Chef Julian Gonzalez Cruz

Private Chef In La Quinta

I am a professional chef with over 19 years of experience and with work knowledge of different world cuisines.

I enjoy using seasonal and local ingredients to ensure the best quality and flavor possible. My food ranges from the classical to modern and contemporary.

My motto is: to serve the best and create a memorable experience for my guests

For me, cooking is...

A passion that I work on every day to achieve excellence

I learned to cook at...

I studied French culinary arts in Mexico as well as two degrees in culinary arts and restaurant management in the US. My mentors have been French.

A cooking secret...

Use the freshest product available and cook it with respect and common sense to achieve the best flavor and texture

My menus

Flavors of Mexico

STARTER

All inclusive

Shrimp empanadas

Branzino tiradito

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Mexican seafood soup

Tuna ceviche tostadas

Sopes de tinga de pollo

Tacos: barbacoa, carnitas and guajillo pepper mushrooms

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chicken mole with Mexican rice and asparagus

Salmon Veracruz style with roasted potatoes

Pork tenderloin in salsa verde with refried beans and green beans

Carved NY steak served with cuitlacoche sauce (Mexican truffle) chayote squash and potato pavè

Lobster tail with pistachio green mole served with roasted potatoes and sautéed cherry tomatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate cake with tequila macerated berries and vanilla Ice cream

3 leches cake

Mexican rice pudding (nuts, cinnamon and pineapple) with fresh berries

A small chef’s table

STARTER

All inclusive

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp skewers)

Ahi tuna poke Bites

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seafood bouillabaisse

Salmo tartare Mediterranean

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Linguini alla marinara with herbed tomato sauce (shrimp, clams and whitefish)

Pan seared salmon with saffron risotto and goat cheese sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

Cheesecake with raspberry sauce

One taste of Europe at a time

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Cucumber topped with smoked salmon mousse

Black tomato Bruscheta

Croquetas de jamon

Ground beef stuffed mini bell peppers

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp skewers)

Goat cheese wrapped in roasted eggplant

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Salmon tartare mediterranean style with pita chips

Cous cous salad with chicken shawarma skewers and herb vinaigretr

Roasted red bell pepper hummus with crunchy garbanzo, crudite and pita chips

Roasted artichoke with sun dried tomatoes, black olives, orange segments, croutons and butter lettuce

Mozzarella arancinis with tomato sauce

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Salmon picatta served with orzo pasta and snap peas

Garlic Greek chicken with zucchini and baby potatoes

Pan seared california seabass served with gnocchi alla putanesca

Carved Lamb served with roasted vegetable medley seasoned with sumac and finished with espagnole sauce

NY steak topped with spinach-sundried tomato and goat cheese salad served with potato Anna

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tiramisu cake with chocolate sauce

White Chocolate mousse with strawberry coulis sauce and chcolate crumbles

Spanish churros with chocolate dipping sauce

Napoleon- puff pastry, pastry cream and raspberries

From the green fields

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tomato bruschetta on brioche

Baked mushrooms in pesto with tomato sauce

Broccoli tempura with soy sauce dipping sauce

Bacon wrap dates

Shrimp skewers with garlic and paraley

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Burrata and heirloom tomato caprece with baby greens, Extra virgin Olive oil caviar, basil oil and balsamic reduction

Shrimp ceviche on avocado with chips

Grapefruit & avocado salad with endives, medjool dates, strawberries and honey lemon vinaigrette

Ahi Tuna tartare with capers, shallot, parsley, olive oil, kalamata olives and lemon zest. Served with baby greens

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cous cous salad with chicken shawarma

Grass fed New York with Patagonia shrimp, garlic butter sauce, roasted baby potatoes and asparagus

Seafood saffron risotto with lemon butter sauce

Atlantic salmon with english pea puree, ricotta-spinach tortellini, cherry tomatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Churros with chocolate sauce

Chocolate molten lava cake with vanilla Ice cream

Cheese cake with raspberry sauce

Latin flavors at night

STARTER

All inclusive

Avocado fritters with ranch-jalapeño dipping sauce

California sea bass fish ceviche shots

Dates filled with chorizo

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Potato empanadas with creamy black bean sauce, queso fresco and mexican crema

