Chef Marnita Baird

Private Chef in Santa Fe

I have over 25 years of fine dining experience including Spago Beverly Hills, Barney Greengrass Beverly Hills and The Beverly Hills Hotel. I have served major celebrity guests both in restaurants and in their homes and have coordinated special catered events such as post Oscar parties. I’ve also served three Presidents of the United States. I have vast wine experience as I worked with Master Sommelier Michael Bonaccorsi. Seven years with Wolfgang Puck, world travel with my husband, and 10 years as an international commercial flight attendant have made me an avid “Foodie”.

For me, cooking is...

A passion that allows me to share my creativity through great food with my little part of the world

I learned to cook at...

Spago Bevery Hills under Wolfgang Puck

A cooking secret...

With every chop and every stir, I’m loving on my food during preparation by imagining the joy, and the’”ummm, that’s amazing food,chef.”

My menus

✨ Tuscan Sunlight

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bruschetta Burrata, Seared Tomato & Roasted Garlic (vegetarian)

Decadent Mezze Platter – Roasted veggies, Mediterranean meats and cheeses, hummus, olives, falafel, pita

Caprese-Stuffed Portobello Mushroom (vegetarian)

Tomato tart Provençal (vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Parmesan atop Homemade Pasta, and Roasted Vegetables

Sweet Potato and Coconut Polenta with Mediterranean Vegetable Fricassé (vegetarian)

Briam with Greek Green Beans and Lemon Rice (vegetarian)

Italian-style braised leg of lamb, green beans, roasted baby potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Homemade Tiramisu

Cannoli stuffed with chocolate mascarpone and dried fruits

Olive oil cake with Lemon pastry cream

Panna Cotta with Strawberry Coulis

✨ Mediterranean Indulgence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bruschetta with Burrata, Seared Tomatoes & Roasted Garlic, and prosciutto

Decadent Mezze Platter with roasted veggies, marinated feta, hummus, pita (vegetarian)

Radicchio Pizza with Truffle Oil (vegetarian)

Octopus or Squid seared with caramelized onions, toasted bread

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomatoes and Nine-Year Old Balsamic Reduction (vegetarian)

Arugula-burrata salad with balsamic vinaigrette (vegetarian)

Pappardelle with sorrel butter & pine nuts (vegetarian)

Grilled nectarine salad with chipotle molasses dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Branzino en papillote with Pommes Aligot and haricot vert

House-made ravioli in a creamed corn sauce (vegetarian)

Chicken Souvlaki and Keftedes (Greek meatballs), lemon rice, and green beans

Ratatouille with roasted harvest root vegetables in a baked pumpkin (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Profiteroles au Chocolat with Housemade chocolate sorbet

Revani Cake (Turkish semolina cake)

Kladdkaka (Swedish-style chocolate cake)

Panna Cotta with Strawberry/Balsamic Coulis

Land of Enchantment Feast

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Seared beef tenderloin with beef tallow twice-fried potato and truffle oil

Sorrel-Grazed Bison Ribs

Roasted beets, goat cheese and arugula salad with balsamic reduction (vegetarian)

Jackfruit “Crabcakes” (vegan)

The Mexican Street Corn Fritters (Chef’s Signature) 🌟

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Red chile–butternut squash soup with mole amarillo (vegetarian)

Salad of little gem lettuce topped with heirloom tomatoes, stone fruit, fine herbs, champagne vinaigrette (vegetarian)

Smoky Lentil and Potato Soup with Kale (vegetarian)

Exotic lobster salad with Hatch chile/lime yogurt dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

New Mexican Tomahawk Ribeye with Glazed Shallots, Calabacitas, and Arroz Verde

Birria-braised lamb shank, roasted root vegetables, and hominy

Chile-seared salmon with pineapple–pear salsa, charred tomatoes, and roasted broccolini

Oaxaca red chile enchiladas stuffed with butternut squash, Mexican pot beans, and rice (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

White Chocolate Mousse Cheesecake with Sugared Cranberries

French Meyer Lemon Tart with Creme Fraîche

House-made Triple Chocolate Sorbet and Shortbread Cookies

Warm chocolate cakes with apricot-cognac sauce

✨ Rising Sun Flavors

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Assorted sushi (vegetarian option: vegetable sushi)

