Private Chef in San Carlos
Rent one of our 303 private chefs for a unique dining experience. You choose the menu, and the cleanup is included.





















A personal chef for any occasion in San Carlos
Since the first private chef joined Take a Chef in San Carlos in February 2017, more than 303 Private Chefs have joined our platform in San Carlos and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in San Mateo County.
Starting in 2017, 105,438 guests have already enjoyed a chef in San Carlos. To book your chef in San Carlos, just share your event details in our form. Receive proposals from top chefs and chat with them until you find your match.
Up until today, our chefs have shared 29,055 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 62,774 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.7 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 105,438 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in San Carlos usually book menus around 177 USD per person, including 4.03 courses, sharing an average of 4.9 messages with their chefs. If you've never had a chef at home but want to add an extra spice to your next celebration, just rent a chef in San Carlos.












How it works
Personalize your request
Share with us the details of your dream meal, including type of cuisine, preferences, and intolerances.
Receive menu proposals
Our chefs will design menus based solely on your wants and needs.
Get chatty with your chefs
Don't be shy about exchanging some messages with your chefs until your perfect menu is ready!
Book your experience
Once you are happy with your choice, submit your payment to secure your experience.
Enjoy!
All there is left to do is count down the days till your culinary experience begins!
Find your chef
Customize your request and start talking with your chefs.
303 Private Chefs in San Carlos
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in San Carlos












More than 105,400 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.48 Chef
The guests in San Carlos have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.48.
4.78 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in San Carlos received an average score of 4.78.
4.69 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 4.69 average score.
4.77 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in San Carlos has been scored with a 4.77 on average.
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29,055 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in San Carlos
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!








½ dozen oysters – mignonette, cocktail sauce
Coastal ceviche – seabass, avocado, plantain chip
Cajun crab cake with remoulade
Capesante – scallops, calamari, spinach
Grilled branzino with lemon-herb sauce
Pan-seared salmon with lemon garlic sauce
Shrimp & grits – cheddar, truffle butter
Lemon garlic butter scallops
Coconut mango panna cotta
Dark chocolate tart
Vanilla bean crème brûlée
Fruit skewers with mint
Bruschetta with butternut squash puree, goat cheese toasted pecans, maple glaze
Classic shrimp cocktail served with spicy sweet chili cocktail sauce
California salmon croquette with butter lettuce salad, corn relish and a citrus remoulade sauce
Classic new england clam chowder with tamales bay whole clams, strauss farms cream and della fattorria bread
Ahi tuna tartare salad and wild arugula salad- cucumber, avocado, tobiko caviar, sweet chili and soy ginger vinaigrette, crispy won-ton
Baked local ling cod provencal , tomato, spring onions, nicoise olives with rice pilaf
Baked local rock fish filets mediterranean style with tomato, onions, leeks with israeli cous-cous pilaf
Cioppino san francisco style-seafood stew with muscles, clams, scallop, local fish, gulf shrimp
Poached seasonal fish filets (yum nua) lemongrass-coriander coconut lime broth
Apple crisp with straus family vanilla ice cram
Bananas foster with straus vanilla ice cream and whipped cream
Charleston she-crab soup with lump crab, mini biscuits
Arancini: wild mushroom & parmesan (vegetarian)
Air fryer short ribs
Burrata with roasted tomatoes and saba
Grilled caesar salad – romaine, croutons, house dressing
Frog hollow nectarine & blueberry salad (vegetarian)
Butternut squash ravioli with brown butter & crispy sage (vegetarian)
Tomato mozzarella – heirloom tomatoes, basil, olive oil
14 oz new york steak with chianti sauce
Pan-seared salmon with lemon garlic sauce
Truffle risotto (vegetarian)
Cajun pasta with vegan sausage & vegetables (vegetarian)
Chocolate molten lava cakes
Pumpkin pie
Olive oil cake
Tiramisu cups
