Chef Danushka Lysek

Private Chef In Austin

After graduating from Le Cordon Bleu, Chef Danushka’s culinary career quickly rose to prominence.

Danushka is a highly sought after Private Chef and experienced culinary instructor.

She has worked for celebrities and ultra-high-net worth clients across the U.S. and spent 21 years residing in New York City

Chef Danushka was a contestant on "Chopped" and "Cutthroat Kitchen," a finalist on "Comeback Kitchen" and "Next Food Network Star," and is the winner of Food Network’s "24 Hour Restaurant Battle."

For me, cooking is...

Cooking is an art and a passion, the love of the journey ending in a magical meal.

I learned to cook at...

My Mom cooked everyday as I was growing up so I learned the basics from her and then attended Le Cordon Bleu graduating at the top of my class.

A cooking secret...

Super fresh and seasonal ingredients. A love of what I'm preparing for someone to enjoy!

My menus

Southern Comfort

STARTER

All inclusive

Bacon and cheddar biscuits

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Fried green tomatoes (seasonal)

Southern potato salad

Baked mac and cheese

Collard greens with bacon

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chicken and chorizo gumbo

Pulled pork with buns and pickled red onion

Crispy fried chicken

Spicy wings with blue cheese dipping sauce (medium and mild available)

King Ranch chicken

Jambalaya with chicken and shrimp

Chicken pot pie (peas, carrots and celery)

BBQ pork ribs

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple pie with ice cream

Double dark chocolate brownies (a la mode available)

Pecan pie with ice cream

Mediterranean Experience

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Classic hummus

Beet hummus

Harissa hummus

Whipped feta with olive oil and lemon zest

Breaded cauliflower

Olive selection with herbs

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Greek Salad with Feta, tomatoes, cucumber, res pepper and oregano vinaigrette

Mixed greens with tomatoes, scallions, cucumber and peppers with an avocado vinaigrette

Tomato and fresh mozzarella with basil and balsamic

Spicy cucumber salad with red onion and herbs

Heirloom tomato tart with goat cheese

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Grilled vegetable platter with fresh basil

Grilled steak with chimichurri

Lamb and beef meatballs

Grilled chicken kebabs

Roasted side of salmon with tzaziki

Orzo with Parmesan, lemon zest and scallions

Crispy chicken thigh with chorizo, chick peas in red wine

Spicy lamb ragu

Garlic shrimp with parsley and lemon

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Olive oil Cake with Candied Orange

Apple rum cake with ice cream

Rustic blueberry tart

Dark chocolate and cream cheese brownies

Berries and Greek yogurt

Assortment of cheese platter with fruit and nuts

Special Occasion Dinner

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Mixed Greens with Shaved Apple and Caramelized Pecans

Bruschetta with fresh basil on crostini

Bacon wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese

Chorizo stuffed fried olives

Crostini with mushroom ragu and fresh thyme

Burrata with Mixed Greens, tomatoes and Lemon Vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Steak tartar on toast

Spicy tuna tartar on cucumber slices/rice crackers with nori and sesame seeds(mild available)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Petit Filet with Parmesan crusted Broccolini

Petit filet and lobster +25 pp with roasted asparagus or vegetable of your choice

Mussels in marinara and with white wine and parsley

Shrimp risotto with roasted prawns and seared scallop

Fresh fettuccine with seafood marinara

Fresh fettuccine Alfredo with truffle (caramelized mushrooms also available)

Jumbo lump crab cakes with scratch made tartar sauce

Fettuccine bolognese with beef, lamb and bacon

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple and Pear Rum Cake

Dark Chocolate Nutella Brownies

Blueberry Tart

Cheese plate with nuts and fruit

Chocolate Mousse with fresh raspberries

Double dark chocolate brownies a la mode

Mexican Vacation (vegetarian)

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Guacamole with roasted corn and chips

Chips and scratch made salsa

Queso with chips

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Elote: Roasted corn with spicy mayo, lime and cotija cheese

