Chef Don Carr

Private Chef In San Luis Obispo

I have had a lifelong love of food and dining. Before the era of celebrity chefs, I wanted to share my 16th birthday at Spago (Wolfgang wasn't a legend yet) with my best friend. My memories of delighting in the paper wrapped fingerling grilled cheese at Harry's Bar & Grill in Florence is my fondest food memory during a family trip. I was blessed to be exposed to a wide variety of foods and dining experiences in my formative years. It planted the seeds that grew into my passion and creativity. I spent fifteen years in the restaurant industry, attended The Portland Culinary Institute and enjoyed the privilege of serving celebrities, world leaders, and everyone in between. Cuisine remains an integral part of creating memorable experiences with people.

While I have enjoyed a successful career in marketing and advertising, I have also been honing my chef and hospitality skills using food as a creative outlet for friends and family. Now, I get to pursue my passion and share it with others. If you’re looking to bring people together for an intimate gathering, to celebrate love and friendship and to create memories over fine food and drink, it would be my joy to do that with you. It fills my heart with happiness to delight those who come to my table by creating dishes and experiences that are healthy, delicious, beautiful and memorable. I look forward to helping your next gathering do exactly that.

For me, cooking is...

a canvas for my creativity. Each dish is unique and prepared with both skill and infused with love.

I learned to cook at...

our home kitchen when I was young. I attended Portland Culinary Institute and have honed my skills cooking for family and friends.

A cooking secret...

is to cook with love and care in all I do, keenly keeping the people who come to the table my main priority above all else.

My menus

Approachable & Delectable Elegance

STARTER

All inclusive

Premier Bubbles from Champagne, France

Chilled oysters on the 1/2 shell tastings from Grassy Bar, Hog Island and Prince Edward Islands with special mignonette

Caviar tasting on grilled toast, endive and figs

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Wagyu beef carpaccio with whole grain mustard, bitter greens, aged Parmesan and cracked peppercorns

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Seared duck breast and diver scallops with blood orange, soy and sesame glaze

Flash fried and lemon zested broccolini

Gold flaked sticky rice

DESSERT

All inclusive

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée with mixed berries and fresh vanilla whipped cream

Port wine selection or sipping Whiskey tasting

Espresso or French Press Coffee service

The Five Star Experience

STARTER

All inclusive

Premium Champagne toast to kick off the evening

Sparkling or flat water service throughout the evening

Grassy Bar (Morro Bay) Oysters on the 1/2 shell with Champagne Mignonette

Fresh crab cocktail with lemon pepper infused celery or Crispy Crab Cakes over a roasted pepper and tomato puree

Craft Cocktails (chat with chef to talk about your favorites or selection options)

Bread service by local bakers and creamery butter

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Grilled locally farmed artichokes with garlic lemon and herb aioli topped with crispy homemade breadcrumbs

Garden fresh greens, shaved root vegetables, pear, apple, and lemon vinaigrette with gorgonzola crumbles

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Seasonal roasted vegetables seasoned to perfection

Garden fresh herb infused mashed potatoes

Snake River Farms Ribeye or Filet Mignon with garlic, shallot, rosemary and butter finish

Citrus marinated and locally caught lobster medallions topped with micro greens and clarified butter for dipping

DESSERT

All inclusive

Vanilla Bean Crème Brûlée with mixed berries

Top shelf espresso martini or your favorite after dinner drink

Elegant table set up and all kitchen clean up so you can continue to relax and enjoy

A Taste of Thailand

STARTER

All inclusive

Thai Iced Tea, Whole Young Coconut, Hibiscus Brew (choose 1)

Seared Pork Gyoza with chili soy vinagrette

Coconut Shrimp with Thai chili oil

Crispy Veggie Roll in a spicy plum sauce

Craft Cocktails, Thai Beer or Wine Pairings available for additional fees

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Green Papaya salad with string beans, tomato and toasted peanuts

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Bangkok fried rice with shrimp and chicken with egg, tomatoes, yo choy and spicy sauce

Pad See Eew with Pork Belly

Classic Pad Thai (chicken, pork or shrimp) with crispy noodles

DESSERT

All inclusive

Fresh berries topped with whipped cream, caramel crunch sugar and shredded mint

Ladies ONLY! Learn to prepare a classic starter, first course, main dish and dessert. You will eat what we make!

STARTER

All inclusive

Craft cocktails, beer or wine to get everyone into the right spirits! (chat with chef via the app to make beverage choices)

Learn to make a classic starter or appetizer

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Learn to make and present a classic first course

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Learn to make and present a classic starter main course

DESSERT

All inclusive

Learn to make and present a classic dessert

NOTE: You will eat and enjoy everything you make :-)

Guys ONLY! Learn to prepare a classic starter, first course, main dish and dessert!. You will eat what we prepare!

