Chef Henry Rivera Masterchef

Private Chef In New York

"2023 Top 5 New York Chef on Take A Chef"

Chef / Owner

Private Chef Rivera & Events Management INC.

Chef Henry Rivera is a culinary virtuoso, renowned for bringing people together through the art of fine food. As the Chef and Owner of "Al Pastor NY" he takes immense pleasure in curating unforgettable dining experiences.

Henry's passion for cooking started at an early age, and he embarked on his culinary journey in his home country, Ecuador. In 1993, he followed his dreams to the bustling culinary scene of New York City, and since then, his culinary expertise has graced the kitchens of renowned establishments in New York, Dubai, Florida, Ecuador, and beyond.

As the Culinary Director at the Firemen Hospitality Group in NYC and DC, Chef Rivera's legacy in the New York hospitality industry is well-established. With a flair for diverse cuisines, he specializes in Mexican, Italian, American, Japanese, Spanish Tapas, and Intercontinental dishes.

Ready to offer NYC a taste of his culinary creations, Chef Rivera established "Al Pastor " to provide patrons with a once-in-a-lifetime dining experience. Under his guidance, the Rivera cuisine thrives as a private Chef and Wedding Catering business, devoted to crafting memorable gatherings through exquisite food.

For me, cooking is...

Cooking allow me to experiment, play with flavors, and craft something unique, for my guests.

I learned to cook at...

The sound of sizzling pans and the aroma of simmering sauces become part of my life childhood memories.

A cooking secret...

Using simple ingredients, creativity, such as enhancing flavors with splash of acid "vinegar" or lemon or a pinch of sugar!

My menus

Custom menu & cooking class

STARTER

All inclusive

Mise en place preparation 30 minutes

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Cooking class 30 minutes

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Serve the cooked food

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Apple pie with vanilla ice cream

3 leches, whipped cream

Cheesecake, chocolate sauces, strawberry

By request only

Belgian mini cream puffs With dulche de leche

Thanksgiving menu 2024

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Baby arugula with Age balsamic , Procciuto di Parma

Tomato Caprese , Basil olive oil, Aged Balsamic

Butternut squash, cream fresh

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Baked Penne / Spinach, Ricotta & Fontina Cheese

Crab Cakes with Mango Salsa, cilantro leaves

Eggplant Parmesan, tomato sauces, basil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Oven-Roasted Turkey, Gravy, cranberry sauces

Side -Maple-Roasted Carrots

Side- Cornbread Stuffing With Sausage, fresh herbs

Side -Roasted Brussels Sprouts With Brown Butter

Sausage and Herb Stuffing, corn bread, raisins

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Classic Tiramisù,

Cheesecake, chocolate sauces, strawberry

Pican pie

Pumpkin pie

BBQ By Chef Rivera

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Buffet / Baked Penne / Spinach, Ricotta & Fontina Cheese

Buffer / Tomato Caprese , Basil olive oil, Age Balsamic

Buffet / Baby Arugula / Balsamic Dressing, Fresh Avocado, Orange Segments

Buffet / Grill antipasto plate

Buffet / Guacamole

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Buffer / Grill filet Mignonette

Buffet / Grill salmon

Buffet / Hamburger, garlic aioli

Buffet / grill chicken breast

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

BY- Chef Henry Mini Tarts Table ( 3 Mini Tarts for Guest )

Buffet / Balsamic Berries with Honey Yogurt, coconut shavings

Buffet / Belgian mini cream puffs With chocolate sauce

Buffet / Classic Tiramisu

New York Taste of Tokyo! BY-Chef Rivera

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Edamame Steamed Edamame Pods, Salted and Served with a Wedge of Lemon

Tuna Tartar Fresh maguro tuna, flavored with a combination of spicy and savory seasonings, laid out on a light bed of sushi rice layered with garden-fresh guacamole and served with our wanton chips

Hamachi Jalapeño 5 Pieces of Thinly Sliced buttery Hamachi blanketing a bushel of finely sliced cucumber marinated in our special Ponzu dressing and Jalapenos

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cucumber Salad Fresh Cucumber strips with a ponzu dressing

Garden Salad Fresh Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pepper, Carrot, layered with avocado slices, served with a special ginger dressing

Jalapeno Bay Fresh Jalapenos stuffed with Spicy Tuna

Tokyo Salad Lettuce, cucumber, avocado, pepper, mango, Tomato, Carrot, Cashews, served with Ponzu dressing

Chopped Green Goddess Salad, roman lettuce, red cabbage, bay arugula

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Sushi Tacos Two tacos with fresh salmon and fresh tuna topped with a perfect combination of our spicy mayonnaise sauces

