Chef Max Ehrsam

Personal Chef In Wilton Manors

I'm a Mexican personal chef. I'm a fan of eating delicious, well-prepared food of any tradition or culture. When I cook, I specialize in authentic—but modern—Mexican cuisine, which is sometimes complex and quite elaborate, but rewardingly flavorsome and colorful.

I learned to cook from the best—Carmen and Lita (my Mom and my Grandma). Having said that, I've strived for updating our family recipes in order to make them healthier or more contemporary. I've also modified them at times in order to accommodate my guests' eating restrictions.* Nevertheless, I avoid straying too much from Mexico's ancient flavors, traditions, and skills.

All in all, I strive to create not just a delicious meal for my guests, but a whole culinary experience.

*Vegetarian, lactose-intolerant, and gluten-adverse guests are always welcome! Also, don’t fear Mexican food because of its heat—the level of spiciness can always be adjusted to the guest’s palate.

ServSafe certified.

For me, cooking is...

an expression of love. I don't find many other opportunities in life to use my talents as a way to make people happy.

I learned to cook at...

home, from my Mom. She was great at balancing flavor and nutrition.

A cooking secret...

is planning carefully, using the best and freshest ingredients available, paying close attention to the details, and loving every step of the process.

My menus

Mexican brunch

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Black refried beans (side dish, included)

Warm tortillas (side dish, included)

Seasonal fruit plate (side dish, included)

Coffee and/or orange juice (included)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken enchiladas in a creamy sauce, au gratin (enchiladas suizas)

Molletes: Traditional Mexican toast with refried beans and a blend of cheeses au gratin, topped with fresh pico de gallo

Mexican Shakshuka: Simmered eggs in a delicious chunky tomato sauce, poblano peppers and corn (served family style)

Chilaquiles verdes o rojos—a Mexican classic: lightly fried corn tortillas tossed in red or green salsa and topped with chicken or a fried egg

DESSERT

All inclusive

A Mexican Feast for Vegetarians

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

Mini molletes: traditional Mexican toast with refried beans and a blend of three cheeses au gratin, topped with pico de gallo

Crostini with feta cheese and a peach-jalapeño pico de gallo

Crackers with sharp cheddar cheese and homemade sweet-and-spicy jalapeño jam

Grilled quesadillas filled with roasted poblano peppers and roasted corn in a creamy sauce

Chipotle hummus with crudités

Caprese and avocado salad in a skewer with a spicy balsamic reduction

The best guacamole ever, served with tortilla chips

Choriqueso (soy chorizo with cheese) quesadilla bites

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Mexico City-style street corn (lime juice, chili pepper powder, a hint of mayo)

Delicious black bean soup with cumin, a hint of lime juice and chipotle

Sweet corn, tomato, and avocado salad with cilantro-jalapeño dressing

Refreshing cucumber soup with mint and jalapeño (chilled)

Spicy avocado soup (chilled)

Watermelon-tomatillo salad with jalapeño dressing (May-Sept.)

Jícama and mandarin orange salad with pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) (Nov.-Apr.)

Mexican angel-hair pasta (fideo) in a tomato-chipotle sauce with (soy) chorizo

Nopal (Mexican cactus) salad: fresh nopales , tomato, serrano pepper, and queso blanco

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Roasted poblano pepper and corn lasagna

Mushroom tacos with chile de árbol salsa

Traditional tortilla soup (sopa azteca) served with accoutrement (for self-assembly): cheese, crema, roasted ancho chiles, cilantro, avocado

Bacon-japapeño mac & cheese (made with vegetarian bacon)

Crispy carrot tacos (fried)

Queso fundido (melted cheese blend) with garlic mushrooms

DESSERT

All inclusive

Silky cream cheese flan, served with fresh berries

Traditional Mexican three-milks cake (pastel de tres leches)

Pumpkin cheesecake with tomato jam and pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)

Rich brown butter and walnut brownies

Grilled plantains in a honey buttery sauce with fresh berries, pecans, and homemade crema

Coffee flan with a subtle tequila whipped cream

Mexican chocolate mousse with burnt rum and a cinnamon cracker

Cajeta* and rum crêpes with walnuts (*aka "dulce de leche")

Spicy Mexican dark chocolate torte (flourless)