Avocado-jicama salad with poblano peppers, cherry tomatoes, tortilla crisps in a cilantro vinaigrette

Beef and pork meatballs in a tomato-chipotle sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Surf and turf fajitas- beef and shrimp. Served with refried brown beans, mexican rice and sautéed onions

Broiled chicken breast with mole salsa, mexican rice and asparagus (mole is a spiced chocolate sauce traditional of Puebla)

Salmon a la veracruzana. Mexican rice & green beans. Veracruz sauce: tomato, onion, bell pepper, garlic, capers, black olives and parsley

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Arroz con leche and fresh berries

Mexican corn bread with mezcal macerated berries

Tres leches cake

Chef’s Table

STARTER

All inclusive

Boursin stuffed mushrooms with caviar

Asparagus wrapped in prosciutto with basil aioli

Grill shrimp skewers with lemon and parsley

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Butter poached lobster salad with endives, grapes, pickled red onion, and champagne vinaigrette

Burrata and heirloom tomato caprece with baby greens, Extra virgin Olive oil caviar, basil oil and balsamic reduction

Gnocchi alla carbonara with truffle essence, local dates, Temecula Honey and Brussels sprouts leaf

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb crusted rack of lamb with potato roll and herbs, almond asparagus and green pepper au jus

Surf and Turf- merlot braised short rib and grilled prawns. Served with creamy mashed potatoes, asparagus and roasted lemon

California Seabass served with cherry tomatoes, ricotta-tortellini, sweet corn and sweet pea puree

Lobster tail with saffron risotto with local dates and pecorino cheese

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate opera cake

Napoleon- puff pastry, pastry cream and raspberries

Chocolate molten lava cake with vanilla Ice cream and fresh berries

Flavors of Italy

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tomato bruschetta

Baked mushrooms in pesto with tomato sauce

Melon wrapped in prosciutto

Spiadini di gamberi (shrimp skewers in garlic and parsley)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Gnocchi with a light truffle cheese sauce topped with brussels sprouts leafs and tossed pistachios

Burrata and heirloom tomato caprece with baby greens, Extra virgin Olive oil caviar, basil oil and balsamic reduction

Antipasto platter ( Italian cold cuts, Italian chesse, kalamata Olives, Melon wedges, Tapenade, crackers and bread)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Lasagna: sauce made with Wagyu ground beef, and bechamel sauce

Polo alla cacciatore: chicken finished with a mushroom marsala sauce served with polenta

California Seabass served with ricotta-tortellini, sweet corn and sweet pea puree

Pan seared salmon with saffron risotto and goat cheese sauce

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Tiramisu cake with chocolate sauce

Torta di mela (apple tart) with caramel sauce and vanilla gelatto

Chefs Table

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Cucumber topped with smoked salmon mousse

Black tomato Bruscheta

Croquetas de jamon

Ground beef stuffed mini bell peppers

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp skewers)

Goat cheese wrapped in roasted eggplant

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Salmon tartare mediterranean style with pita chips

Mozzarella arancinis with tomato sauce

Burrata and heirloom tomato caprece with baby greens, Extra virgin Olive oil caviar, basil oil and balsamic reduction

Blue Crab ceviche stack: served on avocado with a lemon-greek yogurt sauce

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Surf and turf- merlot braised short rib and patagonia pink prawns served over creamy polenta and asparagus

California Seabass served with cherry tomatoes, ricotta-tortellini, sweet corn and sweet pea puree

Pan seared scallops with saffron risotto and butter sauce

Gnocchi alla carbonara with truffle essence, local dates, Temecula Honey and Brussels sprouts leaf

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Napoleon- puff pastry, pastry cream and raspberries

Chocolate molten lava cake with vanilla Ice cream

Torta di mela (apple tart) with caramel sauce

Flavors of Mexico

STARTER

All inclusive

Shrimp empanadas

Branzino tiradito

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Mexican seafood soup

Tuna ceviche tostadas

Sopes de tinga de pollo

Tacos: barbacoa, carnitas and guajillo pepper mushrooms

MAIN COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Chicken mole with Mexican rice and asparagus

