Chef Chi Nguyen

Chef At Home In Burnaby

Born and raised in Vietnam, I moved to the U.S. at 17, where I had to quickly learn to cook and take care of myself. This experience ignited my passion for cooking, as it became not just a necessity but a way to connect with my culture, my creativity, and the people around me.

Over the years, I’ve honed my skills and cultivated a style that fuses traditional flavors with modern techniques, drawing inspiration from my travels and the diverse kitchens I’ve explored. Cooking for me is about balance—infusing fresh, local ingredients with bold, layered flavors, and presenting them in a way that tells a story.

As a private chef, my goal is to craft unforgettable dining moments. Whether it's an intimate meal or a grand celebration, I work closely with my clients to create personalized menus that reflect their tastes and elevate the dining experience. Let’s collaborate and bring your vision to life!

For me, cooking is...

Blending my roots with global flavors for a truly unique culinary experience

I learned to cook at...

moved to the U.S. at 17, and fell in love with cooking while learning to care for myself

A cooking secret...

Balance—fresh ingredients, bold flavors, and a touch of creativity. Every dish is crafted with care, passion, and a personal touch.

My menus

Sapore d'Italia

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Focaccia | herb balsamic olive oil dipping | confit garlic | herb compound butter

Ciabatta| whipped ricotta| hot honey

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Squid ink pappardelle| saffron cream sauce| shrimp|squid|mussels

Venetian duck ragu pasta| toasted herb bread crumb | pappardelle

Winter citrus salad | toasted hazelnut | citrus dressing | fennel

Caprese Salad – with fresh pesto| basil |balsamic reduction|burrata

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cod|clams| squid| cioppino broth

Red Wine Braised Boneless Short Ribs | butternut squash puree | potato pave | red wine jus

Chicken roulade stuffed mushroom farce| cream swiss chard | blister shallots | red wine jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Berry panna cotta

Sogno Italiano

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Focaccia | herb balsamic olive oil dipping | confit garlic | herb compound butter

Ciabatta| whipped ricotta| hot honey

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Caprese Salad – with fresh pesto| basil |balsamic reduction|burrata

Radicchio and endive salad with poached pears|crumbled goat| toasted walnuts|honey vinaigrette

Slow-braised pork ragu| fresh pappardelle| aged pecorino

Beef ragù and mushroom-stuffed agnolotti|mushroom sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb-crusted roasted lamb rack| red wine and rosemary jus|roasted seasonal vegetables

Chicken roulade stuffed mushroom farce| cream swiss chard | blister shallots | cacciatore sauce

Striploin| kabocha squash| zucchini | roasted carrot | Marsala sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Berry panna cotta

Festival of Flavors

STARTER

All inclusive

Mezze platter ( olives, muhammara, artichoke heart, tabouleh, hummus, pita bread, fresh veggies)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Octopus Carpaccio | pickled shallot| lemon confit

Grilled prawn| spicy harissa butter| spiced herb yogurt

Grilled prawn | sherry romesco sauce | crispy chorizo

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seafood paella| shrimp| mussels| clams| ailoi

Garlic chicken| crispy potatoes| saffron aioli

Sea bass| romesco sauce | grilled vegetable

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Crema catalana

Coconut flan

Santorini Nights

STARTER

All inclusive

Mezze platter ( olives, muhammara, artichoke heart, tabouleh, hummus, pita bread, fresh veggies)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Octopus & Chorizo ragu | chickpea puree

Caramelized onion & manchego tart | balsamic glaze

Lamb tartare| harissa ailoi | crispy lavash

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Branzino | saffron fennel veloute | confit tomatoes | citrus herb salad

Lamb loin | sumac & pomegranate jus | spiced chickpea | smoke eggplants puree

Pan seared duck breast | lavender infused honey | crispy endive| duck fat confit potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Citrus olive oil cake | mascarpone | candied orange

Poached pear| spice saffron reduction | creme fraiche| almond crumb

At the Heart of Paris

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Lobster bique| truffle oil

Pan seared scallop | celeriac puree| mignonette | champagne beurre blanc

Caviar with Crème Fraîche and Blinis

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Foie gras| poached pear| arugula

Lobster and Citrus Salad with Saffron Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef wellington| red wine jus| asparagus| mushroom

Duck breast| cherry & red wine reduction| glazed carrot| roasted veg medley

Roasted quail| grapes reduction| parsnip puree| ratatoullie

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Molten lava chocolate cake | vanilla ice cream

Banana foster | vanilla ice cream

The Feast of Life

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Beef tartare| crostini

French onion soup

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Winter citrus salad | toasted hazelnut | citrus dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted quail| grapes reduction| parsnip puree| ratatoullie

Pistachio herb crusted lamb chop | lamb jus | potato gratin | ratatouille

Chicken roulade stuffed mushroom farce| cream swiss chard | blister shallots | hunter sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Earl grey creme brulee

