Chef Prem Maurel
Private Chef In EncinitasGet to know me better
International flare specializing in Healthy and Delicious. Expert in Gluten Free/Vegan Menus as well
Chef Prem is a French-American gourmet chef who was the head chef at a yoga retreat center for about 10 years since 2001. There, he learned the arts of meditation, international cuisine, and Ayurveda. Since 2010, he has worked as a private family chef for multiple families around the world, catered several movies and tv shows, worked as a corporate executive chef, and has catered countless special events and retreats. Up to date, Chef Prem has spent more 23 years (more than 30,000 hours) cooking professionally and is an is an expert in healthy and delicious cuisine, making it a point to stay up to date with the latest health research and latest cooking techniques.
More about me
For me, cooking is...
Is the highest art form in that it involves not only the sense of taste, but also, sight, sound, smell, and touch. It's what creates the sense of home
I learned to cook at...
CIA, SRF, India, France, Italy, Spain, Los Angeles, Peru, San Diego
A cooking secret...
sourcing the best ingredients is the most important thing. From there, technique, experience, and passion can come into play
My menus
Beet Stacks filled with Herbed Vegan Cheese and dressed with Balsamic Reduction, Shaved Radishes
Vegan Pesto Crusted Sweet Potato Wedges
Endive stuffed with toasted pecans mandarins and vegan cheese, orange - balsamic dressing
Gourmet Roasted Cauliflower Nachos: Buffalo Cauliflower, Cashew Cheese, Diced Tomatoes, persian cucumbers, cilantro, pickled jalapenos, Vegan Feta, fresh basil
Butternut mac n cheese (Gluten Free elbow macaroni, Cashew-butternut Cheez, topped with gluten free bread crumbs and vegan parmesan
Buddha Quinoa Salad: roasted veggies, fresh veggies, quinoa, goddess dressing, fresh herbs, avocados
White Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse (gluten free and vegan optional)
Coconut Lemon Panna Cotta
Raw Vegan Chocolate and Coconut Mousse with berries and mint
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Charcuterie Board: Prosciutto, Salami, Artisan Vegan Cheeses, Grapes, Strawberries, Marcona Almonds, GF Crackers, Jams, and Dark Chocolate
Ahi Tuna and Mango Stack
Coconut and Macadamia Nut Crusted Sole Mashed Rosemary, Garlic and Sweet Potatoes Za'attar Spiced Roasted Baby Carrots and Coconut Yogurt
Grilled Wagyu Flank Steak With Chimchuri Sauce Pesto Crusted Sweet Potatoes Broiled Asparagus with lemon, EVOO, and Merlot finishing salt, edible flowers
White Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse
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Pesto Crusted Sweet Potato Wedges
Gluten free vegan ricotta and blackberry flat bread with mint
Polenta bites with sautéed Mushrooms and caramelized onions with thyme
Meditaranean Platter: Roasted Bell Pepper Hummus with herbs, Stuffed Grape Leaves, Gluten free Crostini and Crackers, Marinated Artichoke Hearts, Kalamata Olives, Vegan Feta, Persian Cucumbers, Carrots, Bell Peppers
Grilled lemon and pomegranate spinach salad with parsley mint and a pomegranate molasses dressing
Endive stuffed with pecans mandarins and vegan cheese honey orange balsamic
Butternut mac n cheese
Buffalo Cauliflower and Vegan Blue Cheese or Ranch Dressing
Sweet potato gnocchi with a tomato and sage sauce
Coconut Lemon Panna Cotta
White Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse
Raw Vegan Chocolate and Coconut Mousse with berries and mint
Greek Honey and Orange Cake with Orange Zest
Dessert Pizza with vegan cream cheese, fruit preserves, berries, chocolate sauce, and mint
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Pear, Goat Cheese, and Arugula flat bread freshly baked flat bread, ripe Bartlett pears, and peppery arugula all over a chive and goat cheese base
Marinated Artichoke heart Crostini, Made with fresh rosemary, Burrata Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, and Tuscan Olive oil
Cream of Asparagus and Leek Soup Garnished with Spiced pumpkin seeds, edible flowers, and creme fraiche
3 cheese beef and sausage lasagna Roasted garlic and basil tomato sauce, and a 3 cheese and 2 meat filling with sweet Italian sausage, lean ground beef, and caramelized onion, baked until perfectly golden brown and delicious. Served with Sourdough Garlic
Seared Salmon with a Tomato and Kalamata Olive Sauce, seared until crispy and then baked till perfectly flaky and tender. Served with Truffled Celery Root Puree and Roasted Baby Carrots drizzled with garlic and parsley gremolata sauce
Beef Bourguignon Slow Cooked in Burgundy wine, Congnac, fresh herbs and baby spring vegetables, served with Mashed Potatoes and Roasted Brussel Sprouts
Tiramisu
Creme Brulee
Dessert: Chocolate Poached Pears Bartlett pears dipped in Dark Chocolate, served with Sea Salt Caramel Gelato, fresh berries and mint
Dessert: Orange Blossom Greek Honey Cake and Vanilla Gelato reminiscent of greek Baklava in its honey and orange syrup soaked decadence topped with edible lowers and Mara de Bois strawberries, a varietal introduced 20 years ago in France and only found a
Chocolate Mousse
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Pear, Goat Cheese, and Arugula Flatbread: Artisan flatbread, ripe Bartlett pears, and peppery arugula all over a chive and goat cheese base
Marinated Artichoke Heart Crostini: Made with fresh rosemary, Burrata Cheese, Heirloom Tomatoes, and Tuscan Olive oil
