Chef Aj Schmidt

Private Chef In Big Sky

I have always enjoyed the connection food can give to people and bring strangers together. I have worked around the country in different concepts from casual to upscale fine dining. My favorite thing to do when I am traveling is to explore food options and learn new flavors and techniques. I continue to learn and grow and spread the love through food!

For me, cooking is...

A work of art and expression. Being able to source fresh and local products and showing the care and attention to detail.

I learned to cook at...

I first learned to cook as a kid with my grandmother. For me it was a great way to bond, and I was very interested at a young age.

A cooking secret...

Work ethic, adaptability, yearning for knowledge, and respect for the food and where it comes from.

My menus

French Delights

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Baked Brie / Maple Glaze / Cranberry & Walnut / Crostini

Beer Braised White Beans / Lardon / Mirepoix / Truffle / Pecorino

Duck Fat Potatoes / Pickled Red Onion / Romesco / Bread Crumb / Herb Oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Steak Au Poivre / Roasted Fingerlings / Local Vegetable / Red wine Demi

Steak & Frites

Pan Roasted Salmon / Miso Butter Lentils / Mushroom and Leek Creme / Crispy Shallots / Herb Oil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple Tarte Tatin

Crepes / Berries / Creme

Creme Brule

Seafood

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Caesar salad

Salmon Tartare

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Scallops / Arancini / Brown Butter / Arugula / Local Vegetable

Pan Roasted Salmon / Miso Butter Lentils / Mushroom and Leek Creme / Crispy Shallots / Caviar & Herb Oil

Ora King- Miso Butter Salmon / Cauliflower Puree / Kale / Apple + Mango Salsa / Citrus + Cumin Vinaigrette

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Caramel Apple Cake

Cheesecake (Seasonal)

Surprise 3

STARTER

All inclusive

Beef Tartare / Herb Oil / Crostini / Micro / Radish

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Summer Berry Salad - Local Greens / Fresh Berries / Shaved Apple / Walnut / Local Goat Cheese / Vinaigrette

Beer Braised White Beans / Lardon / Mirepoix / Truffle Oil / Pecorino

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tenderloin / Brava’s Sauce / Polenta Cakes / Broccoli + Honey Almond Crunch

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lava Cakes

Surprise 2

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula / Beets / Pistachio / Confit Apples / Goat Creme

Local Mushrooms / Brown Butter / White Wine / Garlic and Shallot / Brie / Crostini

Frisee / Local Tomatoes / Cucumber / Carrot / Pecan / Vinaigrette

Crispy Pork Belly - Gochujang BBQ / 5 Spice Rice / Togarashi Bok Choy / Edamame / Sesame + Scallion

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Elote en Fuego- Corn and Chorizo/ Pablano/ Salsa Verde Butter/ "Cream Corn" / Tajin

Beef Tartare

Curry Cauliflower & Apple Quinoa / Goat Cheese / Honey Yogurt / mint

Bison Carpaccio / Parmesan / Capers / Crostini / Olive Oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Ora King- Miso Butter Salmon / Cauliflower Puree / Kale / Apple + Mango Salsa / Citrus + Cumin Vinaigrette

Tenderloin- Garlic + Herb Mash / Beef Jus / Local Roasted Carrots / Brown Butter Honey / Pecan Crumble Honey / B

Bison Gnocchi - Lardon / Confit Tomato / Pickled Onion / Chimichurri / Honey Cheve / Truffle Oil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Flourless Choc Cake / Strawberry / Creme

Apple crisp / local ice cream’

Lava Cakes

Local

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Baked Brie / Maple Glaze / Cranberry & Walnut / Crostini

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bison Carpaccio / Parmesan / Capers / Crostini / Olive Oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tenderloin / Brava’s Sauce / Polenta Cakes / Broccoli + Honey Almond Crunch

DESSERT

All inclusive

Apple crisp / local ice cream’

Local Tastings

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Caprese Salad

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Tenderloin / Brava’s Sauce / Polenta Cakes / Broccoli + Honey Almond Crunch

DESSERT

All inclusive

Apple crisp / local ice cream’

Surprise 1

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Summer Berry Salad - Local Greens / Fresh Berries / Shaved Apple / Walnut / Local Goat Cheese / Strawberry Orange Vinaigrette

Arugula / Beets / Pistachio / Confit Apples / Goat Creme

Baked Brie / Maple Glaze / Cranberry & Walnut / Crostini

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Roasted Curry Cauliflower & Apple Quinoa / Goat Cheese / Honey Yogurt / mint

Pesto veggie pasta

DESSERT

All inclusive

Lava Cakes

Local Eats

STARTER

All inclusive

Bison Carpaccio / Parmesan / Capers / Crostini / Olive Oil

Korean BBQ Bison Meatballs / Sesame Seeds Scallion

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Elk Stew

Duck Fat Potatoes / Pickled Red Onion / Romesco / Bread Crumb / Herb Oil

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Wild Game / Gnocchi / Sage Brown Butter / Breadcrumb / Pecorino

DESSERT

All inclusive

Apple crisp / local ice cream’

French Delights

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Baked Brie / Maple Glaze / Cranberry & Walnut / Crostini

Beer Braised White Beans / Lardon / Mirepoix / Truffle / Pecorino

Duck Fat Potatoes / Pickled Red Onion / Romesco / Bread Crumb / Herb Oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Steak Au Poivre / Roasted Fingerlings / Local Vegetable / Red wine Demi

