Private Chef in San José
Rent one of our 42 private chefs for a unique dining experience. You choose the menu, and the cleanup is included.





















A personal chef for any occasion in San José
Since the first private chef joined Take a Chef in San José in April 2017, more than 42 Private Chefs have joined our platform in San José and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in Provincia de Alajuela.
Starting in 2017, 2,012 guests have already enjoyed a chef in San José. To book your chef in San José, just share your event details in our form. Receive proposals from top chefs and chat with them until you find your match.
Up until today, our chefs have shared 956 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 4,995 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.58 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 2,012 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in San José usually book menus around 29,215 USD per person, including 4.26 courses, sharing an average of 4.7 messages with their chefs. If you've never had a chef at home but want to add an extra spice to your next celebration, just rent a chef in San José.












How it works
Personalize your request
Share with us the details of your dream meal, including type of cuisine, preferences, and intolerances.
Receive menu proposals
Our chefs will design menus based solely on your wants and needs.
Get chatty with your chefs
Don't be shy about exchanging some messages with your chefs until your perfect menu is ready!
Book your experience
Once you are happy with your choice, submit your payment to secure your experience.
Enjoy!
All there is left to do is count down the days till your culinary experience begins!
42 Private Chefs in San José
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in San José












More than 2,000 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.11 Chef
The guests in San José have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.11.
4.56 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in San José received an average score of 4.56.
4.67 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 4.67 average score.
4.89 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in San José has been scored with a 4.89 on average.
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956 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in San José
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!








