Chef Johnny Messina
Private Chef In SedonaGet to know me better
True found passion in food, Heart and soul doing what I love and bringing that to you...
I am professional Chef who grew up in the restaurant business and started cooking for my family in which my mother started teaching me at the age of 3. I Learned the business in our family restaurant back East in New York and Connecticut. I began my professional career at 19 and working for now Maters Chef and James Beard winner Chef Frank Audino of "Aglio" restaurant in Philadelphia. I committed at 23 when I began working at the highest level of restaurant and banquet At the Famous L' Auberge de Sedona , in Sedona Arizona ,and then The top 10 in the world "Enchantment Resort". Upon my growth and seeking more opportunity I moved to LA in 2004-5. I began working placement work at "Party Staff L.A." where My private in home work grew and I began to improve myself with my private clients . Years later I would be hired by Wolfgang Puck Catering at Hollywood and Highland, Along with Presidential and Oscar dinners. I worked as Sous Chef to Wolfgang for his Private Dinners side by side . I would prep his special dinners and then Sous for him during the dinner and event. My tenure at WP catering accrued some great experience for me and I met and learned from many great Chefs form all over the world. Wolfgang imports amazing chefs from all over Europe , central America, the U.S. and the rest of world. My experience and ability to tend to my Private clientele grew immensely and Brought me to levels I never knew . After Opening several restaurants and working through the rank and file of restaurant business, I dislocated and sought further Private work. Not soon after I had the privilege to meet with Chef Christian Paier and join his company Private Chefs Inc Los Angeles.. since then we have had an amazing and fulfilling business relationship for the last 9 years. I have to admit that this has been the finest move to date for my career.
I am extremely passionate towards my Career I will continue to work at this level for the rest of my life. The 30 some years experience in Restaurant, Banquet, Catering and private service have fully qualified me to serve you for all of your needs.
More about me
For me, cooking is...
my focus and true passion in life... I began my life learning to cook at the age of 3 and I am almost certain that this is where It will end ...
I learned to cook at...
then at 19 with Master Chef and James Beard Award recipient Chef Frank Audino, Aglio restaurant, , Lauberge du Sedona as a professional at 23 yrs
A cooking secret...
is to keep it simple and Pure, but always keep a surprise in store... " The WOW factor"
My menus
Roasted Chile Corn Tamales
Elote Corn Bisque
Smoked oyster ceviche shooters
Shrimp or Corn Fritters with roasted pepper gravy
Tomato/onion/avocado salad with red wine vinaigrette
Kale and apple salad with lemon vinaigrette
Mandarin jicama slaw with bay shrimp
Shredded cabbage salad with sesame aioli vinaigrette
Poached chicken stuffed with quinoa & kale with choice of mustard pesto or green tomatillo sauce
Ginger-garlic Glazed Salmon with braised rapini or garlic parmesan roasted cauliflower, and jalapeno cheese polenta or parsnip mash
Roasted green chile tamales with roasted pepper salsa
Grilled New York Strip with choc-coffee glaze with broccolini or garlic Parmesan roasted cauliflower and jalapeno cheese polenta or garlic mash
Coffee Blackberry Short Ribs with broccolini and jalapeno cheese polenta
Bananas Carmelito
Baked apple walnut crumble a la mode
Poached peach or pear melba w/blueberry chambord a la mode
Chocolate cake with berry compote
Berry cobbler
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Chilled or hot tomato soup garlic croutons
Mixed green salad pear candied walnuts and fig balsamic vinaigrette’
Celery root vichyssois Creme fraiche
Escargot ala Napoleon
Oysters champagne mignonette
Stuffed crusted mushrooms
Lamb loin chops crusted with cornmeal and toasted Pine Nut, With Either a Curry brûlée or a Balsamic Fig glace drizzle Israeli cous cos with kale shreds, tomato and feta
Filet mignon mushroom white butter potato fries creamed spinach
French roasted Chicken breast , braised rapini , fingerling potatoes
Pan seared Sable Fish ( black cod ) wAsabi mashed potatoes beurre blanc sauce to finish with braised rapini
Creme brulee
Apple tart vanilla bean ice cream
Peach Melba ,berry liquer glace vanilla bean ice cream
Fruit tart
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Toasted edemame
Miso soup , tofu , edemame , crispy kelp
Seaweed salad medley
Pickled radish, green beans, cauliflower and cucumbers
SUSHI depends on guest but choices are : Tuna sashimi , salmon , shrimp , Spam , tempura shrimp... some rolls included
Gyoza , chicken OR pork OR veggie ... dumpling stuffed with meat or veggie blend , steamed and then pan fried OR just steamed OR deep fried for ultimate crispy spicy dipping sauce
Shumai (Chinese) dumpling, mushroom and shrimp with egg stuffing and a soy sauce dip
Tempura ; Veggie carrot, green beans,broccoli squash AND/OR Shrimp or pork belly
Teriyaki skewers : Chicken , beef , pork belly
Teriyaki : chicken , beef , pork belly , Tofu : Brown rice tempura veggies sauteed green
Udon bowl, same fills as teriyaki bowls (interchangeable)
