Private Chef in Santa Bárbara
Rent one of our 284 private chefs for a unique dining experience. You choose the menu, and the cleanup is included.





















A personal chef for any occasion in Santa Bárbara
Since the first private chef joined Take a Chef in Santa Bárbara in April 2017, more than 284 Private Chefs have joined our platform in Santa Bárbara and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in Santa Bárbara.
Starting in 2017, 608 guests have already enjoyed a chef in Santa Bárbara. To book your chef in Santa Bárbara, 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 330 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 2,762 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.8 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 608 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in Santa Bárbara usually book menus around 40,715.5 USD per person, including 3.65 courses, sharing an average of 4.28 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 Santa Bárbara.












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!
284 Private Chefs in Santa Bárbara
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in Santa Bárbara












More than 600 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.5 Chef
The guests in Santa Bárbara have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.5.
5 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in Santa Bárbara received an average score of 5.
5 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 5 average score.
4.5 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in Santa Bárbara has been scored with a 4.5 on average.
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330 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in Santa Bárbara
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!








Seafood ceviche with mango sauce: a ceviche made with shrimp, and squid, marinated in lime juice and served with a fresh mango sauce for a tropical and elegant twist
Tuna tartare with avocado and sweet chili: fresh tuna chopped into small cubes, combined with avocado, red onion, cilantro, and a touch of watermeloon
Chicken empanadas with spicy mango sauce: empanadas filled with seasoned chicken, accompanied by a spicy mango sauce. the sweet and spicy flavor combination offers a unique experience
Fish tacos with pickled vegetables: small, soft corn tortillas filled with seared fish, and topped with a refreshing mix of pickled vegetables like carrots, onions, and jalapeños, drizzled with a tangy cilantro sauce
Grilled fish fillet with seafood sauce and coconut rice: a fresh fish fillet (such as dorado or snapper), topped with a creamy seafood sauce (shrimp, squid, mussels), served with coconut rice and a fresh salad
Churrasco with rosemary sauce and rustic potatoes: a grilled flank steak, served with a rosemary and red wine sauce, accompanied by rustic roasted potatoes and a heart of palm salad with cilantro and lime
Seafood rice with garlic cream sauce: a seafood rice dish made with shrimp, squid, mussels, and fish, cooked in seafood broth and topped with a smooth garlic cream sauce, garnished with fresh cilantro and fried ripe plantain
Grilled beef steak with red wine reduction and rosemary potatoes: a grilled beef steak, served with a red wine reduction and caramelized onions, accompanied by rosemary potatoes and a fresh arugula salad
Garlic shrimp with basil tagliatelle: shrimp sautéed in olive oil with garlic and parsley, served over a bed of tagliatelle (fresh pasta) with a light basil sauce
Chocolate tart with passion fruit sauce: a crunchy cookie crust filled with dark chocolate mousse, accompanied by a fresh passion fruit sauce
Coffee cake with rum cream: a moist, flavorful costa rican coffee cake served with a smooth rum-infused cream
Tropical fruit pavlova: a crispy meringue base with a soft interior, topped with fresh tropical fruits like pineapple, mango, and papaya, and finished with a dollop of whipped cream. a light and flavorful option that showcases vibrant tropical fruits
Coconut panna cotta with guava coulis: a rich and creamy coconut panna cotta, served with a sweet and tangy guava coulis, combining the smooth texture of the panna cotta with the vibrant, tropical fruit sauce
-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
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
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
Seafood ceviche with lemon and ginger foam: a gourmet ceviche made with fresh seafood (shrimp, squid, mussels), marinated in lime juice, cilantro, and red onion, accompanied by a light lemon and ginger foam for added freshness and texture
Beef carpaccio with red wine and lime reduction: thin slices of beef, marinated in olive oil, basil, and lime, served with a red wine reduction and orange juice, finished with a drizzle of truffle oil for a luxurious touch
Tuna tartare with guanabana sauce and olive oil: fresh tuna tartare mixed with red onions, cilantro, and a touch of chili, served with a guanabana (soursop) sauce and olive oil, creating a perfect balance of tropical and savory flavors
Corvina and avocado salad with lime vinaigrette and swiss chard: a fresh and light salad with marinated corvina fillets, avocado slices, swiss chard, and a lime and cilantro vinaigrette that highlights costa rican flavors
Grilled red snapper with coconut-lime foam and saffron risotto: a perfectly grilled red snapper fillet, topped with a delicate coconut-lime foam that enhances its tropical essence, served alongside a creamy saffron-infused risotto
Corvina in banana leaf with ginger-cilantro pesto, mango-avocado relish: a whole fillet of corvina steamed in a banana leaf, infused with aromatic ginger-cilantro pesto. served with a refreshing mango and avocado relish, a
Lobster in coconut-curry sauce with crispy tostones and cilantro foam: lobster tail poached in a rich coconut-curry sauce, topped with a smooth cilantro foam, and served with golden crispy tostones and a side of sautéed seasonal vegetables
