Chef Michel Alvarez

About Me — Chef Helga Pons Almodovar’s Kitchen – Personal Chef

Services (Find My Reviews on Yelp) Mediterranean Soul • French, French -californian, Barcelona cuisine Global

Inspiration • Heart-Centered, Healing Cooking

My name is Helga, and I am a personal chef with 15 years of

experience in the Bay Area, originally from Barcelona, Spain. My

culinary journey began long before my professional career — it

began in childhood, in a family where cooking was not just a

profession, but a way of life, a love language, and a form of art.

A Life Born in Kitchens I grew up surrounded by chefs. My father

was a chef with renowned restaurants throughout Spain, and our

home was always alive with the heartbeat of the culinary world —

chefs visiting, flavors simmering, recipes evolving. From a very

young age, I lived inside the world of cooking, absorbing its rhythm

and its beauty.

From my mother, I learned true soul cooking — food made with

patience, intention, and emotional depth. She taught me that the

most meaningful dishes are not just cooked… they are felt.

Healing Through Food — My Holistic Specialty Over the years, I

have developed a specialty in medicinal, holistic cuisine, designed

to nourish the body, mind, and soul. I carefully select ingredients for

their natural healing properties, creating meals that not only delight

the senses but also support wellness, balance, and vitality.

Food has the power to heal, to restore, and to energize — and that is

at the heart of everything I create. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted

to be therapeutic, nourishing, and transformational, helping people

feel better physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

My Culinary Journey in the Bay Area During my years in the Bay

Area, people often hire me for my authentic Spanish culinary

experiences — especially my paellas, tapas, and Mediterranean

specialties. These dishes carry the warmth of Spain and the soul of

my family.

As I cooked for diverse clients, I naturally developed a world-fusion

culinary style, blending flavors and techniques from across the

globe — Asia, Latin America, Italy, the Middle East, and more.

Clients often tell me:

“This Thai dish is better than what I had in Thailand.”

“Your Spanish food tastes like the Spain I remember.”

“Every cuisine you touch becomes magic.”

I cook with intuition, with emotion, and with my entire heart and soul. Seeing people love and enjoy my

food is the greatest joy of my life.

World Fusion Cuisine with Mediterranean Soul My style blends the

authenticity of Spanish tradition, the elegance of French technique,

and inspiration from cuisines across the globe — all while honoring

the principles of healing and nourishment. Every dish is made from

scratch with intention, care, and respect for the natural qualities of

each ingredient.

Reviving a Rare Tradition I am devoted to preserving a type of

cooking that is disappearing, even in Spain — the slow, soulful,

heartfelt approach you only find in small towns or grandmothers’

kitchens. This is the heart and soul I bring into every home: food

that heals, comforts, connects, and delights.

A New Culinary Collaboration

Alongside my work, I collaborate with my partner Chef Michelle to offer a Cuban–Spanish Fusion

Cuisine experience. Currently, I handle most bookings and daily private chef services, and you can

read reviews under Almodovar’s Kitchen – Personal Chef Services on Yelp.

When Cuban flavors or fusion menus are requested, Chef Michelle joins with her expertise and vibrant

culinary creativity. Together, we create something rare, soulful, and unforgettable.

My Philosophy

I believe exceptional, homemade, fine-dining food should be accessible to everyone. I am flexible and

open when it comes to budget, and I encourage clients to be honest about what feels comfortable. My

goal is to create beautiful, meaningful, and nourishing experiences for everyone at the table.

What I Offer

- Private chef experiences in your home

- Intimate dinners & small celebrations

- Custom tasting menus

- Authentic Spanish experiences: paellas, tapas, regional specialties

- World-fusion cuisine

- Cuban–Spanish fusion (with Chef Michelle)

- Holistic, medicinal, and nourishing food

- Vegan, gluten-free, anti-inflammatory, and wellness-focused options

- Delivery-based menus

- Culinary consulting & custom menu design

My Promise Whether you're seeking a romantic dinner, a soulful

Spanish experience, a unique fusion menu, or food that heals and

nourishes, I am here to create something unforgettable. I cook with

tradition, intuition, passion, and heart — and I pour my soul into

every dish.