Chef Henry Rivera Cui·sine Professional

Chef At Home In New Canaan

Chef Henry Rivera

Chef / Owner | Private Chef Rivera & Events Management INC.

Founder | Al Pastor NY

Recognized as one of the Top 5 New York Chefs on Take A Chef in 2023, Chef Henry Rivera is a culinary virtuoso dedicated to bringing people together through the art of fine dining. As the Chef and Owner of Al Pastor NY, he curates unforgettable gastronomic experiences, blending global flavors with impeccable craftsmanship.

Henry’s passion for cooking began in his home country, Ecuador, where he developed a deep appreciation for the culinary arts. In 1993, he followed his dreams to New York City, immersing himself in its dynamic food scene. Over the years, his expertise has extended beyond NYC, leaving a mark on Dubai, Florida, Ecuador, and other international culinary hotspots.

His impressive career includes serving as the Culinary Director for the Firemen Hospitality Group in New York City and Washington, D.C., further cementing his reputation in the hospitality industry. With mastery in Mexican, Italian, American, Japanese, Spanish Tapas, and Intercontinental cuisines, Chef Rivera seamlessly fuses cultures and flavors to create extraordinary dishes.

Driven by his commitment to culinary excellence, Chef Rivera founded Al Pastor NY, offering NYC a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Through his private chef services and wedding catering, he continues to craft exceptional gatherings where food is the heart of the celebration.

For me, cooking is...

For me cooking is s creative escape, away to express love and a journey of flavors it's more than just preparing.

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook with my Mom's back home in Ecuador mastering traditions flavors and recipes that connect me to my roots

A cooking secret...

less is more in the kitchen, the best dishes don't come from a long list of ingredients or complicated techniques.

My menus

Taste of France

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula Burrata Salad with aged Balsamic, cherry tomatoes

French Classic Cheese, Brie, Roquefort, Canbichou cheese Collection. grapes, strawberries, toasted bread

French Onion Soup, Swiss cheese and mozzarella

Black Olive Tapenade, toasted aged bread, balsamic

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Brandade, Cod fish, heavy cream, garlic, Yukon potatoes, olive oil

Smoked salmon and crêpe, red onions, cream cheese, capers. fresh dill

Crab cakes with togarashi seasoning,

Eggplant Caviar Dip , toasted bread (Caviar d’Aubergine)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet Mignon, Steak au Poivre with Red Wine Pan Sauce, roasted potatoes

Beef Stew in Red Wine Sauce, carrots, white white onions. serve with egg noodles

Red Snapper with Citrus and Fennel Salad

Lobster Thermidor, creamy sauces, grill asparagus

Strip Steak Frites with Béarnaise Butter

Creamy Dijon Chicken, cream, onions, parsley

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Glazed chocolate cake, fresh berries

Creme Brulée - fresh raspberries,

Seasonal fruit with honey cheddar coconut, caramel sauce

Steak tartare, beef, Egg yolk, Onion, Capers, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt and pepper

Taste of Italy!

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Grilled Romaine Lettuce Caesar Salad, parmesan cheese

Bursty Tomato Burrata Salad, cherry tomatoes, basil olive oil

Italian Charcuterie Board, Italian meats, cheese, grapes, strawberries, toasted bread, balsamic, olive oil

Easy Bruschetta, toasted bread, fetta cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caprese Salad, tomatoes basil, balsamic

Lemon rosemary Risotto, white wine, diced onions, green peas lemon zest, butter

Spinach-Artichoke Flatbread, olive oil balsamic

Olive & Fig Tapenade , serve with toasted bread, olive oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Parmesan, serve with spaghetti pasta, fresh basil

Seared Filet Mignon, roasted potatoes, rainbow carrots , red wine Barolo sauces

Surf and Turf, lobster tail + filet mignon, grill asparagus, red wine Barolo sauces

Spaghetti with Clams and Garlic, olive oil

Spaghetti with Shrimp, Lemon, Mint, and Pecorino

Sea Bass with Sicilian Cherry Tomato Sauce

Scaloppine - veal piccata, white wine, butter, lemon juice

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Glazed chocolate cake, fresh berries

Strawberry cheese cake, with chocolate ganache

Classic tiramisu, cocoa, mascarpone

Mediterranean cuisine

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Hummus, toasted naan, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper flakes oil,

Greek salad, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onions, feta cheese, lemon, oil

Guacamole and chips, fried corn tortillas, cilantro, lime, red onions, jalapeños

Gambas al Ajillo, toasted bread (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce),

Lemon rosemary Risotto, white wine, diced onions, green peas lemon zest, butter

Classic Minestrone, carrots, tomatoes, white onions

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Arugula Burrata Salad with aged Balsamic, cherry tomatoes

Easy Bruschetta, toasted bread, fetta cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil

Shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauces,

Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Dukkah, Garlicky Yogurt and Mint

Pasta Alla Norma, spicy tomato sauces, basil, basil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Moroccan Lamb Tagine, rice

Seared Filet Mignon, roasted potatoes, rainbow carrots , red wine Barolo sauces

Surf and Turf, lobster tail + filet mignon, grill asparagus, red wine Barolo sauces

Roasted Chicken With Dates, Citrus, and Olives

Salmon and Zucchini Baked in Parchment

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Seasonal fruit with honey cheddar coconut, caramel sauce