Mexican traditional corn ice cream, served with savory popcorn and burnt blue corn tortilla

A Flavorful Experience: The Best of Mexico

STARTER

Choose 3 dishes

The best guacamole ever, served with tortilla chips and/or Mexican pork rinds

Crostini topped with avocado cream and a spicy, garlicky shrimp

Mini molletes: traditional Mexican toast with refried beans and a blend of three cheeses au gratin, topped with pico de gallo

Choriqueso (chorizo with cheese) quesadilla bites

Grilled quesadillas filled with roasted poblano peppers and roasted corn in a creamy sauce

Chipotle hummus with crudités

Caprese and avocado salad in a skewer with a spicy balsamic reduction

Sinaloa-style cream cheese shrimp dip

Ahi tuna aguachile (raw ahi tuna submerged in a spicy serrano pepper-lime marinade)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Mexico City-style street corn (lime juice, chili pepper powder, a hint of mayo)

Mexican angel-hair pasta (fideo) in a tomato-chipotle sauce with chorizo

Sweet corn, tomato, and avocado salad with cilantro-jalapeño dressing

Spicy avocado soup (chilled)

Watermelon-tomatillo salad with jalapeño dressing (May-Sept.)

Jícama and mandarin orange salad with pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) (Nov.-Apr.)

Traditional tortilla soup (sopa azteca) served with accoutrement (for self-assembly): cheese, crema, roasted ancho chiles, cilantro, avocado

Smoked trout tostada topped with slices of avocado

Spaghetti with cilantro-pepita pesto

Peach, tomato, tomatillo and jalapeño salad

Chef's garden salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beer-braised pork tacos, served with habanero-pickled onions

Flank steak tacos with jamaica (hibiscus) and jalapeño syrup (spicy and sweet)

Bacon-japapeño mac & cheese

Tequila, chipotle, and crema shrimp

Chicken breasts in creamy chipotle sauce, served with cilantro rice

Chicken enchiladas in a creamy sauce, au gratin (enchiladas suizas)

Queso fundido (melted cheese blend) with either crispy chorizo or garlic mushrooms

Shrimp (or whitefish) Mexican ceviche, served with plantain chips

Chicken mole tacos, made with black Oaxaca mole

Grilled flank steak marinated and dark Mexican beer, served with rice and beans

Pan-seared mahi mahi in adobo with grilled pineapple salsa

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Silky cream cheese flan, served with fresh berries

Traditional Mexican three-milks cake (pastel de tres leches)

Grilled plantains in a honey buttery sauce with fresh berries, pecans, and homemade crema

Coffee flan with a subtle tequila whipped cream

Spicy Mexican dark chocolate torte (flourless)

Mexican traditional corn ice cream, served with pepper popcorn and burnt blue corn tortilla

Mexican chocolate mousse with burnt rum

Rich brown butter and walnut brownies, served with vanilla ice cream

Mango-serrano pepper-mezcal sorbet

Dulce de leche cheesecake with pecans

Sweet corn ice cream

Winter-spring Mexican dinner

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Quesadilla de rajas con crema (grilled tortilla filled with roasted poblano peppers in a creamy sauce)

Crostini with feta cheese and a peach-jalapeño pico de gallo (crostini de queso feta con pico de gallo de durazno)

Caprese and avocado salad in a skewer (brocheta de ensalada caprese y aguacate)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bacon-jalapeño mac & cheese

Delicious black bean soup with cumin, a hint of lime juice and chipotle (sopa de frijol negro con comino, limón y chipotle)

Jícama and mandarin-orange salad with pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) (ensalada de jícama y mandarina con pepitas)

Mexican angel-hair pasta (fideo) in spicy tomato sauce and chorizo (fideo seco con chorizo)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Ceviche de camarón o pescado (shrimp or white fish ceviche served with plantain chips)

Turkey meatballs in a tomato-chipotle sauce with homemade crema (albóndigas al chipotle con crema hecha en casa)

Beer-braised pork tacos, served with habanero-pickled onions (tacos de carnitas a la cerveza y cebollitas en escabeche de habanero)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Cajeta* and rum crêpes with walnuts (*aka "dulce de leche") (crepas de cajeta con ron y nueces)

Grilled plantains in a honey buttery sauce with fresh berries, pecans, and homemade crema (plátanos macho a la parrilla con salsa de miel y nueces, moras frescas y crema hecha en casa)