Chawanmushi (Japanese savory custard)

Miso soup with wilted greens (vegetarian)

Miyabi Japanese Onion Soup

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Miso-marinated black cod with bok choy and shiso rice

Hibachi-style stir fry with shrimp, sirloin, chicken, vegetables, noodles, and rice

Garlic Saikoro Steak with Kobacha Squash and Miso Lettuce

Stir-fried veggies with market vegetables (vegetarian)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Japanese Purin (custard pudding)

Japanese strawberry shortcake

House-made Triple Chocolate Sorbet

Freshest Fruit Custard Bites

Nuevo México Indulgence

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Mini Carne Adovada Tacos (New Mexico-style pork with red chiles)

Fancy crudité platter New Mexican Style! (vegetarian)

House-made Gravlax with green chile crème fraîche, on blue corn tortillas

Mini Tempeh Adovada Tacos on Local Blue Corn Tortillas (vegetarian)

The Mexican Street Corn Fritters (Chef’s Signature) 🌟

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Hatch Green Chile Stew

Three Sisters Salad with Smoked Trout

Red chile–butternut squash soup (vegetarian)

Chimayo-dusted sweet potato (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Red and Green Chile Enchiladas (chicken, beef, or vegetarian) with Fried Pineapple Rice and Calabacitas

Chile-Rubbed Tomahawk Ribeye with Glazed Shallots, Calabacitas Vegetables, and Arroz Verde

Carrot Sofrito Enchiladas (vegetarian)

Trout with Avocado, Fava Beans with Citrus-Herb Sauce, and Grilled Tomatoes with New Mexican Chimichurri

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Biscochitos with House-made Cardamom Ice Cream

Apple galette with vanilla ice cream and caramel sauce

House-made Flan in a Kahlua Foam Bath

Triple berry crisp a la mode

Robert’s cocktail party Santa Fe

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Fancy crudité platter New Mexican Style! (vegetarian)

House-made Gravlax with green chile crème fraîche, on blue corn tortillas

The Mexican Street Corn Fritters (Chef’s Signature) 🌟

Bacon Wrapped Chile Rellenos

Blooming Chicken Quesadilla Ring with Green Chile Salsa

Bruschetta with Burrata, Seared Tomatoes & Roasted Garlic, prosciutto and sauce vierge

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chimayo-dusted sweet potato with goat cheese and pecans

Mexican Pork Ribs

Butternut black bean tamale: blue corn masa, mole amarillo

Sopa de Poro y Papa(Potato and leek soup)shots

Grilled clementine salad skewers with chipotle molasses dressing

Jicama, Grapefruit & Avocado Salad

Warm sweet potato and Brussels sprout and kale salad skewers with balsamic vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Biscochitos (New Mexican shortbread cookies)

Flan Cheesecake Torte

Mexican Bread Pudding with Vanilla/Bourbon Sauce

Tarta de Santiago( Almond Cake) Bites GF

✨ Sabores de la Tierra

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Guacamole and House-made Tortilla Chips (vegetarian)

Sopa de Fideo (Mexican noodle soup)

Mini Carne Adovada Tacos

Tostadas de Camarón (shrimp tostadas)

The Mexican Street Corn Fritters (Chef’s Signature) 🌟

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Black bean/mango salad with lime vinaigrette

Grilled nectarine salad with chipotle molasses dressing

Mexican Chopped Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette (vegetarian)

Creamy Poblano Chile Soup with Corn &Mushrooms

Sopa de Poro y Papa(Potato and leek soup)

Red chile–butternut squash soup with mole amarillo (vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Mole with Poblanos, Frijoles Charro, and Arroz Verde

Pescado Encarcelado (whole fish stuffed with pico de gallo, beans, rice, salsas)

Green Chile Enchiladas, Fried Pineapple Rice, and Calabacitas (vegetarian available)

Tofu en Escabeche (Yucatán-style, vegetarian)

Chile-rubbed tri tip with green onions, grilled tomatoes and New Mexican Chimichurri & Frijoles Charro

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Capirotada (Mexican bread pudding)

Kahlua and rum flan

Chocolate Flan Cake

Polvorones (pecan shortbread cookies)

Chocolate Torte Tenerina ( flourless chocolate cake)

