Private chef in San Diego
A private chef in San Diego treats you to incredible Californian flavors. Chat with one of our 329 chefs to craft your menu the way you want it.
Hire a personal chef in San Diego
Have a taste of San Diego's farm-to-table" experience, where local dishes meet cuisines from around the world. Trust our personal chefs to bring the talent of America's Finest City to your doorstep and impress your guests.
Since 2016, over 18,106 guests have enjoyed the private chef experience in San Diego. With Take A Chef, booking a personal chef is easy. Whether you're planning birthday parties, dinner parties, or just quality time with friends, we promise you a memorable dining experience.
Find a personal chef in San Diego, CA, who matches your preferences and budget. Let them create a unique dining experience for you and your guests so you can focus on what truly matters: enjoying time with your loved ones.
How it works
Submit your request
Tell us about your ideal meal, event date, and budget. No commitment needed.
Chat with chefs
Chat with private chefs to discuss preferences and food allergies. Get multiple proposals.
Customize Your Menu
Personalize everything you want. From the number of courses to the ingredients in every dish.
Book your chef
Finish your booking, make your payment, and prepare for an incredible moment!
Enjoy the experience
Welcome your chef and relax while your chef prepares fantastic meals in your kitchen.
329 Private chefs in San Diego
The ideal private chef in San Diego, CA, is closer than you think.
Over 18,100 guests have enjoyed the private chef experience in San Diego
4.68 Chef
Guests in San Diego have given their private chef experience a 4.68.
4.9 Food quality
Our private chef's menus in San Diego have received a strong 4.9.
4.81 Presentation
Apart from tasty, our chefs' dishes also look incredible, earning a score of 4.81 in San Diego.
4.88 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in San Diego has been scored with a 4.88 on average.
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More than 7,461 menus personalized by our private chefs in San Diego
Rent a chef for your home in San Diego. Ask for sample menus to get inspiration. You make all the decisions.
Hickory smoked scallop crudo
Guacamole tatemado bites on plantain chips
Black bean chipotle lobster tostada
Ceviche shooters
Ahi poke wontons
Fried risotto ball with marinara
California gazpacho
Aztec tortilla soup
Chicken tom kha soup
Pork chashu ramen
100 anniversary tijuana cesar salad
Warm winter salad
Asian papaya salad
Caprese salad
Greek yogurt salad and roasted beets salad
Braised short rib and grits with red wine reduction
Blackened salmon with greek lemon rice and homemade tzatziki
Teriyaki mahi mahi with king trumpet mushrooms, green onions and grilled squash
Harissa marinated pan seared chicken with goat cheese labneh and herbs with a cucumber side salad
Macadamia, orange and basil crusted halibut and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes with orange beurre blanc sauce
Filet mignon with grilled asparagus and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and red wine reduction
Garlic shrimp skewers with honey rosemary vegetables
Sesame seared tuna with mango, pineapple, habanero salsa, ponzu and white jazmine rice
Fish on lentils with honey cream and herb medley
Trout almondine with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and lemon beurre blanc
Mini chocolate cheesecake
Carrot walnut cake
Coconut kahlua flan
Creme brulee
Tiramisu
Strawberry shortcake ice cream sandwhich
Cornbread with salted caramel and whipped cream cheese
Panacotta with brownie crumble
Assorted homemade cookies
Baklava
Bread pudding
Churro waffle ice cream sandwich
Blackened shrimp scampi
Butter poached lobster - cioppino style fennel seafood broth, crab, shrimp
Classic bruschetta - tomato, garlic, basil, balsamic
French onion soup - gruyere, fried onion
Crab and ahi tuna poki - avocado, ahi tuna, crab, chives, cilantro, lime
Shrimp ceviche - jalapeño, cilantro, lemmon, lime
Caesar salad - garlic crostini, parmesan cheese
Blood poached pear salad - prosciutto, blue cheese, arugula, walnuts
Beet salad - baby beets, goat cheese, arugula, candied orange, orange vinaigrette