Steak & Frites

Pan Roasted Salmon / Miso Butter Lentils / Mushroom and Leek Creme / Crispy Shallots / Herb Oil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple Tarte Tatin

Crepes / Berries / Creme

Creme Brule

Seafood

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Caesar salad

Salmon Tartare

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Scallops / Arancini / Brown Butter / Arugula / Local Vegetable

Pan Roasted Salmon / Miso Butter Lentils / Mushroom and Leek Creme / Crispy Shallots / Caviar & Herb Oil

Ora King- Miso Butter Salmon / Cauliflower Puree / Kale / Apple + Mango Salsa / Citrus + Cumin Vinaigrette

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Caramel Apple Cake

Cheesecake (Seasonal)

Surprise 3

STARTER

All inclusive

Beef Tartare / Herb Oil / Crostini / Micro / Radish

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Summer Berry Salad - Local Greens / Fresh Berries / Shaved Apple / Walnut / Local Goat Cheese / Vinaigrette

Beer Braised White Beans / Lardon / Mirepoix / Truffle Oil / Pecorino

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tenderloin / Brava’s Sauce / Polenta Cakes / Broccoli + Honey Almond Crunch

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Lava Cakes

Surprise 2

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula / Beets / Pistachio / Confit Apples / Goat Creme

Local Mushrooms / Brown Butter / White Wine / Garlic and Shallot / Brie / Crostini

Frisee / Local Tomatoes / Cucumber / Carrot / Pecan / Vinaigrette

Crispy Pork Belly - Gochujang BBQ / 5 Spice Rice / Togarashi Bok Choy / Edamame / Sesame + Scallion

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Elote en Fuego- Corn and Chorizo/ Pablano/ Salsa Verde Butter/ "Cream Corn" / Tajin

Beef Tartare

Curry Cauliflower & Apple Quinoa / Goat Cheese / Honey Yogurt / mint

Bison Carpaccio / Parmesan / Capers / Crostini / Olive Oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Ora King- Miso Butter Salmon / Cauliflower Puree / Kale / Apple + Mango Salsa / Citrus + Cumin Vinaigrette

Tenderloin- Garlic + Herb Mash / Beef Jus / Local Roasted Carrots / Brown Butter Honey / Pecan Crumble Honey / B

Bison Gnocchi - Lardon / Confit Tomato / Pickled Onion / Chimichurri / Honey Cheve / Truffle Oil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Flourless Choc Cake / Strawberry / Creme

Apple crisp / local ice cream’

Lava Cakes

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Chef Aj's reviews

4.77

•

60 services

AJ was a treat! We were running late getting home but he wasn’t! He had everything ready when we got back and quickly got the meal going. The courses were timed well and plated beautifully, he was fun to interact with during dinner, and it was overall a fantastic experience! **this urgent asked how we received the menu but it was all through the app, and that was not listed. He communicated quickly, answered all our questions and made it very to coordinate. ***He was also the only chef that worked with us on our large group with teenagers and offered a separate, less expensive option for the teens. They ate first and then the adults could enjoy the evening. This was clutch for us!!

Aj was fantastic to work with- very easy communication, on time, the food was incredible, and we would definitely hire him again! It made it easy for our large group to relax and not worry about organizing dinner. We had AJ at our house two separate nights and everything was perfect

AJ was nothing short of amazing! Each course was absolutely delightful, and he really crafted a menu where there was something for everyone and we tried such unique, fresh flavors. He was very thoughtful in accommodating our gluten-free family member, and NO ONE was left out and everyone couldn't stop raving from the first bite of the beef tartare to the unbelievable chocolate torte. My sister and I had AJ come as a surprise to our rural Montana AirBnB for a group of 12 family members from all across the country. We came together to celebrate a significant milestone in my brother's life, and it was a first-time experience for all of us and just so much fun. AJ really cared about what he put on the table for us, and was so much fun to talk to throughout his preparation, sharing tips with us along the way. If you have the opportunity to do this for a special occasion---do it! This really helped us make a fantastic family memory.

Chef Aj listened to what I wanted in the food and the evening and took the reins and delivered on every point. He was punctual, engaging, and professional in every way. Most importantly the food was outstanding.

This experience was the highlight of the entire trip. Couldn't recommend enough

Chef AJ was amazing and the food was delicious!

Aj was so amazing! From start to finish he made the experience awesome! Very engaging, very personable! 10/10 recommend!

Hired AJ to help celebrate my 40th birthday with my entire family on the Madison River. Tent pole memory experience! Before his arrival, we discovered the kitchen in our VRBO has challenging burners and the grill turned out to be unusable…didn’t matter for, AJ. Food was incredible and prepared in perfect order with time built in between each course. Our family has a tendency to rush through meals, but with this one we shared stories and memories, on a top notch culinary experience we will carry with us for a lifetime. Everything we had was delicious. He introduced us to several new flavors using fresh local produce. However, my personal favorites were the beats with the goat cheese crème. Also, the duck fat fried potatoes. I finished mine and my wife’s who is pregnant and was getting full at that moment in the meal. Highly, highly recommend Chef AJ. Would not have changed a single item from the menu, or, the presentation. Thanks, Chef!

AJ was incredible and really helped to make the occasion special. The brunch menu he put together had variety, depth and lots of left overs! He made it very easy to communicate with him, and was quick to answer any questions. And the food was absolutely delicious!

Chef AJ created a memorable experience for our group of 8 while we visited Big Sky. He catered to the children with their own menu and created an upscale 4 course option for the adults. The food was delicious, he was prompt, communicative, and kind! Would definitely recommend!