Ramen soup bowl Chicken , Beef , Pork Belly , Tofu (list of accompaniments TBD with client and Chef) and boiled Quail egg ,
BBQ or Tempura Pork Belly , Brown rice and pickled veggies
Katsu of chicken, Fried rice, steamed baby Bok Choi
Mochi ice creams : strawberry , green tea , sesame , chcoloate etc. many more flavors
Sherbet ice cream: rainbow, orange, lime, lemon
Mango and sticky sweet rice
Fried banana vanilla ice cream
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TOMATO bisque, Garlic Sourdough crouton and Parmesan crisp stained glass basil
Shrimp and Avocado ceviche
Herb cheese stuffed baby bella mushrooms, crusted in parm and panko
Gochi Jang Glazed Chicken meatballs, cabbage slaw
Artisanal baby Romain lettuce, frisée, Persian cucumber, baby San Marzanos , Honey crisp Apple pieces and a Red Wine Vinegar and Extra virgin unfiltered olive oil, vinaigrette
Foraged garden goodies salad: mixed garden greens curly and baby leaf , Crispy Shitake, roast beets and sweet potato, lemon fruit and baby sweet tomato, candied walnuts, lemon vinaigrette
Antipasto salad four items olives, cheese, pickled veggies, roasted tomatoes, artisanal lettuce
Italian Meatballs in Pomodoro, garlic crostini
Spinach and frisée sliced apples, grape tomatoes, champagne truffle vinaigrette
Spinach salad, egg, pancetta, tomato warm bacon vinaigrette
Beef tenderloin filet truffle wasabi smashed potatoes, braised rapini
Berkshire Pork porterhouse, Crusted with Panko and Parmesan, Roasted fingerlings and sweet potato, Garlic green beans
Filet of Salmon, mushroom quinoa, roasted squash
Crusted white fish, forbidden rice pilaf, garlic broccoli
Lamb loin chops crusted with cornmeal and toasted pine nut, a balsamic fig glaze drizzle, Israeli couscous with tomato and feta ragu
Roast chicken breast stuffed with spinach, prosciutto and gruyere with roast Kale and rice pilaf
Chicken Picatta, steamed carrots, Angel hair
Grilled carne asada, or shrimp or chicken/fajitas
Peach melba, French vanilla ice cream topped with a brandy poached peach and sauce
Bananas foster ala Grand Marnier with vanilla bean gelato
Fresh fruit platter
Fruit and yogurt parfait, topped with hand whipped cream
Chocolate cake with berry compote
Baked apple crumble a la mode
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Caesar on half head of romaine , parmesan crisp, toasted garlic crouton
Baby Romain , persian cucumber, baby san marzano,, meyer lemon vinaigretre
Chilled or hot tomato soup garlic croutons
Antipasto salad four items olives ,cheese , pickled veggies, roasted tomatoes
Baked risotto dumplings , chicken broth
Baked crispy Quinoa crusted mozzarella in marinara
Sicilian Crispy Tuna balls in plum tomato sauce
Chicken Picatta , lemon caper sauce , fresh angel hair
Crispy quinoa crusted chicken parm toppedbwoth fresh Buffala mozzarella , marinara capellini
Porterhouse pork steak over spinach and a pomodoro sauce or a lemon caper sauce
Medallions a poinded tenderloin filet in a tomato caper sauce over Angel hair
Spinach Ravioli in a florentine sauce
Ricotta and emacerated strawberry raspberry parfait
Lemon curd ricotta tart
Apricot or fig ravioli with a sweet cream reduction and stainglass sage leaves
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Grilled avocado quarters olive tapenade smear and feta crumble
Handmade Hummus, dolmas, kalamata olives, grilled Naan Bread
Greek antipasto platter, Olives, Dolmas, pickled veggies, pepperocini peppers
Baby cucumber , heirloom grape tomatoes avocado and lemon vinaigrette
Falafel, hummus, avocado and tatziki
Greek salad: Romaine salad , persian cucumbers , heirloom grape tomatoes, avocado, meyer lemon vinaigrette , topped with forbidden rice and toasted pine nuts
Cornmeal crusted Lamb loin Chops, Bruleed with curry glaze over CousCous ,red pepper , lacinato kale, sundried tomatoes , feta
Curried Lamb and eggplant stew over crispy rice
Balsamic glaze roasted chicken over saffron crispy rice with tangy braised garden greens
Grilled Tofu and feta with grilled tomato and eggplant over orzo and rosemary
Grilled Eggplant stuffed with wild rice topped with tomato tapenade feta cream sauce
Grilled Kebabs: Beef, chicken, salmon, lamb peppers onions and tomatoes, feta cream sauce
Baked peach Filo tart topped with vanilla bean ice cream and honey mint sauce
Baklava topped with, Dates Taosted pine nuts
Mint sauce over Vanilla bean ice cream, pistachios and sugar cured lemons
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Albondigas soup
Avocado and shrimp ceviche
Bay scallop ceviche
Chilled or hot tomato soup
Shredded cabbage slaw with black beans, corn, tomatoes and chipotle vinaigrette
Tortilla salad greens, tomatoes, red onions, corn, shredded cheddar, tortilla crisps and avocado vinaigrette
Grilled stuffed avocado with smoked crab or shrimp or vegetarian
Baby tacos carne asada / shrimp / chicken pico avocado
Smoked glazed Shrimp and avocado dressing
Stuffed green chile with cheese, rice and egg /option chorizo
Grilled carne asada /fajitas
Toastada of Shrimp / chicken / carne asada
Grilled prawn skewers with peppers onions cherry tomato
Caramel Flan
Ice cream tortatillo, crispy flakes, honey drizzle and chili lime dust
Bananas carmello a la mode
Tres Leches (special order)
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