Orange salad - ginger dressing, carrots, romaine lettuce, onion, wonton, oranges, radish
Citrus avocado salad - avocado, oranges, grapefruit, manchego cheese, citrus vinaigrette
Stuffed chicken alfredo - kale, parmesan, garlic, fettuccini pasta,
Seared salmon - roasted potatoes, asparagus, citrus fennel salad,
Miso duck - seared duck breast, candied orange peel, duck confit, cassoulet, haricots verts stir fry
Chilean sea bass - roasted fingerling potatoes, haricots verts, tomato butter sauce
Short rib mole - polenta, pickled radish
Beef tenderloin filet with butter poached lobster tail - fondant potatoes, brussels sprouts, lobster cream
Bourbon pecan pie
Chocolate mousse trifle
Croisant bread pudding - carmel, chocolate,
Cheese cake - seasonal flavor of your choice with chantilly cream and anglaise
Tequila lime zabaione - fresh berries
Creme brulee - chantilly cream
Cheese and charcuterie board
Ahi poke wonton
Black bean chipotle lobster tostada
Baja ceviche shooters
Guacamole tatemado with pork rinds and tortilla chips and plantain chips
Fried risotto ball with marinara
Hickory smoked crudo
100 anniversary tijuana cesar salad
Asian papaya salad
Warm winter salad
Caprese salad
California caprese
Pork chashu ramen
Aztec tortilla soup
Chicken tom kha soup
California gazpacho
Filet mignon with grilled asparagus and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and red wine reduction
Braised short rib and grits with red wine reduction
Macadamia, orange and basil crusted halibut and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes with orange beurre blanc sauce
Sesame seared tuna with mango, pineapple, habanero salsa, ponzu and white jazmine rice
Teriyaki mahi mahi with king trumpet mushrooms, green onions and grilled squash
Blackened salmon with greek lemon rice and grilled squash
Swordfish picatta with grilled asparagus and lemon beurre blanc sauce
Garlic shrimp skewers with honey rosemary vegetables
Fish on lentils with honey cream and herb medley
Trout almondine with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and lemon beurre blanc
Harissa marinated pan seared chicken with arugula salad and honey rosemary potatoes
Apple cobbler
Assorted homemade cookies
Bread pudding
Coconut kahlua flan
Tiramisu
Creme brulee
Grilled corn dip - street style corn, blue corn tortillas, tajin,
Stuffed paccheri pasta - three cheese, basil, blistered tomato, balsamic, green onion
Classic bruschetta - tomato, garlic, basil, balsamic
Grilled vegetable bruschetta - zucchini, squash, onion, tomato, balsamic, garlic, basil
French onion soup - gruyere, fried onion
Chicken saty - sweet soy, chilies, cilantro
Panzanella salad - heirloom tomatoes, onions, arugula, focaccia
Caprese salad - fresh mozzarella, basil, heirloom tomato, arugula
Caesar salad - garlic crostini, parmesan cheese
Wedge salad - blue cheese, tomato, cucumber, red onion
Roasted corn chowder - corn, cilantro, heirloom tomato
Citrus salad - oranges, grapefruit, radish, candied walnuts, manchego cheese, citrus vinaigrette
Orange salad - ginger dressing, carrots, romaine lettuce, onion, wonton, oranges, radish
Mini cheese lasagna - alfredo sauce, garlic scented spinach, asiago, fresh mozzarella
Stuffed chicken alfredo - kale, parmesan, garlic, fettuccini pasta,
Seared salmon - roasted potatoes, asparagus, citrus fennel salad,
Beef short rib rigatoni pasta - portobello ragu sauce, asparagus tips, sundried tomatoes
Beef bourguignon - burgundy, root vegetables, mushrooms, roasted potatoes
Beef tenderloin filet with butter poached lobster tail - garlic roasted potatoes, asparagus, rosemary infused red wine reduction, scampi butter
Stuffed chicken mole - chilies, cilantro
Chateaubriand - garlic confit, mushrooms, red wine reduction, roasted potatoes, brussels sprouts
Chocolate mousse trifle
Croisant bread pudding - carmel, chocolate,
Lemon zabaione - fresh berries
Cheese cake - seasonal flavor of your choice with chantilly cream and anglaise
Creme brulee - chantilly cream
Homemade hummus
Pita bread
Baba ghanoush
Homemade tzatziki
Tabbouli
Crab cakes
Greek yogurt salad and roasted beets salad
Fattoush salad
Stuffed grape leaves
Kibbeh
Macadamia, orange and basil crusted halibut and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes with orange beurre blanc sauce
