Chef Zacki Murphy

Personal Chef in Durham

I’m Zacki Murphy, founder and CEO of Zacki’s Culinary Creations (ZCC) — where every dish is crafted with heart, heritage, and creativity.

A Zagat-rated BBQ & Southern restaurateur, food stylist, and lifestyle and nutritional consultant, I bring over 37 years of culinary experience to the table. A proud Hillsborough native and UNC art education graduate, I blend artistry and flavor in everything I do, from food styling to custom gift baskets and elegant event décor.

My career has taken me from working with Martha Stewart as a food stylist and menu planner to being the first woman to bring Lexington-style BBQ (Zacki’s PBQ) to the streets of New York City.

Now based in Durham, NC, I’m the personal chef who “Cooks In Your Nook.” Whether you’d like a hands-on cooking adventure or a fully prepared meal, I bring the joy of good food right into your home. I specialize in small groups and personal experiences that connect people through flavor and story.

A former Ford model turned globe-trotting chef, I’ve studied the cuisines of many cultures and infused them into my menus. For more than a decade, my signature program “Ancient Mediterranean Meal: Food from the Time of Jesus” has inspired audiences in churches and schools, including a memorable session filmed with Bishop Michael Curry (who even offered to do the dishes!).

Through ZCC, I also lead team-building “FoodCraft” workshops for companies and organizations, teaching the art of edible design through creative board-building experiences. Corporate clients include The Durham Symphony, Voyager Charter School, Epic Games/Fortnite, GSK, Fuji Films, and more.

If you’re planning a special celebration, corporate event, or intimate dinner, I’d love to help create an experience you’ll remember long after the last bite.

Engagement Details

By booking with Zacki’s Culinary Creations, you agree to:

1. Cooperation in preparation and setup for the event.

2. Adequate kitchen space and equipment, including utensils and cleaning supplies.

3. A travel fee for distances over 20 miles.

4. Additional charges for service or cleanup exceeding four hours.

A formal agreement will be provided upon reservation.

For me, cooking is...

A true blessing and lifelong gift. Cooking lets me share what I’ve learned and create joyful, delicious experiences for others.

I learned to cook at...

I trained at the Epicurean Cooking School in Los Angeles and refined my craft under Jonathan Waxman at Ma Cuisine Cooking School.

A cooking secret...

My signature “Ancient Mediterranean Seasoning”, which is a blend of 12 biblical spices and sea salt, adds magic to just about everything I cook.

My menus

Caribbean-Inspired Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Plantain Chips with Mango Pineapple Salsa

Crispy Coconut Shrimp - Shrimp with a tropical sweet-sour sauce

Pulled Pork Empanadas with Caribbean Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caribbean Pumpkin Soup - Warm & creamy soup made with coconut milk

Tropical Fruit & Avocado Salad - Tossed with lime vinaigrette, red onion, and cilantro

Fresh Fish and Shrimp Ceviche - Marinated in citrus juice with Mango

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Island Pulled Pork with a side of Black Beans, Rice and Salsa

Coconut-Lime Chicken with Sweet Potato Mash

Caribbean Crab Cakes – With a tangy citrus aioli or mango salsa

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Coconut Cream Tart – Flaky crust filled with coconut custard, topped with toasted coconut

Pineapple Rum Cake – Moist sponge infused with dark rum and caramelized pineapple

Passion Fruit Mousse - Silky mousse topped with whipped cream and served with a ginger almond cookie

Vegetarian Fresh

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Brazilian Guacamole w/ blue corn chips

Antipasto Board w/ dolmades, hummus, & toasted pita bread

Seasonal Gazpacho

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cold Sweet Potato, Peach & Peanut salad

Greek Salad w/ romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta & lemon based dressing

Curried Fruit Salad w/ Honeydew Melon & Pineapple

Caprese Salad w/ balsamic glaze

Fresh Vegetable Ratatouille

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tofu Coq au Vin

Salad Niçoise as Entree

Butternut Squash Risotto w/ Leeks and Spinach

Vegetable Lasagna w/ or w/o Cheese

Wild Mushroom, Garlic, and Shallot Pasta

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Blackberry/Blueberry Pie

Apple Tarte Tartin

Sticky Toffee Pudding

Seasonal Fruit Compote

Surf & Turf

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Radish Apple Salad w/ Green Goddess dressing

Stuffed Mushrooms w/ basil & cream cheese filling topped with parmesan

Goat Cheese and Artichoke Dip w/ pita points

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Wedge Salad w/ blue cheese, crumbled bacon, diced tomatoes and chives

Caprese Salad w/ balsamic glaze

Caesar Salad w/ or w/o Anchovy Dressing

Parmesan Crusted Spinach Dip w/ pita points

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Flank Steak with chimichurri and pan-seared salmon w/ grilled asparagus

Grilled Ribeye w/ Shrimp Scampi over Linguine and Sauteed Green beans

Tagliata di Manzo - Grilled Steak over Arugula and Cherry Tomatoes and Petite Lobster Tail

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Mango Mousse

Chocolate Pots de Crème

Apple Tart

Lemon Sorbet with Almond Cookies

Eclectic Asian

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Asian Shrimp Balls w/ Spicy Dipping Sauce

Vietnamese Golden Chicken Wings

Pork or Vegetarian Potstickers w/ Ponzu Dipping Sauce

Vietnamese Spring Rolls w/ Peanut Sauce (Non-Fried)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Spicy Peanut Noodles w/ Scallions

Curried Fruit Salad w/ Honeydew Melon & Pineapple

Vietnamese Salad w/ Chili Mint Dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Asian Pork Meatballs w/ Ginger Honey Sauce