.bruscheta, avocado, goat cheese, fresh dill and organic cherries tomatoes & grapes
.organic farm to table salad, mix greens, radish & olive oil
. organic mix salad, sesame , orange with olive oil & thyme sea salt
_ grill salmon with chimichurri sauce with mashed organic potatoes & lavender sea salt
- bruschetta, asparagus, vegan alioli, fresh basil and organic grapes. (veggie)
. grill lamb, chimichurri sauce, with mashed sweet potatoes & lavender sea salt
. chocolate lava cake & vanilla ice cream, fresh mint
. chocolate lava cake & macarons
. vanilla ice cream with fresh mint
"os a moelle" roasted grass fed bone marrow encrusted with herb & garlic confit pistou with pecorino romano & roasted walnut, local bread & sauce bordelaise
Oysters raw & “rockefeller” brunoise of fennel & alliums with creamed spinach & prosciutto breadcrumbs
Steak tartare, local beef, capers, red onion, aged vinegars, ishiri & olive oil, sous vide & cured egg yolk, horseradish creme & pickled vegetables served with crostini
Oak roasted mushroom salad, sesame, walnut & shallot confit with salt blanched lacinato kale & sage blossom shrub
Farm lettuces with marinated onions & market spring vegetables with sheep's milk feta & preserved lemon and garden herb vinaigrette
Mushroom stuffed mushrooms, crimini caps, roasted with a chanterelle, allium & goat cheese filling served with local greens
Asparagus arancini, carnaroli rice, fontina cheese wild leek flowers, fried crispy served with minted pistou & preserved lemon
Romaine & kale caesar salad with coddled egg caesar dressing, anchovy, cured egg yolk, torn country batard crutons & shaved parmesan
Bluefin tuna tartare, cucumber, avocado, fennel, with herb & avocado mousse, shoyu & extra virgin olive oil with dehydrated citrus chips
Fried agnolotti pasta, filled with ricotta & spinach tossed with peppercorn brown butter & pecorino romano, with a tomato conserva sauce
Sous vide & charred pork belly, caramelized citrus, sesame soy glaze with aged banyuls vinegar & pickled mustard seed
Matcha dusted "latte” freshly pressed celery, fennel, cucumber, apple, mint & citrus edible flower umami lettuce wraps
Farm lettuces with marinated onions and smashed cucumbers & local tomato with french sheep's milk feta & marinated onion vinaigrette
Farmer's market spring risotto, english peas, asparagus & sweet corn with carnaroli rice, parmesan & garden herb pistou
Oak roasted mushroom risotto with allium confit, carnaroli rice, roasted hazlenut & kale pistou (vegan)
Moules marinière, mediterranean mussels steamed with white wine, garlic, shallots, fines herbs & white wine served with aioli & grilled bread
Blistered asparagus filled agnolotti del plin pasta pistou of garden herbs, walnut, garlic confit & wilted farm greens with black peppercorn, extra virgin olive oil & shaved pecorino romano
Red kuri squash angolotti de plin pasta, with estero gold reserve cheese, sage & peppercorn brown butter, french prunes au vin rouge
Cacio e pepe, fresh handmade calendula & cocoa pastas with pecorino romano, cultured butter & toasted black peppercorn (pasta made on site)
Oak roasted mushroom salad, black vinegar, walnut & shallot confit with salt blanched lacinato kale & wild allium blossom shrub
Local petrale sole meunière, whole crispy skined fillet, lemon caper brown butter sauce with wilted spring greens
Roasted nantes carrots with cracked fennel seed, marcona almonds, citrus labneh, harissa & sumac vinaigrete, & young chicories
Quinoa & blistered asparagus salad with roasted walnuts, citrus vinaigrette, garden herbs & extra virgin olive oil (vegan)
Snake river farms wagyu steak, citrus & garlic potato skordalia, with blistered asparagus & roulette peppers with a preserved lemon & herb chermoula with smoked sea salt
Seared salmon with warm spring vegetable & roasted mushroom salad with balsamic brown butter
Dry aged cote de boeuf, with blistered asparagus & roulette peppers, potato skordalia, umami salsa verte & smoked sea salt
Whole black cod experience, charred miso, steamed & smoked with root vegetable soubise, aromatic umami nage, sorrel, basils & nasturtium
Pacific halibut, encrusted with hazelnut compound butter, asparagus & mushroom ragout with herb & citrus salad
West coast bluefin tuna, spice encrusted & seared with fennel soubise, sweet italian frying peppers & a stonefruit fennel pollen shrub
Humboldt grassfed pichana steak, grilled sweet corn & heirloom peppers with an anchovy & preserved lemon chimichurri
Market fish, lemon & olive oil potato puree, farmers market vegetables with preserved lemon & herb salad