Harissa marinated pan seared chicken with goat cheese labneh and herbs with a cucumber side salad
Garlic shrimp skewers with honey rosemary vegetables
Blackened salmon with greek lemon rice and homemade tzatziki
Filet mignon with grilled asparagus and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and red wine reduction
Baklava
Tiramisu
Mini chocolate cheesecake
Creme brulee
Coconut kahlua flan
Balsamic bruschetta - ciabatta, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, balsamic and basil
Classic caprese salad - fresh mozzarella, heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil and olive oil
Handmade green tagliatelle al pesto - fresh handmade tagliatelle (spinach pasta) with pesto sauce (basil, olive oil, garlic, parmesan and pinolli)
Chicken picatta
Fresh tiramissu
Hickory smoked scallop crudo
Guacamole tatemado with pork rinds and tortilla chips and plantain chips
Black bean chipotle lobster tostada
Baja ceviche shooters
Ahi poke wontons
Fried risotto ball with marinara
California gazpacho
Aztec tortilla soup
Chicken tom kha soup
Pork chashu ramen
100 anniversary tijuana cesar salad
Warm winter salad
Asian papaya salad
Caprese salad
California caprese
Braised short rib and grits with red wine reduction
Blackened salmon with greek lemon rice and homemade tzatziki
Teriyaki mahi mahi with king trumpet mushrooms, green onions and grilled squash
Harissa marinated pan seared chicken with goat cheese labneh and herbs with a cucumber side salad
Macadamia, orange and basil crusted halibut and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes with orange beurre blanc sauce
Filet mignon with grilled asparagus and garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and red wine reduction
Garlic shrimp skewers with honey rosemary vegetables
Sesame seared tuna with mango, pineapple, habanero salsa, ponzu and white jazmine rice
Fish on lentils with honey cream and herb medley
Trout almondine with garlic parmesan mashed potatoes and lemon beurre blanc
Apple cobbler
Assorted homemade cookies
Bread pudding
Carrot walnut cake
Churro waffles ice cream sandwhich
Churros (fresh handmade )
Coconut kahlua flan
Mini chocolate cheesecake
Tiramisu
Triple chocolate layer cake
Cornbread with salted caramel and whipped cream cheese
Creme brulee
Grilled corn dip - street style corn, blue corn tortillas, tajin,
Stuffed paccheri pasta - three cheese, basil, blistered tomato, balsamic, green onion
Stuffed mushrooms - spinach, artichoke, goat cheese
Classic bruschetta - tomato, garlic, basil, balsamic
Grilled vegetable bruschetta - zucchini, squash, onion, tomato, balsamic, garlic, basil
Fried polenta - goat cheese, spinach, charred tomato marinara
Roasted tomato bisque - parmesan cheese, basil cream
Caprese salad - fresh mozzarella, basil, heirloom tomato, arugula
Berry salad - spring mix greens, blueberry, raspberry, strawberry, blackberry, candied pecan
Roasted corn chowder - corn, cilantro, heirloom tomato
Citrus avocado salad - avocado, oranges, grape fruit, manchego cheese, citrus vinaigrette
Poached pear salad - blue cheese, arugula, walnuts
Mini cheese lasagna - alfredo sauce, garlic scented spinach, asiago, fresh mozzarella
Stuffed chicken alfredo - kale, parmesan, garlic, fettuccini pasta,
Grilled vegetable tower - portobello mushroom, red pepper, onion, squash, zucchini, basil, balsamic, charred tomato marinara
Seared salmon - roasted potatoes, chimichurri, tomato relish
Beef tenderloin filet - garlic roasted potatoes, asparagus, rosemary infused red wine reduction
White bean cassoulet - tomato, garlic, onion, roasted fennel
Root vegetable au vin - turnip, rutabaga, carrot, parsnip, white wine
Pasta primavera- asparagus, tomatoes, spinach, mushrooms, garlic cream
Braised mushroom - parmesan risotto, grilled char
Chocolate mousse trifle
Croisant bread pudding - carmel, chocolate,
Creme brulee - chantilly cream
Carmel dutch apple - vanilla gelato
Classic tiramisu - espresso, chantilly cream, chocolate
Personalize your menu
Your personal chef is here to help you design the perfect menu for your event. They can tailor it to fit your budget, dietary needs, and preferences for your private dinner.
Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find the most common questions about private chefs in San Diego.
What's included in a private chef service in San Diego?
Your personal chef service in San Diego includes menu planning, grocery shopping, cooking at your place, serving the meals, and cleaning up afterward. Tableware and glassware are not provided, and tipping is up to you.
How much does a personal chef in San Diego cost?
The cost varies depending on the group size. For groups of 13 or more, the average rate is 99 USD per person. For 7 to 10 people, it's 98 USD per person; for 3 to 6 people, it's 122 USD per person. Couples pay 163 USD per person on average. Please note that prices may vary due to season, location, or last-minute bookings.
How to book a personal chef in San Diego, CA?
To book a private chef in San Diego, choose your date and guest count, and share your food preferences, dietary restrictions, and kitchen details. You'll get three customized menus and chef profiles with their dish photos. Chat with the chefs to make adjustments or ask questions. Once you've selected your chef and menu, finalize the booking online and receive their contact details.
How can I find a personal chef in San Diego?
With 329 chefs available, fill out a form to get menu proposals from the top 3 chefs for your date. Review their profiles and select your favorite. If none meet your expectations, we’ll keep sending you more options until you’re happy with your choice.
Is there a maximum number of guests for a private chef service in San Diego?
No, there's no maximum number. However, while there's no hard limit, groups generally don’t exceed 15 people to ensure a more intimate and personalized experience.
Does the private chef cook at my house?
Yes, the chef always prepares the menu at your home for a more personalized experience. However, some prep work might be done beforehand for complex dishes.
Can I cook along with the private chef?
Absolutely! Many guests are passionate about food and relish the chance to learn from the chef. You can pick up new kitchen skills and get a behind-the-scenes look at each dish on the menu. Feel free to jump in and cook alongside the chef for a truly interactive experience!
Are the ingredients for a private chef service fresh?
Yes, one of the hallmarks of a private chef service is the use of fresh, high-quality ingredients. Your chef for hire in San Diego will carefully select the freshest produce, meats, and seafood to create delicious and memorable dishes for your event.
Are drinks included in a private chef service?
No, drinks are not included in the private chef service. However, your chef can help you find beverage options to complement your meal. Just talk with your private chef to include the cost as an "extra" on the menu proposals they craft for your special occasion.
How much should I tip a private chef in San Diego?
Tipping is up to you. If you received exceptional service, it’s a nice way to show your appreciation. On average, guests in San Diego tip around 14.72% of the total bill. But feel free to tip what you feel is appropriate based on your experience.
Key information about private chefs in San Diego
Find out more about our personal chefs in San Diego and what they do.
Our private chefs in San Diego, CA, have an average age of 41, bringing a lot of cooking experience.
64% of our chefs in San Diego are women.
