Chef Melissa Mehra

Personal Chef In Palm Springs

I am a professional Chef who attended Le Cordon Bleu and have been in the food and beverage industry since 2007. I offer personal Chef services such as private dinners, group or individual cooking classes, catering events, and meal prep - all in the convenience of your own home, Airbnb or vacation rental. All services offered are completely customizable and tailor-made to each client.

Meet the Chef:

Chef Melissa grew up in Los Angeles, California around a plethora of cuisines and flavors. Later she attended Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena to pursue a culinary career. She landed in the Coachella Valley with her wife and two daughters and now works as a private chef and caterer serving the Riverside and San Bernadino County areas.

As a gourmet chef, Melissa is dedicated to creating healthy, delicious food and providing convenient, professional, and accessible fine dining services for her clients. Offering personalized recommendations and support while integrating appropriate food choices with lifestyle options, she seeks to create the perfect balance between client and chef.

For me, cooking is...

My passion and my life!

I learned to cook at...

Le cordon bleu, California.

A cooking secret...

Farm to table fresh ingredients

My menus

Authentic Latin (basic) 4 course

STARTER

All inclusive

Aguachile Verde - Fresh cleaned shrimp in a spicy green sauce with sliced red onion and cucumber

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Champagne and sorbet pallet cleanser

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Beer batter fish or chicken tacos with pickled red cabbage ,avocado, chipotle aioli

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Churro cheesecake with Fresh strawberry compote and chocolate

Abuelita crème brûlée with fresh berries

Local menu (Basic) 4 course

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Beef tartare

Pear and gorgonzola salad, with mixed greens and candied walnuts

Fig, balsamic onion jam , Brie crostini

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Airline chicken , herb mash , parsnip purée, seasonal veg, lemongrass beurre blanc

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate and vanilla mirror glaze cake with basil infused fruit

Apple cobbler, french vanilla bean ice cream and caramel disk

Chocolate souffle with Madagascar vanilla ice cream and berries

Authentic Tour of Italy (Basic) 5 course

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Melon and prosciutto “Ajo blanco”

Arancini and marinara

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fresh hand made pasta cacio e pepe

Beet, mozerella, fig and crostini salad with champagne dressing

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Caprese Chicken Saltimbocca

Blueberry, lemon, and lavender champagne palette cleanser

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Italian Zabaglione

Chocolate souffle with Madagascar vanilla ice cream and berries

Surprise (Basic ) 4 Courses

STARTER

All inclusive

Burrata, Beetroot and blackberry, whipped honey goat cheese salad

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Leek and celery smoked soup

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Airline chicken , herb mash , parsnip purée, seasonal veg, lemongrass beurre blanc

DESSERT

All inclusive

Deconstructed tiramisu

Surprise (Indulge) 5 Courses

STARTER

All inclusive

Beef carpaccio ( sliced in house)

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Blueberry, raspberry and mango sorbet champagne palette cleanse

Ajo blanco

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Chilean sea bass , herb mash , parsnip purée, mushroom jus

DESSERT

All inclusive

Chocolates mirro glaze cake

Authentic Tour of Italy (Exclusive) 7 course

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Caprese and mozerella salad, parm, and balsamic fig glaze

Classic Italian bruschetta, cherry tomato, shallot, fresh basil and red wine glaze

Ajo blanco

Arancini and marinara

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Beef carpaccio ( sliced in house)

Ratatouille

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

Fresh hand made pasta cacio e pepe

Salmon filet, seasonal veg and fresh potato puree

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Chocolate mirror glaze tiramisu

Apple and berry cobbler, french vanilla bean ice cream and caramel disk

Mediterranean

STARTER

All inclusive

Greek mezze platter: e.g, hummus, olives, fresh veggies, pita etc

Blueberry, lemon, and lavender champagne palette cleanser

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Beet, mozerella, fig and crostini salad with champagne dressing

Salad of Watermelon , arugula, mango

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Chicken and shrimp skewers with a greek tzatziki sauce served with basmati rice

Chilean seabass Mediterranean

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Greek butter cookies

Tiramisu

Blood orange crème brulee

French classic (Basic) 5 course

STARTER

All inclusive

PAN CON TOMATE Grilled bread, grated tomatoes, manchego, Serrano ham

FIRST COURSE

All inclusive

Manzanilla Papirusa, Sanlúcar de Barrameda CLAMS WITH PORK BELLY White wine, diced tomatoes, basil

Champagne and sorbet pallet cleanser

MAIN COURSE

All inclusive

MALLORCAN STYLE LAMB Braised lamb, piquillo confit, garlic chips, patatas panaderas

DESSERT

All inclusive

Blood orange-champagne creme brûlée

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Chef Melissa's reviews

4.78

•

376 services

Chef Melissa is a delight- in person, and for the impeccable quality of her food and presentation! We had a group of 13, and she customized a menu that everyone was excited about- and then completely exceeded expectations. She is clearly a pro, arrived and got right to work quietly preparing an elegant feast for us, all plated beautifully-- though it was so delicious we devoured it all without dallying to compliment how lovely it all was. Quotes heard during dinner: "I don't even like beets and I would eat another whole plate of that appetizer!" "I could drink an entire vat of that soup." "This pasta is so fresh, best ever!". Highly recommend Melissa, I would (and probably will) hire her again in a heartbeat.