Salmon Veracruz style with roasted potatoes

Pork tenderloin in salsa verde with refried beans and green beans

Carved NY steak served with cuitlacoche sauce (Mexican truffle) chayote squash and potato pavè

Lobster tail with pistachio green mole served with roasted potatoes and sautéed cherry tomatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate cake with tequila macerated berries and vanilla Ice cream

3 leches cake

Mexican rice pudding (nuts, cinnamon and pineapple) with fresh berries

A small chef’s table

STARTER

All inclusive

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp skewers)

Ahi tuna poke Bites

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seafood bouillabaisse

Salmo tartare Mediterranean

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Linguini alla marinara with herbed tomato sauce (shrimp, clams and whitefish)

Pan seared salmon with saffron risotto and goat cheese sauce

DESSERT

All inclusive

Cheesecake with raspberry sauce

One taste of Europe at a time

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Cucumber topped with smoked salmon mousse

Black tomato Bruscheta

Croquetas de jamon

Ground beef stuffed mini bell peppers

Gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp skewers)

Goat cheese wrapped in roasted eggplant

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Salmon tartare mediterranean style with pita chips

Cous cous salad with chicken shawarma skewers and herb vinaigretr

Roasted red bell pepper hummus with crunchy garbanzo, crudite and pita chips

Roasted artichoke with sun dried tomatoes, black olives, orange segments, croutons and butter lettuce

Mozzarella arancinis with tomato sauce

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Salmon picatta served with orzo pasta and snap peas

Garlic Greek chicken with zucchini and baby potatoes

Pan seared california seabass served with gnocchi alla putanesca

Carved Lamb served with roasted vegetable medley seasoned with sumac and finished with espagnole sauce

NY steak topped with spinach-sundried tomato and goat cheese salad served with potato Anna

DESSERT

All inclusive

Tiramisu cake with chocolate sauce

White Chocolate mousse with strawberry coulis sauce and chcolate crumbles

Spanish churros with chocolate dipping sauce

Napoleon- puff pastry, pastry cream and raspberries

From the green fields

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tomato bruschetta on brioche

Baked mushrooms in pesto with tomato sauce

Broccoli tempura with soy sauce dipping sauce

Bacon wrap dates

Shrimp skewers with garlic and paraley

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Burrata and heirloom tomato caprece with baby greens, Extra virgin Olive oil caviar, basil oil and balsamic reduction

Shrimp ceviche on avocado with chips

Grapefruit & avocado salad with endives, medjool dates, strawberries and honey lemon vinaigrette

Ahi Tuna tartare with capers, shallot, parsley, olive oil, kalamata olives and lemon zest. Served with baby greens

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cous cous salad with chicken shawarma

Grass fed New York with Patagonia shrimp, garlic butter sauce, roasted baby potatoes and asparagus

Seafood saffron risotto with lemon butter sauce

Atlantic salmon with english pea puree, ricotta-spinach tortellini, cherry tomatoes

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Churros with chocolate sauce

Chocolate molten lava cake with vanilla Ice cream

Cheese cake with raspberry sauce

Show me more

Chef Julian's reviews

4.64

•

163 services

Chef Julian is amazing. His proposed menu beat out every other Chef's. He came early, was super friendly and professional. Before the day, he was always quick in his responses and kept in touch. He cleaned throughout the entire meal as we ate and left the kitchen spotless. Every bite was beautiful and incredibly delicious. Our bride and the party had the best time, all thanks to Chef Julian!

Chef Julian made a delicious feast for our bachelorette party. Whether it was the multiple hors d'oeuvres, or the perfectly cooked steak entree, everything tasted fresh and had so much flavor. He sourced locally grown ingredients and told us about how he prepared each dish. It was truly a night to remember and I would absolutely hire Chef Julian again!

Chef Julian is your guy!!! Fantastic meal, cannot recommend him enough!!