Classic tiramisu, cocoa, mascarpone

Glazed chocolate cake, fresh berries

Strawberry cheese cake, with chocolate ganache

Fresh made lemon gelato

Taste of France

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula Burrata Salad with aged Balsamic, cherry tomatoes

French Classic Cheese, Brie, Roquefort, Canbichou cheese Collection. grapes, strawberries, toasted bread

French Onion Soup, Swiss cheese and mozzarella

Black Olive Tapenade, toasted aged bread, balsamic

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Brandade, Cod fish, heavy cream, garlic, Yukon potatoes, olive oil

Smoked salmon and crêpe, red onions, cream cheese, capers. fresh dill

Crab cakes with togarashi seasoning,

Eggplant Caviar Dip , toasted bread (Caviar d’Aubergine)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet Mignon, Steak au Poivre with Red Wine Pan Sauce, roasted potatoes

Beef Stew in Red Wine Sauce, carrots, white white onions. serve with egg noodles

Red Snapper with Citrus and Fennel Salad

Lobster Thermidor, creamy sauces, grill asparagus

Strip Steak Frites with Béarnaise Butter

Creamy Dijon Chicken, cream, onions, parsley

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Glazed chocolate cake, fresh berries

Creme Brulée - fresh raspberries,

Seasonal fruit with honey cheddar coconut, caramel sauce

Steak tartare, beef, Egg yolk, Onion, Capers, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt and pepper

Taste of Italy!

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Grilled Romaine Lettuce Caesar Salad, parmesan cheese

Bursty Tomato Burrata Salad, cherry tomatoes, basil olive oil

Italian Charcuterie Board, Italian meats, cheese, grapes, strawberries, toasted bread, balsamic, olive oil

Easy Bruschetta, toasted bread, fetta cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Caprese Salad, tomatoes basil, balsamic

Lemon rosemary Risotto, white wine, diced onions, green peas lemon zest, butter

Spinach-Artichoke Flatbread, olive oil balsamic

Olive & Fig Tapenade , serve with toasted bread, olive oil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Parmesan, serve with spaghetti pasta, fresh basil

Seared Filet Mignon, roasted potatoes, rainbow carrots , red wine Barolo sauces

Surf and Turf, lobster tail + filet mignon, grill asparagus, red wine Barolo sauces

Spaghetti with Clams and Garlic, olive oil

Spaghetti with Shrimp, Lemon, Mint, and Pecorino

Sea Bass with Sicilian Cherry Tomato Sauce

Scaloppine - veal piccata, white wine, butter, lemon juice

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Glazed chocolate cake, fresh berries

Strawberry cheese cake, with chocolate ganache

Classic tiramisu, cocoa, mascarpone

Mediterranean cuisine

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Hummus, toasted naan, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red pepper flakes oil,

Greek salad, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, black olives, red onions, feta cheese, lemon, oil

Guacamole and chips, fried corn tortillas, cilantro, lime, red onions, jalapeños

Gambas al Ajillo, toasted bread (Shrimp in Garlic Sauce),

Lemon rosemary Risotto, white wine, diced onions, green peas lemon zest, butter

Classic Minestrone, carrots, tomatoes, white onions

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Arugula Burrata Salad with aged Balsamic, cherry tomatoes

Easy Bruschetta, toasted bread, fetta cheese, cherry tomatoes, basil

Shrimp cocktail with cocktail sauces,

Roasted Rainbow Carrots with Dukkah, Garlicky Yogurt and Mint

Pasta Alla Norma, spicy tomato sauces, basil, basil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Moroccan Lamb Tagine, rice

Seared Filet Mignon, roasted potatoes, rainbow carrots , red wine Barolo sauces

Surf and Turf, lobster tail + filet mignon, grill asparagus, red wine Barolo sauces

Roasted Chicken With Dates, Citrus, and Olives

Salmon and Zucchini Baked in Parchment

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Seasonal fruit with honey cheddar coconut, caramel sauce

Classic tiramisu, cocoa, mascarpone

Glazed chocolate cake, fresh berries

Strawberry cheese cake, with chocolate ganache

Fresh made lemon gelato

Taste of France

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Arugula Burrata Salad with aged Balsamic, cherry tomatoes

French Classic Cheese, Brie, Roquefort, Canbichou cheese Collection. grapes, strawberries, toasted bread

French Onion Soup, Swiss cheese and mozzarella

Black Olive Tapenade, toasted aged bread, balsamic

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Brandade, Cod fish, heavy cream, garlic, Yukon potatoes, olive oil

Smoked salmon and crêpe, red onions, cream cheese, capers. fresh dill

Crab cakes with togarashi seasoning,

Eggplant Caviar Dip , toasted bread (Caviar d’Aubergine)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet Mignon, Steak au Poivre with Red Wine Pan Sauce, roasted potatoes

Beef Stew in Red Wine Sauce, carrots, white white onions. serve with egg noodles

Red Snapper with Citrus and Fennel Salad

Lobster Thermidor, creamy sauces, grill asparagus

Strip Steak Frites with Béarnaise Butter

Creamy Dijon Chicken, cream, onions, parsley

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Glazed chocolate cake, fresh berries

Creme Brulée - fresh raspberries,

Seasonal fruit with honey cheddar coconut, caramel sauce

Steak tartare, beef, Egg yolk, Onion, Capers, Worcestershire sauce, parsley, salt and pepper

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Chef Henry Rivera Cui·sine Professional

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For me, cooking is...

I learned to cook at...

A cooking secret...

My menus

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