Tarta de Santiago( Almond Cake)GF

Birthday Celebration Santa Fe

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

New Mexican Street Corn Fritters (vegetarian)

Guacamole and House-made Tortilla Chips (vegetarian)

Margarita Shrimp w/ Pico de Gallo

Butternut black bean tamale: blue corn masa, mole amarillo

Bacon Wrapped Chile Rellenos

Carne Adovada Mini Tacos New Mexico-Style Pork with Red Chiles

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Black bean/pear salad with lime vinaigrette

Grilled clementine salad with chipotle molasses dressing

Exotic langoustine salad with Hatch chile/lime yogurt dressing

Black Bean and Yucca Soup with Warming Spices

Creamy Poblano Chile Soup with Corn &Mushrooms

Sopa de Poro y Papa(Potato and leek soup)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Green Chile Enchiladas, Fried Pineapple Rice, and Calabacitas (vegetarian available)

Chile-rubbed tri tip with green onions, grilled tomatoes and New Mexican Chimichurri & Frijoles Charro

Chicken Mole with Poblanos ,Frijoles Charro, and Arroz Verde

Chile-Seared Salmon with Spicy Pear and Pineapple Salsa,Charred Tomatoes Verde, and Roasted Broccolini

Chiles RELLENOS con Picadillo( Pablano Chile’s Stuffed with Spiced Beef, Mexican Pot Beans, Mexican Brown Rice,and Assorted Salsas

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Rustic apple pie a la mode

Biscochitos with House-made Cardamom Ice Cream

Capirotada( Mexican Bread Pudding)

Flan Cheesecake Torte

Chocolate Flan Cake

Tarta de Santiago (almond cake)

Chef Marnita's reviews

4.43

•

65 services

Chef Marnita and her Sous Chef were impeccably professional, served an absolutely amazing, delicious dinner. This was a gift for my daughter for her bachelorette weekend and the girls couldn’t have been more excited. Everything was beautifully prepared, both visually appetizing and absolutely delicious. I could not be more happy. I would highly recommend Chef Marnita and her Sous Chef! CHEF’s KISS!

Chef Marnita delivered a phenomenal experience for our ladies trip. She communicated thoroughly and frequently, and the food…oh my gosh. Incredible! Beautiful presentation, so many courses, lovely leisurely pace for the meal. She has a calm and friendly presence and was so kind. I had a last minute dietary restriction and she was so gracious with accommodating every dish. Everything was delicious. She left our Air BnB kitchen spotless too. I cannot recommend her highly enough! Thank you Marnita!

Marnita is very professional in every way and she is fun to be around. Engaging and hard working come to mind. Menu was creative and very well done! It was our second time having her cook for us and we would highly recommend her.

We loved every part of this experience. Truly made my girls trip super special

Marina came to our airbnb and cooked a delicious meal for us! The menu showcased a creative blend of flavors that truly impressed. We started with the Mexican street corn fritters, which were crispy on the outside and bursting with flavor inside—definitely a crowd-pleaser. The loaded chickpea salad that followed was fresh and vibrant, a perfect balance of textures and tastes. For the mains, the vegan baked bell peppers were a standout, filled with hearty ingredients and spices that made each bite satisfying. The New Mexican tri-tip was equally remarkable, perfectly cooked and seasoned, showcasing the chef's skill. To finish, the chocolate torte was a rich, decadent treat that rounded out the meal beautifully. The only downside was the timing; our meal took longer than anticipated but cooking for 8 people in an unfamilar environment and accomadating dietary preferences is a challenge so it is understandable and was manageable. However, the quality of the food and the overall experience made it worth the wait. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a unique and flavorful dining experience!

Chef Marnita was a delight! She was very kind and really whipped it up in the kitchen! Our group came to Tahoe for a 30th birthday celebration and we chose a Japanese menu for dinner. Chef cooked plenty of food and we even had leftovers. We really appreciated how pleasant our Chef was. She wasn't overbearing or invasive, she was just like a part of our party! We really enjoyed our experience. Thank you Take A Chef!

Wonderful experience. Super engaging stories and great food. They worked with the limitations of our Airbnb and also left the kitchen spotless. 10/10 would recommend.

It was exactly what I envisioned , an enjoyable evening with great food.