Chef Leonardo Aragão is a talented young chef, trained at the esteemed Indiana University of Pennsylvania Culinary Arts School. A native of São Paulo, Brazil, Leo has already built an impressive career, collaborating with renowned chefs such as Craig Hopson (2 Michelin stars) at Le Cirque and Hung Huynh (winner of Top Chef 2007) at Catch in New York City.

Currently thriving as a private chef, Leo specializes in crafting and presenting exquisite haute cuisine for cocktail parties, dinners, and receptions. His clientele includes private families and international diplomats across the tri-state area, earning him a reputation for delivering exceptional culinary experiences with style and precision.

For me, cooking is...

Cooking is my language; it’s how I express care, culture, and creativity.

I learned to cook at...

New York City taught me how to cook—fast, focused, and fearless.

A cooking secret...

Respect every ingredient

My menus

From the Nonna’s Table

STARTER

All inclusive

Whipped ricotta with honey & warm homemade focaccia

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Crispy Artichoke and Arugula Salad, Shaved Pecorino, Creamy Roasted Garlic Dressing

Curated Meat Platter

Burrata Cheese with Eggplant Caponata, Focaccia and Aged Balsamic

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Homemade Pappardelle with Bolognese Sauce

Cacio e pepe– Homemade Fresh Pasta Butter & Pecorino

Linguine with Clams

Crispy Lasagna Bolognese with Pomodoro Sauce

Eggplant Parm

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Vanilla Bean Panna Cotta with Berries Coulis

Affogato

Zabaglione with Strawberries

“Terra Brasilis – A Brazilian Tasting Experience”

STARTER

All inclusive

Dadinhos de Mandioca aka Crispy Yuka with Spicy Guava Jelly

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Crispy Trio of Brazilian Empanadas; Beef, Cheese, Shrimp

Amazon Forest Salad; Mixed Greens, Hearts of Palm, Mango, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Crispy Quinoa, Açai Balsamic Dressing

Brazilian Cheese Bread

Coxinha

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Picanha aka Brazilian Sirloin with White Rice, Black Beans, Egg Bacon Farofa and Vinagrete

Seafood Muqueca aka Coconut Milk Seafood Stew, Coconut Rice, "Pirão, Farofa

Feijoada Completa, White Rice, Collard Greens, Orange Segments and Farofa

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Caramel Flan aka Pudim

Bolo de Cenoura and Chocolate Soufflé aka Molten Carrot and Chocolate Soufflé

Flour & Fire: An Italian Affair

STARTER

All inclusive

Whipped ricotta with honey & warm homemade focaccia

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cacio e Pepe Zeppole with Prosciutto and Aged Balsamic

Slow Braised Meatball with Nonna's Tomato Sauce and Caciocavallo Cheese

BB Lettuce, Romaine, Endives, Watercress, Frisée Salad with Shallot Dijon Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Grilled Hanger Steak with Roasted Fingerling Potatoes, Arugula and Shaved Parmesan

Eggplant Parm

Grilled Whole Bronzino with Seasonal Vegetables

Perfect Roasted Chicken with Giardiniera Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Classic Tiramisu

NY Style Cheesecake with Berries Coulis

Mediterranean Fusion

STARTER

All inclusive

Greek Salad

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Crispy Halloumi Cheese, Green Apples, Mint, Pistachio Dukkah, Caramelized Apples, Spicy Honey

Zucchini and Eggplant Chips with Tzatziki Sauce

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Grilled Bronzino with Steamed Baby Carrots, Roasted Fingerling Potatoes and Salsa Verde

Pistachio Crusted Lamb Chops, Roasted Baby Carrots, Fingerling Potatoes, Red Wine Reduction

DESSERT

All inclusive

Olive Oil Cake with Vanilla Ice Cream and Seasonal Berries

Echoes of Umami

STARTER

All inclusive

Trio of Spring Rolls; Shitake and Leeks; Reuben; Vegetable Spring

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Asian Butternut Squash with Toasted Pepitas and Curry Cream Fraiche

Mini Yellowfin Tuna Tacos, Avocado, Spicy Mayo, Tobiko

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan Seared Salmon, Roasted Cauliflower,Cauliflower Puree, Tamarind Brown Butter

Grilled Hanger Steak, Sautéed Bok Choy, Roasted Oyster Mushroom, Japanese BBQ Sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

Matcha Tiramisu

Winter Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Cauliflower Soup with Toasted Almonds and White Truffle Oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted Heirloom Baby Beets, Goat Cheese Hazelnut Spheres, Cherry Gastrique

Caramelized Onion Tart, Thyme, Gruyere, Aged Balsamic

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Beef Wellington, Potato Fondant, Porcini Jus, Winter Herbs

Roasted Branzino, Fennel Confit, Sunchoke Puree, Saffron Velouté

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Gluten FreeToffee Cake, Vanilla Ice Cream, Warm Caramel Sauce

Show me more

Chef Leonardo's reviews

5

•

4 services

Leo was just what we hoped for and created a delicious, private meal in our home.

Book your experience with Chef Leonardo

Specify the details of your requests and the chef will send you a custom menu just for you.

Take a Chef services in nearby cities

Discover cities near Jersey City where you can enjoy a Chef At Home service

Cities where you can enjoy a Chef

Discover cities of United States where you can enjoy our experiences.

Private Chef inAtlanta

Private Chef inDenver

Private Chef inFort Lauderdale

Private Chef inJackson Hole

Private Chef inNapa Valley

Private Chef inNew Jersey

Private Chef inPhoenix

Private Chef inSan Antonio

Private Chef inSan Diego

Private Chef inSanta Barbara

Private Chef inSeattle

Private Chef inSt Louis

Private Chef inThe The Hamptons

Private Chef inTulsa

Private Chef inWest Palm Beach

Private Chef inAll The Destinations

Chef Leonardo Aragao

Get to know me better

More about me

For me, cooking is...

I learned to cook at...

A cooking secret...

My menus

Chef Leonardo's reviews

Book your experience with Chef Leonardo

Take a Chef services in nearby cities

Cities where you can enjoy a Chef