Chef Mai Spann

Personal Chef in Washington

Chef Mai specializes in intimate brunch and dinner party experiences, with a strong emphasis on elegant seafood creations. A former corporate IT professional, she chose to follow her true passion for cooking and for bringing families and friends back to the dinner table.

With over 14 years of experience, she dedicates her time to creating memorable dining experiences for those who value meaningful connection as much as a delicious meal.

For me, cooking is...

Cooking for me is artistry. I enjoy putting ingredients together using all five senses to make a fabulous dish.

I learned to cook at...

I graduated magna cum laude from Stratford University. My practical experience is in private homes, restaurants, hotels, and catering companies.

A cooking secret...

My secret in the kitchen is passion, drive, and service. When you love what you do you're not working.

My menus

Brunch

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Seasonal Fruit Parfait greek yogurt, nuts, granola OR Mesclun Mix Salad mixed greens, goat cheese, maple glazed pecans, dijon champagne vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Scrambled Eggs, Applewood Smoked Bacon and Breakfast Potatoes OR Signature Shrimp & Grits gulf shrimp, stone ground grits, andouille, cajun cream

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Buttermilk Pancakes whipped butter, maple syrup OR Strawberry Shortcake French Toast strawberry butter, vanilla crumbles

Custom Menu Created to Your Needs

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

A selection of Cheese, Charcuterie, Fruit, and Nuts

Beef Filet Crostini -dijon aioli- parm

Crab Cakes cajun remoulade

Prosciutto and Fig Crostini Balsamic Gastrique

Shrimp cocktail shooters- horseradish tomato sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Your Choice First Course

Field Salad: red leaf, caramelized nuts, dried cherries, dijon champagne vinaigrette

Harvest Salad crispy bacon lardons, Gorgonzola, Ancho chili spiced nuts, champagne vinaigrette

Mediterranean chopped salad Organic spring mix, blistered tomatoes, kalamata olives, shaved red onion, served with house made fresh parsley dill vinaigrette

Peach (Seasonal) and Mixed Greens Salad - Feta Cheese, Balsamic Reduction

Lobster Bisque chive oil, roasted garlic baguette

Roasted Tomato Bisque- Parmesan crostini, basil oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bourbon basted duck breast- Brown butter sweet potato mash- haricot vert

Boursin Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast - Truffle Whipped Potato Puree - Charred Broccolini - Caper Jus

Filet, Cheddar Jalapeno Grits, Roasted Carrots, Port Demi, Crispy Onions

NY Strip Steak, Herb Butter, Roasted Potatoes, Sauteed Broccolini Smoked Sea Salt

Roasted Lamb chops chermoula, Israeli couscous, Dukkeh carrots

Snapper, Shrimp Beurre Blanc, Creole Rice, Swiss Chard

Seared NY Strip- Saffron Risotto - Veg Medley- Port Demi

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple Walnut Crisp- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Banana Foster Bread Pudding, rum soaked bananas, vanilla bean gelato

Chocolate Molten Cake, Creme Anglaise, Fresh berries,

Deep Dish Brownie - Vanilla Bean Ice Cream, Fudge

Key Lime Pie- speculoos brown butter crust, mint chantilly creme- raspberry coulis

Red Velvet Creme Brulee, Demerara sugar, fresh berries

Custom Dinner

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Harvest Salad crispy bacon lardons, Gorgonzola, Ancho chili spiced nuts, champagne vinaigrette

Roasted Tomato Bisque- crostini, basil oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted Branzino or Rockfish Caper Butter, Herbed Risotto, Sauteed Broccolini Smoked Sea Salt

Bourbon basted duck breast- fingerling potatoes- haricot vert

Steak Diane Cognac brown butter Beef, pomme puree, vegetable medley

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple & Basil Crisp- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