Molten lava chocolate cake | vanilla ice cream

Le Festin Français

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Wild mushroom veloute

French onion soup

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken liver mousse| caramelized onion| baguette

Goat cheese croquette|mix green| candied walnut| roasted beet| honey vin

Winter citrus salad | toasted hazelnut | citrus dressing

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pistachio herb crusted lamb chop | lamb jus | potato gratin | ratatouille

Duck a'la orange| parsnip puree | charred broccolini

Striploin| mushroom| glazed carrot| peppercorn sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Earl grey creme brulee

Chocolate mousse

Cielo e Terra

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Grilled octopus| white beans| fennel| orange| citrus vin

Clams| marinara| fresh herb| sourdough

Beef carpaccio| cured egg yolk | fried capers | parmesan tuile

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Winter citrus salad | toasted hazelnut | citrus dressing | fennel

Caprese Salad – with fresh pesto| basil |balsamic reduction|burrata

Short ribs lasagna

Shrimp|mussels| crab| fresh pappardelle| seafood sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Osso Bucco | risotto | gremolata

Lobster ravioili| lobster safron sauce

Oxtail stew| red wine sauce| parmesan polenta

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Berry panna cotta

Sapore d'Italia

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Focaccia | herb balsamic olive oil dipping | confit garlic | herb compound butter

Ciabatta| whipped ricotta| hot honey

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Squid ink pappardelle| saffron cream sauce| shrimp|squid|mussels

Venetian duck ragu pasta| toasted herb bread crumb | pappardelle

Winter citrus salad | toasted hazelnut | citrus dressing | fennel

Caprese Salad – with fresh pesto| basil |balsamic reduction|burrata

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cod|clams| squid| cioppino broth

Red Wine Braised Boneless Short Ribs | butternut squash puree | potato pave | red wine jus

Chicken roulade stuffed mushroom farce| cream swiss chard | blister shallots | red wine jus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Berry panna cotta

Sogno Italiano

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Focaccia | herb balsamic olive oil dipping | confit garlic | herb compound butter

Ciabatta| whipped ricotta| hot honey

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Caprese Salad – with fresh pesto| basil |balsamic reduction|burrata

Radicchio and endive salad with poached pears|crumbled goat| toasted walnuts|honey vinaigrette

Slow-braised pork ragu| fresh pappardelle| aged pecorino

Beef ragù and mushroom-stuffed agnolotti|mushroom sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb-crusted roasted lamb rack| red wine and rosemary jus|roasted seasonal vegetables

Chicken roulade stuffed mushroom farce| cream swiss chard | blister shallots | cacciatore sauce

Striploin| kabocha squash| zucchini | roasted carrot | Marsala sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu

Berry panna cotta

Festival of Flavors

STARTER

All inclusive

Mezze platter ( olives, muhammara, artichoke heart, tabouleh, hummus, pita bread, fresh veggies)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Octopus Carpaccio | pickled shallot| lemon confit

Grilled prawn| spicy harissa butter| spiced herb yogurt

Grilled prawn | sherry romesco sauce | crispy chorizo

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seafood paella| shrimp| mussels| clams| ailoi

Garlic chicken| crispy potatoes| saffron aioli

Sea bass| romesco sauce | grilled vegetable

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Crema catalana

Coconut flan

Santorini Nights

STARTER

All inclusive

Mezze platter ( olives, muhammara, artichoke heart, tabouleh, hummus, pita bread, fresh veggies)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Octopus & Chorizo ragu | chickpea puree

Caramelized onion & manchego tart | balsamic glaze

Lamb tartare| harissa ailoi | crispy lavash

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Branzino | saffron fennel veloute | confit tomatoes | citrus herb salad

Lamb loin | sumac & pomegranate jus | spiced chickpea | smoke eggplants puree

Pan seared duck breast | lavender infused honey | crispy endive| duck fat confit potatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Citrus olive oil cake | mascarpone | candied orange

Poached pear| spice saffron reduction | creme fraiche| almond crumb

Chef Chi's reviews

4.75

•

12 services

It was lovely to have a meal cooked for us at home. Our chef was punctual, friendly, and discreet, and the food was delicious. She left the kitchen cleaner than she found it, and even packed up our leftovers for us. Highly recommend!

I chose Chef Chi for our first Take a Chef experience. I had organized for my parents a lunch and Chef Chi surpassed all our expectations. From the beginning Chef Chi's menu offerings seemed very special and enticed us to go with her. My parents loved the whole experience and said the food was amazing! They were also surprised with the amount of food Chef Chi had prepared! They couldn't finish it all! We will organize another Take a Chef experience and will know Chef Chi is a go-to option for us.

Chi prepared a delicious menu that showcased modern influences with classic dishes. There was plenty of food for two people and a good balance of flavors across four courses. Chi was a pleasure to chat with, and provided amazing service throughout the dinner. We would love to have another meal with Chi again and highly recommend her!

Great service and awesome food!! Each dish amazes me and my husband.