Chef Lindsay Bare

Personal Chef In San Marcos

We are a talented team of local chefs to bring the magic of personalized, from-scratch, home-cooked meals directly to your kitchen. With a variety of meal options and snacks to choose from, we've got your week ahead covered.

Our company, Eat Cook Joy was born out of our personal pain point of wanting delicious home cooked meals for their families but lacking time to do so. Takeouts were expensive and unhealthy, meal prep kits created a lot of trash, and we still had to cook. Personal chefs were an expensive luxury so we decided to get creative and find a way to use technology + training to make a luxury personal chef service more accessible and affordable.

For me, cooking is...

is a heartfelt way to gather loved ones, sharing not just great food but also the warmth of memories forged around the dining table.

I learned to cook at...

home. Driven by a desire to nourish my body and create memorable moments of comfort and delight for my loved ones.

A cooking secret...

endless exploration! I embrace new ingredients, flavors, and techniques. Cooking is a timeless journey of new and delicious experiences.

My menus

Brunch Favorites

STARTER

All inclusive

Drip Coffee

Assortment of Teas

Petite Quiche en Croute

Fruit Melange

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Baby Kale and Roasted Beetroot Salad with Chèvre Crumbles

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Brioche Pain Perdu w/ Framboises Fraîches

Omelette w/ Avocado, Seasonal Herbs

DESSERT

All inclusive

Pain au Chocolat Bread Pudding à la Française

French Inspired Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Pear and Arugula Flatbread w/ Balsamic Reduction

Baked Brie Crostini w/ Crispy Prosciutto

Crab and Avocado Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp Bisque Topped w/ Pan Seared Shrimp & Creme Fraiche

Roasted Red Pepper Soup w/ Creme Fraiche Swirl

Baby Kale Salad w/ Roasted Beets, Candied Walnuts & Citrus Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef Bourguignon w/ Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Pan-Seared Salmon w/ Beurre Blanc Sauce and Crispy Capers

Slow-Cooked Duck or Chicken Leg w/ Crispy Skin, Served Over Silky Mashed Potatoes w/ A Red Wine Shallot Sauce & Sautéed HaricotsVerts

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Salted Caramel Cheesecake w/ Hazelnut Crust

Citrus Chiffon Cake w/ Lemon Glaze

Flourless Chocolate Cake w/ Salted Caramel Sauce & Hazelnut Praline

American Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms w/ Garlic Butter & Herb Breadcrumbs

Pecan-Smoked Chicken Wings w/ Bourbon Barbecue Glaze & Pickled Onions

Charred Sweet Corn Dip w/ Cotija Cheese, Jalapeños & Warm Tortilla Chips

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad w/ Apples, Toasted Hazelnuts & Maple Dijon Dressing

Sweet Potato Bisque w/ Crispy Pancetta & Sage Oil

Mixed Greens w/ Roasted Pears, Candied Walnuts, Goat Cheese & Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb-Roasted Pork Loin w/ Apple Cider Reduction, Creamy Polenta & Sautéed Garlic Kale

Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken w/ Wild Mushroom Risotto & Roasted Baby Carrots

Braised Short Ribs w/ Red Wine Sauce, Whipped Sweet Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bourbon Pecan Tart w/ Salted Caramel Drizzle & Vanilla Bean Cream

Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Espresso Sauce & Candied Pecans

Warm Peach & Blueberry Crisp w/ Almond Streusel & Honey Whipped Cream

Indian Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bhel Puri (raw mango, coriander chutney, yoghurt)

Potato Baratha with yogurt

Methi Chicken

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Vegetable Pakoras with tamarind chutney

Kanghou: Stir Fried Mixed Vegetable

Tandoori Shrimp Skewers with Mint Chutney

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Malai Tikka with rice

Prawn Malaikari

Saag Keema with Jeera Rice

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pistachio Barfi

Gajar Ka Halwa

Kheer with Pistachios & Rose

Asian Inspired

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Thai Chicken Satay w/ Peanut Sauce

Crispy Vegetable Tempura with Ponzu Dipping Sauce

Shisito Pepper with Smoked Salt & Lime

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Asian Pork Belly Bites

Deconstructed Green Papaya Salad

Mini Banh Mi Bites

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cantonese-Style Crispy Sea Bass w/ Sweet & Sour Sauce, Jasmine Rice