Scratch tiramisu, ladyfingers, espresso, aged rum & italian amaro, marscapone mousse & italian amaro with warm toasted italian meringue with shaved chocolate
Chocolate & pistachio praline tart, cultured butter shortbread, ganache, warm toasted italian meringue & salted pistachio caramel
"croquembouche", beignets de carnival tossed in sugars & spices, with dark chocolate ganache, torched italian meringue all encased in spun caramel tableside
Meyer lemon cheesecake, biscoff & muscovado sugar crust, with meyer lemon curd & toasted italian meringue
Saddened chocolate cake with candy cap ice cream, salted caramel, chantilly creme & cinnamon
Strawberry shortcake, coconut & cardamon spiced mamahri doughnuts, fresh local strawberries macerated with bourbon served with coconut mousse (vegan)
Caramelized devoto apple tart tatin clove caramel, vanilla bean sea salt, cultured butter pate brisee & creme fraiche (made on-site)
Candy cap creme brulee with cultured butter breton sables & sea salt
Valrhona chocolate souffle, with candy cap creme anglaise, dark chocolate truffle & fresh butter cookies
Caramelized meyer lemon tart with aged balsamic and toasted italian meringue
Raw or bbq hog island oysters
Cypress hill goat cheese wild grape crostini balsamic reduction
Stemple creek ranch beef pistachio meatballs with labneh sumac sauce
Classic new england clam chowder with tamales bay whole clams, strauss farms cream and della fattorria bread
(seasonal) dungeness crab cake and baby gem salad with corn relish and a citrus remoulade sauce
Braised sonoma lamb shank with mashed potatoes and shaved brussel sprouts
Roasted beef filet tenderloin or salmon filet, potato gratin, brussels sprouts - spinach, wild mushroom port reduction sauce
Cioppino san francisco style-seafood stew with muscles, clams, scallop, local fish, gulf shrimp
Creme brûlée' napoleon- layered with phyllo dough sugar and cinnamon, caramel sauce
Chocolate decadence with cherries jubilee sauce and vanilla cream gf
Warm chocolate chip cookies and strauss vanilla ice cream, chocolate sauce
Pan seared divers scallop with salsa verde, crispy prosciutto lardons & radish sprout salad
New orleans bbq head-on shrimp with garlic foccacia plank
Creamy bouillabaise with black cod, crab, clams & mussels
Salted graham cracker crust cheesecake with passionfruit-lemon curd
Crispy vegetable potstickers (vegetarian)
Shrimp cocktail
Beetroot tartare & ricotta toasts (vegetarian)
Cajun crab cake with kiwi peach salsa
Chicken marsala with pasta
Butternut squash gnocchi (vegetarian)
Shrimp and grits
Vegan stuffed mushrooms with mashed potatoes (vegetarian)
Churros with chocolate
Olive oil cake
Vegan pumpkin pie
Profiteroles
Personalize your menu
A romantic dinner or a gathering of friends. Traditional dishes or exotic flavours. A fine dining experience or a family-style meal. Every private chef experience is unique! Submit your request and personalize yours.








Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find the most common questions about private chef services in San Carlos.
What does a private chef service include in San Carlos?
A private chef service includes everything necessary to enjoy a personalized dining experience at home. This includes:
- Customization of a menu based on your preferences;
- Purchase of ingredients;
- Mise en place (preparation of ingredients) before arrival;
- Preparation of the menu at your home;
- Complete table service;
- Set up and cleaning of the kitchen and used spaces.
Please note that tableware and glassware are not included. Gratuity is entirely at your discretion.
How much does a private chef cost in San Carlos?
The price of renting a chef in San Carlos can vary depending on the specifics, but smaller groups tend to have a slightly different price per person compared to larger gatherings.
Booking prices range from 163 USD to 327 USD. For groups of 13 people or more, the price is 163 USD per person. For groups of 7 to 12 people, the cost is 178 USD per person. For groups of 3 to 6 people, the rate is 112 USD per person, and for 2 people, the price is 327 USD per person.
Seasonal ingredients, your location, and how soon you book also affect the final price. If you're interested in getting free quotes with no obligation, fill out our form and let the best chefs near you send unique proposals for your event.
How can I hire a private chef in San Carlos?
Booking is easy! Just tell us the date of your event, number of guests, dietary preferences and any allergies, and a few details about your kitchen. Within a few hours, you'll receive customized menus from qualified chefs. Each chef's profile will include their experience, reviews, and photos of their dishes.