Mixed greens with tomatoes, scallions, cucumber and peppers with an avocado vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Grilled vegetable platter with fresh cilantro dipping sauce

Chile Renello stuffed with quinoa, vegetables and cheese with smokey tomato sauce

Black bean and goat cheese quesadillas

Chile rubbed crispy tofu tacos (lettuce, tomato, red onion and lime)

Vegetable and cheese enchiladas (tomato/verde sauce)

Mushroom enchiladas with verde sauce (tomato based available)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tres Leches Cake

Flan with dulce de leche

Double dark chocolate brownies (a la mode available)

Japanese Experience

STARTER

All inclusive

Spicy Tuna on Cucumber Slices and Rice Crackers

Yuzu salmon on rice crisps

Teriyaki shrimp with scallions

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Blistered Shishito Peppers

Spicy edamame with chili & garlic

Mini egg rolls with apricot dipping sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Miso Glazed Cod on a bed of Crisp Scallion and Sesame Cakes

Asian marinated petit filet +$20

Teriyaki salmon with fried black rice

Teriyaki chicken mixed vegetables (dipping sauce)

Grilled Beef sate with vegetables and dipping sauce

Teriyaki chicken with steamed broccoli

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tempera Bananas with Chocolate Dipping Sauce

Caramel Flan

Asian pear rum cake

Double dark chocolate brownies

Spanish Fare

STARTER

All inclusive

Ham Manchego and Fig Crostini

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Red Wine Braised Chicken with Chorizo and Chickpeas

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Spanish Style Potatoes with Lemon, Parsley and Garlic

DESSERT

All inclusive

Creme Caramel

Tuscan dinner in Austin (Italian)

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bruschetta with fresh basil on crostini

Burrata with Mixed Greens and Lemon Vinaigrette

Crostini with mushroom ragu and fresh thyme

Italian salad with tomatoes, olives, red onion, mozzarella cheese and oregano vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Stuffed mushrooms with Gruyère and bacon (vegetarian available)

Tomato and goat cheese tart

Prosciutto and melon with fresh basil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chicken cacciatore with Parmesan polenta

Pasta primavera with summer vegetables

Baked eggplant Parmesan

Cheese manicotti with marinara

Cabernet braised short ribs with baby broccoli

Fresh Fettuccine with Bolognese with beef, bacon and lamb

Petit filet with Parmesan crusted asparagus +20

Petit filet and lobster +25pp

Chicken wrapped in prosciutto stuffed with cheese and spinach

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Nutella Brownies

Apple and Pear Rum Cake

Creme Brulee

Tiramisu with shaved dark chocolate

Italian Cheese plate with nuts and fruit

Double dark chocolate brownies (a la mode available)

Sweet and Savory Thai

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Lettuce Cups with Spiced Ground Pork/ chicken/ turkey (mint, cilantro on side)

Fresh spring rolls with shrimp, vegetables and peanut dipping sauce (vegetarian available)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Thai Braised Chicken with Stir Fried Greens

Crispy chicken thigh in red curry coconut sauce

Salmon red curry with vegetables

Pad Thai with vegetables and shrimp (vegetarian available)

Jumbo lump Thai crab cakes +15pp

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Coconut Rice with Fresh Mango and Candied Ginger

Thai rice pudding

Dark chocolate brownies

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Chef Danushka's reviews

4.75

•

69 services

We recently had the pleasure of hosting a dinner prepared by Chef Danushka, and the experience was nothing short of perfection. We received and selected the menu from the takeachef website. From the bacon-wrapped dates stuffed with goat cheese (phenomenal) and chorizo-stuffed fried olives to the flawlessly executed steak tartare on toast (Melted in my mouth), every bite was a delight. The main course of petit filet and lobster with roasted asparagus was cooked to perfection, and the meal concluded with a rich and velvety chocolate mousse with fresh raspberries and mint from her own garden! Chef Danushka's talent and dedication was amazing, and we wholeheartedly recommend her for a private dinner experience!

