Chef Paul Forciniti

Private Chef in Laurel

I’m Chef Paul Forciniti, an private chef and culinary consultant with over 20 years of international experience across Buenos Aires, Paris, Mexico City, Washington D.C., and now Iowa.

My cooking philosophy blends global inspiration with local soul — each menu is designed to tell a story through flavor, texture, and presentation.

After years leading fine dining restaurants and consulting for hospitality brands, I now bring that expertise directly to your table.

From intimate dinners to elegant tasting experiences, my goal is simple: to create moments that feel both luxurious and personal.

Expect handcrafted menus, refined techniques, and a touch of fire — literally. I often incorporate wood-grilled elements and wine pairings that elevate the experience even further.

Whether it’s a romantic evening, a corporate dinner, or a celebration with friends, I’ll make sure your home feels like your favorite restaurant for the night.

“Fine dining should never be distant — it should be felt, shared, and remembered.”

For me, cooking is...

For me, cooking is balance — between fire and finesse, tradition and creativity, passion and precision.

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook surrounded by family, long before my training at Le Cordon Bleu — that’s where I discovered that food can create memories that last

A cooking secret...

My secret in the kitchen is simplicity — letting quality ingredients and honest flavors speak for themselves.

My menus

The Private Dining Experience By Chef Paul Forciniti

STARTER

All inclusive

1. Antipasto (Starter) Bruschetta Trio Toasted artisan bread topped with: – Tomato, basil & garlic – Whipped ricotta with honey and lemon zest – Sautéed mushrooms with thyme and olive oil

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Primo (First Course – Pasta or Soup) Roasted Tomato & Basil Soup Smooth San Marzano tomato soup finished with olive oil and fresh basil or Penne alla Vodka Creamy tomato sauce, garlic, chili flakes and parmesan — simple, classic, elegant

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Secondo (Main Course) Herb-Roasted Chicken with Lemon & Rosemary Served with roasted seasonal vegetables (zucchini, carrots, potatoes) or Pan-Seared White Fish Piccata White wine, capers, parsley and lemon butter sauce, served with sautéed spinach

DESSERT

All inclusive

Dolce (Dessert) Tiramisu in a Glass Layers of espresso-soaked ladyfingers, mascarpone cream and cocoa or (budget-friendly variation) Panna Cotta with Berry Compote Silky vanilla cream, topped with warm berry sauce

Fire & Smoke Experience

STARTER

All inclusive

“Smoked Burrata” Creamy burrata lightly smoked over cherry wood, served with roasted cherry tomatoes, basil oil, and toasted focaccia

“Asado Empanada” Handcrafted pastry filled with slow-braised short ribs, fire-roasted peppers, and a touch of chimichurri crema

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

“Charred Corn Soup” Sweet corn velouté with smoked paprika oil, crispy shallots, and lime crema — inspired by Latin street flavors refined

“Grilled Vegetables Mosaic” A colorful arrangement of fire-roasted zucchini, peppers, and eggplant with goat cheese and balsamic glaze

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

“Argentine Ribeye” Wood-grilled ribeye with chimichurri verde, truffle potato purée, and grilled seasonal vegetables — a bold yet refined classic

“Smoked Chicken Supreme” Free-range chicken marinated with herbs, slow-smoked, and served with roasted garlic polenta and Malbec reduction

DESSERT

All inclusive

“Dulce & Smoke” Dulce de leche flan with smoked caramel, cocoa nibs, and sea salt

“Embered Chocolate Tart” Dark chocolate tart with chili-orange ganache and almond crumble — intense, elegant, unforgettable

Modern Comfort Experience

STARTER

All inclusive

“Field & Fire” Grilled sourdough topped with roasted mushrooms, garlic confit, and aged Manchego — rustic, earthy, and deeply satisfying

“Citrus Cured Salmon” House-cured salmon with crème fraîche, dill, pickled shallots, and lemon oil — vibrant and refreshing

