Chef Francesca Giglio
Chef At Home In Avoca BeachGet to know me better
Nutrition-focused private chef and restaurant consultant, passionate about using food as a means to promote health, sustainability, and empathy.
I’m an Italian chef and nutritionist-in-training with over 10 years of culinary experience and a strong foundation in both traditional and modern cooking techniques. My journey began with running an Italian bakery, and today I’m dedicated to helping individuals and restaurants embrace nutritious, sustainable eating. I create menus, recipes, and experiences that celebrate both wellness and flavor.
More about me
For me, cooking is...
An expression of creativity, wellness, and connection to others and the planet.
I learned to cook at...
I learnt how to cook working in restaurants and pastry shops in Italy and continue my experience in Australia as Head Chef and Business owner
A cooking secret...
Balancing flavors thoughtfully and using every part of an ingredient to minimize waste and maximize nutrition.
My menus
Traditional Antipasto Platter A selection of marinated olives, stuffed vine leaves, roasted red peppers, feta-stuffed baby peppers, tzatziki, hummus, baba ganoush, and grilled pita bread
Gourmet board Whipped Feta & Honey Dip drizzled with chili oil, served with crackers & Stuffed Zucchini Blossoms filled with ricotta, lemon zest, mint, lightly grilled and with a tangy yogurt dip & Herb Flatbread brushed with garlic-infused olive oil
Pearl Couscous Salad Tossed with roasted vegetables, fresh parsley, mint, pomegranate seeds, and a light citrus dressing
Watermelon & Halloumi Salad Cubes of juicy watermelon, charred halloumi, black olives, mint, and a balsamic glaze
Farro & Heirloom Tomato Salad Tossed with roasted garlic, basil, preserved lemon, and crumbled feta
Lemon-Garlic Potatoes Roasted until golden with olive oil, oregano, and fresh lemon
Saffron Orzo Pilaf Fluffy orzo infused with saffron, lemon zest, and chopped pistachios
Burnt Lemon & Herb Roasted Cauliflower Crispy edges, charred lemons, and a drizzle of tahini-parsley sauce
Grilled Lamb Kofta with Mint Yogurt Sauce Juicy spiced lamb skewers served with a cooling mint yogurt dip
Whole Roasted Snapper Seasoned with garlic, lemon, herbs, and olive oil, served family-style
Vegetarian Moussaka Layers of eggplant, zucchini, potatoes, and creamy béchamel sauce, baked to perfection
Braised Lamb Shoulder with Orange & Pomegranate Glaze topped with toasted almonds and pomegranate seeds
Chickpea & Harissa Stuffed Eggplant (Vegan) Roasted eggplants filled with a spiced chickpea, harissa, and tahini mix, finished with fresh dill and pine nuts
Baklava Flaky layers of phyllo pastry with a rich honey and walnut filling
Lemon and Yogurt Cake Light and zesty, topped with a drizzle of honey and a sprinkle of pistachios
Olive Oil & Honey Cake Moist and fragrant, served with Greek yogurt and a sprinkle of candied rosemary
Sea Salt & Orange Chocolate Tartlets Mini tartlets with a dark chocolate ganache filling, topped with orange zest and flaky sea salt
View full menu
BBQ Shrimp Tacos with fresh coriander and Corn Salsa
Italian Arrosticini (beef & cheese skewers)
Spicy BBQ Cauliflower Bites
BBQ Jackfruit Tacos
Fusion coleslaw salad with mustard dressing
BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders
Grilled Beef Kebabs with Chimichurri
Grilled chicken thighs with Mash potatoes and seasonal greens
Beef Sausages with Smoked Onion and a creamy mash infused with smoked onions and whole-grain mustard
Mango Sorbet with Pistachio Crumble and a hint of chili
Rooibos Crème Brûlée A creamy custard infused with the warm, earthy flavor of rooibos tea, topped with a caramelized sugar crust
Vanilla Pannacotta with berries coulis
View full menu
Avocado Tartare with diced cucumber, delicately seasoned and paired with tangy pickled radish, microgreens, and a citrus vinaigrette, served on a crispy rice cracker
Smoked Mushroom Crostini served on toasted sourdough with a drizzle of truffle oil, fresh thyme, and a touch of vegan cream cheese
Butternut Squash Soup with Sage & Coconut Cream Velvety roasted butternut squash soup, infused with fresh sage and topped with a swirl of coconut cream
Crispy Polenta Cakes with Tomato Basil Ragu Golden crispy polenta cakes topped with a vibrant, herbed tomato basil ragu and garnished with fresh basil and a sprinkle of nutritional yeast
Roasted Cauliflower with Quinoa and Tahini Sauce A thick slice of cauliflower roasted to perfection, served with a bed of fluffy quinoa, vibrant sautéed vegetables, and drizzled with a rich, creamy tahini sauce. Finished with a sprinkle of toasted almond
Chocolate Avocado Mousse with Raspberry Coulis A rich, creamy avocado-based chocolate mousse, served with a fresh raspberry coulis and garnished with crushed pistachios
View full menu
BBQ Shrimp Tacos with fresh coriander and Corn Salsa
Spicy BBQ Cauliflower Bites
Crispy Roast Duck pancakes served with fusion dipping sauce
Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Caprese Skewers with Basil Pesto Drizzle
Cheese & Dips platters
Grazing Platter (meats, cheeses, breads & crackers)
Italian Arrosticini (beef & cheese skewers)
Beet Carpaccio topped with crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and microgreens
Thai fresh Papaya Salad with an Italian twist
Thai Chicken Satay with Peanut Sauce
