Chef Juan Luna

Private Chef in Charlottesville

My name is Juan and I have been a chef for the past 15 years. Originally from the Philippines, I moved to the United States, where I have worked across several states including California, Nevada, Texas, and Virginia. I have a highly specialized skill set in Asian cuisine, while also being very versatile in preparing both American and European dishes.

Fusion and contemporary cuisine are what I aim to promote on this platform, as my goal is to offer every guest a unique and memorable culinary experience that is still waiting to be discovered.

For me, cooking is...

When I think about cooking, it's more than just preparing food—it's a form of expression, a way to connect with others and have a good time

I learned to cook at...

I learned back at home when I was younger and then refined my skills on the job

A cooking secret...

Cook like your life depends on it. Ask a lot of questions and there is no such thing is a dumb question

My menus

Mediterranean

STARTER

All inclusive

Duxelle mushroom and brie tarts

Spanakovita

Chickpea Felafel Includes Dip

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Chickpea Lentil Soup (hearty)

Greek Salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef Kabob with Roasted Vegetables, Saffron Basmati Rice and Kabob Sauce

Seafood Paella with Chorizo (has good serving of protein starch vegetable)

Fried Branzino with Lemon Caper Sauce, Risotto, Roasted Asparagus

Pan Seared Pesto Salmon with Pistachio Cilantro Rice and Brocollini

Eggplant Moussaka (vegetarian

Grilled Lamb Chops with Mint Chimichurri, Cilantro Lime Rice, Fried Brussel Sprouts

DESSERT

All inclusive

Baklava

Cheesecake

Italian Sampler

STARTER

All inclusive

San Marzano Tomato Basil Shooters with Grilled Cheese

Risotto Arancini with Pomodoro

Caprese Skewers

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Caesar Salad with Home-made Caesar dressing (from scratch and my secret recipe)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Crispy Chicken Picatta with Lemon Beurre Blanc, Pomme Puree and Mixed Vegetables

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tiramisu

Cannoli

Taste of Asia

STARTER

All inclusive

Ahi Tuna Tartar with ponzu and avocado

Bang Bang Shrimp

Grilled Korean BBQ Beef Kalbi

Korean Jap Chae

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Miso Soup

Asian Chicken Salad

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Chicken Or Shrimp Pad Thai

DESSERT

All inclusive

Coconut Mango Rice Pudding

Latin America

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Ceviche

Mexican Street Tacos

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Arroz con Pollo

Chicken or Fish Mole

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tres leches

Flan

The DMV Seafood Special

STARTER

All inclusive

Bacon wrapped scallops

Calamari with Pomodoro and Sriracha Aioli

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Lobster Bisque

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chilean seabass with romesco, mango relish, broccolini and cilantro rice pilaf

Crab cakes with Romesco, Brocollini and Lemon Risotto

DESSERT

All inclusive

Cheesecake

Flan

Asian Night Out

STARTER

All inclusive

Pork Steam Dumpling with Trinity Sauce

Bang Bang Shrimp

Charcuterie Board

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Cucumber asian salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet Mignon with Chimichurri, Mashed Potato, Asparagus

DESSERT

All inclusive

Cheesecake

Pacific-Atlantic Sampler

STARTER

All inclusive

Hamachi Crudo

Ahi Tuna Tartar with ponzu and avocado

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Clam Chowder

Mixed Green Salad

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Pan Seared Cod with Lemon Beurre Blanc, Risotto and Asparagus

DESSERT

All inclusive

Marylands cheesecake

Asian Exclusive

STARTER

All inclusive

A-5 Wagyu bites with Foie-Gras butter and Caviar

Ahi Tuna Tartar with ponzu and avocado

Asian spiced Salmon Bites

Bang Bang Shrimp

Chicken Karage

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Miso Soup

Asian gem lettuce salad with sesame vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Asian Surf and Turf with Pistachio Fried Rice and Stir-Fried Broccolini

DESSERT

All inclusive

Coconut Mango Rice Pudding

Rich Vanilla Flan

Coconut Ube Tiramisu

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Chef Juan's reviews

4.5

•

108 services

Chef Juan was so wonderful. He cooked for 8 of us at a company team retreat and we all agreed he was so kind, punctual, and engaging. His stories about himself and the food were great and the food itself was incredible! We were also so surprised at how much food he offered per meal and we never went hungry the whole weekend!

