Chef Cindy Salas

We visited Costa Rica for my 41st birthday and rented a nice home and hired Cindy for a breakfast, lunch, 2 dinners, and afternoon snacks and drinks. She worked with us from the beginning to come up with a menu that worked within our tastes and budget. We always had more than enough food for the meal and then could revisit leftovers later that night or the next day. Prep, serving, and cleanup were all taken care of which gave us more time back in the day to enjoy our trip. While each meal was delicious the Costa Rican breakfast the first morning after we landed really got us going. I’d highly recommend hiring Cindy - we would again in a heartbeat.

Cindy was our Chef for a full week in playa Pelada. She was organized, communicated well, and accommodated all special requests. The menu was creative and mixed local cuisine with classics which was perfect for our group which included 4 kids. The desserts each night were a highlight. Having Cindy as our chef turned our trip into a true vacation and it was wonderful coming home from the beach every night to a delicious meal.

We worked with Chef Cindy for my 40th birthday girls trip, and she was incredible from start to finish. Every dish, lunches and dinners, was prepared thoughtfully, seasoned and cooked perfectly. Each one better than the one before. She was also an absolute pleasure to communicate and collaborate with throughout the process, both before we arrived and every day we were there. Cindy really went above and beyond with the menu and all the small details, including preparing little special extras to show just how thoughtful she was and the pride she took in her work. I will use her again and again anytime I’m in Costa Rica and would recommend you do too! 5/5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Chef Cindy was incredibly responsive and flexible for our meals. She presented all the food in large quantities with nice explanations. We had many options and the food was well prepared. She came a very long way to take care of our family, which we really appreciated.

We recently hired a personal chef to prepare three meals a day for eight guests during our stay in Costa Rica and the entire experience exceeded every expectation. From the moment Cindy arrived, her professionalism, warmth, and attention to detail set the tone for an unforgettable week. Every course was beautifully presented and absolutely delicious. You could truly taste the quality of the ingredients and the care put into every element of the menu. Our guests are still raving about the experience on their way home. Beyond the food, Cindy’s timing and service were flawless. She handled everything seamlessly: setup, cooking, plating, and leaving the kitchen spotless by the end of the night. It allowed us to relax, enjoy our guests, and savor a restaurant-quality meals right at home. If you’re considering booking a personal chef for a special occasion, don’t hesitate to contact Cindy—this was easily one of the best dining experiences we’ve ever had. Highly recommended!

Cindy was absolutely incredible! She took such great care cooking for our group of 11 women. She was attentive to all the various food allergies and preferences. The food was DELICIOUS and always had enough for second helpings if we wanted some. She went above and beyond. HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend!!!!!

Cindy was very communicative, kind and clean!

Cindy was unreal! I travel all over the world as a food and beverage consultant and I would honestly say I would hire her in any restaurant I work in. She was so kind and creative with her dishes. She was flexible with schedules and attentive to each guests, remembering all their coffee preferences and flavor preferences. Each dish was presented perfectly and extras were presented and packed for leftovers (second dinner always happened - her food was that amazing). Even with the language barrier (we live in the U.S. so it is on us for not speaking Spanish!) she went out of her way to communicate with each guest and has become a fast friend. We would and will hire her anytime we are back in Nosara!

Chef Cindy was outstanding for our time in Costa Rica! She was very communicative leading up to our trip and was easy to communicate with in country. We had multiple dishes that were incredible. Our teenage kids loved them. We really enjoyed getting to know her. I absolutely would use her again. I cannot recommend her enough. She helped take our vacation over the top.

Cindy took care of 6 members of a family in Ocotal. She was amazing, always communicative, profesional and eager to provide the best experience ever.

Cindy was exceptional and we really enjoyed her and her food. If was so nice to have well prepared meals without the hassle of going out with small grandkids and an 85 year old great grandmother. She not only made excellent food but also left a very clean kitchen. I hardly recommend Chef Cindy.

Chef Cindy was absolutely phenomenal! From curating a menu for a birthday dinner, constant and clear communication, and traveling to us, she made the entire process very easy. We discussed menu options before booking and the menu the prepared was incredible from the presentation to the taste. Her use of fresh ingredients permeated through the house as she was cooking, we couldn’t wait to eat! I would highly recommend Chef Cindy and will use her again if I return to the area. Thank you again Chef Cindy for a wonderful experience.

Chef Cindy was incredible. Her menu was prepared & executed perfectly and timely. Her professionalism and talent was a great add to our stay in Costa Rica. 100% recommend again!

Chef Cindy was phenomenal. Her menu was delicious, elevated and approachable. We hired her for a private engagement dinner for 9 people. She communicated well before hand and came on time the day of. Her food was enjoyed by everyone! Highly recommend her services. Thank you Chef Cindy for a memorable meal.

Cindy provided delicious and beautifully served dinners for a family of 6 adults and 5 children for 3 evenings and giving us left overs for several tasty lunches. We had Costa Rican night, Mexican night and eclectic night with special desserts including the best tres/quatro leches ever tasted! So efficient and pleasant!!!

Amazing experience overall, so recommended

Amazing great cooking. Amazing customer service would recommend

Initially, I'll admit, I wasn't entirely sold on the menu. However, Chef Cindy's dedication to her craft shone through immediately. She personally reached out, listened to my family's preferences, and crafted a bespoke menu that exceeded all expectations. From the moment the first fish taco hit my tongue, I knew I was in the hands of a master. This wasn't just 'good' fish tacos; it was a symphony of flavors and textures. The perfectly seasoned, flaky fish, nestled in a warm tortilla, was elevated by the vibrant, fresh toppings. Each component, from the crisp cabbage to the tangy crema, played its part flawlessly. And let's talk about the sides. The rice and beans, often an afterthought, were executed with the same level of care. The rice was fluffy and subtly fragrant, while the beans were rich and hearty, a testament to slow cooking and thoughtful seasoning. The hot sauce? A revelation. It possessed the perfect balance of heat and flavor, a complex concoction that complemented the tacos without overpowering them. It was clear this chef understands the art of layering flavors. But the true showstopper, the grand finale, was the banana cake. Moist, dense, and bursting with real banana flavor, it was a comforting hug in dessert form. The cream cheese icing was the perfect counterpoint, tangy and creamy, adding a decadent richness that wasn't overly sweet. This wasn't just a dessert; it was a masterpiece. Chef Cindy possesses a rare talent, a deep understanding of ingredients, and a passion that shines through in every bite. Her personalized approach, from menu creation to execution, elevates the dining experience to an extraordinary level. This isn't just cooking; it's culinary artistry. I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing her creations. You won't be disappointed."

Chef Cindy was fantastic. She was a great communicator leading up to our event, did a beautiful job preparing our food and serving our party, and did a great job making sure everything was clean afterwards. Thank You for working with us on the menu and thank you for the perfectly prepared an delicious meal!

She was great and very accommodating. She made the food with our Airbnb utensils and all! She cleaned up and left it better than before she was there. We couldn’t have dreamt up a better experience! I recommend to anyone!