Going out to dinner in LA is ALWAYS a treat. We have many of the best restaurants in the world here; there’s always a new opening, and we can expand our palates while celebrating life with loved ones But, the only thing we love more than a good restaurant hang is bringing that experience right into the comfort of our own homes. Booking a private chef takes the dining experience to a whole new level. It offers a personalized and intimate affair where every dish is curated to distinct preferences. It’s not just a meal; it’s a culinary journey tailored specifically for you, and creates unforgettable moments without the hassle of reservations or crowded spaces. You can also flex your abilities as a hostess (we love a good hostess) if you choose to have a private chef come to your home by curating the guest list and bringing out your luxe dish wear. Here are some of our favorite private chef’s in LA to book for your next gathering. Fair warning…you will be surprised at how they bring something so unique and special to the table.
Chef Elizabeth Mehditach
Chef Elizabeth Mehditach is the Founder and Executive Chef of Lēza. She marries the traditional Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes with LA’s diverse, delicious, always evolving and expanding ethnic food scene.
We were lucky enough to have Chef Elizabeth make a delicious spread for a recent media dinner hosted at our EIC, Erika De La Cruz’s private residence. She brought an incredible service and an unforgettably tasty menu. Our favorites included her smashed spicy avocado botana with pickled purple onion, crumbled feta, dill and schug – a North African Spicy Condiment. Think of this as a avocado tostada, but way better.
The LA Girl’s Mediterranean dinner spread by Chef Elizabeth
She also created the butter board of our dreams, with crusty french bread made from scratch. For the entree, we absolutely loved the roasted stuffed acorn squash cups, the grilled chicken thigh skewers with cilantro lime marinade (YUM!), and the Mizrahi Salad with basmati, spinach, dried apricot, feta, purple onion and parmesan, drizzled with a balsamic reduction vinaigrette.
We were smart to leave room for dessert, where Chef Elizabeth treated us to churros with a sweet and creamy chocolate dipping sauce. Try Chef Elizabeth’s first class private chef experience yourself and connect with her here.
Chef Paige Murtaugh
Whether it’s customized meal planning, a fun pop up dinner with friends or cooking around an open flame, Chef Paige Murtaugh is a true master of culinary and community craft. With an approach to cooking that is “season until the food sings”, she has a commitment to make vibrant and nourishing cuisine that is inspired by ancestral exploration and a love for the land.
Chef Paige’s influence also stems from training in restaurants where she learned from chefs who each had their own special technique and story. Her global travels, curiosity and warm personality led to her hosting an international food show, Food Relay and you can taste that worldly love in all her dishes, from Californian Coastal to Spanish cuisine.
Chef Paige’s paella is a must-try! We have a sneaking suspicion that you and your guests will want seconds and will leave with a full heart and belly, feeling more connected to the food and earth around you. To book Chef Paige, check out her IG here.
Chef Becky Brown
Chef Becky Brown is an Executive Chef, restaurateur, and culinary consultant for clients and concepts nationwide. She’s been named the Theme Queen for her affinity at launching experiential themed restaurants and pop-ups – Barbie, Family Guy, Game of Thrones, Bridgerton, and most recently Mean Girls to name a few. She has been featured on the Today Show, Access Daily, FOX, Eater LA, and more.
Chef Becky has served Los Angeles’ most elite clientele and celebrities as a private chef since 2014. Her signature style is Modern Californian cuisine, offering a wide array of cuisines, and is always providing her clients with exceptional service. Whether it’s a 400 seat restaurant, or a bespoke tasting menu for 2, Chef Becky’s got you covered.
Becky Reams cooks hanger steak with potatoes and pickled onions
Chef Malekae Breton
Chef Malekae, a Le Cordon Bleu Paris alumna, infuses her private chef offerings with a rich culinary heritage cultivated on a Northern California farm. Growing up, she honed her love for cooking alongside her mother, creating nightly dinners that laid the foundation for her culinary passion. Specializing in farm-to-table cuisine, Chef Malekae meticulously selects fresh, seasonal produce from local farmers, ensuring a commitment to both quality and sustainability.
Whether it’s an intimate gathering or a lavish event, Chef Malekae crafts personalized menus that resonate with the unique tastes of her clientele. Her unique background, blending formal culinary education with hands-on farm to table experience, adds a distinctive touch to the exquisite dining experiences she crafts.
Chef RaSan Alban
Before becoming a private chef, RaSan was what he lovingly calls himself – a leftover connoisseur. As a young kid growing up in Southeast LA, RaSan’s creative imagination, love for food and impatience to wait for grandma’s dinner led him to a life of experimenting in the kitchen. RaSan started his professional career working for Walter Manzke at République – where guest experiences truly guided his desire to make every dish more memorable than the last. During the pandemic, RaSan, as many other chefs, struggled to foresee the future of the restaurant and food industry. In the face of uncertainty, he was inspired to take action.
That’s where the birth of SundaySaltado began – a non-profit turned private business. Inspired by his Peruvian/Mexican heritage, RaSan carried the tradition of bringing family and friends together with food, raising over $4500 to aid hospitality workers who weren’t able to receive economic relief. This venture led RaSan to many great opportunities, including being part of the opening crew of Mr.T Los Angeles working under the amazing Chef Alisa Vannah and currently working as a sous chef for the Hollywood Bowl Food & Wine, where he works closely to Chef Suzanne Goin of A.O.C.
Chef Kevin Warren
Chef Kevin Warren boasts a culinary journey that includes catering for NBC’s The Voice tailgate, and serving as the Executive Chef for the launch of Daddy O’s Restaurant in San Francisco. Raised in Richmond, California, Kevin’s culinary prowess began at age 12 and led him to Le Cordon Bleu at the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco, where he honed techniques from French and Indian to Thai cuisines.
With a background in top restaurants like Wolfgang Puck Catering and experiences in Italy, France, and Southern cooking, Chef Kevin seamlessly blends flavors, offering crowd-pleasing comfort food and elegant multi-course meals through his private chef and catering services since 2003. Chef Kevin’s offerings include bourbon wings, buttermilk fried chicken, BBQ ribs, lobster mac and cheese and many more mouthwatering items.
Pro Tip: Many chefs are more than willing to collaborate on your culinary vision, but diving into details beforehand—such as travel costs, cleanup arrangements, and what is or isn’t provided—ensures that your private dining experience will be perfectly tailored to your desires. So make sure you spend time with your chef caving out the nitty gritty.
Now that you have some private chef recommendations, check out our guide to chic and festive decor for hosting your next event here.
