Chef Tamla Obrien

Private Chef In Charleston

I am a professional chef with over 17 years of experience. I have owned my own restaurant in the Caribbean, was a private chef for notable people in Los Angeles, and traveled with the PGA as a freelance chef. I love what I do, and it comes through in the food. My preference is to always use local and seasonal ingredients to provide the best and most fresh cuisine from casual backyard barbecues, bachelor and bachelorette parties to multi course fine dining I’ve got you covered. I’m very easy going and happy to work with all your preferences - restrictions

For me, cooking is...

Everything! A necessity in life that brings people together

I learned to cook at...

Culinary trained, however, learned most of it with my travels and practical experience

A cooking secret...

Cook from the heart

My menus

Surf & Turf

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Charcuterie

Mussels marinara & grilled bread

Clams in a white wine, garlic sauce with grilled bread

Blistered Shishito Peppers w/evoo & roasted red pepper aioli

Smoked salmon & caviar, cucumber, creme fraiche

Chilled seafood tower w/ lobster, shrimp, oysters frozen champagne ginger mignonette, cocktail sauce, green goddess aioli, radish & arugula $25/ per person extra

Artichoke & cheese stuffed mushrooms

Local ceviche w/ plantain chips

Steak Tartare w/ Smokey oyster aioli, capers, pickled red onion & crostinis etc

Oysters on half shell ( locally sourced when in season)

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Creamy kale Caesar with Parmesan crisps

Local green salad with seasonal fruit, nuts, goat cheese, and balsamic

Upscale wedge w/ creamy cambozola, sunflower seeds, pancetta, tomato & creamy avocado herb dressing

Truffled Burrata caprese w/ sea salt , basil & heirloom tomatoes

Artichoke arugula salad w/ cured olives , peppers , lemon sundried tomato vinaigrette

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Scampi shrimp & cast iron NY strip

Local fish vierge & filet mignon

Grilled Ribeye & crab legs w/ Cajun lemon butter $15/ pp additional

Scallops & Filet e/ pancetta and grapefruit

Grilled NY strip & Lobster poached e/ Italian herb butter sauce

Filet Oscar - classic w/ crab meat

Tuna & Skirt steak w/ chimichurri aioli & lemon ginger butter

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Deconstructed Keylime pie

Adult ice cream sandwiches with salted caramel and chocolate ganache

Flourless chocolate cake

S'mores layered jars

Butterscotch Bourbon Peach cobbler

Banana cream pie cheesecake

BBQ

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Cheer wine slow roasted ribs

Barbecued pulled pork sliders with hatch, chili, barbecue sauce

Lobster chive mac & cheese with a panko

Grilled barbecued portobellos

Grilled pork chops with peach relish

Cajun shrimp mac & cheese

Barbecue meatball onion bomb, wrapped in bacon

Spiced grilled coconut pineapple chicken

Fried chicken with maple aïoli or vegan fried “chicken “

Pulled beef sliders with tangy barbecue

MAIN COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Pineapple ham baked beans

Collards

Cornmeal fried green tomato with lemon, Cajun aïoli

Cheesy garlic Parmesan buttered, pull apart rolls

Jalapeño cheddar cornbread

Bourbon, barbecue beans

Black-eyed pea, roasted corn, avocado salad

Creamy pimento cheese potato salad

Grilled green tomatoes with whipped goat cheese

Cajun bacon, boiled peanuts

Honey cornbread muffins

Southern green beans with lardon

Creamed corn casserole

DESSERT

All inclusive

Adult ice cream sandwiches with salted caramel and chocolate ganache

Strawberry jam cake

Banana cream pie, mason jars

Berry slab pie with ice cream

Chantilly peach curd crumble

Toasted coconut, angel food cake with pineapple and caramel drizzle

Grill Feast

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Blistered Shishito Peppers w/evoo & roasted red pepper aioli

