Chef Debbie Elder

Personal Chef In Fountain Hills

My background includes years of professional event planning, recipe development, food styling and cookbook production. I was trained by French chef Henri Levy in basic French cooking in 1987, and completed the Scottsdale Classic Cooking Academy's course in classical cooking. My approach leans towards creating dishes that are healthy and delicious by incorporating local produce and vegetables, proteins, grains, and fruits.

I am permitted as a Caterer in Maricopa County, Arizona and certified as a ServSafe Catering Manager. I am also a Level 1 Certified Sommelier and represent a luxury wine company with estate offerings from 15 wineries in California and France. I am the incoming President for Les Dames d'Escoffier, an organization of professional women in the culinary arts.

My catering and personal chef services include cooking for private parties, luncheons, family celebrations and wine-pairing dinners.

For me, cooking is...

My passion: I love how cooking allows me to be creative in the kitchen.

I learned to cook at...

age 10. My mother worked outside of the home and as the oldest of three girls, the job fell to me to make dinner every weeknight.

A cooking secret...

spices and seasonings and making every dish from scratch.

My menus

Paella Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Meze Party-Platter - baba gannoush (roasted eggplant dip), carrot-tahini dip, olives, roasted red peppers with crudities & pita bread (Vegan, Vegetarian, DF & GF option))

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Orange, Avocado, Red Onion, Black Olives Spanish Salad (Vegan, Vegetarian, DF, GF)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Warm bread with roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil dipping sauce

Chicken, Spanish Chorizo, Shrimp and/or Vegetarian Spanish Paella - saffron-flavored arborio rice dish served with sauteed chicken, Spanish chorizo sausage, and/or shrimp, plus onions, garlic, lemons, green beans and red peppers

DESSERT

All inclusive

Creamy caramel flan - individual egg custard topped with a creme brulee hard caramel layer on top (Vegetarian, GF)

Italian Dinner Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Shrimp Scampi – large sauteed shrimp, garlic, parsley, lemon, butter sauce with toasted bread (GF)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Toasted Bread Cubes (Vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Choose one: Chicken, Veal or Salmon Picatta – sauteed organic chicken breast, filet of veal or filet of salmon, capers, garlic, lemon, white creamy sauce

Choose one: 1, Lemon Butter Spaghetti drizzled with extra virgin olive oil or 2. Rigatoni with Marinara Sauce or 3. Italian Creamy Polenta with Parmesan Cheese

Choose one: 1. Crisp Zucchini, Eggplant & Tomato Bread Gratin – Baked veggies with oregano, basil and crusty bread (Vegan, Vegetarian, Can be GF) or

2. Ratatouille - eggplant, zucchini, squash and tomatoes (Vegan, Vegetarian, GF)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Creme Brulee with Crunchy Sugared Topping, Raspberries and Mint

Dinner Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Boursin and Gruyère Artichoke Gratin Dip - served with French baguette slices (Vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Arizona Citrus, Burrata Cheese & Pistachio Salad (Vegetarian) drizzled with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette (Vegetarian, Vegan, DF, GF)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Charred Brocollino with Calabria Chile Paste, Oregano, Bread Crumbs, Pecorino Romano Cheese

Grilled Beef Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Roasted Rosemary Baby Potatoes (Vegetarian, Vegan, DF, GF)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chocolate Pots de Creme with Whipped Cream and Raspberries

French Dinner Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Boursin and Gruyère Spinach and Artichoke Gratin Dip - served with French baguette slices

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Frisée aux Lardons - Mixed Greens with Crispy Bacon Bits and Homemade Bread Cubes with a Red Wine-Dijon vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

French Bread with Homemade Apricot Butter

Choose one for the group: 1. Chicken Fricassee - Sauteed Chicken and Carrots in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce or

2. Beef Bourguignon - Beef with Carrots, Mushrooms and White Onions Slowly Simmered in a Red Wine Burgundy Sauce

Steamed Apsaragus Spears with Lemon Zest

DESSERT

All inclusive

Flourless Chocolate Tart - Dark Chocolate Tart Slice, Raspberry Sauce, Fresh Raspberries and Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream (Vegetarian, GF)

