Chef John Phelps

Personal Chef In Freeport

I am an award winning chef with 30 years experience in the culinary field. I have worked hundreds of kitchens being a chef for hire in Denver before moving to the New Orleans after hurricane Katrina. I worked my way across the Gulf Coast finally ending up here in Santa Rosa Beach. I am currently working at The Bay preparing the food for guests to enjoy and in my free time I love to cook for friends.

For me, cooking is...

For me cooking is important. It's important the food looks amazing. It's important the food tastes amazing. It's important to love the meal.

I learned to cook at...

I learned to cook from Chef Salinda Witervongle in Denver. 2 years of on the job training I could never pay for. But really you never stop learning

A cooking secret...

My secret is no secret at all. I make great food that people want to eat.

My menus

Exclusive Chef Table

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Canapé Platter (Local Cheese, Meats & Seafood)

Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad with Bruschetta & Aged Balsamic

Lobster Salad with Mango, Avocado & Blood Orange Oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Handmade Lobster Ravioli

Goat Cheese Ravioli with Saffron Butter Poached Lobster

Saffron Fettuccine with Saffron Poached Gulf Shrimp in Champagne Velouté

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet Mignon with Poached Lobster Tail on Pearl Pasta

Snapper Wellington with Ginger Beurre Blanc, Fingerling Potatoes & Grilled Asparagus

Reverse Seared Filet Mignon with Saffron Poached Lobster Tail in Béarnaise Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dark Chocolate Soufflé with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream & Chocolate Sauce

King Cake Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel

Strawberry Prosecco Ice Cream Sundae

Mediterranean Delight II

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Burrata with Tomato, Basil & Prosciutto

Grilled Asparagus Salad with Tomato, Burrata & Aged Balsamic

Marinated Asparagus, Fig, Goat Cheese & Heirloom Tomato Salad

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tagliatelle ai Funghi (porcini, portobello or chanterelles)

Handmade Ricotta & Goat Cheese Ravioli in Fig & Brown Butter Sauce

Caprese Rigatoni

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Roasted Salmon with Sweet Potato Purée

Pan Seared Red Snapper with Polenta Cake, Spinach & Tomato Coulis

Mediterranean Filet Mignon with Spinach, Feta & Sun-dried Tomato Pesto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Cassata

Blood Orange Cardamom Olive Oil Cake

Strawberry Tiramisu with Prosecco Ice Cream

Locally Inspired Indulge

STARTER

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Gulf Shrimp Chili Lime Tostada 🍤

Grilled Watermelon Salad with Avocado and Lime Vinaigrette 🍉

Blood Orange and Pomegranate Salad with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette 🍊

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Handmade Ricotta & Goat Cheese Ravioli in Fig & Brown Butter Sauce 🧀

Bandaja Pasta

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Polenta Cake, Spinach & Smoked Tomato Coulis 🐟

Reverse Pan Seared Filet Mignon with Red Wine Demi Glaze, Potato Croquet, Balsamic Mushrooms and Tomatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Strawberry Tiramisu with Strawberry Prosecco Ice Cream 🍓🍨

Local Favorites

STARTER

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Avocado, Mango, Blood Orange and Pomegranate Citrus Salad with Blackened Gulf Shrimp

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Handmade Short Rib Ravioli with Roasted Red Pepper Romesco

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan Seared Red Snapper with Polenta Cake Spinach and Smoked Tomato Coulis

Kids Filet with Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

DESSERT

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Strawberry Tiramisu

Tequila and Taco's a pairing a party!

STARTER

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Blue Corn Lobster Tostada

FIRST COURSE

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A Five Course Taco and Tequila tasting

MAIN COURSE

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Brisket Tacos with Fresh Salad Handmade Tortillas

Carne Asada Adobo Chimichurri and Roasted Tomatoes Street Taco

Cheese and Guajillo Chilli Chicken Taco

DESSERT

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Churro Cheesecake Taco 🌮🍫

Japan Calling

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Lobster Salad with Mango, Avocado and Blood Orange Oil

Gulf Shrimp Tequila Lime Ceviche

Canapé Platter featuring Local Cheese, Meats & Seafood

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Saffron Fettuccine with Butter Poached Lobster in Lemon Cream Sauce

Goat Cheese Ravioli with Roasted Red Pepper Romesco and Saffron Butter Poached Lobster

Handmade Lobster Ravioli

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Reverse Pan Seared Filet Mignon with Saffron Poached Lobster Tail in Bearnaise Sauce