Fig, and Goat Cheese Crostini: Herbed Goat Cheese, Fig Jam, fresh thyme layered over warm and crunchy sourdough bread slices
Cream of Asparagus and Leek Soup: Garnished with Spiced pumpkin seeds, edible flowers, and creme fraiche
Polenta Bites: Caramelized Onion and Portobello Mushroom Topped Crispy Polenta Discs Sprinkled with fresh thyme
Truffled Burrata Cheese and Heirloom Tomato Caprese: Heirloom Tomato Slices, Soft Truffled Burrata Cheese, and Homemade Pesto, Stacked in several layers, and drizzled in a Balsamic Reduction
Spinach and Pear Salad: Fresh baby spinach, sliced pears, candied pecans, goat cheese and a French dijon Vinaigrette (if in season or other seasonal salad)
Arugula Garden Salad: with Persian Cucumbers, Cherry Tomatoes, Avocado, and edible flowers with a lemon and olive oil dressing and a sprinkle of truffle salt
Greek Salad: with heirloom tomatoes, Persian cucumbers, Kalamata olives, Avocado, feta Cheese, and Oregano-lemon-EVOO salad dressing
Filet Mignon and Lobster Tails with Truffled Celery Root Puree and Roasted Asparagus
Tri Tip and Jumbo Shrimp with Creamy Mashed Potatoes and Garlic Butter Soy Glazed Mushrooms
Rib Eye and Pan Seared Scallops with Potatoes Dauphinoise, and Green Beans with brown butter and bread crumbs
Sirloin and King Crab Legs with Scalloped Potatoes and Broiled Leeks and Mushrooms
Dessert: Orange Blossom Greek Honey Cake and Vanilla Gelato reminiscent of greek Baklava in its honey and orange syrup soaked decadence topped with edible flowers and Mara de Bois strawberries, a varietal introduced 20 years ago in France and only found
Chocolate Poached Pears Barlett pears dipped in dark Chocolate, served with sea salt caramel gelato, fresh berries and mint
Butterscotch and Pecan Bread Pudding with Homemade Vanilla and Caramel Ice Cream topped with strawberries and lemon zest
Chocolate Mousse with whipped cream, berries, and mint garnish
Creme Brulee
Apricot or Apple Tart
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Aguachile. A dish made of shrimp, submerged in liquid seasoned with chili peppers, lime juice, salt, cilantro, slices of cucumber and slices of thinly sliced red onion
Peruvian Ceviche: composed of chunks of raw fish, marinated in freshly squeezed key lime or bitter orange (naranja agria) juice, with sliced onions, chili peppers, salt and pepper
Grapefruit, Endive, and Arugula Salad with, blue-cheese, and Champagne Vinaigrette and Candied Walnuts
Mini Scallop Tostadas with Corn Salsa and Chipotle Crema
Langoustine Enchiladas with Red, White, and Green Artisan Sauces, Gourmet Mexican Rice, Smoked Black Beans
Seafood Stuffed Pineapple Halves topped with Cheese
Grilled Lobster Halves, Gourmet Mexican Rice, Smoked Black Beans
Caramel Flan
Mexican Wedding Cookies and Cinnamon-Vanilla Ice Cream: They are dainty little cookies that are tender, sweet, nutty, with a hint of butter, all at the same time. When you bite into these little gems, you will experience the purest kind of ecstasy
Tres Leches Cake: One of the most famous Mexican desserts is the gorgeous tres leches cake that is found at nearly every celebration of Mexican families
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Ahi Tuna Stack
Arugula Salad with Ginger Sesame Dressing and Toasted Pine Nuts
Steamed Miso and Lime Clams with toasted Sourdough
Carrot-Ginger-Lime Soup with sake and creme fraiche sauce, edible florals
Filet Mignon over Celery Root and Parsnip Puree with Japanese Pan Sauce
Angel Hair and Crab Capellini Pasta with white wine and lemon zest beurre blanc sauce
Lemon Panna Cotta
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Smoked Salmon Canapes: Herbed Goat Cheese, Smoked Salmon, fresh Dill, and lemon, on crispy French bread
Cheese Tart on Puff Pastry: This French tart is bursting with cheesy, creamy, and smoky flavors
Brie with Pesto: Warm brie cheese and creamy basil pesto combine in this heavenly spread served with artisan crackers
Coquilles St. Jacques: scallop gratin in a wine and cream sauce that’s then topped with cheese and crispy crumbs
Salade Lyonnaise: Features a frisée lettuce and bacon lardons, topped with a poached egg, croutons, and Dijon Vinaigrette
Beet Stacks filled with Herbed goat Cheese and dressed with Balsamic Reduction, Shaved Radishes
French Onion Soup: The depth of flavor this soup provides is out of this world
Ratatouille: Southern French vegetable stew from where I was born in Aix en Provence
Beef Bourguignon: a classic French beef stew made with red wine, pearl onions, mushrooms and bacon. Served with Mashed Rosemary White Sweet Potatoes
Portobello Mushroom Bourguignon: a vegetarian spin on the French classic dish, which some would say tastes even better! Served with Mashed Rosemary White Sweet Potatoes
Coq au Vin: the classic red wine chicken stew from Burgundy served with Potatoes Dauphinoise. Of all the ways to cook potato, this is one of the best. Potato + cream + cheese with a hint of garlic and thyme. Seriously, what could be better than that?
Cassoulet: A classic French Chicken Casserole with white beans, carrots, onions, and thyme. Served over Truffled Celery Root Puree
Chocolate Mousse (gluten free)
White Chocolate and Raspberry Mousse (gluten free and vegan optional)
Pear Tart (if in season) (gluten free optional) or other seasonal fruit tart
Poirre a L'orange: A lovely version of poached pears, which is probably one of the core desserts of French cuisine. Served with French Vanilla Ice Cream (gluten free and vegan optional)
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