California Roll Kani, Cucumber, Avocado

Coney Roll Spicy Salmon, Avocado, Spicy Kani, Crunch

Crunchy Spicy Tuna Spicy Tuna, Layered with Crunch Mexican Roll Spicy Tuna, Spicy Salmon, Crunch, Topped with Jalapeño, *Masago & a Dollop of Hot Chili

Fancy Vegetable Roll (V) Portabella, Avocado, Cucumber, Wrapped with Avocado

Sashimi Red Snapper, salmon, tuna, smoked salmon

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Balsamic Berries with Honey Yogurt, coconut shavings

Cheesecake, Fresh strawberries , chocolate sauces, white & dark chocolate Pearls

Cannoli (Shell and Filling) chocolate curls

Glazed chocolate cake, whipped cream

Cocktail Menu BY-Chef Rivera

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Chicken tacos / cream avocado, Molcajete sauces salsa

B L T chicken sandwich

Cheat's blinis with Ham and figs

Gorgonzola and prosciutto figs with prawn and brioche toasties

Grilled Ricotta Bruschetta with Sweet and Sour Tomatoes

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Crab Cakes with Mango Salsa, cilantro leaves

Avocado toasted with sunny-side eggs

Asian Chicken Lettuce Wraps

Salmon tartare With Avocado

Grape fontina skewers

Mini lobster roll

Arborio Lemon rosemary risotto , parmesan cheese, green peas

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Crispy Tofu With Maple-Soy Glaze,jasmine rice

Garlic butter shrimp scampi, with spaghetti olive oil

Four-cheese pizza

Spicy Crunch Tuna Tartare

Steak Diane with Crispy Crostini

Mini Lobster pot Pie

Gazpacho shots

DESSERT

Choose 2 dishes

Balsamic Berries with Honey Yogurt, coconut shavings

BY- Chef Henry Mini Tarts Table ( 5 Mini Tarts for Guest )

Whole chocolate Cake

Whole Cheese cake

Taste of France

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Age balsamic Bruschetta, cherry tomatoes, olive oil, basil, feta cheese

Baby arugula, balsamic dressing, fresh avocado, orange Segments

Smoked Salmon Canapes

Watermelon salad with feta, cucumber, mint (May to Sept) only!!

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lyonnaise Salad. Frisée lettuce, tossed in a warm and delicious vinaigrette and topped with crispy bacon and a poached egg. Because

Pan seared Crab-cake, Tartar sauces lemon zest, tomatoes

Steak tartare, Beef, Tabasco, Mustard,Salt< Black Pepper, Worcestei sauces, Egg

Onion Soup (Soupe à l’Oignon)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb crust Rack of Lamb — serve with honey mustard, mash potatoes

Filet Mignon, with wild Caramelize shallots, roasted potatoes, Herbs Red Wine Reduction

Lobster Thermidor, Béchamel Base , Sauteed, Shallots & Mushrooms, Sweet Cherry Wine, Fresh Tarragon, Baby Arugula with Olive Oil

Streak-Frites with roasted potatoes, creamy Peppercorn Sauce

Seared Airline Chicken & ratatouille, infused green oil

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Glazed chocolate cake, whipped cream

Fresh fruit Tart

Cheesecake, Fresh strawberries , chocolate sauces

Raspberry napoleons, Tulies, with whipped cream

Brunch Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Crepe Plate, blue berries sauces, fresh strawberries, sour cream

Bread basket / bagels /muffins / sweets / jam / orange juice / Donuts

Smoked Salmon Breakfast Platter , Avocado, Fresh Fruit, Bread, Boiled Eggs, Cucumber Dill Salad, Red Onions, Cream Cheese

Ham Cheese & Spinach Puffs

Bake pancake, with whipped cream strawberries

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Avocado toasted with sunny-side eggs

Sausage and Spinach Crustless Quiche

Eggs Benedict / bacon / smoke salmon / vegetarian choose of one

Omelettes /bacon and cheese / smoke salmon and caramelize onions / cheese omelette Fontina and Swiss cheese

Pecan chocolate Bobka French Toast whipped cream, Maple syrup

Arabian Buttered Eggs with Mint and Lemon

Grilled Avocado Caprese Crostini. Aged Balsamic, Rape Tomato, Olive Oil, Fresh Basil

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Garlic butter shrimp scampi, with parmesan crusted Baguette

Grill Salmon with capers, olive oil

Burst Tomato Frittata with Fontina and Basil Oil

Skirt steak Chimichurri sauces

Huevos Rancheros, Coen Tortillas, Black Beans, Sausages, Roasted Tomato Sauces, Bell Peppers , Eggs Make by Guest preference

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Cheesecake, with chocolate sauces

Cannoli (Shell and Filling) blue berries sauces,

3 leches as you request

Balsamic Berries with Honey Yogurt, coconut shavings

Local American -food

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Breakfast burrito, flour tortilla, black beans, avocado, eggs, rice