Snapper Wellington with Ginger Beurre Blanc, Fingerling Potatoes & Grilled Asparagus

Seafood Cioppino with Clams, Mussels, White Fish & Shrimp in Tomato Fennel Broth

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Cheesecake Stuffed Churro

King Cake Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel

Chocolate Soufflé with Marscapone and Fresh Berries

Indulge in the Asian Bay

STARTER

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Ceviche de Camarones

Grilled Watermelon Salad with Avocado and Lime Vinaigrette

Crab Cake with Citrus Salad

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Goat Cheese Ravioli with Roasted Red Pepper Romesco and Blackened Gulf Shrimp

Lobster Tostada

Cioppino with Clams, Mussels, White Fish, and Shrimp

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan Seared Red Snapper with Smashed Pumpkin, Spinach, and Ginger Beurre Blanc

Miso Glazed Salmon – Black Fried Rice and Vegetables

Steamed Mussels and Clams in a White Wine Garlic Cream Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Strawberry Tiramisu with Strawberry Prosecco Ice Cream

Dark Chocolate Soufflé with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream and Chocolate Sauce

Panna Cotta

FROM THE SEA BASIC

STARTER

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Gulf Shrimp Chili Lime Tostada

Japanese Baked Green Lip Mussels

Traditional Bruschetta with Tomato, Mozzarella, and Basil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Goat Cheese Ravioli with Roasted Red Pepper Sauce

Fettuccine Al Pomodoro and Shrimp

Japanese Cucumber Salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Miso Glazed Salmon – Steamed Rice, Bok Choy

Gulf Coast Blackened Shrimp Taco

Pan Seared Seasonal White Fish with Polenta Cake, Spinach, and Smoked Tomato Coulis

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Churro Cheesecake

Key Lime Pie

Classic Baklava

Exclusive Chef Table

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Canapé Platter (Local Cheese, Meats & Seafood)

Heirloom Tomato Caprese Salad with Bruschetta & Aged Balsamic

Lobster Salad with Mango, Avocado & Blood Orange Oil

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Handmade Lobster Ravioli

Goat Cheese Ravioli with Saffron Butter Poached Lobster

Saffron Fettuccine with Saffron Poached Gulf Shrimp in Champagne Velouté

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Filet Mignon with Poached Lobster Tail on Pearl Pasta

Snapper Wellington with Ginger Beurre Blanc, Fingerling Potatoes & Grilled Asparagus

Reverse Seared Filet Mignon with Saffron Poached Lobster Tail in Béarnaise Sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Dark Chocolate Soufflé with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream & Chocolate Sauce

King Cake Bread Pudding with Whiskey Caramel

Strawberry Prosecco Ice Cream Sundae

Mediterranean Delight II

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Burrata with Tomato, Basil & Prosciutto

Grilled Asparagus Salad with Tomato, Burrata & Aged Balsamic

Marinated Asparagus, Fig, Goat Cheese & Heirloom Tomato Salad

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Tagliatelle ai Funghi (porcini, portobello or chanterelles)

Handmade Ricotta & Goat Cheese Ravioli in Fig & Brown Butter Sauce

Caprese Rigatoni

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lemon Roasted Salmon with Sweet Potato Purée

Pan Seared Red Snapper with Polenta Cake, Spinach & Tomato Coulis

Mediterranean Filet Mignon with Spinach, Feta & Sun-dried Tomato Pesto

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate Cassata

Blood Orange Cardamom Olive Oil Cake

Strawberry Tiramisu with Prosecco Ice Cream

Locally Inspired Indulge

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Gulf Shrimp Chili Lime Tostada 🍤

Grilled Watermelon Salad with Avocado and Lime Vinaigrette 🍉

Blood Orange and Pomegranate Salad with Lemon Thyme Vinaigrette 🍊

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Handmade Ricotta & Goat Cheese Ravioli in Fig & Brown Butter Sauce 🧀

Bandaja Pasta

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan-Seared Red Snapper with Polenta Cake, Spinach & Smoked Tomato Coulis 🐟

Reverse Pan Seared Filet Mignon with Red Wine Demi Glaze, Potato Croquet, Balsamic Mushrooms and Tomatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Strawberry Tiramisu with Strawberry Prosecco Ice Cream 🍓🍨

Local Favorites

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Avocado, Mango, Blood Orange and Pomegranate Citrus Salad with Blackened Gulf Shrimp

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Handmade Short Rib Ravioli with Roasted Red Pepper Romesco

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pan Seared Red Snapper with Polenta Cake Spinach and Smoked Tomato Coulis

Kids Filet with Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Strawberry Tiramisu

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Chef John's reviews

4.92

•

126 services

Chef John was a highlight of our trip. Certainly elevated the entire experience! Everything he did was with excellence and with attention to detail. Very flexible in terms of meal times and punctual with our changes during the trip. Even made my 2-year old son special breakfasts, brought him a toy another day. Great guy, incredible chef! Will definitely be booking him again when we’re back!