Mexican Taco Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Chunky Gucamole Dip (Vegetarian, Vegan, GF, DF)

Homemade Salsa Verde and Warm Tortilla Chips (Vegetarian, Vegan, GF, DF)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Green Salad with Red Cabbage, Purple Onion, Cucumbers, Tomatoes & Avocado in Spicy Vinaigrette (Vegetarian, Vegan, GF, DF)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Authentic Mexican Rice (Vegetarian, Vegan, GF, DF)

Taco Bar with Orange Chile Shredded Chicken, Sauteed Poblano & Bell Peppers & Onions, Shredded Cheese, Lettuce, Salsa, Pickled Red Onions, Jalapeno, Sour Cream, Flour Tortillas, Corn Taco Shells

Calabacitas con Elote - Sauteed Zucchini and Squash with Corn, Tomato, Chiles & Monterey Jack Cheese (Vegetarian, Vegan, GF & DF option)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Mexican Flan, a creamy caramel pudding

Vegetarian Dinner Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Fig, Pear & Goat Cheese Bruschetta - sliced pear, figs, goat cheese, thyme, olive oil drizzle on toasted bread (Vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Choose one: 1. Cauliflower Soup with Thyme & Bread Cubes - cauliflower, vegetable broth, garlic, onion, thyme, toasted bread cubes with thyme olive oil drizzle (Vegan, Vegetarian)

Choose one: 2. Arizona Citrus, Berries & Feta Cheese Salad with a Light Sherry Viniagrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Butter-roasted aubergines, roasted tomatoes with freekeh & koch-kocha - Mediterranean eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, freekeh, green peppers, chiles, lime, cardamom (Vegetarian)

Sauteed Brussels sprouts - Mushrooms, Sherry Vinaigrette, Toasted Hazelnuts

Warm Bread with Apricot Butter

DESSERT

All inclusive

Strawberry Shortcake with Lemon Zest, Whipped Cream & Mint (can be made DF)

Elegant Dinner Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Bruschetta Bar: Choose 3 Toppings Spring Pea, Garlic & Parmesan; Cream Cheese & Hot Pepper Jelly; Basil Pesto & Sun-Dried Tomatoes; Mushrooms, Thyme & Fontina Cheese; Caramelized Onions, Brie & Pear Slice; Pimento Cheese & Chives; Tomato, Basil & Mozzare

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Spinach Strawberry Salad with Almonds - fresh spinach leaves, strawberry slices, red onion, toasted almonds, strawberry vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Preserved Lemon Crusted Filet of Salmon - roasted filet of salmon with preserved lemon crust, garlic and fresh minced herbs

French Green Beans - steamed green beans, toasted almonds, butter-lemon sauce (Vegetarian, DF, GF, & Vegan option)

Roasted Baby Rosemary Potatoes (Vegetarian, Vegan, DF, GF)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Flourless Chocolate Tart - dark chocolate tart slice, raspberry sauce, whipped cream and fresh raspberries (Vegetarian, Vegan, GF)

Paella Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Meze Party-Platter - baba gannoush (roasted eggplant dip), carrot-tahini dip, olives, roasted red peppers with crudities & pita bread (Vegan, Vegetarian, DF & GF option))

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Orange, Avocado, Red Onion, Black Olives Spanish Salad (Vegan, Vegetarian, DF, GF)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Warm bread with roasted garlic and extra virgin olive oil dipping sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

Creamy caramel flan - individual egg custard topped with a creme brulee hard caramel layer on top (Vegetarian, GF)

Italian Dinner Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Shrimp Scampi – large sauteed shrimp, garlic, parsley, lemon, butter sauce with toasted bread (GF)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Caesar Salad with Homemade Garlic Toasted Bread Cubes (Vegetarian)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Choose one: Chicken, Veal or Salmon Picatta – sauteed organic chicken breast, filet of veal or filet of salmon, capers, garlic, lemon, white creamy sauce

Choose one: 1, Lemon Butter Spaghetti drizzled with extra virgin olive oil or 2. Rigatoni with Marinara Sauce or 3. Italian Creamy Polenta with Parmesan Cheese