Banana Foster Bread Pudding, rum soaked bananas, vanilla bean gelato

Butter Cake Raspberry coulis, vanilla bean

Chocolate Molten Cake, Creme Anglaise, Fresh berries, Tuille

Trademark

STARTER

All inclusive

Arancini Fritters Fontina Pomodoro Sauce Crispy Basil

Crab Cakes cajun remoulade

Avocado Toast-pink salt, lemon essence, radish,

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Field Salad: red leaf, caramelized nuts, dried cherries, dijon champagne vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Seared Beef- Truffle Whipped Potato Puree - Charred Broccolini- Port Demi

Boursin Spinach Stuffed Chicken Breast - Truffle Whipped Potato Puree - Charred Broccolini - Caper Jus

DESSERT

All inclusive

Key Lime Pie- mint chantilly creme- candied lime peel

Italian

STARTER

All inclusive

A selection of Cheese, Charcuterie, Fruit, and Nuts

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Prosciutto Salad- arugula, burrata, tomato confit, balsamic gastrique

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lobster Risotto -, Lobster Risotto, with chunks of butter poached lobster and a drizzle of brown butter, white wine , caramelized onions and saffron broth

Fettuccine, wild mushrooms, truffle oil, seared chicken

Mezzo Rigatoni Mediterranean grape tomatoes, eggplant, ricotta salata, pesto, steak tips

DESSERT

All inclusive

Torta Barozzi- chocolate fudge cake, espresso chantilly cream, raspberry coulis

Mediterranean Cruise

STARTER

All inclusive

Mezze Platter hummus, olives, spiced nuts, marinated artichokes, crisps

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Mediterranean chopped salad Organic spring mix, blistered tomatoes, kalamata olives, shaved red onion, served with house made fresh parsley dill vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted Lamb chops chermoula, sumac fingerling potatoes, Dukkeh carrots whipped feta, almond sesame dukkeh

Seared Halibut chermoula, sumac fingerling potatoes, Dukkeh carrots whipped feta, almond sesame dukkeh

Grilled Cauliflower, chermoula, Dukkeh carrots, almond sesame dukkeh

DESSERT

All inclusive

Pistachio Walnut Baklava Cheesecake

Suprise Seafood Dinner

STARTER

All inclusive

Mushroom Tartlette Wild mushroom Gournay, thyme, lemon essence

Avocado Toast-pink salt, lemon essence, radish,

Fig & Brie Crostini Balsamic Gastrique

Italian Sausage, Caramelized leek, sundried tomato flatbread

Crab Cakes cajun remoulade

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Harvest Salad crispy bacon lardons, Gorgonzola, Ancho chili spiced nuts, champagne vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Roasted Branzino or Rockfish Caper Butter, Herbed Risotto, Sauteed Broccolini Smoked Sea Salt

DESSERT

All inclusive

Peach & Basil Crisp- Vanilla Bean Ice Cream

French Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Shrimp Crostini Herb pistou aioli

Mushroom Tartlette Wild mushroom Gournay, thyme, lemon essence

Fig & Brie Crostini Balsamic Gastrique

Filet Crostini -herb pesto- parm

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Seared Duck Breast - Cherry sorghum gastrique- Pink Salt Roasted potatoes - Haricot Vert

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

CHEESE COURSE - honeycomb, marcona almonds, chefs selection of artisanal cheeses

Red Velvet Creme Brulee Demerara sugar, fresh berries

Show me more

Chef Mai's reviews

4.97

•

15 services

Chef Mai provided an exceptional private in-home dining experience that made our weekend of relaxation even more special. She was timely, thoughtful, friendly, and highly professional. Her skill truly showed in the beautifully prepared pan-seared salmon and sea bass. We would gladly book her again.

Chef Mai was absolutely amazing!! We loved her!! Hope to have her back again!!

Chef Mai was amazing!! She helped us put together a 40th anniversary surprise dinner and it could not have been more perfect. Everyone was raving about the food and had a wonderful time. Highly, highly recommend Chef Mai.

Chef Mai was incredible. No detail was overlooked. The meal was as elegant as it was delicious. We all loved the food and experience. I would highly recommend Chef Mai for any occasion.

It was an amazing experience !