Creamy whipped ricotta with black pepper and honey

Crudité w/ carmelized onion dip, chipotle ranch & pimento cheese

Fried okra w/roasted red pepper aioli

Sausage stuffed mushrooms

Spiced boiled peanuts

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Grilled corn salad with pepper, onion, tomato and citrus jalapeño Parmesan vinaigrette

Grilled veggie platter with thyme, honey balsamic vinaigrette

Bacon, jalapeño popper potato salad

Pull a part cheesy garlic rolls

Grilled corn on the cob

Brown sugarpeach baked beans

Creamy kale Caesar with Parmesan crisps

Bib and plum salad with pickled red onion and fennel

Ratatouille pasta salad

Creamy pimento cheese potato salad

Creamy 4 cheese Mac and cheese w/ panko topping

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Spiced, grilled pineapple, coconut chicken

Barbecue bourbon pork chops

Grilled Portabella mushrooms with herbs and lemon

Barbecue grilled chicken

Cheer wine slow roasted ribs

Shrimp and chicken kebabs with three dipping sauces

Burger slider bar with all the gourmet fixings

Grilled sausage bar – chicken, Polish, Italian, with all the toppings

Grilled skirt steak w/tomato, olives, and garlic

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Berry slab pie with ice cream

Toasted coconut, angel food cake with pineapple and caramel drizzle

Adult ice cream sandwiches with salted caramel and chocolate ganache

Deconstructed Keylime pie

Chantilly peach curd crumble

Banana cream pie cheesecake

Italian experience

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Charcuterie

Italian sausage stuffed banana pepper

Mussels marinara & grilled bread

Artichoke tomato Crostini w/balsamic reduction

Pancetta figs( seasonal)

Sausage stuffed mushrooms

Spinach Asiago dip

Creamy whipped ricotta with black pepper and honey

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Prosciutto , fig( seasonal), smoked blue cheese arugula flatbread

Grilled panzanella salad

Caesar w/ rosemary croutons

Lemon roasted garlic parmesan burrata

Arugula, seasonal fruit, parmesan balsamic vinegar

Creamy White bean pancetta soup w/ chive oil

Clams in a white wine, garlic sauce with grilled bread

Mussels, marinara with grilled bread

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Pesto ricotta pasta

Tomato fresh mozzarella manicotti

Bucatini w/ pancetta , peas & egg

Classic bolognese pasta

Local fish vierge

Rigatoni polpette

Local fish w/ creamy truffled parmesan mushroom risotto

Grilled New York strip with tomato, olives, and garlic

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Cannolis w/ chocolate or fruit

Zeppoli w/ warm chocolate sauce

Italian berry mascarpone cake

Tiramisu

Blueberry ricotta cheesecake

Chocolate pot de creme

Brunch

STARTER

All inclusive

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Fruit platter

Bagel & smoked salmon platter

Thick sliced bacon

Roasted potatoes

Hash brown casserole

Vegan yogurt, granola & berries

Greek yogurt, granola berries

Sausage ( or turkey /vegan)

Mixed greens, avocado, soft, boiled, eggs, heirloom, tomato, radish, pickled red onion, salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 3 dishes

Eggs to order

Shrimp Benedict w/ Cajun roasted tomato hollandaise

Bananas foster French toast casserole

Quiche

Vegan eggs w/ spinach, tomato & vegan feta

Fried croque monsieur

Jalapeño Fried chicken ( or vegan )waffles, pecan & blueberry maple

Sweet potato or buttermilk Biscuits w/ gravy ( vegan & turkey available)

Breakfast tacos w/ sausage, bacon or vegan

Shrimp breakfast quesadilla

Ham and Swiss breakfast pie

Peach coffee cake with pecans streusel

Sourdough bacon chive quiche with gueyere

Breakfast quinoa w/ caramelized onion, spinach , tomato , goat cheese & topped w/ sunny side up eggs

Pull apart breakfast sliders stuffed w/ egg, cheese, peppers, onions & bacon baked w/ cheese & garlic butter

DESSERT

All inclusive

Mexican fiesta (a bachelor and bachelorette favorite)

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Tamlas famous guacamole and chips