First menus are typically received within 5 hours after a request.
Our private chef services in San Diego started in 2016-04-14.
20% of our personal chef services in San Diego include kids.
One client has hired the same personal chef in San Diego 21 times.
Private chef bookings in San Diego have increased by 27% in the past year.
Our chefs can speak up to 5 languages.
More than 61.1% of our guests book a chef more than once.
On average, multiple services hire a chef for 8 days in San Diego.
We have over 2,475 pictures from San Diego chef experiences.
It usually takes just 2 days to book a personal chef in San Diego.
How much does a personal chef cost in San Diego, CA?
The cost of hiring a personal chef in San Diego varies with the number of guests. Here’s a quick breakdown: prices range from 99 USD to 163 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 99 USD. For 7 to 12 people: 98 USD. For 3 to 6 people: 122 USD. For 2 people: 163 USD.
Prices can change with the seasons and locations. For the best rates, it’s a good idea to book early. Ready to enjoy a unique dining experience at home with a personal chef from San Diego? Book now!
How many private chef services are booked in San Diego each month?
Private chef reservations may vary seasonally depending on the destination. To view monthly fluctuations of San Diego personal chefs, check this table.
The number of private chef bookings in San Diego can vary by season. Having dinner with a chef in San Diego is always a great idea, but demand can drive up prices, so early booking is recommended.
How many personal chefs sign up in San Diego each month?
We've been working with private chefs in San Diego for many years, gaining the trust of many local chefs who continue to join us each month. Besides, as our guests highly recommend their experience, we're always growing.
We’re always adding new talent to our team. Each month, we welcome 3 new personal chefs in San Diego, CA. Our team carefully reviews and classifies their profiles so you can discover exciting new chefs regularly.
What is the most frequent type of food booked in San Diego?
Our main six types of cuisine in San Diego are: Mediterranean, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, and Latin American. However, the most requested cuisine in San Diego is Surprise.
Our private chefs craft personalized menus based on your preferences and dietary needs. Ready to explore the culinary possibilities? Submit your request today!
Bring a private chef to your home in San Diego
Prepare to embrace San Diego's sunshine with a private chef! Enjoy fresh seafood, vibrant local cuisine, and innovative flavors brought to your own table. Relax and soak up California's vibes while your San Diego personal chef handles everything.
Take a Chef offers a unique dining experience for any occasion, be it holiday parties, company parties, birthdays, or family gatherings. Looking for a vegan chef or a private sushi chef in San Diego? We have the perfect match!
On the day of your event, your chosen chef will procure the freshest ingredients, prepare and serve the meal at your home, and leave your kitchen spotless afterward. Try the service of an in-home chef in San Diego now!
San Diego's best private chefs in your kitchen
All our private chefs are trained in top culinary schools and have years of experience in San Diego's best restaurants, hotels, and resorts. Browse our selection of personal chefs in San Diego to find your perfect culinary match.
San Diego, famous for its stunning beaches and the iconic Balboa Park and San Diego Zoo, also has an exciting food scene. From fresh seafood to gourmet dishes, our chefs deliver the best flavors San Diego has to offer.
Hire a San Diego private chef and make your event unforgettable. Whether it's a bachelorette party, wedding, or any special occasion, we've got the chef for you!
Your house, the city's best restaurant
San Diego offers a rich blend of local and international cuisines. Why wait to explore these flavors? Create a unique and intimate unique experience with Take a Chef.
More than just a private chef agency, we bring our passion for food to your home, allowing you to connect with your loved ones over an unforgettable meal. For your next memorable event, consider hiring a personal chef for a dinner party in San Diego.
Hear from our personal chefs in San Diego
Discover what makes each of our private chefs special. Enjoy a unique at-home culinary experience with a San Diego chef who will tailor every detail to your preferences. Whether you want a dinner party with a chef in San Diego or a healthy personal chef in San Diego, trust Take a Chef to provide the best culinary options in the city.