Catch of the day ceviche avocado roll with passion fruit sauce, cassava chips
Shrimp aguachile with totopos
Cochinita pibil tacos(slow cooked pork with achiote marinade) pickled onions
Sweet plantain empanadas filled with cheese
Black rice , diabla shrimp or oyster mushrooms ( spicy), spicy cilantro sauce
Shrimp skewers with passion fruit sauce,yuca fries and cilantro mayo
Patacon(fried green plantain) with guacamole,ribeye steak with chipotle compound butter
Yuca croquettes filled with curry chicken and pejibaye sauce
Mole chicken, heart of palm rice and pickle onions
Catch of the day wrapped with hoja santa, roasted potatoes,pejibaye sauce
Lemon sole wrapped with avocado,cilantro beurre blanc sauce,roasted pumpkin
Pork belly,tamarind jus,cauliflower purée,glazed carrots
Ribeye steak,onion gravy,potato pillows,grill asparagus
Chocolate mousse,passion fruit coulis,cookie crumble
Piña colada panna cotta,coconut tuile,pineapple compote
Sweet plantain tart with vanilla ice cream
Dulce de leche flan with dark chocolate tuile
3 leches cake,baked meringue,cocoa powder
-cucumber and crab canapé
Coconut shrimp skewers with sweet tropical sauce
Lobster dip with crispy patacones
Cured macarel fish with toasts
Crispy fish chicharrones
Chicken or shrimp home made cesar salad
Fresh shrimps carpaccio with lemon dressing
Bbq fish collars with charred chimichurri
Green mango and fish ceviche
Butter poach snook fish with parsnip
Lobster bisque with citric foam
Lobster in caribean sauce
Crispy mahi mahi with cilantro sauce
Grilled grouper with fresh avocado pico de gallo
Pasta frutti di mare
Arroz melozo estilo vasco con mariscos
Cheese flan with nuts caramel
Tropical fruit cheese cake
Tarta de chocolate con chantily de limon y crumble
Crispy shrimp toast and shrimp tartar
-fish chicharrones (crispy fish served with cilantro dressing )hummus de aguacate y tostadas de pan pita
Banderillas de gamba y pejibaye
Clams in white wine sauce and lardo
Green mango and fish ceviche
Banana leaf baked lobster tail
Arroz caldoso de guisantes y frutos del mar
Charred octoups with roas peppers sauce and warm kale
Smoked salmon carpaccio with passion fruit
Local clams chowder
Lobster and arrugula salad
Black tortellini filled with shrimp paste
-cioppino (seafood stew)served with bread toasts
Whole baked fish (catch of the day )with sides
Coconut crispy jumbo shrimps with sweet and sour costa rican sauce
Surf and turf (shrimp or lobster)served with local veggies
Coffee flan
Guava cheesecake
Chocolate lava cake with caramel ice cream
Pico de gallo, guacamole, and malanga chips
Casado with beef tenderloin, rice, beans, salad, fried plantain, and picadillo
Chifrijo (rice, beans, crispy pork, pico de gallo, and tortilla chips)
Tres leches cake (costa rican traditional recipe)
Fish ceviche with malanga root chips
Tuna niguiri bowl with wasabi
Shrimp dumplings with criolla sauce
Grilled mahi-mahi with rice and vegetables
Shrimp rice with garlic and sweet pepper
Fish tacos with avocado sauce and slaw
Coconut flan
Banana foster with avocado ice cream
Tamarind sorbet with chocolate mousse
Crispy lobster wantan pockets with ponzu sauce
-fresh shrimp tatrtar over rice crackers
Fresh tuna and white beans bruschetta
Scallopss ceviche with cilantro aguachile
Costa ricas style seafood vuelve a la vida soup with shrimp foam
Local seafood sampler( all sort of local seafood served with local sides)
Coconut breded shrimps with mango dipping sauce
Cured and roast mackrell with anchovies pil pil and cured cucumber
Japanease style grilled seabass served with slowcooked eggplant and pickle seaweeds salad
Sea and shore (red snapper and shrimps with curry emulsion)
Surf and turf (shrimp or lobster)served with local veggies
Seabass with green mango and chamoy salsa
Bananq leaf baked mahi mahi
Roast shrimps with mango and corn salsa
Cheese flan with nuts caramel
Tartte tatin (french style applenpie)
Basque cheesecake
Roast pineapple with ice cream and nuts crumble
Fresh lobster ceviche with heart of palm, coconut milk, red onion, ginger, and malanga chips
"turn the life" ceviche (shrimp, scallops, and fish) with mandarin lemon juice and cilantro
Costa rican enyucados with cilantro mayonnaise and turmeric coral tuile
Surf & turf (ribeye steak and whole jumbo shrimp) with rosemary potatoes and red wine sauce
Whole grilled red snapper caribbean-style with coconut milk sauce and patacones
Lobster tail with tamarind glaze, roasted potatoes, and chimichurri
Avocado homemade ice cream with organic chocolate syrup
Coconut flan with blue zone cacao ganache
Tarte tatin with fresh blueberries
Octopus and mahi mahi ceviche with malanga root chips
Crab cakes with wasabi mayonnaise
Scallops tiradito with ginger and wasabi flour cone
Jumbo shrimps with garlic butter, rosemary potatoes, and sautéed vegetables
Sea bass filet with oven garlic sauce and gratin potatoes
Grilled whole red snapper with caribbean coconut sauce
Pineapple grilled with cinnamon and ice cream
Cheesecake with passion fruit
Chocolate lava cake with whipped cream
Personalize your menu
A romantic dinner or a gathering of friends. Traditional dishes or exotic flavours. A fine dining experience or a family-style meal. Every private chef experience is unique! Submit your request and personalize yours.








Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find the most common questions about private chef services in San José.
What does a private chef service include in San José?
A private chef service includes everything necessary to enjoy a personalized dining experience at home. This includes:
- Customization of a menu based on your preferences;
- Purchase of ingredients;
- Mise en place (preparation of ingredients) before arrival;
- Preparation of the menu at your home;
- Complete table service;
- Set up and cleaning of the kitchen and used spaces.
Please note that tableware and glassware are not included. Gratuity is entirely at your discretion.
How much does a private chef cost in San José?
The price of renting a chef in San José can vary depending on the specifics, but smaller groups tend to have a slightly different price per person compared to larger gatherings.
Booking prices range from 15,763 USD to 73,471 USD. For groups of 13 people or more, the price is 15,763 USD per person. For groups of 7 to 12 people, the cost is 37,654 USD per person. For groups of 3 to 6 people, the rate is 48,971 USD per person, and for 2 people, the price is 73,471 USD per person.
Seasonal ingredients, your location, and how soon you book also affect the final price. If you're interested in getting free quotes with no obligation, fill out our form and let the best chefs near you send unique proposals for your event.
How can I hire a private chef in San José?
Booking is easy! Just tell us the date of your event, number of guests, dietary preferences and any allergies, and a few details about your kitchen. Within a few hours, you'll receive customized menus from qualified chefs. Each chef's profile will include their experience, reviews, and photos of their dishes.
Feel free to chat directly with the chefs through our platform. Ask them to modify menus, discuss pricing, or get answers to any questions you might have. Once you've found the perfect chef and menu, finalize your reservation online. We'll then provide the chef's contact information to confirm any final details.
How can I find a private chef near me?
There are currently 42 chefs available in San José. Fill out a form specifying your needs and the date. Take a Chef will connect you with the best available chefs in San José who will send you their menu proposals. You can then choose the chef and menu that suits you best.
Is there a maximum number of guests for a private chef service?
While there's no strict limit on guest count, private chef experiences are designed to create a more intimate atmosphere, perfect for gatherings of friends and family. Since most homes have limited space to accommodate large groups, parties typically don't exceed 15 people.
Does the chef cook at my house?
Yes, the chef always prepares the menu at your home for a more personalized experience. However, some prep work might be done beforehand for complex dishes.
Can I cook along with the chef?
Absolutely! Many guests are passionate about food and relish the chance to learn from the chef. You can pick up new kitchen skills and get a behind-the-scenes look at each dish on the menu. Feel free to jump in and cook alongside the chef for a truly interactive experience!
Are the ingredients fresh?
Yes, they're 100% fresh. Unlike restaurants with pre-made dishes, private chefs prioritize using the freshest ingredients possible. This is because the chef creates a customized menu specifically for you, then goes out and sources the finest ingredients to bring your chosen dishes to life.
Are drinks included in the personal chef service?
Drinks are not typically included, but you can discuss adding them to the menu proposal with the chef.
How much should I tip my private chef in San José?
Tipping for private chefs is entirely at your discretion. Our goal is for you to have an unforgettable experience, and the chef always appreciates a nice tip. However, the decision and amount are completely up to you.
Key information about our chefs in San José
Discover more details about our private chefs and their services.
The average age of our private chefs in San José
Percentage of our women chefs in San José.
The average wait time from submitting the request and receiving the first menu.
Our very first private chef service in San José.
Percentage of services with kids in San José.
Maximum number of bookings for a personal chef by a single client in San José.
Increase in the number of bookings for a chef from last year in San José.
Languages spoken by our personal chefs in San José.
Percentage of guests that hired a chef more than once.
Average number of days booked for multiple services at home with a private chef.
Photos uploaded to the platform by our private chefs in San José.
Average timeframe from sending the request to booking.
How many chef services are booked in San José each month?
Private chef reservations can vary seasonally depending on the destination. In San José, for example, demand often increases during special dates like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, so it's best to book in advance.
If you're wondering about the best time to hire a chef, any month is perfect for enjoying a private chef. Just keep in mind that prices may vary, especially for last-minute bookings. So, don't wait—book your chef early to secure your unique dining experience in San José.
Cost of a private chef in San José
The cost of hiring a private chef in San José can vary based on several factors, including the number of people in your group or seasonality. Larger groups tend to have a different average rate per person compared to smaller groups that hire a chef:
Booking prices range from 15,763 USD to 73,471 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 15,763 USD
For 7 to 12 people: 37,654 USD
For 3 to 6 people: 48,971 USD
For 2 people: 73,471 USD.
Additionally, prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year, location, and how soon you book your personal chef. If you want to get free quotes, just fill out our form and receive tailored proposals for your event. No committment at all.
What is the most reserved type of cuisine in San José?
We mainly offer six types of cuisine in San José: Mediterranean, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, and surprise. The type of cuisine with the highest number of bookings is the Surprise, but you can have anything you want (our surprise menu will cover that!).
Beyond these six types of cuisine, our private chefs personalize diverse menus for their clients every day, adjusting every detail to find the perfect menu for every occasion and every group. Our private chefs can accommodate any allergy or dietary restriction and suggest other cuisines or fusion dishes. Submit your request and hire a chef in San José!






Talk to our chefs in San José
Each of our chefs is one-of-a-kind, with professional culinary training and years of experience in diverse restaurants. Craving Italian pasta, Spanish paella, or traditional sushi in San José? You’ll get it. Tell us about your event in San José, and discover the best chefs who will customize every detail of your experience.










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