Private Chef in San José
Rent one of our 37 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 37 Private Chefs have joined our platform in San José and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in Provincia de Alajuela.
Starting in 2017, 1,402 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 689 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 3,693 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.5 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 1,402 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in San José usually book menus around 40,899 USD per person, including 3.73 courses, sharing an average of 4.87 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!
37 Private Chefs in San José
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in San José
More than 1,400 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.25 Chef
The guests in San José have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.25.
4.5 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in San José received an average score of 4.5.
4.5 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 4.5 average score.
4.75 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in San José has been scored with a 4.75 on average.
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689 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in San José
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!
Ceviche - costa rican style with twist! corvina, passion fruit and ginger
Pincho (kabob) de pollo - costa rican street food
Passion chicken or trout - tangy passion fruit sauce, mashed sweet potatoes, candied carrots, and grilled veggies *vegan by request
Caribbean rice and beans (chicken) - home grown red beans & rice slow cooked in coconut milk paired with caribbean style chicken, sweet plantains, & finished with a traditional cabbage salad
Rice pudding - elevate your dessert experience with our elevated version of arroz con leche. this creamy rice pudding is infused with aromatic spices, garnished with surprises, and finished with edible "dirt" and "sand",
Classic caesar salad
Mango cobb salad
Jumbo prawns cocktail
Seabass ceviche
Argentinean beef empanadas with arrúgala and tomatillo truffle vinaigrette
Corn chips, guacamole, pico de gallo, molcajete sauce
Caramelized pear and prosciutto bruscheta with cheese
Pulled pork slider with chipotle
Costa rican pig in a blanket
Potato skins with bacon, scallion and sour cream
Grilled skirt steak (choice, black angus) with chimichurri, potato gratin and haricot vert
Grilled rib-eye steak (choice, black angus) with chimichurri, potato gratin and haricot vert
Beef tenderloin (choice, black angus) with mushroom sauce, potato gratin and haricot vert
Bbq baby back ribs, with corn and bbq sauce, mash potato and haricot vert
Bone-on grilled chicken breast with tomato sauce vierge, potato gratin and haricot vert
Lobster tail with garlic butter, mango and ginger rice with cilantro
Ahi tuna steak with bearnaise sauce, mash potato and haricot vert
Grilled mahi-mahi with chimichurri, mash potato and haricot vert
Banana foster flambe with local rum, served with vanilla ice cream
Soursop cheesecake with red fruit coulis
Vanilla creme brulee
Chocolate lava flow with vanilla ice cream
Strawberry charlotte cake
Fresh orange juice
Fresh tropical juice
Fresh passion fruit juice
Sliced fresh fruits plate
Eggs (fried or scrambled or omelet)
Eggs “ranch style” (huevos rancheros)
Tropical breakfast parfait with granola
Breakfast sausage
Bacon
Breakfast potatoes
Gallo pinto & corn tortillas (typical costa rican)
Local smoked cheese
Sweet plantains
Mexican chicken chilaquiles
Sliced avocado toast
Mexican rice
Breakfast burrito (black beans, avocado, bacon, mozzarella, scrambled eggs)
Sliced tomato with basil and balsamic
White toast, butter & jam
Choco-banana pancakes & maple syrup
Homemade croissant
Homemade blueberry muffins
Homemade chocolate croissant
French toast
Crepes with nutella
Sautéed fresh hearts of palm, mango and avocado salad served with a delicious basil vinaigrette
Grilled pineapple and organic arugula salad, tomato comfit, kalamata olive crostini and herb vinaigrette
Fresh tomato, buffalo mozzarella salad with basil pesto and balsamic reduction
Niçoise salad with tuna, tomato, egg, haricot vert, potato, french herbs dressing