Panang Curry w/ Grilled Beef (Or Chicken), Asparagus, Jasmine Rice

Sausage Gochujang Rigatoni

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Yuzu Cheesecake

Mango & Sticky Rice with a Coconut Lime Reduction

Ginger Infused Chocolate Tart

Bachelorette Party

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Latin Tapas Board w/ Manchego Cheese, Serrano Ham, Marinated Olives, and Crostini

Avocado Toast Crostini w/ Pickled Shrimp, Shaved Cabbage & Cotija Cheese

Bacon-Wrapped Stuffed Jalapeños

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Arugula Fig Asiago Salad w/ Prickly Pear Dressing

Ceviche Tostadas Acapulco Style w/ Blue Corn Tortilla, Avocado Mousse

Grilled Shrimp Skewers with Mango Salsa

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Argentine Grilled Ribeye Steak w/ Chimichurri Sauce and Roasted Potatoes

Chile en Nogada

Grilled Red Snapper with Avocado-Cilantro Salsa

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Churros w/ Dark Chocolate & Caramel Dipping Sauces

Magical Chocolate Pie

Texas Citrus Pavlova

Local Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Ceviche Tostadas Acapulco Style w/ Blue Corn Tortilla, Avocado Mousse

Avocado Toast Crostini w/ Pickled Shrimp, Shaved Cabbage & Cotija Cheese

Latin Tapas Board w/ Manchego Cheese, Serrano Ham, Marinated Olives, and Crostini

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Melon Gazpacho w/ Crispy Prosciutto Bacon & Scallion Oil

Carpaccio Baby Beets w/ Pistachio, Arugula

Roasted Red Pepper Soup w/ Parmesan Crisp

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Seared Beef Tagliata w/ Arugula Salad, Parmesan Shavings, & Aged Balsamic Vinegar

Sungold Tomato Pasta w/ Delicate Shrimp

Supreme Chicken & Artisanal Pasta w/ Creamy Beurre Blanc, Blistered Asparagus

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pistachio Semifreddo w/ Amarena Cherries & Pistachio Brittle

Chocolate Hazelnut Mousse Cake w/ Delicate Whipped Cream

Key Lime Terrine w/ Dulce De Leche & Blackberry Sauce

Mediterranean Inspired Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Golden Falafel atop Roasted Red Pepper Hummus Bed

Polenta Fries w/ Lemon Aioli

Halloumi & Padrón Skewers w/ Sweet & Smokey Honey Drizzle

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Parsley-Infused Halloumi, Roasted Eggplant over Pearl Couscous w/ Lemon Tahini Drizzle

Roasted Beet and Orange Salad w/ Fennel Pollen & Goat Cheese Mousse

Risotto w/ Roasted Butternut Squash, Sage, and Toasted Pumpkin Seeds

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Vegetable Moussaka with Béchamel

Moroccan Spiced Chicken Tagine w/ Apricots and Almonds

Za'atar-crusted Chicken Breast w/ Roasted Vegetables, Labneh, and Zhoug

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Karidopita: Traditional Greek Walnut Cake w/ Whipped Cream Topping

Lemon Semolina Cake w/ Rosewater Syrup & Candied Citrus

Flourless Chocolate Cake w/ Salted Caramel Sauce & Hazelnut Praline

Brunch Favorites

STARTER

All inclusive

Drip Coffee

Assortment of Teas

Petite Quiche en Croute

Fruit Melange

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Baby Kale and Roasted Beetroot Salad with Chèvre Crumbles

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Brioche Pain Perdu w/ Framboises Fraîches

Omelette w/ Avocado, Seasonal Herbs

DESSERT

All inclusive

Pain au Chocolat Bread Pudding à la Française

French Inspired Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Pear and Arugula Flatbread w/ Balsamic Reduction

Baked Brie Crostini w/ Crispy Prosciutto

Crab and Avocado Salad with Citrus Vinaigrette

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp Bisque Topped w/ Pan Seared Shrimp & Creme Fraiche

Roasted Red Pepper Soup w/ Creme Fraiche Swirl

Baby Kale Salad w/ Roasted Beets, Candied Walnuts & Citrus Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beef Bourguignon w/ Creamy Mashed Potatoes

Pan-Seared Salmon w/ Beurre Blanc Sauce and Crispy Capers

Slow-Cooked Duck or Chicken Leg w/ Crispy Skin, Served Over Silky Mashed Potatoes w/ A Red Wine Shallot Sauce & Sautéed HaricotsVerts