Chef Juan was wonderful

This was a gifted private dinner for Christmas. The only thing that stopped this from being fully incredible was the filet was perhaps a bad cut but it had so much cartilage I couldn't really eat it. HOWEVER, the parts I could eat were delicious and it wasn't a huge miss for me as everything else was delicious and I was getting full. The menu was shared with me in the app but that wasn't presented as an option in the feedback survey. This chef was very communicative, prompt and extremely pleasant. I would hire him again. I even learned something new about my stove :)

Chef Juan was amazing!

Juan was incredible! I was organizing a special bachelor party meal and we didn't want the usual special occasion food. We worked together to come up with an amazing filipino menu and he knocked it out of the park! Just as fun was learning about all the dishes. He was communicative and easy to work with. You can't go wrong!

I had a great experience using Take a Chef. Our chef was very engaging during the meal and presented each dish in great cadence. The food was phenomenal! I will definitely be booking again in the future.

Chef Juan was very accommodative. Presentation was very good! We were a small gathering but everything was perfect! Timing was excellent. Will definitely use again!

Juan was absolutely amazing- super friendly and did not rush us. The food was delicious, and he even took a group photo for us after dinner! If you’re looking for delicious Italian food he’s your guy!

Chef Juan was very professional. He visited us while on vacation and treated our family of six. He took into account our dietary needs and cooked almost everything gluten free. He was extremely friendly and engaging with the children. Highly recommend!

The meal was fantastic, we were running late from graduation and he got himself settled and started before we got home we walked in to a beautiful set up. Highly recommend for a special evening!

Chef Juan did a great job in developing our Mother’s Day brunch! The options were on point, including caring for dietary restrictions. Chef Juan was thorough and created a wonderful atmosphere for our brunch in our cabin rental. Amazing!

Juan gave us a very enjoyable evening. The food was delicious and well timed, he did a wonderful job presenting the dishes and small talk when appropriate. And he left the kitchen looking just as it did before he came. Would highly recommend!

Chef Juan was very good! He was easy to communicate with and very accommodating of our requests. He came a very long distance for our event, was very professional and friendly, and overall all the guests had a wonderful experience. Of course, everyone enjoyed the food! His crew did not come with him due to the distance and he managed everything by himself! Overall, we were very happy with him and would hire him again!

I hired Juan to prepare the meal for my wife's 45th birthday and he did an amazing job. We hosted 12 people and it made for a very memorable night allowing him to handle everything from appetizers to desert. I would do it again.

Chef Juan was very punctual, friendly and communicative. Now let’s talk about the food, we went with the sample French menu and everything was so delicious. I told chef Juan that my husband’s favorite treat was Ferrero roche and he made the yummiest Ferrero roche cake !! Everything was wonderful and even my picky infant enjoyed the meal.

Punctual, professional, accommodating to my needs, polite and personable. Would definitely hire him again and I recommend him for in home chef specially for fine dining.

This was such an incredible experience for my husband's birthday! We had a 4 course dinner for 2 and loved everything about it! We will definitely be doing this again in the future. Thank you!

Juan created a beautiful experience. Every dish was not only delicious but also aesthetically pleasing. Would recommend this chef to anyone in search of an amazing dining moment.

Chef Juan was very professional and more importantly the food was delicious. There was a story behind everything served and the plates were decorated beautifully. For Asian fusion or any other dish I would recommend Chef Juan!

Chef Juan was amazing. He was so kind, so communicative and so warm. He was incredibly respectful of our space and our time. He was extremely responsive. His food was amazing and you can tell how passionate he is about cooking. Chef Juan was so thoughtful in each dish. We will definitely hire Chef Juan again. Thank you so much Chef!