We were very happy with the Take a Chef service and with our final selection of Chef Julian Gonzalez Cruz. The Take a Chef service was easy to use and prompt in ensuring responses and any needed follow-up. Chef Julian was efficient, professional and prepared and presented a delicious meal. The kitchen was left spotless afterwards - with no evidence that a meal for eight had been had. Thank you!

Chef Julian was great! He put a lot of thought not only into the dishes but also the ingredients in the dishes, often with a local story. Everything was so fresh and delicious, and every course was thought out and executed well.

Chef Julian was outstanding. He was engaging and even put up with our wild antics. The food options were plentiful and the chosen meal was incredible. The evening was a perfect way to cap off our 50th birthday celebration. Highly recommended!

Chef Julian was fantastic! He came into a chaotic household with lots of bustling children and chaos and went to work right away and without any fanfare. he was incredibly polite, punctual, and the food of course was delicious! he was flexible with our menu and accommodated several restrictions and worked with us as we changed our mind about menu options. His presentation was great and the food hit the spot! Would highly recommend.

Chef Julian was a great help addition to our trip! He was very generous and attentive. When we wanted to make revisions, he was able to accommodate very easily. Thank you for making this trip so incredible!

Chef Julian did an amazing job for my sister's bachelorette party dinner. We had a few special requests as well as dietary restrictions that he had no problem doing and working around. He made us all feel very comfortable and it was a pleasure trying his delicious food. He messaged promptly when communicating. I would recommend him to anyone looking for a nice dinner in the comfort of your own home. I appreciated his effort and how kind and professional he was. He topped off the last night of our trip perfectly. Thank you Chef Julian!

We had a great experience with the chef! The appetizers in particular were very delicious, and we loved the background given for each item! The chef was also very accommodating and made one of our diner's birthday's very special! We would love to have him again!

Chef Julian did a wonderful job presenting, sharing and preparing our meal. It was a 80th birthday celebration my father-in-law will never forget!

Chef Julian provided great detail about each detail. Thought it was great he was able to incorporate some local items into our dishes. He was very flexible on the menu and was able to provide kosher and vegetarian for our large group and accommodate everybody. Came fully prepared, meals were served right on time. The kids loved his banana splits! Would recommend to anyone.

Chef Julian was wonderful - easy to work with and the meal was delicious!

Chef Julian provided a unforgettable, warm experience for my family and me. From arrival through each dish, Chef Julian was attentive, thoughtful, and engaging. My father even called it a magical experience. Each bite was absolutely delicious and beautifully presented. The cleanup was also excellent. We so appreciate Chef Julian’s generous, welcoming spirit and wonderful food preparation. We cannot recommend him enough for your next special meal!

Fantastic evening. Would highly recommend

We LOVED chef Julian. It was our first time in California, for a retreat for our company with guests (we were 14 in total) we met for the first time. Having Julian, his energy and his beautiful dishes helped a lot. He was not only kind, professional, polite, but was so much fun to be around! His food is AMAZING, he can do anything you ask him and really adapted is schedule for us. I would recommend Julian to ANYONE who is looking for a chef in his area. Thank you so much Julian, we already miss you!

Chef Julian was amazing from the moment he submitted his proposal and followed up with a message. He was very easy to communicate with, understanding and flexible. He arrived on time to start prepping dinner and was very engaging. Dinner started on time as well and it was AMAZING! He thoroughly explained each dish with heartfelt passion and joy. He left the kitchen spotless and even took out the garbage. I’ve already started recommending him to friends and family and dinner was just last night!

Chef Julian was great, really appreciated his service and great conversationalist.

Chef Julian was very accommodating and gracious. He recreated several dishes for my best friend's birthday dinner and a lifelong memory. The food and presentation was stellar - it was such pleasure working with him.

Chef Julian was very accommodating to our group. He modified his menu to meet our price range, added a new dessert, created a vegetarian option for our one guest, explained every meal in detail, provided a specialty cocktail and left the kitchen cleaner than he found it. Highest praise - hire Chef Julian for you next meal.