Feel free to chat directly with the chefs through our platform. Ask them to modify menus, discuss pricing, or get answers to any questions you might have. Once you've found the perfect chef and menu, finalize your reservation online. We'll then provide the chef's contact information to confirm any final details.
How can I find a private chef near me?
There are currently 303 chefs available in San Carlos. Fill out a form specifying your needs and the date. Take a Chef will connect you with the best available chefs in San Carlos who will send you their menu proposals. You can then choose the chef and menu that suits you best.
Is there a maximum number of guests for a private chef service?
While there's no strict limit on guest count, private chef experiences are designed to create a more intimate atmosphere, perfect for gatherings of friends and family. Since most homes have limited space to accommodate large groups, parties typically don't exceed 15 people.
Does the chef cook at my house?
Yes, the chef always prepares the menu at your home for a more personalized experience. However, some prep work might be done beforehand for complex dishes.
Can I cook along with the chef?
Absolutely! Many guests are passionate about food and relish the chance to learn from the chef. You can pick up new kitchen skills and get a behind-the-scenes look at each dish on the menu. Feel free to jump in and cook alongside the chef for a truly interactive experience!
Are the ingredients fresh?
Yes, they're 100% fresh. Unlike restaurants with pre-made dishes, private chefs prioritize using the freshest ingredients possible. This is because the chef creates a customized menu specifically for you, then goes out and sources the finest ingredients to bring your chosen dishes to life.
Are drinks included in the personal chef service?
Drinks are not typically included, but you can discuss adding them to the menu proposal with the chef.
How much should I tip my private chef in San Carlos?
Tipping for private chefs is entirely at your discretion. Our goal is for you to have an unforgettable experience, and the chef always appreciates a nice tip. However, the decision and amount are completely up to you.
Key information about our chefs in San Carlos
Discover more details about our private chefs and their services.
The average age of our private chefs in San Carlos
Percentage of our women chefs in San Carlos.
The average wait time from submitting the request and receiving the first menu.
Our very first private chef service in San Carlos.
Percentage of services with kids in San Carlos.
Maximum number of bookings for a personal chef by a single client in San Carlos.
Increase in the number of bookings for a chef from last year in San Carlos.
Languages spoken by our personal chefs in San Carlos.
Percentage of guests that hired a chef more than once.
Average number of days booked for multiple services at home with a private chef.
Photos uploaded to the platform by our private chefs in San Carlos.
Average timeframe from sending the request to booking.
How many chef services are booked in San Carlos each month?
Private chef reservations can vary seasonally depending on the destination. In San Carlos, for example, demand often increases during special dates like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, so it's best to book in advance.
If you're wondering about the best time to hire a chef, any month is perfect for enjoying a private chef. Just keep in mind that prices may vary, especially for last-minute bookings. So, don't wait—book your chef early to secure your unique dining experience in San Carlos.
Cost of a private chef in San Carlos
The cost of hiring a private chef in San Carlos can vary based on several factors, including the number of people in your group or seasonality. Larger groups tend to have a different average rate per person compared to smaller groups that hire a chef:
Booking prices range from 163 USD to 327 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 163 USD
For 7 to 12 people: 178 USD
For 3 to 6 people: 112 USD
For 2 people: 327 USD.
Additionally, prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year, location, and how soon you book your personal chef. If you want to get free quotes, just fill out our form and receive tailored proposals for your event. No committment at all.
Private chefs registrations
After many years of offering our services, we are lucky to have a fantastic team of chefs that keeps growing in San Carlos!
2 personal chefs register with us every month. Our verification team reviews these new chef profiles daily to categorize them, allowing you to discover incredible new chefs every month.
What is the most reserved type of cuisine in San Carlos?
We mainly offer six types of cuisine in San Carlos: Mediterranean, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, and surprise. The type of cuisine with the highest number of bookings is the Chef's special, but you can have anything you want (our surprise menu will cover that!).
Beyond these six types of cuisine, our private chefs personalize diverse menus for their clients every day, adjusting every detail to find the perfect menu for every occasion and every group. Our private chefs can accommodate any allergy or dietary restriction and suggest other cuisines or fusion dishes. Submit your request and hire a chef in San Carlos!






Talk to our chefs in San Carlos
Each of our chefs is one-of-a-kind, with professional culinary training and years of experience in diverse restaurants. Craving Italian pasta, Spanish paella, or traditional sushi in San Carlos? You’ll get it. Tell us about your event in San Carlos, and discover the best chefs who will customize every detail of your experience.