Chef John arrived promptly on time.As soon as all his equipment was in house he set up and began preparing the meal,I was expecting a delicious meal and when it was presented we were pleasantly surprised.As he presented each course he explained what it contained and how it was prepared.Each item had a fantastic taste.Upon completion he cleaned the kitchen area.I would highly recommend Chef John to prepare a wonderful meal..We have been informing friends and family Thank you

John was very professional. He brought all of his own tools, plates, flatware, napkins. Everything that he made was beautifully presented and tasted great!

Wow! Chef John was an exceptional chef and very professional. He arrived on-time, brought all the supplies, completed the set-up and service perfectly. It was so, so good! I would absolutely use him again in the future! We had 15 girls and 0 complaints. Thank you Chef John!!

We really enjoyed ourselves and the chef was terrific and polite

Chef John prepared an amazing and delicious meal for our family reunion. The food was outstanding and the presentation was beautiful. Chef John did a wonderful job of catering to the children by allowing them to help prepare dessert and by tweaking menu items for their tastes. Every aspect of the evening was excellent. Highly recommend!

We celebrated an incredible milestone in Panama City Beach: a 70th Wedding Anniversary! Chef John and his wife did a fantastic job with this very special event. Chef was extremely communicative ahead of the event as planning was underway. He sourced some incredible ingredients, including fish caught fresh that very morning! The dinner was extraordinary. We have quite a few foodies in the group, so our expectations were high — and he exceeded them! Chef John brought everything he needed, kept the kitchen clean & organized, and served the dinner at the table. It was everything we wanted from a special meal prepared by a private chef. Thank you, Chef!!

Chef John Phelps was very attentive and creative in the meal prep. He was punctual and communicated well. The food was amazing! He was able to accommodate the many preferences of the group. The presentation was wonderful and all of the food was very flavorful. I would recommend Chef John for your next private meal event.

Great experience!

Chef John prepared a meal that was absolutely incredible. Each course was plated and served magnificently, but the main thing was the incredible flavors. The seven of us enjoyed the entire experience. We will definitely be using him again.

Chef Jon was great and the food was great would highly recommend!

The best dinner we had the entire trip! I hired Chef John as a surprise for our family beach trip (8 people). John made everything so easy and brought everything he needed. He and his assistant were efficient, self-sufficient and impeccable - we just answered the door and he took care of the rest. Every course was better than the last. He served four courses and explained each one at the table. The plating was also spectacular. He and his wife (assistant) were precious, gracious and kind. We so appreciated them and everyone agreed it was the best meal of the trip! We would 10/10 book Chef John through Take a Chef again.

We completed our Takeachef experience in Panama City, Florida(August 17) and it was amazing. Chef John was great, the food was great.....the whole experience was great.

John Phelps was amazing and the food was perfect!!!!

Chef John Phelps was absolutely amazing! He explained every dish he made and they were delicious!!!!! He was punctual and very polite!! Our family style dinner which included 8 adults, 3 kids and 2 babies with more than enough food!!!! We really enjoyed it!

Chef John was amazing. He cooked dinner for us for 5 nights and each one was different and delicious. Dinner was always served on time and was exceptional. He served 19 people (including 11 children) with skill, talent, grace, and ease. We highly recommend!

Our children from out of state arranged this surprise for our 50th Anniversary. Chef John was very personable and easy to talk to. He brought everything he needed to make this a incredible experience. The food was was on point, beautifully presented and he explained each course beautifully. I highly recommend Chef John.

Chef John was incredible! Very polite and accommodating. Food was delicious and was very well prepared. He spent time on presentation which only added to the experience. Would highly recommend him! Thank you so much!

John was punctual, friendly, professional and the food was delicious.

John and Jess were absolutely wonderful. I would recommend them to anyone. The food was amazing and it felt like they went the extra mile for every dish.

John was very professional. He brought all of his own tools, plates, flatware, napkins. Everything that he made was beautifully presented and tasted great!