Herb-Crusted Pork Sirloin with fresh herbs, and Parmesan
Garlic and Lemon Chicken Schnitzel with basil-infused gravy and a side of mixed roasted vegetables
Beef Sausages with Smoked Onion and a creamy mash infused with smoked onions and whole-grain mustard
Grilled Salmon with Citrus Glaze served over a bed of quinoa salad with asparagus and cherry tomatoes
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni Delicate pasta tubes filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with golden melted mozzarella and Parmesan
Traditional Tiramisù
Vanilla Pannacotta with berries coulis
Mango Sorbet with Pistachio Crumble and a hint of chili
Dark chocolate torte with salted caramel
Rooibos Crème Brûlée A creamy custard infused with the warm, earthy flavor of rooibos tea, topped with a caramelized sugar crust
View full menu
Grazing Platter (meats, cheeses, breads & crackers)
Traditional Beef Lasagne Rich layers of slow-cooked beef ragù, creamy béchamel, and sheets of fresh pasta with a golden Parmigiano crust
Vegetarian/Vegan Lasagne A vibrant medley of roasted vegetables layered with herbed tomato sauce, creamy vegan béchamel, and tender pasta sheets
Eggplant Parmigiana Tender layers of roasted eggplant, basil-tomato sauce, and creamy mozzarella topped with golden Parmigiano-Reggiano
Asian-Style Noodle Box A vibrant mix of stir-fried noodles, fresh vegetables, and your choice of protein, tossed in a savory blend of soy, sesame, and ginger
Italian Meatballs in Red Sauce Tender, hand-rolled beef and pork meatballs simmered in a rich, slow-cooked tomato and basil sauce. Served with crusty bread
Grilled chicken thighs with Mash potatoes and seasonal greens
Chermoula-Marinated Lamb Chops marinated in a North African herb blend, served with roasted eggplant and pomegranate couscous
Homemade BBQ Pulled Pork Sliders served with julienne slaw
Lemon & Almond Olive Oil Cake A moist, gluten-free almond cake with hints of citrus, served with vanilla mascarpone
Orange and Almond cake with chocolate sauce
Dark chocolate torte with salted caramel
View full menu
Asparagus spears wrapped in crispy prosciutto, roasted until golden and served with a parmesan aioli
Beet Carpaccio topped with crumbled goat cheese, toasted walnuts, and microgreens
Wild Mushroom Risotto Land fresh thyme, topped with shaved parmesan and a hint of truffle oil
Seafood Linguine Fresh pasta tossed with mussels, prawns, and calamari in a white wine, garlic, and chili sauce
Eggplant Involtini Grilled eggplant slices rolled with a ricotta and herb filling, baked in a rich tomato sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella
Herb-Crusted Barramundi served with lemon-infused mashed potatoes and seasonal greens
Mango Sorbet with Pistachio Crumble and a hint of chili
Dark chocolate torte with salted caramel
View full menu
Crispy Roast Duck pancakes served with fusion dipping sauce
Vietnamese Summer Rolls with Peanut Dipping Sauce
Thai fresh Papaya Salad with an Italian twist
Miso Cauliflower Crispy roasted cauliflower tossed in a savory miso glaze, with a hint of ginger and sesame
Crispy Skin Chicken with Shallot Sauce. Stir-Fried Asian Greens with Garlic
Grilled Miso-Glazed Salmon served with seasonal asian greens and sesame
Vegetarian Thai Green Curry A fragrant and creamy coconut-based curry with a blend of aromatic herbs, tender vegetables, and tofu, served with jasmine rice
Dark chocolate torte with salted caramel
Mango Sorbet with Pistachio Crumble and a hint of chili
Matcha Tiramisu A twist on the classic Italian dessert, with layers of matcha-soaked ladyfingers, velvety mascarpone cream, and a dusting of matcha powder
View full menu
Caprese Skewers with Basil Pesto Drizzle
Asparagus spears wrapped in crispy prosciutto, roasted until golden and served with a parmesan aioli
Mix Bruschette (tomato/mushroom/eggplant)
Eggplant Parmigiana Tender layers of roasted eggplant, basil-tomato sauce, and creamy mozzarella topped with golden Parmigiano-Reggiano
Traditional Beef Lasagne Rich layers of slow-cooked beef ragù, creamy béchamel, and sheets of fresh pasta with a golden Parmigiano crust
Vegetarian/Vegan Lasagne A vibrant medley of roasted vegetables layered with herbed tomato sauce, creamy vegan béchamel, and tender pasta sheets
Wild Mushroom Risotto Land fresh thyme, topped with shaved parmesan and a hint of truffle oil
Italian Meatballs in Red Sauce Tender, hand-rolled beef and pork meatballs simmered in a rich, slow-cooked tomato and basil sauce. Served with crusty bread
Italian Meatloaf with Roasted Potatoes A classic meatloaf seasoned with herbs and Parmesan served with golden rosemary roasted potatoes
Salmon fillet grilled with zesty Lemon and fresh herbs, paired with caramelized sweet potato wedges
Eggplant Involtini Grilled eggplant slices rolled with a ricotta and herb filling, baked in a rich tomato sauce, and topped with melted mozzarella
Spinach and Ricotta Cannelloni Delicate pasta tubes filled with a creamy spinach and ricotta mixture, baked in a rich tomato sauce and topped with golden melted mozzarella and Parmesan
Strawberries Tiramisù
Traditional Tiramisù
Vanilla Pannacotta with berries coulis
View full menu
Book your experience with Chef Francesca
Specify the details of your requests and the chef will send you a custom menu just for you.
Take a Chef services in nearby cities
Discover cities near Avoca Beach where you can enjoy a Chef At Home service