Pho - Traditional Vietnamese Soup w/ Chicken

Chicken or Shrimp Gay Yang

Grilled Squid w/ Ponzu Sauce

Asian Orange Chicken or Sesame Chicken

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bahn Flan (Vietnamese Creme Caramel)

Fried Banana Fritters

Asian Almond Cookies

Coconut Rice Pudding

Breakfast Brunch

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Champagne Cocktail w/ Orange Bitters and Fresh Orange Juice (client provides alcohol)

Swedish Bloody Mary w/ Aquavit (client provides alcohol)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh Seasonal Fruits

Blueberry Pecan Muffins

Sauteed Apples and Bacon with Brown Sugar

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Breakfast Casserole w Eggs, Ham, Peppers & Cheese

French Toast or Blueberry Pancakes w/ Maple Syrup & Bacon or Sausage

Omelet w/ Choice of Fresh Vegetables, Smoked Meats & Cheese

Eggs Benedict w/ Ham & Asparagus or Smoked Salmon

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Seasonal Fresh Fruits

Tapas Delight Night

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Spanish Salmon Ceviche

Traditional Fruit Sangria

Goat or Blue Cheese Dipped Grapes w/ crushed almonds

Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)

Bacon Wrapped Dates Stuffed w/ Sherry Cream Cheese

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Ham and cheese empanadas

Spanish Meatballs

Piquillo Peppers Stuffed with Shrimp Salad

Gazpacho

Patatas Bravas con Aioli

Gambas Ajillo w/ Crusty Bread

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Polvorones (Shortbread Cakes)

Buñuelos (Spanish Donuts)

Natillas de Leche (Spanish Custard)

Churros w/ Chocolate Sauce

A Brazilian Feast

STARTER

All inclusive

Caipirinha Brazilian Cocktail

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Brazilian Platter w/ cheese bites, avocado & tomatillo salsa, banana chips and blue corn chips

Brazilian Flounder Ceviche w/ chips

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Brazilian Feijoada Completa: marinated & grilled pork chops, (chicken, if desired), smokey black beans on rice, Brazilian collard greens, tomato salsa & orange slices for garnish

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Orange Flan w/ fresh berries

Passion Fruit Mousse

Greek Delight

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Artichoke stuffed w/ shrimp & served w/ aioli

Flaming Greek Cheese

Antipasto Board w/ dolmades, hummus, toasted pita bread & crudités

Avogolemono: Greek soup w/ chicken broth, rice, lemon, egg & dill (starter)

Artichoke stuffed w/ or w/o shrimp served w/ aioli

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Avogolemono: Greek soup w/ chicken broth, rice, lemon, egg & dill

Dakos (Greek Bread Salad) w/ dill, cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, feta, & lemon/EVOO dressing

Greek Salad w/ romaine lettuce, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, olives, feta & lemon based dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Greek Moussaka: eggplant, tomatoes, onion & w/ or w/o beef

Roasted Salmon w/ baked tomatoes and asparagus on couscous or brown rice or roasted potatoes

Roasted Eggplant Pastitsio

Greek Beef Stifado

Grilled Kebabs (chicken, beef, lamb, pork, shrimp or vegetables) w/ lemony yogurt sauce and served on couscous

Branzino (Sea bass) Mediterranean

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Seasonal Fig Tart

Honey, yogurt almond semolina cake

A Platter of Fruit such as grapes, dried apricots, seasonal melons, honey roasted nuts and sesame cookies almonds

Lemon Tart w/ seasonal fruit

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Chef Zacki's reviews

4.6

•

49 services

Zacki and her team prepared dinner for a group of friends celebrating our 60th birthdays, and it was magical. We started with mojitos and a huge tasting board featuring garlic shrimp and dips, all beautifully presented. Zacki was engaging and entertaining. She has a fascinating background. She decorated the house with candles and magnolia leaves, and all the food was delicious. Overall, it was a very special evening that we will all cherish.

Zacki and Gigi were so sweet and professional and the dishes were delicious.

As advertised! Fabulous meal and service was impeccable. Thank you, Chef Zacki and staff

Loved our experience. We would definitely try Take a Chef again.

Chef Zacki and Francesca were great! They were attentive and kind. We loved the food and interaction. Will def book again!

Chef Zacki gave us a truly memorable experience. I wanted to surprise my fiancé with something special for his birthday and she delivered beyond what I expected. She knew my 7 year old son would be with us as well and really engaged us in a fun activity of making a beautiful board which we then enjoyed while she cooked us a delicious meal followed by a divine and decadent dessert. I highly recommend this experience!

Chef Zacki made my wife's birth one to remember. From a detailed conversation about the menu options to helpful notes on how to make the evening special, Zacki was a wonderful help leading up to the event. Early in the process, I mentioned to Zacki that my 8 year old son would be present for the event, but would be eating beforehand (since his palette is more inclined to chicken nuggets and burgers at his age). Zacki offered to engage him in the cooking process on the night of the event, but what followed defied even my highest hopes! My son was enthralled by the entire process and Zacki had him joyfully helping to serve and prepare the dinner. The meal was French cuisine and was no less phenomenal. It was such a pleasure to have Zacki and her team in our home. Thank you!

The chef and her two assistants were professional and engaging. The food was served on the plates and well arranged. The four courses were spaced out so there was plenty of time to appreciate each one and allowed for good dinner conversation. Each course was very good and complemented each other. The overall experience was excellent.

Chef Zacki made this experience wonderful for my wife and I! The food was impeccable, the service excellent and overall it was a great experience. Highly recommended!!

Zacki was great. I had to make a lot of last minute changes which she accommodated. She did a spin on shrimp and grits which were absolutely amazing!! And the caprese salad was so fresh and flavorful!! Also, if you get the charcuterie, ask for extra deviled eggs!! It was so good!!