Salsa with chips

Homemade jalapeño queso with chips

Jalapeño crab cheese dip

Layered bean and cheese dip with sour cream and tomato

FIRST COURSE

Choose 2 dishes

Mexican corn(elote)- Creme fraiche and spices on roasted corn covered in cojita and served w/ lime

Spanish rice

Refined or black beans

Cilantro slaw

Black-eyed pea, roasted corn, avocado salad

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp and cheese stuffed poblano’s

Local shrimp or fish tacos

Chipotle, chicken enchiladas with cheese and salsa Verde

Carne Asada street tacos with lime and radish

Vegan meat “tacos“ or enchiladas

Beef and chicken fajitas

Shredded beef barbacoa ( or jackfruit )

Birria tacos or quesadilla

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Deconstructed Keylime pie

Churro bites with ice cream

Mexican chocolate pot de creme

Adult ice cream sandwiches w/ caramel and chocolate ganache

Churro cheesecake

Seasonal fruit cobbler

Southern w/ a twist

STARTER

Choose 1 dish

Shrimp scampi deviled eggs

Crab dip / pita

Prosciutto wrapped peaches with balsamic drizzle

Spiced boiled peanuts

Fried okra w/roasted red pepper aioli

Grilled green tomatoes w/whipped ricotta

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Fried Green tomato Caprese

Local green salad with seasonal fruit, nuts, goat cheese, and balsamic

Pancetta Mac and cheese

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Local shrimp, over Pimento cheese, grits cakes

Local fish with pimento butter, whipped potatoes, and seasonal veg

Okra & black eyed pea stew

Bourbon peach pork tenderloin w/ cheesy grit cake

Low country boil with crab legs( $25/ pp extra for legs)

Skirt steak w/ pimento butter, local veg & whipped yukons

Peach glazed chicken w/ creamy grits or potatoes & seasonal veggies

Fried chicken w/ peach and green tomato salsa

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Peach crumble with ice cream

Banana cream pie, mason jars

Deconstructed Keylime pie

Adult ice cream sandwiches with salted caramel and chocolate ganache

Toasted coconut angel food cake w/pineapple and caramel

Mediterranean

STARTER

Choose 2 dishes

Whipped feta & hot honey

Hummus & pita

Artichoke tomato Crostini w/balsamic reduction

Tazikki

Baba ganough

White bean sundried tomato & olive dip

FIRST COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Quinoa, tabouli salad

Grilled veggies

Stuffed warm grape leaves w/ lemon & olive oil

Cucumber, tomato, orzo, pasta salad

Greek salad hummus board

MAIN COURSE

Choose 1 dish

Spiced Ground lamb, or turkey kebabs

Spiced ground veggie kebabs

Artichoke sun-dried tomato olive chicken

Harissa spiced, salmon

Roasted eggplant moussaka(creamy eggplant lasagna)

Grilled spiced chicken pitas, or vegetarian “meat “pita

Local baked fish with lemon, olives, and tomato & herbs

DESSERT

Choose 1 dish

Local, layered fruit, puff pastry

Baklava

Yogurt with fruit, pistachio, and honey

Lebanese coffee jars

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Chef Tamla's reviews

4.75

•

42 services

Tamla and her assistant were both very friendly and attentive. We had a cooking class with the first course which was slot of fun and informative!

Chef Tamla was the highlight of our vacation. We have 7 young children in our family. Tamla was the special treat for the adults after all kids were in bed. Fantastic food and service. All the special touches, just like we were in a restaurant!!

Chef Tamla was great to work with. Before, during and after the meal. Great communication while working on menu, the food she prepared was fantastic and clean up all taken care of. Highly recommend!

Chef Tamla was absolutely amazing! She was so attentive when I first reached out and provided me with many options to make the perfect menu for my friend's bachelorette. She went above and beyond to provide the best experience for all of us and make it extra special for the bride to be. Her was INCREDIBLE and we are still talking about how good each dish was. I highly recommend Chef Tamla. You will not be disappointed!