Pancake, maple syrup, whipped cream

Eggs Benedict is a common American breakfast

Wedge Salad with Blue Cheese Dressing

Tricolor Quinoa salad, avocado jalapeno

Macaroni and cheese, Velveeta cheese

Loaded Baked Potatoes, bacon, sour cream, scallions

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Hamburgers , beef patty, lettuce, tomato, chefs special sauces

Crab Louie Lettuce Wraps, crab meat, ,mango, louie dressing

Southern Potato Salad, boiled eggs, scallions

Classic Cobb Salad, eggs, bacon , chicken, avocado creamy dijon dressing

Crab Cakes with Mango Salsa, cilantro leaves

Lobster rolls, mayonnaise

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lemon garlic Scallops, mash potatoes, butter wine sauces

Pot roast, red wine, carrots , white onions, serve with mash potatoes

Barbecue ribs, coleslaw, mash potatoes

New York strip, roasted potatoes, brown butter

Grill filet Mignon medallions , with wild Caramelize shallots, roasted potatoes , Herbs Red Wine Reduction

Grill Surf N Turf, Steak, Lobster , Gill Asparagus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Warm Apple Pie with strawberry gelato, caramel sauce

Balsamic Berries with Honey Yogurt, coconut shavings

Cheesecake, chocolate sauces, strawberry

Classic Tiramisu, Cocoa

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Chef Henry's reviews

4.74

•

160 services

Loved having Chef Rivera in our home! He arrived on time, served up the entire meal and wine a pairing without a single hitch. His food was simple and delicious, and he took care to make any alterations we requested. He was very kind and positive the entire time, and we couldn't have been more pleased!

Chef Henry was awesome and made my wife’s birthday an amazing experience.

Chef Henry delivered a wonderful dinner for my guests and I ! I would hire him again in a heartbeat

The experience of having Chef Henry Rivera was an inspiration for the concept of having a private chef at home. His service was worth every penny. His wife helped in serving the dishes and they are a great team. The dinner even included wine pairing. Highly recommended for a special experience.

The team was fantastic

Chef Henry was very well prepared, eloquent and engaging. We felt like we were in a 5 star restaurant within our home. He checked on us frequently and answered any questions. We will definitely use his services again.

Chef Rivera was so great to work with. He made it a perfect evening. Food and presentation were both perfect. He was so easy to work with. Thank you for an incredible evening!

Henry was fantastic. Everyone at our dinner party wants to hire him!

Chef Henry did an amazing job and made my parents 50th wedding anniversary dinner a night to remember!

Henry was absolutely AMAZING!!! The dinner was top notch! we loved the whole experience and booked him again before he left!!!

Excellent experience!

Chef Henry exceeded all expectations with their exceptional fusion of vegetarian and Mediterranean dishes. Each plate was a masterpiece, beautifully presented and bursting with flavor. The use of fresh, quality ingredients was evident, and the kitchen was left spotless. Highly recommend for a culinary experience that's both delightful and memorable!

Chef Rivera was professional and attentive! The food was amazing and the all-around experience provided by the chef was spectacular.

Chef Henry was fantastic. The food and service was excellent. I would recommend him to anyone looking to have a nice dinner party. We had him for Christmas Eve and it helped create a night to remember.

Chef Henry was professional, friendly, and talented. He delivered the menu exactly as we planned. The presentation was beautiful, the service was excellent.

Chef Henry was incredible! He exceeded all of our expectations and each meal was delicious. From start to finish Chef Henry was attentive, knowledge and a true pleasure to work with. We're excited to have another event and use Chef Henry again! Chef, thank you thank you thank you!

Chef Rivera made my husband’s birthday extra special. We made the decision to have him come a few days before the event and he made everything easy and elevated - from choosing the menu, bringing flatware and wine glasses, and including a wine pairing with dinner. The food was delicious and we were able to enjoy with our family and friends without worrying about anything. It was a wonderful experience.

Henry Chef Rivera was very polite and comfortable to be around. The food was presented beautifully and tasted delicious. When he left the kitchen looked like he was never there. We were all very happy and highly recommended Chef Henry.

Chef Rivera was amazing! He was on time and ready to go at the scheduled time. Loved the personalized menus he created and the food was amazing. We did an Italian based meal -the surf and turf was everyone’s favorite part and he paired it with wine which was as great! This was the first time I had a private chef experience and it was awesome, highly recommend!

Chef Henry Rivera served up a 'Taste of France' that made our special private event even more enjoyable. His well crafted menu with wine pairings after a short discussion, was spot on. Pleasant in demeanor and professional in manner, his outstanding service truly complemented the dishes he served. We just loved it.