STARTER

All inclusive

Craft cocktails, beer or wine to get everyone into the right spirits! (chat with chef via the app to make beverage choices)

Learn to make a classic cocktail (eg Margarita's)

Learn to make a classic starter or appetizer

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Learn to make and present a classic first course

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Learn to make and present a classic starter main course

DESSERT

All inclusive

Learn to make and present a classic dessert

NOTE: You will eat and enjoy everything you make :-)

Central Coast Family Style BBQ Feast

STARTER

All inclusive

Central Coast Brewed Beer Sampling on ice (2 beers per guest included. Additional beers at $7 each)

Craft Cocktail & Wine Pairings are available at additional cost (chat with chef in the app to explore the options)

Soda's or Lemon Aid available at additional cost (chat with chef via the app for selection choices)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Santa Maria style Tri-Tip: BBQ'd with Suzy Q's seasoning and chef blend, slow cooked to perfection

Baby Back Ribs with chef's dry rub and traditional BBQ Sauce

Organic Chicken Wings with house made buffalo sauce or dry rubbed served with fresh cucumber, carrot and celery sticks. Dip in ranch or blue cheese dressing

Sides will include roasted corn, house made coleslaw, house made potato salad, and garden fresh mixed greens with lemon vinaigrette

Sourdough Bread by Grover Beach Sourdough and whipped creamery butter

DESSERT

All inclusive

Homemade apple pie or cherry pie with vanilla bean ice cream

Substitute homemade black bottom cupcakes and ice cold milk

Champagne Brunch - Bubbles & Gifts from the Sea

STARTER

All inclusive

Champagne or Sparkling Wine Mimosa's & White Peach Bellini's (bubbles sourced from local Central Coast wineries)

Cucumber and Lemon Infused Ice Water (need to stay hydrated for the day drinking)

Chilled oysters on the 1/2 shell with champagne mignonette (Oysters sourced from Morro Bay or Hog Island)

Chilled shrimp with black cocktail sauce and lemon essence celery

Craft Cocktail & Wine Pairings are available at additional cost (chat with the chef in the app to explore options)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Garden fresh arugula and mixed greens with citrus vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Crispy Dungeness crab cakes over roasted red pepper, tomato and garlic puree topped with lemon essence micro-greens

DESSERT

All inclusive

Dutch Babies (German fluffy pancake) to be topped with powdered sugar and lemon wedges, maple syrup or jam preserves

Fresh berries topped with whipped cream, caramel crunch sugar and shredded mint

Family & Friends Pizza Night

STARTER

All inclusive

Craft Cocktail & Wine Pairings are available at additional cost (chat with the chef in the app to explore options)

Sampling of Italian beers (eg. Moretti & Peroni) choices in buckets of ice (includes 2 per guest. Additional beers at $10 each)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Fresh House Made Mozzarella Caprese Salad with Heirloom Tomato's and garden fresh basil

Classic Caesar Salad with house made croutons and shaved Parmesan cheese (white anchovies available upon request)

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Ooni Pizza Oven cooks one pizza at a time (average time is less than 5 minutes). Guests can have the chef make the pizza or have the option to "make & bake your own"

Pizza protein toppings: pepperoni, Italian sausage, bacon bits, ham, chicken breast bites (other toppings available, just ask the chef via the app)

Pizza veggie toppings: tomato's, bell peppers, onion, mushrooms, pineapple, sun-dried tomato's, arugula, jalapeno's (other toppings available, just ask the chef via the app)

Pizza sauces: tomato, pesto and white sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

Fresh peaches (seasonal) or Berries lightly sweetened with house made whipped cream

Fruit can be replaced with Chocolate Cake and icy cold milk

Gelato selection

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Chef Don's reviews

4.93

•

88 services

Chef Don and his wife Wendee were just absolutely amazing! All of us are still talking about how amazing the food was the entire weekend and I don’t think anything else really compared to the dinner they provided for us. They are extremely professional and friendly - they were so personable and fun to chat with during dinner which made the event even more fun. Everything was locally sourced and fresh, and we opted for extra add ons which was so worth it. Wendee decorated the table with flowers and lights and chef Don had wrote a personalized menu as a keepsake. Overall it was a perfect evening.

Chef Don is amazing. The food was absolutely delicious and the attention to detail exceeded our expectations. From table setting to the food and presentation to clean-up, we loved the entire experience. He and his wife Wendy worked with us to ensure our birthday experience and celebration was one we would never forget.

Chef Don was incredible and did a great job. Catering to our liking! Great personality with a love for food and wine:)

Chef Don Carr and staff were fantastic!!! The presentation, the service, the food.....was absolutely wonderful. I can not recommend Chef Don enough. He created a memorable experience for our family. We are looking forward to hiring him again. Thank you Chef Don!