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

“Sweet Corn Velouté” Velvety corn soup with smoked paprika oil, crispy pancetta, and micro basil — a cozy balance of sweetness and spice

“Charred Pear Salad” Grilled pear, mixed greens, gorgonzola, and candied walnuts — elegant simplicity with a hint of smoke

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

“Malbec Braised Short Ribs” Tender beef short ribs cooked in Malbec wine with truffle mash, roasted carrots, and rosemary jus — rich and indulgent

“Lemon Thyme Seabass” Pan-seared seabass with fennel purée, wilted spinach, and citrus beurre blanc — clean flavors, perfect balance

DESSERT

All inclusive

“Almond & Honey Panna Cotta” With orange blossom syrup and toasted almonds — light, floral, and delicately sweet

“Chocolate Patagonia” Warm lava cake with dulce de leche center, sea salt, and vanilla bean ice cream — pure indulgence with an Argentine heart

Global Flavors Tasting Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

“Tokyo Garden” Yellowfin tuna tartare with avocado, ponzu pearls, and crispy nori — delicate, umami-rich, and refreshing

“Mediterranean Whisper” Whipped feta mousse, cherry tomato confit, olives, and oregano oil — a tribute to the Aegean coast

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

“Wild Mushroom Cappuccino” Porcini cream soup topped with truffle foam and toasted brioche crumbs — earthy, elegant, and warm

“Heirloom Beet Carpaccio” Roasted beets, goat cheese, pistachio, and citrus vinaigrette — colorful simplicity with modern balance

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

“Bistro Tenderloin” Seared beef tenderloin, potato fondant, shallot demi-glace, and roasted asparagus. Classic, refined, and perfectly balanced

“Patagonian Salmon” Grilled salmon fillet with miso glaze, sweet potato purée, and ginger-lemon emulsion — a harmony of Latin and Asian flavors

DESSERT

All inclusive

“Tropical Pavlova” Crispy meringue, passion fruit cream, and mango coulis — light, fresh, and irresistible

“Espresso Affair” Dark chocolate fondant with espresso gelato and cocoa nib crumble — indulgent and smooth

Seasonal 4-Course Experience

STARTER

All inclusive

“Mediterranean Harmony” Marinated heirloom tomatoes, creamy burrata, basil oil, and aged balsamic — a refreshing balance of sweetness, acidity, and silkiness

“Patagonian Ceviche” Fresh white fish cured in citrus and passion fruit with red onion, cilantro, and crispy plantain — bright and vibrant flavors from South America’s coast

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Truffle Kissed Risotto” Creamy carnaroli rice infused with white truffle essence, aged Parmigiano, and a touch of lemon zest

“Pumpkin Velouté” Silky roasted pumpkin soup with ginger cream, toasted pepitas, and smoked paprika oil — smooth, warm, and comforting

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

“Filet de Campo” Wood-grilled tenderloin with Malbec reduction, potato purée, roasted vegetables, and chimichurri verde — a refined nod to Argentine fire cuisine

“Sea of Provence” Pan-seared sea bass with champagne beurre blanc, baby leeks, and crispy shallots — light yet deeply aromatic

DESSERT

All inclusive

“Dulce de Leche Crème Brûlée” A creamy classic reimagined — caramelized top, Patagonian sea salt, and almond tuile

“Chocolate Symphony” Layers of dark chocolate mousse, hazelnut praline, and espresso gelato — a perfect finish for chocolate lovers

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Chef Paul's reviews

4.89

•

66 services

Chef Juan did a phenomenal job and made my wife's first mother's day truly special. We are so grateful for his service and we look forward to recommending him to everyone we know.

Chef Juan provided an amazing dining experience for my guests. He was professional, punctual, knowledgeable, friendly and a talented chef. He made sure everything was perfect with the presentation and the quality of the food. He was also flexible and executed all of my ideas. I’d recommend him to anyone!! The evening exceeded my expectations!!!

Incredible night! Master at a wood oven! We had so mich fun! He let my nephew make his own pizza, such a delight! He made my Moms birthday dinner so special! Can’t wait to see him again!!