Choose one: 1. Crisp Zucchini, Eggplant & Tomato Bread Gratin – Baked veggies with oregano, basil and crusty bread (Vegan, Vegetarian, Can be GF) or

2. Ratatouille - eggplant, zucchini, squash and tomatoes (Vegan, Vegetarian, GF)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Creme Brulee with Crunchy Sugared Topping, Raspberries and Mint

Dinner Menu

STARTER

All inclusive

Boursin and Gruyère Artichoke Gratin Dip - served with French baguette slices (Vegetarian)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Arizona Citrus, Burrata Cheese & Pistachio Salad (Vegetarian) drizzled with Sherry Shallot Vinaigrette (Vegetarian, Vegan, DF, GF)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Charred Brocollino with Calabria Chile Paste, Oregano, Bread Crumbs, Pecorino Romano Cheese

Grilled Beef Flank Steak with Chimichurri Sauce

Roasted Rosemary Baby Potatoes (Vegetarian, Vegan, DF, GF)

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chocolate Pots de Creme with Whipped Cream and Raspberries

French Dinner Party

STARTER

All inclusive

Boursin and Gruyère Spinach and Artichoke Gratin Dip - served with French baguette slices

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Frisée aux Lardons - Mixed Greens with Crispy Bacon Bits and Homemade Bread Cubes with a Red Wine-Dijon vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Creamy Mashed Potatoes

French Bread with Homemade Apricot Butter

Choose one for the group: 1. Chicken Fricassee - Sauteed Chicken and Carrots in a Creamy Mushroom Sauce or

2. Beef Bourguignon - Beef with Carrots, Mushrooms and White Onions Slowly Simmered in a Red Wine Burgundy Sauce

Steamed Apsaragus Spears with Lemon Zest

DESSERT

All inclusive

Flourless Chocolate Tart - Dark Chocolate Tart Slice, Raspberry Sauce, Fresh Raspberries and Vanilla Bean Whipped Cream (Vegetarian, GF)

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Chef Debbie's reviews

4.73

•

22 services

Great experience and good intro into southwest cuisine!

Our private chef experience with Debbie was incredible! All of our dishes were delightful and she did a great job of explaining everything. At the end of the night the kitchen was spotless! I highly recommend!

Debbie arrived early and worked hard two nights to produce delicious meals for a group of a dozen unruly former college roommates. She was professional, patient and kind, and she created beautiful meals for us. She also was great in handling our friend's egg allergy, making her a few special foods as well. The kitchen was spotless when she left. It was truly a delight to have her care for us during our 40th birthday trip.

Chef Debbie was amazing… She had to assistance Lizbeth and Andy… They were all professional and polite…the food was delicious…and best of all they cleaned up. I would definitely recommend Take A Chef to anybody.

Chef Debbie provided 10 of us with an incredible Super Bowl menu while we watched the game. We requested tailgate fare, and Chef Debbie delivered, and then some. Simple items to the next level. Most times, the best food are simple dishes executed properly. The Margarita Tart on a Pretzel crust was insane!! Chef Debbie and her partner arrived on-time and remained on-site for approximately 7 hours. Chef Debbie answered all my questions and provided all guests an explanation of each dish. They cleaned the kitchen and all dishes thoroughly, and bagged all trash. A wonderful experience that I would not hesitate to enjoy again. You won't be disappointed with Chef Debbie!!

This was our first time having a personal chef come to our house just for my wife and I. Chef Debbie did a great job, her food was delicious and she was very professional. I highly recommend Chef Debbie if you looking for an intimate night home dinner idea.

Chef Debbie Elder was amazing - not only was her food delicious, but she also provided excellent explanation of her dishes, used vegetables and herbs from her own personal garden, and left my kitchen spotless! Highly recommend!

Chef Debbie did an amazing job for my wife's 40th Birthday dinner!!! It was exactly what we were looking for. The meal was fantastic and she met all our menu requests. We will request her specifically on our next private chef adventure. Great work!

Great experience and good intro into southwest cuisine!