Chef Danushka was flat out incredible. She prepared a delicious meal, but more importantly, she made us feel comfortable and engaged in meaningful dialogue. She is down to earth and her sense of humor brought a night of laughter. She has an incredible story and shared many memories of her time in the industry and life in general. If you’re looking for good food, go to a restaurant. If you’re looking for amazing food and EXPERIENCE, book Chef Danushka!

Chef provided a great meal. Very tasty and made the evening very enjoyable.

The food was delicious! Thank you Danushka for a great night :)

Danushka is a wonderful personality to have around as she cares so much about cooking a great meal and doing so with precision. We loved her food, her presentation, her ability to take our requests, and her overall attitude, which is good natured, honest, and humorous! I can't say enough about the food - literally every dish was delicious from the starters, to the entrees, to the desserts.

Chef Danushka Lysek delivered a fantastic meal for my intimate dinner party. The AirB&B kitchen was not ideal with convection microwave oven, not enough plates for multiple servings, and no serving platters. Chef calmly and magically prepared the delicious Asian inspired seafood menu, seamlessly clearing and washing platters between servings. Chef was engaging but not intrusive. Wonderful fine dining quality meal absent of the stresses of hosting or hassle of going out.

Danushka was incredible. She made the most delicious and special meal for my fiancé. Everything was presented perfectly. Would 10/10 recommend her for any special event.

Chef Danushka did a fantastic job with a special Memorial Day dinner for my wife and I. The variety on the menu was great, and every dish showed great care and attention to detail. We highly recommend chef for any of your special dinner occasions!!

What can I say about our evening!! Chef Danushka was everything and more. She prepared amazing meal for my Wife, daughter and I. Was a wonderful anniversary evening to a short weekend. Thank you so much for celebrating with us Chef.

Chef Danushka prepared a very delicious evening for my wife and I for Mother's Day. It is amazing what she can do in an apartment kitchen. Each course was served timely, looked nice, and tasted wonderfully. My baby mama was very happy, we recommend Chef Danushka.

Danushka was awesome, both in personal & professional ways. She has a great, dry sense of humor & was fun getting to know her. And then we tasted her incredible food, wow! All of the flavors were in point and each dish lived up to our expectation. We would recommend her to anyone looking for an amazing in-home chef experience!

Chef Danushka was engaging and provided an delicious meal that was visually stunning and delicious. She took our preferences into every dish and kept us entertained with culinary stories.

Everything went brilliantly! Danushka is simply awesome! The food was delicious especially the scallops and the filet mignon. We enjoyed a five-course meal for our daughter and son-in-law's wedding anniversary. We were surprised with the salad because of it's simplicity and delightful burst of flavor. Mixed greens with fennel and orange! And Danushka's lemon vinaigrette....It's to die for! Her Nutella brownies sealed the deal for me. I will be booking her again and highly recommend her for anyone who wants to have an exquisite experience. She was friendly, very professional, cleaned as she went, explained each and every dish as she served and we even had left overs for the next day!

Danushka was amazing! We had so much fun with her, we were sad she wasn't able to sit at the table and dine with us. We had a japanese menu with amazing sushi grade appetizers and a miso glazed cod that was to die for. The cake (an apple/pear/rum delicacy) was truly icing on top. We can't wait to use the site, and more importantly, Danushka, again!

Danushka, was PHENOMENAL. She made my girlfriend's birthday dinner a remarkable experience. Her serving skills were on point. She engaged us in conversation at just the right time. She even told us a few stories about her time on the Food Network and her chef experience in New York City. All of the food dishes were amazing. Her homemade aioli and salad dressing were the icing on the cake. Speaking of cake she made an AMAZING candied orange olive oil cake for desert. Words cannot do this cake justice. I told her it was my girlfriend's birthday and she bought a birthday card for her and even sealed it with wax. It was all the small details that made this experience truly memorable. I recommend anyone who gets an opportunity to have Danushka as their chef to seize the moment you will not regret it!