Chef Dan Castro

Personal Chef In Austin

I emigrated to Los Angeles at 13 years old. I got exposed to basic cuisines like Panda Express, Tacos, and all sorts of foods. It was a cultural shock.

I went to the Culinary Institute of America for my scholarship. Here, I learned how to cook food using French techniques while being exposed to many other aspects of the food industry and various cuisines.

After I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America, I worked at The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs, Colorado for 3 years. I worked multiple rotations from banquet cooking, brasseries, taverns, pub style cooking, baking and pastry.

I then went to Uchiko here in Austin, and worked as a line cook and ending my tenure there as a sushi chef. Here, I learned not only cooking techniques but how to handle guests at the sushi bar as well, and this is how I approach a lot of my parties - with genuine hospitality and delicious food, which leads to a great night.

For me, cooking is...

a love language. We do it to take care of the people around us as a basic need and as we celebrate people, I want to put out my best for that day.

I learned to cook at...

-The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, New York - The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs - Uchi/Uchiko, Austin TX

A cooking secret...

Work clean and drink a lot of water. If you look good, you cook good, and if you cook good, the clients pay well.

My menus

Chef Dan's Simple Asian Fusion Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Wonton Chips and Dip

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Tuna Sashimi, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Chili Oil

Salmon Sashimi, Oranges, Yuca Chips, Green Goddess

Hamachi Sashimi, Cucumber and Bell Pepper Relish, Herbed Yogurt

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Miso Glazed Halibut, Zucchini Noodles, Sauteed Red Kale

Roasted New York Strip, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Bell Pepper Romesco

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ube Tres Leches, Dulce De Leche, Mango Compote, Lemongrass Cream

Sesame Chocolate, Brownies, Gochujang Caramel

Matcha Tiramisu

Chef Dan's Indulgent Southern Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Charred Bokchoy, Miso Butter, Popcorn Grits, Cashews

Custom Starter - Inquire In Chat

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Blackened Catfish, Garlic Kale, Crispy Rice Cake

Custom First Course - Inquire In Chat

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Five Spice Duck Breast, Beets, Swiss Chard, Cornbread Crumble, Plum Sauce

Custom Entree Option - Inquire In Chat

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Matcha Cheesecake, Pecan Praline Crust, Strawberry Compote

Custom Dessert Option - Inquire In Chat

Chef Dan's Italian Bachelor Spread

STARTER

All inclusive

Garlic Bread

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fettucine Bolognese, Tomato Sauce, Sausage or Chicken

Potato Gnocchi with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Angel Hair with Pesto

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Herbed Sirloin Steak, Red Wine Gravy

Roasted Chicken, Tuscan-Herb Cream Sauce

Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Broccolini, Cauliflower and Cauliflower Puree

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Honey Pistachio Cheesecake, Strawberries

Chocolate Mousse, Cherries and Candied Pecans

Ube Tres Leches, Dulce De Leche, Mango Compote, Lemongrass Cream

Anthony’s Tasting Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Shrimp Cocktail, Lemon, Cocktail Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Smoked Brisket Tacos, Pickled Onions, BBQ Mexican Crema

Salmon Aguachile, Pomegranate, Citrus, Pomegranate Ponzu, Avocado Cream

Tuna Sashimi, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Chili Oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Quail Adobirria, Zucchini Noodles, Red Kale

Miso Glazed Salmon, Roasted Cauliflower and Asparagus, Streusel

Grilled New York Strip, Sweet Potato Fondant, Tomato-Bell Pepper Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ube Tres Leches, Dulce De Leche, Mango Compote, Lemongrass Cream

Matcha Tiramisu, Strawberries

Sesame Chocolate Mousse, Brownies, Pistachio and Cherries

Chef Dan's Simply Texas Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Texas Chili Con Queso with Tortilla Chips

Smoked Brisket Tacos, Pickled Onions, BBQ Mexican Crema

Austin Street Corn Salad, Lime Cream, Queso Fresco, Fresh Cilantro

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chicken Fried Steak, Cream Gravy, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans

Blackened Catfish with Tex-Mex Rice, Tomato Salsa, Lime Wedge

Pulled Pork, Coleslaw, Waffle Fries

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pecan Pie with Bourbon Whipped Cream

Churros with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Texas Sheet Cake, Chocolate Fudge, Candied Pecans

Chef Dan's Indulgent Local Texas Style Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Parker House Rolls and Herbed Butter

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Scallop Aguachile, Oranges, Pomegranate, Avocado Puree

Tuna Sashimi, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Chili Oil

Salmon Sashimi, Oranges, Cassava Chips, Green Goddess

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Roasted Cornish Hen, Bacon Brussels Sprouts, Tuscan Cream Sauce

Miso Glazed Halibut, Zucchini Noodles, Sauteed Red Kale

Roasted New York Strip, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Bell Pepper Romesco

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Honey Pistachio Cheesecake, Pistachio Gelato

Lemon Olive Oil Cake, Lavender Cream, Cherry Compote

Matcha Tiramisu, Strawberry Jam, Fresh Strawberries

Chef Dan's Mediterranean/American/Seafood Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Hummus with Pita

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pistachio, Seeds, Avocado, Sesame Dressing

Baked Orzo, Parmesan Garlic Breadcrumb

Brussels Sprouts, Almond and Cashew Relish, Harissa

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Herb and Garlic Gulf Shrimp

Salmon, Fennel Escabeche, Jalapeno Oil, Black Lime, Onions

Red Pepper Chicken Thigh

Butternut Squash, Feta, Fried Sage

Roasted Cauliflower, Chickpeas, Mushrooms, Spinach

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pistachio Panna Cotta, Orange Sorbet, Shortbread Cookie