Spicy Mexican torte (flourless) (pastel de chocolate y chile)

Authentic spring Mexican dinner

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

The best guacamole ever, served with tortilla chips and/or Mexican pork rinds

Quesadilla de rajas con crema (grilled tortilla filled with roasted poblano peppers in a creamy sauce)

Crostini topped with avocado cream and a spicy, garlicky shrimp

Mollete: traditional Mexican toast with refried beans and three cheeses au gratin, served with pico de gallo (mollete de tres quesos con pico de gallo)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bacon-jalapeño mac & cheese

Delicious black bean soup with cumin, a hint of lime juice and chipotle (sopa de frijol negro con comino, limón y chipotle)

Watermelon-tomatillo salad with jalapeño dressing (ensalada de sandía y tomate verde con aderezo de jalapeño)

Jícama and mandarin-orange salad with pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) (ensalada de jícama y mandarina con pepitas)

Mexican angel-hair pasta (fideo) in spicy tomato sauce and chorizo (fideo seco con chorizo)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Flank stake tacos with jamaica (hibiscus) and jalapeño syrup (sweet and spicy)

Chicken breasts in creamy chipotle sauce served with cilantro rice (pechugas de pollo al chipotle con arroz verde)

Beer-braised pork tacos, served with habanero-pickled onions (tacos de carnitas a la cerveza y cebollitas en escabeche de habanero)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Silky cream cheese flan, served with fresh berries

Grilled plantains in a honey buttery sauce with fresh berries, pecans, and homemade crema (plátanos macho a la parrilla con salsa de miel y nueces, moras frescas y crema hecha en casa)

Pumpkin cheesecake with tomato jam and pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)

Spicy Mexican torte (flourless) (pastel de chocolate y chile)

Spring Mexican dinner

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

The best guacamole ever, served with tortilla chips and/or Mexican pork rinds

Quesadilla de rajas con crema (grilled tortilla filled with roasted poblano peppers in a creamy sauce)

Caprese and avocado salad in a skewer (brocheta de ensalada caprese y aguacate)

Mollete: traditional Mexican toast with refried beans and three cheeses au gratin, served with pico de gallo (mollete de tres quesos con pico de gallo)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Watermelon-tomatillo salad with jalapeño dressing (ensalada de sandía y tomate verde con aderezo de jalapeño)

Jícama and mandarin-orange salad with pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) (ensalada de jícama y mandarina con pepitas)

Spicy and aromatic chicken and lime soup from Yucatán

Refreshing cucumber soup with mint and jalapeño, chilled (sopa fría de pepino con menta y jalapeño)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Flank stake tacos with jamaica (hibiscus) and jalapeño syrup (sweet and spicy)

Ceviche de camarón o pescado (shrimp or white fish ceviche served with plantain chips)

Turkey meatballs in a tomato-chipotle sauce with homemade crema (albóndigas al chipotle con crema hecha en casa)

Beer-braised pork tacos, served with habanero-pickled onions (tacos de carnitas a la cerveza y cebollitas en escabeche de habanero)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Silky cream cheese flan, served with fresh berries

Mexican traditional corn ice cream, served with pepper popcorn and burnt blue corn tortilla (helado de elote con palomitas a la pimienta y tortilla azul tatemada)

Pumpkin cheesecake with tomato jam and pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)

Spicy Mexican torte (flourless) (pastel de chocolate y chile)

Warm winter Mexican dinner

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Quesadilla de rajas con crema (grilled tortilla filled with roasted poblano peppers in a creamy sauce)

Crostini with feta cheese and a peach-jalapeño pico de gallo (crostini de queso feta con pico de gallo de durazno)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Delicious black bean soup with cumin, a hint of lime juice and chipotle (sopa de frijol negro con comino, limón y chipotle)

Grilled corn and spring onion salad (ensalada de elote y cebollitas asados)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Turkey meatballs in a tomato-chipotle sauce with homemade crema (albóndigas al chipotle con crema hecha en casa)

Chicken breasts in creamy chipotle sauce served with cilantro rice (pechugas de pollo al chipotle con arroz verde)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Silky cream cheese flan, served with fresh berries

Pumpkin cheesecake with tomato jam and pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds)

Sabores de México (authentic Mexican flavors)

