Private Chef in Santa Cruz
Rent one of our 129 private chefs for a unique dining experience. You choose the menu, and the cleanup is included.
A personal chef for any occasion in Santa Cruz
Since the first private chef joined Take a Chef in Santa Cruz in April 2017, more than 129 Private Chefs have joined our platform in Santa Cruz and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in Santa Cruz.
Starting in 2017, 12,057 guests have already enjoyed a chef in Santa Cruz. To book your chef in Santa Cruz, 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 6,665 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 25,162 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.87 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 12,057 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in Santa Cruz usually book menus around 46,317 USD per person, including 3.8 courses, sharing an average of 4.19 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 Cruz.
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!
129 Private Chefs in Santa Cruz
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in Santa Cruz
More than 12,000 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.67 Chef
The guests in Santa Cruz have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.67.
4.9 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in Santa Cruz received an average score of 4.9.
4.87 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 4.87 average score.
5 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in Santa Cruz has been scored with a 5 on average.
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6,665 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in Santa Cruz
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!
Gazpacho de tomate nice and fresh
Sopa de melón y prosciutto coto
Bread with olive oil and balsamic vinager
Satracetti, beff finely sliced with parm cheese, rosemary, garlic, balsamic vinager, olive oil and pepper
Gnoqiis with creamy sauce
Fritata con pomodoro sauce
Tabla de fiambres
Canelones rellenos de ricota y espinaca en salsa cremosa de queso
Veccio: nice and fresh lemon capers, withe wine sauce, aubergine and potatoes
Lenguini arrabiata with mussels
Paquieri pecorino with sherry tomato's, red wine and onions sauce
Spaghetti bolognesa
Carlota de limón y melocoton
Tiramizu
Crostata
Pan a cotta with berries sauce
Mixed chips with roasted peppers dip
Watermelon kiss. welcome mocktail
Octopus ceviche, fresh and nice mix of grilled palm hearth, avocado, tomato pure, lime, red onion, cilantro and a spicy touch
Mango and shrimps ceviche i orange acevichada sauce with cilantro and red onion. algo fresco que querrás que no se termine
Vuelve a la vida ceviche. nice and fseh mis of seafood with fresh vegetables and really nice and sour salsa tradicional costarricense. que te hará volver a la vida en cada cucharada
Shrimp tacos it's a nice combination of lettuce mango coconut relish and chipotle mayo rice and beans on the side
Crispy tacos, very nice and crispy fish finges in a flour tortilla with cilantro mayo, avocado, lettuce and microgreens with poppy seeds dressing on the top rice and beans on the side
Grilled fish, fresh pico de gallo, lettuce, garlic sauce rice and beans on the side
Coconut breaded season fish, menier sauce or sacmpy sauce, mixed green salad with passion fruit dressing, fries and home made mayo recipe
Fried milk with vanilla creamy sauce
Banana flambe with ice cream
Costarican jalea made with seasonal fruits
Mixed chips, guacamole and pico de gallo
Calamary salad, macadamia, red onion, lettuce, orange dressing, cherri tomato's
Skirt steak salad, romano lettuce, grill tomatillo verde dressing, tortilla corn chips and red onions
Mixed green salad, sweet corn, coconut breaded shrimps, passion fruit dressing
Caramelized nuts, lettuce, wild berries dressing and pineapple
Surf n turf, mash, sauted veggies, green beans, caramelized carrots with orange juice and sherry tomato's
Mahi mahi menier sauce with thousand leaves potatoes, half zuchinny stuffed with corn and plan heart
Red snapper, avocado rice, coconut creamy sauce, corn relish with onions, cilantro and bell peppers
Avocado cheese cake with chocolate cookies crumble
Brownie and ice cream
Fruit salad, vainilla y cake crumbles, crunchy pecans and ice cream
Coffee, tea, juice preferred
Plato de frutas de temporada
Costarrican tipical breakfast. gallopinto, eggs, corn tortilla, sausage or meat in sauce, avocado,fried plantains and cheese
Pancakes with eggs and bacon
Chilaquiles in red sauce or green sauce
French toast, sausage and eggs
Ciabatta toast, eggs, bacon, strawberry jelly, wild berries jelly
Homelletes station stuffed with the ingredients of your choice complained with fresh baked bread
Pochet eggs ith hollandaise sauce avocado sauce spinach and bread toast
Family style breakfast
Club sandwich with chips
Eggs benedict with crispy flour tortilla cheese and homemade recipe sauce
Brownie
Cookies
Energy bars
Mixed chips with guacamole and pico de gallo
Welcome cocktail
Shrimps mango ceviche. iron flat fried plantains
Caribbean style ceviche : coconut breaded shrimps in a coconut, lime, ginger, garlic, ceviche sauce with a spicy touch
Jarras: pumpkin picadillo, tamarindo sauce, beef and mango salad on the top
Baked chicken thigh costarrican style, homemade recipe sauce, sweet potato mashed, yellow corn relish
Rice, beans, traditional picadillo, cabbage, cilantro, mango salad and traditional bistek encebollado(which is beef with sauted onions really good seasoned)
Coconut kiss. coconut terrine, vanilla crumbles, blackberry sauce and gooseberry jelly on the top
Prestiño with vanilla ice cream and sauted bananas with cacique
Caramelized sweet plantain, cuajada cheese, strawberrys wiped cream with los santos coffeee on the top
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
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 Cruz.
What does a private chef service include in Santa Cruz?
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 Cruz?
The price of renting a chef in Santa Cruz 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 48,533 USD to 69,096 USD. For groups of 13 people or more, the price is 48,533 USD per person. For groups of 7 to 12 people, the cost is 32,247 USD per person. For groups of 3 to 6 people, the rate is 32,976 USD per person, and for 2 people, the price is 69,096 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 Cruz?
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 129 chefs available in Santa Cruz. Fill out a form specifying your needs and the date. Take a Chef will connect you with the best available chefs in Santa Cruz 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 Cruz?
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 Cruz
Discover more details about our private chefs and their services.
The average age of our private chefs in Santa Cruz
Percentage of our women chefs in Santa Cruz.
The average wait time from submitting the request and receiving the first menu.
Our very first private chef service in Santa Cruz.
Percentage of services with kids in Santa Cruz.
Maximum number of bookings for a personal chef by a single client in Santa Cruz.
Increase in the number of bookings for a chef from last year in Santa Cruz.
Languages spoken by our personal chefs in Santa Cruz.
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 Cruz.
Average timeframe from sending the request to booking.
How many chef services are booked in Santa Cruz each month?
Private chef reservations can vary seasonally depending on the destination. In Santa Cruz, 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 Cruz.
Cost of a private chef in Santa Cruz
The cost of hiring a private chef in Santa Cruz 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 48,533 USD to 69,096 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 48,533 USD
For 7 to 12 people: 32,247 USD
For 3 to 6 people: 32,976 USD
For 2 people: 69,096 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 Cruz!
1 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 Cruz?
We mainly offer six types of cuisine in Santa Cruz: 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 Cruz!
Talk to our chefs in Santa Cruz
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 Cruz? You’ll get it. Tell us about your event in Santa Cruz, and discover the best chefs who will customize every detail of your experience.
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