi truffle mashed potatoes and herb cheese stuffed mushrooms. They were huge crowd pleasers!

Chef Johnny is simply the best in every way. The question about menu there was not correct Answer for me to click so will answer here. Chef Johnny, his staff and myself designed the menu together.

Had an absolutely amazing time with Chef, Johnny and Candace! The food was delicious and their company was great!

An amazingly fun chef who made the experience so great!

Our shop is absolutely incredible, I highly recommend him, and would definitely hire him again when visiting Arizona. The dishes were very tasteful and healthy and he was super professional.

This chef was incredible! The dishes didn't just spark excitement in the taste buds but course warmed our hearts.

Chef Johnny was amazing! From start to finish, he created a wonderful experience and memory for my family and friends. Highly recommend!

Johnny was very personable and the food was delish!!!!!!

We had the best experience with Take a Chef. Immediate response & menu options. Chef Johnny was AWESOME! Would highly recommend & we will do this again. Quality food in the comfort of our Airbnb!

Words cannot adequately express just how awesome chef Johnny and Candice are! We hired them for a Weekend Retreat for 5 vegetarian meals. We literally had food from their garden! Grown and cooked with love, the guests at our retreat said they hadn't experienced such high frequency food maybe EVER! We cannot imagine a better private chef experience. Flexible and punctual, we had fresh juice listening to classical music in the mornings. Every meal was more impressive than the last. Absolutely Divine! We want them at our wedding!! You would be lucky to have them!

Chef Johnny was great! He was very personable and engaging throughout the dinner. He explained each dish as it was served. The food was absolutely delicious! You could tell he really takes pride is his work, which made everything that much better! Our group really enjoyed the whole experience.

Chef Johnny did an amazing job with the food and the story behind his journey as a chef

Johnny is a great personality to bring into your personal home and social space. Our meal was delicious and we thoroughly enjoyed the experience of having a personal chef. Johnny was tuned in and skilled at knowing when to engage with the social dynamic of the client experience.

We all LOVED the food, he was great to have around, and cleaned up. It was a great night and we highly recommend him.

Dinner was great! The food was very good, the presentation was nice, service was excellent, and cleanup was perfect! Thank you!