Surf and turf: grilled filet mignon with lobster tail, achiote-cilantro butter, and roasted garlic mashed potatoes
Chocolate soufflé with costa rican coffee mousse: a decadent, airy chocolate soufflé served with a smooth costa rican coffee mousse, enhanced with a hint of dark rum and finished with a dusting of cocoa powder and grated dark chocolate
Coconut-passion fruit panna cotta with mango coulis: a creamy panna cotta made with coconut milk and passion fruit, complemented by a vibrant mango coulis. garnished with fresh tropical fruits and mint leaves for a refreshing and indulgent finish
Tropical fruit pavlova with tamarind syrup and coconut flakes: a crisp meringue base with a soft interior, topped with a medley of tropical fruits like mango, papaya, and pineapple, and drizzled with tangy tamarind syrup and toasted coconut flakes
Caramelized plantain and cinnamon churros with vanilla rum sauce: soft plantains caramelized with cinnamon sugar, served alongside crispy churros, and drizzled with a rich vanilla rum sauce that enhances the dessert's tropical flavor
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
Lobster and chives tartlet served with smoked alioli
A la mode cpresse skewers( caprese skewer with tomato pesto)
Artichokes and parmesan souffle with bread crostinis
24 hour eggplant parmigiana
Hunters chicken with chicken demiglace
Grilled octopus with alioli sauce
Lamb loin with cherry oporto sauce and nuts
Mediterrian seafood duo ballotine( shrimp and fish)served with dill weed and tarragon sauce
Tenderloin with green peppercon sauce
Basque cheesecake
Napolitano cheesecake
Torttino di cioccolato
Ceviche: made with fresh fish, seafood, or a mix, marinated in lime juice, onions, cilantro, and spices. it's fresh and light
Patacones: fried green plantain slices that are smashed. they are served with sauce or mashed beans, pico de gallo and guacamole
Fried yuca: yuca cut into pieces and fried, served with a sauce or just salted. it's a simple and tasty option
Fried snapper (pargo frito): a whole fried fish, very popular along costa rica’s coasts, usually served with rice and salad
Chifrijo: a dish made of rice, beans, fried pork (chicharrón), pico de gallo, and often accompanied by tortillas
Rice with seafood (arroz con mariscos): rice cooked with fresh seafood like shrimp, mussels, and squid. it’s a flavorful dish, especially popular in coastal regions
Steak in sauce (bistec en salsa): beef steak cooked in a sauce made with onions, bell peppers, and spices, typically served with rice, beans, or salad
Arroz con leche: a creamy dessert made with rice, milk, sugar, and cinnamon
Churros: often sold at fairs or by street vendors, costa rican churros are fried dough sticks sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon
Flan de leche: a creamy custard dessert made with milk, eggs, sugar, and a touch of vanilla. it’s smooth and delicious
Buñuelos: fried dough balls soaked in sugar syrup. they’re crispy on the outside and soft on the inside
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 Santa Bárbara.
What does a private chef service include in Santa Bárbara?
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 Santa Bárbara?
The price of renting a chef in Santa Bárbara 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 27,644 USD to 55,642 USD. For groups of 13 people or more, the price is 27,644 USD per person. For groups of 7 to 12 people, the cost is 34,582 USD per person. For groups of 3 to 6 people, the rate is 34,232 USD per person, and for 2 people, the price is 55,642 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 Santa Bárbara?
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 284 chefs available in Santa Bárbara. Fill out a form specifying your needs and the date. Take a Chef will connect you with the best available chefs in Santa Bárbara 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 Santa Bárbara?
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 Santa Bárbara
Discover more details about our private chefs and their services.
The average age of our private chefs in Santa Bárbara
Percentage of our women chefs in Santa Bárbara.
The average wait time from submitting the request and receiving the first menu.
Our very first private chef service in Santa Bárbara.
Percentage of services with kids in Santa Bárbara.
Maximum number of bookings for a personal chef by a single client in Santa Bárbara.
Increase in the number of bookings for a chef from last year in Santa Bárbara.
Languages spoken by our personal chefs in Santa Bárbara.
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 Santa Bárbara.
Average timeframe from sending the request to booking.
How many chef services are booked in Santa Bárbara each month?
Private chef reservations can vary seasonally depending on the destination. In Santa Bárbara, 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 Santa Bárbara.
Cost of a private chef in Santa Bárbara
The cost of hiring a private chef in Santa Bárbara 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 27,644 USD to 55,642 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 27,644 USD
For 7 to 12 people: 34,582 USD
For 3 to 6 people: 34,232 USD
For 2 people: 55,642 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.
Private chefs registrations
After many years of offering our services, we are lucky to have a fantastic team of chefs that keeps growing in Santa Bárbara!
2 personal chefs register with us every month. Our verification team reviews these new chef profiles daily to categorize them, allowing you to discover incredible new chefs every month.
What is the most reserved type of cuisine in Santa Bárbara?
We mainly offer six types of cuisine in Santa Bárbara: 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 Santa Bárbara!






Talk to our chefs in Santa Bárbara
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 Santa Bárbara? You’ll get it. Tell us about your event in Santa Bárbara, and discover the best chefs who will customize every detail of your experience.










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