First experience with in home chef services. Chef Juan was incredible. From start to finish he was punctual, polite, informative, engaging, and an absolute pleasure. The food was out of this world!!! Definitely having him back !!!

Juan provided us with an outstanding anniversary dinner! He was punctual, professional, friendly, and highly efficient. He created stunning dishes that were absolutely delicious. My husband and I had a wonderful time, enjoying the food and recognizing many flavors he included in each dish. It was also wonderful speaking to him and learning about his background and beliefs about food preparation. We highly recommend Juan as a private chef. OUTSTANDING!!

Amazing dinner for a group of 9 people. Highly recommend. Very responsive as well.

Juan was an incredible chef and truly made our in home experience one we will not forget. He created a “Night in Paris” theme for our anniversary, provided plenty of options beforehand, and was easy to communicate with. Perfect balance between being engaging during the meal and allowing some time to ourselves. The food was truly out of this world and would highly recommend to anyone. We plan to have Juan back very soon.

Chef Juan is the epitome of great food. Every tasty morsel brought a smile to our faces. Chef Juan’s description of each course truly reflected an enjoyable French flair. I would highly recommend him.

Excellent meal! The food was delicious and the presentation was top notch :). We hired Chef Juan for my wife's 40th birthday and both of us and our children had a blast!

Me and my fiancé, celebrated our 2 Year Engagement. We were able to have an incredible meal and not have to worry about our 9-month-old daughter out and about. We had a fantastic meal, definitely recommend if you are looking for a special time, and meal. I also have to say, we were experiencing a severe snowstorm during our scheduled dinner and Juan ensured that we could still have the dinner on our special day. He also offered us the opportunity to reschedule if we wished. Great Time! Great Food!

We had the pleasure of inviting Juan to our home to prepare a meal in celebration of our father’s retirement. Juan communicated ahead of time so we knew what to expect and was beyond polite and helpful. His plated appetizers were plentiful and delicious! He then perfectly timed the entree which was also delightful. Finally, we finished with two incredible desserts to wrap up this very special occasion. We hope to invite him back to our home in the future!

I recently hired Chef Forciniti to spearhead an Italian tailgate in a parking lot adjacent Lincoln Financial Field before and during an Eagles football game. Working with Chef Forciniti was a pleasure, and myself and my friends and family were thrilled with the food and overall tailgate experience. I highly recommend hiring Chef Forciniti. A few aspects of my event were noteworthy. Careful advance planning and day-of-event execution were mandatory because the event was essentially in the middle of nowhere. The event space provided us with a flat piece of asphalt and nothing else. Chef Forciniti, myself and my friend / assistant had to bring everything onsite and coordinate meeting after entering the lot (it was impossible for us to meet in advance and drive in together). Chef Forciniti did an exceptional job with both the planning and execution. We had literally everything we needed throughout the event with Chef effectively commandeering resources from three different vehicles. Chef Forciniti’s Argentinian grilling prowess also shined through big and bright. Lastly and most importantly, Chef Forciniti brought a stellar combination of professional efficiency (high-output with food prep and visually compelling service) and a positive, can-do, upbeat attitude. With Chef Forciniti leading the way, we delivered a fantastic experience to guests, and everyone, including me, had a BLAST. Thank you Chef!

Juan was great! He was polite and his food was delicious. Would book him again!

We were looking for a Chef to create an authentic Sicilian meal for my Dad's 81st birthday. Chef Juan nailed the menu in the first proposal, demonstrating he knew the region and the cuisine. Things only improved from there. Chef Juan accommodated all our requests, even making my Dad's favorite dessert that we could not find on our trip to Sicily last year. Chef Juan was engaging and eager to explain his dishes, recipes, and methods to anyone who asked. The highest compliment I can give any restaurant or Chef is that their food is made with love. Chef Juan came as close to my late grandmothers in that distinction as anyone I've ever met, given no one can ever take that crown :-)