Chef Don and his team are true professionals. They care so much about creating a good experience for guests, and Chef Don has an entire team at his fingertips to do so. The food was creative and delicious. Chef Don is a wonderful person and is so thoughtful and easy to communicate with! Would recommend 10/10!

Chef Don was incredible! He did everything to make the event special for us. His food was amazing. Every part of the dinner was delicious. He made everything exactly to our liking and included our feedback in the process. I cannot recommend him enough! Definitely hire him for your next event you will not regret it!

Chef Don and his partner Wendy are true culinary professionals, their food and presentation was on point. Working with them to design the menu for the week was a great process, their love of food and hospitality showed right from the start. What you don't realize what you are getting with Chef Don and Wendy is a team that truly loves what they do and it shows, they are such warm, kind and loving people. They are so hospitable and bridge the gap of having people in your private space while still making it feel like your home. I look forward to the next time we meet again.

We celebrated our 20th anniversary and Chef Don and his crew were the best part of the celebration! No words or photos do our experience justice. From the moment we had our first phone call meeting, to the minute he stepped into our home, to the moment he left... it was all perfect!! The experience, the set up, the service, the ambiance they created, the personal feeling we received from Chef Don and his crew, it was beyond our expectations! The menu was spot on and delicious (delicious doesn't even seem like enough to describe it). We cannot wait to have him back in our kitchen!

Chef Don was incredibly proactive in curating a menu. We needed vegan options, catered to multiple allergies and Chef planned 6 amazing meals! Chef came on time with fresh delicious food. He explained the provenance of the cuisine and beverages. The dishes were beautifully prepared and absolutely delicious! We had multiple courses every night and my family fought over the leftovers the next day. The kitchen was left spotless each night and by the end of the week, Chef felt like a dear friend. Would HIGHLY recommend. GREAT EXPERIENCE!!

Chef Don exceeded my expectations. He was a host as much as a chef, and his team created an ambiance in our home that was far above what I had envisioned. He's clearly a member of the food and beverage community in the Central Coast and it shows, both in his meal creation and his storytelling. 5/5, would recommend to anyone.

Chef Don was such a pleasure to work with from start to finish! All of our dining party was impressed by his attention to detail, excellent presentation and delicious food! We would absolutely use his service again and highly recommend him and his team! They were so kind and thoughtful throughout the entire service, they made our special meal truly memorable!

Chef Don is awesome! Our family highly recommends him. Four of seven of our family members have food allergies or intolerances, so we were worried about finding a chef who could cook for all of us. Right from the beginning, Chef Don created a menu for us that was both generous and accommodating. He was very easy to communicate with and made sure the menu was exactly what we wanted. The night of the dinner was perfect! He and Wendy created a beautiful atmosphere for our dinner, and the food was delicious! We would absolutely book Chef Don for another dinner!

We had an amazing experience with Chef Don at our Airbnb. The food was delicious, perfectly paired, and beautifully presented. Chef Don provided excellent service throughout the evening, making it a truly memorable experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a top-notch dining experience!

Chef Don was a joy to work with during every step of our event from planning to execution. The food was amazing, the drinks delicious and the decor perfect! We had a SHREKtastic time!

Chef Don and wife Wendee were absolutely wonderful to work with! Engaging, friendly, and professional. This was our first time hiring a chef, and they made the whole process seamless and comfortable - from the initial call to get a feel for us and our group, to being onsite and present with our guests. Everyone enjoyed their company, in addition to the food and fabulous display. It was a very special memory and they made the whole thing just perfect. Thank you!

Chef Don and Chef Wendy are phenomenal! We were so incredibly impressed with the food, the presentation, and the table design. We are busily trying to plan our next special event so we can hire them again.

We hired Chef Don for a bachelorette party and it was the highlight of our trip! Chef Don was so kind and attentive and made every one of us feel so special. The food and drinks were beyond delicious and the presentation was impeccable! We had the best time and an amazing meal. I highly recommend Chef Don for anyone who wants a chef that not only puts effort into the food but to connecting with his guests. We ended the night very full and satisfied and feeling like he was part of our family.

Chef Don and his wonderful team were amazing! Food, service, set up, clean up, and engagement was perfect. Even the decor! Our family all loved the food, interactions, it's the whole package. I'd recommend to anyone that loves delicious food and ambiance. We'd love to use them again in the future!!

Chef Don and Wendy were absolutely wonderful. The entire experience was an open collaboration. He crafted a custom menu after learning our preferences and nailed it. The attention to detail was impressive, from the hand-written menu to the table settings. Each course was explained and he ensured it met our satisfaction. The quality of the food was top notch and cooked to perfection. And the cleanup was magical, as if they were never there. My wife and I celebrated our recent marriage and this was the first time we’ve used this service. I would highly recommend Chef Don for your next experience!

Chef Don was amazing. Food was delicious. Definitely recommend