Chef Paula Mainstone

Private Chef in Cape Town

I do not have any formal training but have a passion for food, wine and people. I love reading recipe books, watching cooking programs and eating out and trying new dishes. For the last 5 and a half years I have been working part time at an interactive cooking school where we do interactive cooking sessions with guests, corporate team builds, masterchef cook offs, kids parties, private catering, private cooking sessions at peoples homes.,etc, etc. We cook different types of cuisine and work on new recipes constantly. I love the buzz of cooking in a big group but I also love working privately in someones home with the family/guests, either cooking for them or having them cook some elements with me. I also love guiding/teaching people who are not confident cooking on their own for their guests, but love entertaining. This is why, now I would love to do more private cheffing.

For me, cooking is...

My passion, my life and the kitchen is my 'happy place"

I learned to cook at...

Home, then Ginger & Lime cooking Studio and now at The Kitchen Collective

A cooking secret...

Taste, taste, taste and then 'gooi'

My menus

Birthday celebration

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Pea & potatoe samoosa with dhanya chutney

Smoked snoek pate served with gourmet bread & crackers

Beetroot cured salmon gravlax with horseradish creme fraiche on blinis

Crispy wontons served with spicy guacamole and smoked salmon

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cape Malay Mussels with crusty bread

Beef Tataki with wasabi noodles & Tosa Zu dressing

Barbecued curried chicken skewers with brandy soaked dried fruit, peppers & onions

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Baked fish with a umami crust with gingery sweet potatoe mash & season vegetables

Beef tagliata (thinly sliced) served on rocket/spinach with smokey roasted baby tomatoes, capers, olives, garlic and crushed lemony baby potatoes, & roasted veg

Butter chicken curry / korma chicken curry with rice & sambal

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baked cheese cake with berry coulis and fresh berries

Individual Malva pudding served with creamy custard

Decadent chocolate brownies served with seasonal berries

Asian Fusion

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Cape Malay Mussels with crusty bread

Beef Tataki with wasabi noodles & Tosa Zu dressing

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Side of salmon with soy, ginger, lemongrass served with Asian salad and Japanese green beans

DESSERT

All inclusive

Black sesame ice-cream with ginger & lime syrup

Celebration

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Beetroot cured salmon gravlax with horseradish creme fraiche on blinis

Smoked snoek pate served with gourmet bread & crackers

Mini Caprese salad skewers with basil pesto & balsamic glaze

Crispy sushi rice squares topped with a peri prawn or seared beef or seared tuna

Crispy wontons topped with miso cream cheese & a garlic, butter , chilli prawn

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cape Malay/ creamy white wine Mussels with crusty bread

Beef Tataki with wasabi noodles & Tosa Zu dressing

Lemony prawn spaghetti/linguini with baby tomatoes, rocket ,crispy capers & fresh parsley

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Side of salmon with soy, ginger, lemongrass served with Asian salad and Japanese green beans

5 spiced duck breasts (if available) with brandy litchi reduction on butternut mash with oyster basted corgettes

Baked fish with an Asian/Italian style crust with lemony crushed baby potato& capers with season vegetables

Beef tagliata (thinly sliced) served on rocket/spinach with smokey roasted baby tomatoes, capers, olives, garlic and crushed lemony baby potatoes, & roasted veg

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baked cheese cake with berry coulis and fresh berries

Malva pudding served with creamy Amarula custard

Chocolate torte with seasonal berries and berry coulis

Family renunion

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Beetroot cured salmon gravlax with horseradish creme fraiche on blinis

Pea & Potatoe samosas served with dhanya chutney

Crispy sushi rice squares topped with a peri prawn or seared beef or seared tuna

Caprese salad skewers with basil pesto & balsamic glaze

Blinis with cream cheese & smoked salmon

Crispy wontons topped with spicy guacamole & a garlic, butter , chilli prawn

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cape Malay Mussels with crusty bread

Beef/ Tuna Tataki with wasabi noodles & Tosa Zu dressing

Barbecued curried chicken skewers with brandy soaked dried fruit, peppers & onions

Asian mini fish cakes served with lime avocado and Vietnamese dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Baked deboned chicken thighs in peri peri / barbecue wine sauce finished on the barbecue with lemony crushed baby potatoe and vegetables

5 spiced duck breasts (if available) with brandy litchi reduction on butternut mash with oyster basted corgettes

Butter Chicken curry served with coconut rice, sambas & rotis

Baked fish with an Asian/Italian style crust with lemony crushed baby potato& capers with season vegetables

Beef tagliata ( thinly sliced beef) with roasted lemony baby potatoes, with balsamic roasted baby tomatoes and Parmesan shavings

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Baked cheese cake with berry coulis and fresh berries

Malva pudding served with creamy Amarula custard

Cheese board with crackers, cheese toppings and grapes/figs

Italian Lemony Yoghurt cake with creme fraiche

Decadent chocolate brownies served with vanilla cream/ icecream and fresh berries

Italian Inspired

STARTER

All inclusive

Grilled Halloumi with smokey tomatoes, lemon, oregano, capers and olives

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Baked Kingklip with lemon, parsley, anchovy crust served with steamed greens and exotic tomato salad

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

DESSERT

All inclusive

Baked Ricotta cake

French Flair

STARTER

All inclusive

Griddled Pear on Butter Lettuce with Blue Cheese Dressing

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Warm Vichyssoice with Crispy Bacon, Thyme & Parmesan

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Coq Au Vin

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tart Au Citron

Mediterranean Coast

STARTER

All inclusive

Spice crusted feta with nectarines

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Beef Tagliate with roasted tomatoes & balsamic glaze

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Herb and nut crusted kingklip with roasted carrot puree and steamed greens

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chocolate torte with berries, berry coulis and lemon sorbet

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Chef Paula's reviews

4.74

•

29 services

Chef Paula and her sous chef Richard, were amazing! From start to finish, the dishes were beautifully prepared and served. Everything was beyond perfection! It was such a special evening, being spoilt with delectable food in the comfort of your own home. Thank you for an unforgettable experience.

Paula was amazing and her food was delicious! Richard and Paula were wonderful on the night - polite, friendly and professional. Paula’s engagement leading up to our evening was responsive, flexible and incredibly willing. I would highly recommend Paula.

Chef Paula exceeded all of our expectations. She prepared an amazing meal for my wife's birthday, which was thoroughly enjoyed by our whole family. Everything was at an incredibly high standard, from the presentation of the dishes to the unique taste combinations and taste of the food, and it was truly amazing to be able to experience this in the comfort of our own home. Thank you Chef Paula!

The canapes, starters and main courses were 10/10 and we all loved them. The dessert 8/10 Would recommend Paula

Chef Paula was amazing! She was genuine, very patient and accommodating of all our requests and last minute changes. Her good was amazing and we really enjoyed every dish. Overall her service was perfect, she really made sure we had a great evening and special start to our holiday. Will always recommend her to other friends! Thank you Chef Paula!

Paula was fantastic! We wanted a dinner experience, not merely a dinner. We were invited to sit around in the kitchen while she prepared/cooked the food. She was great at explaining how she prepared the food so that we may attempt to duplicate it once we return home. The food was incredible! Paula was so friendly, personable, and engaging; I can’t imagine a better experience. I can’t recommend Paula enough.

Great experience!!

Chef Paula was AMAZING! We worked together to craft a menu for my wife's 40th birthday, and she brought it to life! Highly recommend Chef Paula for YOUR next gathering!!

Paula came to our house and prepared a very special meal for us. The ingredients were fresh, high quality and presentation was excellent. Very happy with the meal, desert was amazing. Would happily recommend and use again.