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Salted Caramel Cheesecake w/ Hazelnut Crust

Citrus Chiffon Cake w/ Lemon Glaze

Flourless Chocolate Cake w/ Salted Caramel Sauce & Hazelnut Praline

American Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Crab-Stuffed Mushrooms w/ Garlic Butter & Herb Breadcrumbs

Pecan-Smoked Chicken Wings w/ Bourbon Barbecue Glaze & Pickled Onions

Charred Sweet Corn Dip w/ Cotija Cheese, Jalapeños & Warm Tortilla Chips

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shaved Brussels Sprout Salad w/ Apples, Toasted Hazelnuts & Maple Dijon Dressing

Sweet Potato Bisque w/ Crispy Pancetta & Sage Oil

Mixed Greens w/ Roasted Pears, Candied Walnuts, Goat Cheese & Honey-Lemon Vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Herb-Roasted Pork Loin w/ Apple Cider Reduction, Creamy Polenta & Sautéed Garlic Kale

Lemon-Thyme Roasted Chicken w/ Wild Mushroom Risotto & Roasted Baby Carrots

Braised Short Ribs w/ Red Wine Sauce, Whipped Sweet Potatoes & Seasonal Vegetables

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Bourbon Pecan Tart w/ Salted Caramel Drizzle & Vanilla Bean Cream

Chocolate Bread Pudding w/ Espresso Sauce & Candied Pecans

Warm Peach & Blueberry Crisp w/ Almond Streusel & Honey Whipped Cream

Indian Menu

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Bhel Puri (raw mango, coriander chutney, yoghurt)

Potato Baratha with yogurt

Methi Chicken

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Vegetable Pakoras with tamarind chutney

Kanghou: Stir Fried Mixed Vegetable

Tandoori Shrimp Skewers with Mint Chutney

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken Malai Tikka with rice

Prawn Malaikari

Saag Keema with Jeera Rice

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Pistachio Barfi

Gajar Ka Halwa

Kheer with Pistachios & Rose

Show me more

Chef Lindsay's reviews

4.56

•

116 services

Incredible experience! Would highly recommend!

This was a perfect night at home for us, would definitely recommend!

Our private chef experience with Maria was incredible and very memorable, I can not recommend her and Take a Chef enough!

Chef Horacio is very good and receptive to your needs. I highly recommend him to you.

Chef Horacio from Eat-Cook-Joy was fantastic. He was communicative on his arrival time and showed up right on time. From there he was very amenable to our schedule and let us decide when we were ready for each course. The food was unbelievably decadent. Every bite was better than the last, and neither my fiancée nor myself have any notes of improvements. Quite possibly the greatest part of the night was shortly after Chef left our home, we finished our dessert and headed to the kitchen to clean up (our usual process), but there wasn’t a thing for us to do. The dishes were washed and put away, the extra food stored and put in the fridge, countertops wiped and disinfected. It was spotless. It was an 11/10 experience, we’ll absolutely be using Take a Chef again for a romantic night in or fun dinner party with friends!

Chef Horacio and Chef Lindsay collaborated to make a complex family gathering a thoroughly memorable experience. They had to negotiate various dietary preferences including kosher and vegetarian, plus six kids of varying relationships to food. The resulting meal was a delight and made the entire event, a 50th wedding anniversary, a perfect one that each of us will cherish. I cannot say enough good things about Chef Horacio, his skill, his enthusiasm, his winning personality. As he was leaving, he got a spontaneous standing ovation!

Chef Horacio was excellent. The food was incredible and we totally enjoyed our experience. We hope to have him back again.

We loved this experience! Well worth it and had tons of leftovers!

Chef was phenomenal and helped curate an amazing experience!

Excellent experience! We loved being able to sit back and enjoined having someone cook an amazing meal for our group and clean up everything! Highly recommend this experience!

El servicio, la calidad, los alimentos fueron excelentes. Muy amable el equipo del Chef, atentas y todo estuvo maravilloso. ¡Volveríamos a contratarlas y recomendarlas 100%!

Incredible experience! Would highly recommend!

This was a perfect night at home for us, would definitely recommend!

Our private chef experience with Maria was incredible and very memorable, I can not recommend her and Take a Chef enough!

Chef Horacio is very good and receptive to your needs. I highly recommend him to you.