Private Chef Panos Gounas

I am a professional chef with nearly 20 years of experience. I studied at the top Greek college, Le Monde, and successfully completed my studies in both culinary arts and pastry. After several years of working in Greece, I decided to challenge myself abroad. I moved to the Netherlands six years ago, and I have been living in Utrecht ever since. In 2019, I joined the team at Celia Restaurant in the Kimpton Hotel, with Wolfgang Birk as the Head Chef. After two years, I was promoted to Junior Sous Chef, while Tim Muller was the Head Chef. Two years later, I decided with great excitement and a bit of encouragement from my girlfriend :) to pursue cooking from the perspective of a freelancer. I am very happy with this decision, and I must admit that it is one of the most creative changes I have ever made.

For me, cooking is...

Cooking is a simple-but in at the same time complex-way to show someone that you care. Therefore, it's all about emotion!

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook at the school where I studied, but meeting people who inspired me in their own way also played a crucial role.

A cooking secret...

Although I don't believe in secrets — knowledge is meant to be shared — I would say that it plays a key role to love the moment when you decide to ded