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

The best guacamole ever, served with tortilla chips and/or Mexican pork rinds

Quesadilla de rajas con crema (grilled tortilla filled with roasted poblano peppers in a creamy sauce)

Crostini with feta cheese and a peach-jalapeño pico de gallo (crostini de queso feta con pico de gallo de durazno)

Crostini topped with avocado cream and a spicy, garlicky shrimp

Caprese and avocado salad in a skewer (brocheta de ensalada caprese y aguacate)

Mollete: traditional Mexican toast with refried beans and three cheeses au gratin, served with pico de gallo (mollete de tres quesos con pico de gallo)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Bacon-jalapeño mac & cheese

Chicken enchiladas in a creamy sauce, au gratin

Delicious black bean soup with cumin, a hint of lime juice and chipotle (sopa de frijol negro con comino, limón y chipotle)

Spicy avocado soup, chilled (sopa fría de aguacate)

Watermelon-tomatillo salad with jalapeño dressing (ensalada de sandía y tomate verde con aderezo de jalapeño)

Avocado filled with shrimp salad (aguacate relleno de camarones)

Jícama and mandarin-orange salad with pepitas (roasted pumpkin seeds) (ensalada de jícama y mandarina con pepitas)

Mexican angel-hair pasta (fideo) in spicy tomato sauce and chorizo (fideo seco con chorizo)

Spicy and aromatic chicken and lime soup from Yucatán

Grilled corn and spring onion salad (ensalada de elote y cebollitas asados)

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Flank stake tacos with jamaica (hibiscus) and jalapeño syrup (sweet and spicy)

Ceviche de camarón o pescado (shrimp or white fish ceviche served with plantain chips)

Traditional tortilla soup served with accoutrement (for self-assembly): cheese, crema, roasted ancho chiles, cilantro, chicharrón or chicken, avocado (sopa Azteca)

Shredded Yucatán-style skirt steak tostadas

Turkey meatballs in a tomato-chipotle sauce with homemade crema (albóndigas al chipotle con crema hecha en casa)

Pepitos: Mexican grilled flank steak and avocado sandwich

Chicken breasts in creamy chipotle sauce served with cilantro rice (pechugas de pollo al chipotle con arroz verde)

Beer-braised pork tacos, served with habanero-pickled onions (tacos de carnitas a la cerveza y cebollitas en escabeche de habanero)

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Silky cream cheese flan, served with fresh berries

Cajeta* cheesecake with pecans (*aka "dulce de leche")

Dark chocolate-avocado pudding (pudín de chocolate y aguacate)

Cajeta* and rum crêpes with walnuts (*aka "dulce de leche") (crepas de cajeta con ron y nueces)

Traditional Mexican three-milks cake (pastel de tres leches)

Coffee flan with a subtle tequila whipped cream (flan de café con crema batida de tequila)

Grilled plantains in a honey buttery sauce with fresh berries, pecans, and homemade crema (plátanos macho a la parrilla con salsa de miel y nueces, moras frescas y crema hecha en casa)

Spicy Mexican torte (flourless) (pastel de chocolate y chile)

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Chef Max's reviews

4.89

•

108 services

He was fantastic. He communicated constantly with us and his food was delicious. We would definitely use him again.

excellent

Max really created a well thought out and beautifully presented evening for us. we loved the added touch of the jalapeno jam that he threw in. we were having a low key night and were tired and he didn't make us feel uncomfortable with our casual attire or hanging out by the couches observing. food was delicious but oh my God, tres leches was to die for.

Chef Max was great. We selected the menu and he delivered that and more! Each course was delicious and it was wonderful to finish a fantastic home cooked meal and have a perfectly clean kitchen. Chef Max explained the ingredients and gave us some interesting background on the dishes. Great overall experience!

We had a wonderful experience with Chef Max! Everything he made was delicious and his "Fine Mexican" style was right up our alley. We were so pleased with all the dishes but just to note some special ones- Ahi Tuna Aguachile, jicama salad and beer braised port tacos and grilled plantains for dessert. In addition to his culinary talent he just a very nice person to share an evening with. An enjoyable evening all around.

Max was great! We had a dinner for 10 people and Max showed up on time and gave us a wonderful evening. He was very easy to work with. The food was great and the kitchen was spotless after he left. I would totally hire him again!