Honey and Pistachio Cheesecake

Warm Sticky Toffee Date Pudding, Vanilla Ice Cream

Chef Dan's Basic Pasta Party Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Garlic Bread

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Greens Salad with Tomato, Cucumber, Feta Cheese, Balsamic Vinaigrette

Arugula Salad with Goat Cheese, Beets, Pistachio, Balsamic Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Rigatone Bolognese, Roasted Broccolini and Carrots

Gnocchi with Mushroom and Cream Sauce, Basil

Both can be made vegetarian and with gluten free pasta, as needed

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chef Dan's Simple Asian Fusion Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Wonton Chips and Dip

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Tuna Sashimi, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Chili Oil

Salmon Sashimi, Oranges, Yuca Chips, Green Goddess

Hamachi Sashimi, Cucumber and Bell Pepper Relish, Herbed Yogurt

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Miso Glazed Halibut, Zucchini Noodles, Sauteed Red Kale

Roasted New York Strip, Mashed Sweet Potatoes, Charred Broccolini, Bell Pepper Romesco

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ube Tres Leches, Dulce De Leche, Mango Compote, Lemongrass Cream

Sesame Chocolate, Brownies, Gochujang Caramel

Matcha Tiramisu

Chef Dan's Indulgent Southern Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Charred Bokchoy, Miso Butter, Popcorn Grits, Cashews

Custom Starter - Inquire In Chat

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Blackened Catfish, Garlic Kale, Crispy Rice Cake

Custom First Course - Inquire In Chat

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Five Spice Duck Breast, Beets, Swiss Chard, Cornbread Crumble, Plum Sauce

Custom Entree Option - Inquire In Chat

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Matcha Cheesecake, Pecan Praline Crust, Strawberry Compote

Custom Dessert Option - Inquire In Chat

Chef Dan's Italian Bachelor Spread

STARTER

All inclusive

Garlic Bread

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fettucine Bolognese, Tomato Sauce, Sausage or Chicken

Potato Gnocchi with Mushroom Cream Sauce

Angel Hair with Pesto

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Herbed Sirloin Steak, Red Wine Gravy

Roasted Chicken, Tuscan-Herb Cream Sauce

Bacon Brussels Sprouts

Roasted Broccolini, Cauliflower and Cauliflower Puree

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Honey Pistachio Cheesecake, Strawberries

Chocolate Mousse, Cherries and Candied Pecans

Ube Tres Leches, Dulce De Leche, Mango Compote, Lemongrass Cream

Anthony’s Tasting Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Shrimp Cocktail, Lemon, Cocktail Sauce

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Smoked Brisket Tacos, Pickled Onions, BBQ Mexican Crema

Salmon Aguachile, Pomegranate, Citrus, Pomegranate Ponzu, Avocado Cream

Tuna Sashimi, Strawberries, Tomatoes, Chili Oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Quail Adobirria, Zucchini Noodles, Red Kale

Miso Glazed Salmon, Roasted Cauliflower and Asparagus, Streusel

Grilled New York Strip, Sweet Potato Fondant, Tomato-Bell Pepper Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Ube Tres Leches, Dulce De Leche, Mango Compote, Lemongrass Cream

Matcha Tiramisu, Strawberries

Sesame Chocolate Mousse, Brownies, Pistachio and Cherries

Show me more

Chef Dan's reviews

4.79

•

70 services

Wonderful experience!!

The overall experience was enjoyable and the food was visually appealing and tasty. Chef Dan also provided a server, who really helped in getting the guests their drinks and meals in a timely manner. Best of all, the kitchen was left clean and in order! One suggestion for improvement -- paying all this money for a private chef, we expected him to be professionally dressed in a chef jacket and hat (instead of wearing jeans and shirt).

Dan was an excellent chef who went above and beyond for our meal! I really appreciated his explanations and help to make a special day even better

What a treat to enjoy such high end foods at home while being able to be hands off and absorb the experience

Chef Dan was great. He did a sushi class for us, brought all the gear we’d need. Each of us produced at least 1 respectable roll by the end of the night. Everything was delicious and he was a good hang. We’ll likely do a philipino feast with him in the future. Thank you!!!

Chef Dan was incredible. 10/10 would recommend. I couldn't have asked for anything more. The food was great.

Chef Dan was amazing! I would 100% recommend booking this experience. Not only was the food delicious, everything was thoughtfully curated together. He went above and beyond to ensure that we had a great experience!

Our experience with Chef Dan was outstanding. The food was top notch and presented so beautifully. We were so well taken care of. We didn’t have to lift a finger! It was like dining at a 5 star restaurant in the convenience of your home. We also got a cooking demonstration along with all the amazing food. That was really fun! And communication throughout was perfect. I would do this again in a heart beat. All of our guests raved about it and wanted to know where I found him. Wonderful experience!!!

Great experience for any special occasion

Chef Dan has a great sense of humor and is a pro at his craft. We enjoyed our time with him and the food was awesome!!

Chef Dan and his team exceeded expectations! The team was both highly professional and personable. They provided a Michelin-quality experience right at home. The food was incredible! If I have the opportunity to do it again, Chef Dan will be the first person I call.

Chef Dan did a terrific job. The food was amazing. Service was also very good. We did have a few small bumps along the way but the overall experience was great. Chef Dan was very responsive throughout the entire process including letting me know he was on his way the night of. The presentation of food was fabulous as were the dishes themselves. He and his assistant did a very good job of clean up afterward. Definitely a good experience overall and I will do it again.

Chef Dan was amazing! Everyone had a great time and raved about the food and the overall experience!

Wonderful experience!!