What a spectacular and memorable evening! I had read the previous reviews for Melissa and was pretty impressed. She shared the menu up front with me which was spot on with what I wanted for a very special birthday celebration. She showed up on time, was very engaging and we had a delightful dinner. Food was very innovative and tremendously tasty. We all enjoyed every bite and were excited to have some leftovers as well. Melissa and Emily worked hard preparing our meal and left the kitchen immaculate. They were kind enough to box up all the leftovers for us as requested. I am so happy that Melissa was our chef and I would recommend her to anyone and everyone.

Chef Melissa was incredible! Not only was every dish delicious, but it was plated so beautifully. I would 1000% recommend booking her services.

Melissa’s meal was both beautiful and delicious. From the signature cocktail to the amazing dessert (and everything in between)! She and her team truly made my husband’s birthday celebration a night to remember!

Our experience with Chef Melissa in Big Bear was exceptional. Not only was the food absolutely delicious, but she was also incredibly professional and accommodating. Every dish was thoughtfully prepared and beautifully presented, adding so much to our time together. She made sure every need was met with a warm, welcoming attitude. Highly recommend her for anyone looking to elevate their experience with outstanding food and top-notch service!

We have a great dinner, prepared by Chef Melissa. We were having a girls’ night in and picked Chef Melissa based on her delicious sounding menu. I am very happy to report that the evening was a huge success. The food was great, the service was excellent and the kitchen was left completely spotless. It was a wonderful and relaxing experience all around.

Fantastic!

Chef Melissa, was wonderful start to finish. She was punctual and provided excellent communication. The menu she provided was very complex , enjoyable with an flair of professionalism. Overall it was an exceptional experience and would love to do it again. 5 STARS ⭐️

Chef Melissa was amazing! The food, service, story, and personality all flowed and made the birthday exceptional! I will definitely hire again!

Chef Melissa was amazing! The food was delicious - the whole group was raving. And she was very kind and attentive without being overbearing. 10/10 would recommend!

Amazing dinner!!! Would definitely do this again

I was fortunate enough to find Chef Melissa only 2 weeks prior to my last minute trip to Palm Springs. She was easy to work with and plan a meal around my dietary restrictions and food preferences. We can hopped a a quick call which was super helpful. Day of, Chef arrived on time while my friend la and I were Lounging by the pool and the first course was promptly served at the time we discussed. The food was plentiful, delicious and beautifully presented. I’m still dreaming of the mussels that were served as the second course! Chef packed up all the leftovers we had and my group happily enjoyed them later that evening and the next day. This was my first time hiring a private chef and it is an experience I will always remember - a perfect way to celebrate a milestone birthday. I wouldn’t hesitate to hire chef Melissa again next time I’m in Palm Springs!!

Chef Melissa was very professional and perfectly on schedule. I would highly recommend her to anyone looking for a chef in the area.

I cannot give enough praise to Chef Melissa. She was so kind and engaging and she wow’d us with every dish. The flavor was incredible as was the presentation. We unanimously agreed it was the best and most beautiful meal we’ve ever had. And they cleaned everything up! We didn’t have to do a thing. She is incredibly talented and a lovely person!

We had an amazing experience working with Chef Melissa and would recommend her in a heartbeat. She was so easy to work with, had great attention to detail, and created a beautifully presented and delicious meal for us. Really an amazing and unique experience and so grateful!

Chef Melissa was absolutely amazing. The meal she made for my bachelorette party was so delicious and she really made the night special. I would definitely recommend!

Very pleasant. Easy to coordinate menus and schedule with. Food was good. Meticulous cleaning. Would definitely book again.

We loved Chef Melissa and were really impressed by this whole experience from A to Z. Highly recommend it!

Melissa was amazing and gave us the perfect evening. So easy to coordinate and didn't have to think about anything. Thank you!

Five stars!! Every dish was incredible from start to finish! We booked a fully vegan service of breakfast, lunch and dinner - everything was delicious and was served beautifully. My boyfriend will now forever ask me to recreate chef Melissa's chickpea curry! Lol. Chef Melissa was punctual, professional and had great energy! Will definitely be recommending.