Max was awesome. Showed up early and just went to work while the family was able to relax and enjoy the evening. Each course was well prepared and perfectly proportioned and paced. The food and service was excellent. Highly recommended.

Chef Max was amazing! The food was phenomenal and included some really great authentic Mexican flavors. The jalapeño jam was out of this world! Max arrived on time and had all food plated and served on time too. He even helped us out with some food for my little children. Thanks to Max for helping create a magical evening in our home. Would 100% recommend to anyone.

Chef Max was absolutely amazing. I would highly recommend him for any event. We had a party of 6 and everyone raved about the food. He left our kitchen spotless

Chef Max offered my friends and I a truly unforgettable experience. He was friendly, kind, and engaging. His cooking was some of the best flavors that I have ever tasted. We chose a Mexican themed meal which happens to be his specialty and he really delivered. We were provided with an immersive meal paired with specialty cocktails and got to experience all the tastes of Mexico! Chef max was accommodating and willing to work with the layout of our home, offering appetizers at different areas of the house to suit our comfort. He was a pleasure to meet and work with, offering us detailed descriptions of his dishes. He even printed us a personalized menu! I would recommend an experience with Chef Max without hesitation!! I can’t wait to work with him again!

Max hosted a bachelorette weekend for a friend. He was very easy to contact and provide great guidance in the planning of the dinner and evening. Dinner was well prepared and served. I would highly recommend using Max.

Chef Max was amazing! Fantastic communication and help planning the menu, punctual and considerate with arrival and preparation, and left the kitchen spotless. Last but not least - the food was delicious and beautifully presented. Would book Max again and highly recommend him for a special occasion with family or friends.

Max was amazing and his food was amazing. All the dishes were creative and interesting takes on classic dishes with fresh ingredients! I would highly recommend Max for any of your cooking needs! Thanks for the wonderful experience!

Chef Max was amazing! He cooked a meal for my family and friends for a superbowl/birthday/vacation surprise I had planned. He worked with me to create a menu that everyone was perfect for our friends taste/theme of the day. They are still talking about it! He was polite, funny, professional, clean and very attentive. Next time we are back in Fort Lauderdale we will absolutely be asking Max to come and cook for us again!

We had the most special dinner thanks to Max. Before the event, he communicated clearly and professionally about price, menu options, details, etc. The day of the event, he arrived on time and brought everything he needed! He was personable and respectful and we really enjoyed getting to know him. Now-- the food. Each dish was absolutely fantastic. We started with a handmade guacomole, then a starter caprese salad with a Mexican twist, followed by the most amazing flank steak tacos, and finished with a delicious sweet corn ice cream. Our drink was a delectable grapefruit margarita with a tajin rim. Max left the kitchen sparkling clean as if he was never even there. I can't highly recommend him enough!!!

Max cooked for 17 of us for my brother's bachelor party. His communication prior to the event was awesome - he made suggestions on how he felt we should set everything up and how it should be served, he asked questions, and he was super organized which made it stress free for me as this was my first time organizing something like this. The appetizers and taco bar were both amazing. On top of his communication and the food being delicious, he was very friendly and the kitchen was spotless when he left. Also, he found a bartender for us to come to the house to make us drinks while we all hung out. Everyone was extremely pleased and I highly recommend Max if you're looking for a personal chef experience.

Excellent and lightning fast communication. Accommodated for Kids meals and their allergies. Ingredients were super fresh. Portion sizes were good. Well dressed in chef attire. My kitchen was was left cleaner then before Max arrived. Super friendly with my kids and everyone else.

Max is amazing. He was on time, diligent, attentive, and his creations were excellent. He accommodated all of our requests, and made my wife’s 50th bday celebration a memorable one. I highly recommend him for any occasion. Thank you Max!

Max went above and beyond all expectations. He not only prepared something delicious, it was the experience that was outstanding. He presented each meal, the inspiration and preparation, and truly walked us through a full vision for the menu. He was fantastic to work with beforehand and I would recommend him to anyone looking for an amazing chef experience in the area. Thank you Max!

Max was great! The food was absolutely fantastic and looked just as good as it tasted. He was communicative prior to the evening, so we knew what to expect in terms of prep time that he would need and what we could expect having him as our chef for the evening. I would certainly hire him again!