Chilled spicy tomato gazpacho with cilantro oil, avocado and garlic crostini
Home-made tortilla chips with fresh guacamole, pico de gallo and roasted tomato dip
Home-made hummus with crispy pita bread with olive tapenade
Goat cheese, prosciutto, confit red onion and pear bruschetta
Gulf of papagayo sea bass ceviche with avocado & corn, served with green plantain chips
Chicken enchiladas with roasted tomato and tomatillo sauce
Lemon, garlic & thyme marinated roasted chicken breast with honey
Costa rican chicken fajitas, corn and flour tortilla, guacamole & pico de gallo
Grilled mahi-mahi with herbs chimichurri, mango, ginger & cilantro rice
Grilled tuna steak with mango chimichurri, home-made vegetable ratatouille and vegetable ratatouille
Braised baby back ribs with bbq sauce and roasted corn, garlic mash potato
Grilled rib-eye steak with bearnaise sauce, potato gratin and asparagus
Grilled new-york with tomato sauce vierge, seasonal vegetables, potato gratin
Grilled skirt steak with chimichurri, porcini mushroom potato gratin
Tropical fruit tart with lemon cream
Tres leches cake scented with lemon grass and spicy rum
Poro-poro banana foster with vanilla ice cream
Chocolate & passion fruit cheesecake
Caramelized pineapple tart tatin with passion fruit coulis
Kir royal with fresh mango, cheese « gougere » with local smoked cheese
Grilled yellow fin tuna loin with pan-seared foie-gras, white truffle oil vegetable carpaccio, arugula and crispy “gaufrette” potato
Homemade lobster ravioli, wilted spinach, tomato sauce vierge & parmesan sauce
Red snapper in a banana leaf, “picadillo risotto”, white & asparagus and tomatillo beurre blanc
Braised short ribs, “grand’ma” potatoes, baby garden vegetables and cabernet sauvignon wine jus
Chocolate fondant, served with vanilla ice cream and passion fruit coulis
Crepe suzette served with grand marnier orange sauce and vanilla ice cream
Gyozas choice of pork, shrimp, vegetables
Eby fried shrimp, asian tartar sauce
Chicken satay
Vegetable tempura with sweet & sour sauce
Edamame, spicy or non-spicy
Tuna tiradito with fresh mango and wonton chips
Vegetarian sushi roll -filling with cucumber, mango, chive & carrot , covered of avocado
Parmesan roll (with prawns)
California roll - choice of yellowfin-tuna, salmon, shrimp, filling with avocado & cream cheese, cover of sesame
Spicy tuna roll
Tuna ceviche, asian style, with avocado, sesame oil and seeds
Asian grilled tuna salad & wild cilantro - seared tuna, asian greens, arugula, wild cilantro, mango, avocado, edamame, soy and sesame vinaigrette
Teriyaki chicken with jasmine rice and vegetables
Pork with sweet and sour vegetables and grilled pineapple sauce
Honey glazed salmon with mashed sweet potatoes & vegetable tempura
Tuna tataki, vegetables, sushi rice, teriyaki sauce
Ramen soup, chicken, ramen noodles, eggs, driet shitake, mushrooms, scallions
Asian beef fajitas mongolian style
Asian fried banana with vanilla ice cream
Green tea mochi
Black sesame cookies
Mango sticky rice
Sea bass ceviche marinated with lemon and orange juice, red onions, green and red pepper, cilantro; accompanied with plantain chips
Caesar salad, romaine lettuce with caesar dressing, homemade croutons and parmesan cheese
Surf and turf: tenderloin and shrimps served with basil mash potatoes, salted mini vegetables and beurre blanc (classic french butter sauce) and chimichurri
3 leches cake (traditional soft cake soaked in three different milks)
Spicy beans and fresh plantain chips
Heart of palm salad - heart of palm, avocado, fresh cherry tomatoes from our garden, thin sliced red onions and grilled sweet corn tossed in a handcrafted pesto dressing, finished with greek yogurt
Casado (beef) - white rice, vegan red beans, imported punta de solomo (top sirloin), sweet plantains, vegan picadillo, avocado and pico de gallo
Chifrijo (pork) -steamed white rice, traditional tierno beans, chicharonnes, avocado and pico de gallo
Rice and beans (chicken) - home grown red beans & rice slow cooked in coconut milk paired with caribbean style chicken, sweet plantains, & finished with a traditional cabbage salad
Tropical chia pudding coconut milk, pure vanilla, real maple syrup finished with tropical fruit
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 37 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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