Local Santa Barbara Private Chef

From the high seas to your kitchen.

I had the joy of being a private yacht chef for eight years and now cater to my home port of Santa Barbara, California! I found my inspiration for cooking while living in French villages and cities like Joncy, Rennes, Paris and Grenoble. I loved the fresh markets, rich cheeses and celebration of food. Motivated by this culture, I attended Tante Marie's cooking school in San Francisco and appreciated the influence of greats like Julia Child and her playful pursuit of good food.

Traveling across the world's oceans, I had the greatest adventures cooking delicious meals for a variety of people, from royalty to A-list celebrities. I always loved using local ingredients from the ports we visited. Whether slipping into Greek villages to buy their fresh
caught octopus, getting bushels of bananas cut from the jungle in French Polynesia or simply slicing sashimi from our fresh caught fish in Alaska. The blend of food and adventure always made the meal come to life.

I now live near my family in Santa Barbara, retired my sea legs and cook for local families, parties and private events. As always, I love using local fresh organic ingredients and food that makes you feel great. In addition to specializing in Mediterranean and California cuisine, I am also a certified raw chef and can happily accommodate any special dietary needs. I am excited to cook for you and share my enthusiasm for food, experiences and living a vivacious life.

Coco did a fantastic job for our party of 12. She is an amazing chef and I highly recommend her!!" -Wendy

WEEKLY MEAL DELIVERIES

Happily bringing healthy nourishing food to your door step! If you are wanting good home cooked meals delivered a few days a week, please contact me. Weekly menus altered to the weather, the season, your dietary needs, what is growing in my garden and anything you personally request. Wholesome food produced from local produce. Take off the pressure to cook every meal or go out to a restaurant. Keep it healthy and simple and at home!

Food arrives in reusable glass Tupperware containers in a cute Chef Coco bag ready to eat! Enjoy!

DINNER PARTIES

I prepare delicious meals in your home for special events or everyday. Plating options can be grazing platters, family style shared or individually plated 3-4 course meals. I am able to bring table settings if needed. I leave your kitchen spotless so you can enjoy the evening with your guests.

SPECIAL DIETARY NEEDS

I am able to collaborate with you to develop and create everyday recipes and menus to work within any specific dietary restrictions. I believe that food is our medicine and by taking great care of what we put in our bodies, we can heal ourselves. I am a certified raw foods chef and have worked with clients of every background, be it vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, to name a few. I can happily help you get back into the tasty culinary world, even with restrictions so you feel good and eat great food!

COOKING CLASSES

Private or group cooking classes. I will empower you with knowledge and helpful tips to make you more confident in the kitchen. Custom menus depending on your level and interests. Some sample topics can be soup basics, stews, dressings, breads, pasta making, cooking fish, pastry, desserts and flavor balancing. This can be done in the comfort of your own home or rental. My real desire is that you understand the concepts of cooking and not just how to follow a recipe!

RATES

Rates vary dependent on menu and service needs

EMAIL ME TO SET UP A CONSULTATION.

CONTACT

LOCAL

TESTIMONIALS

"We hired Coco to come to a private residence we rented in Santa Ynez to prepare a decadent dinner for a special 50th birthday, and she hit it out of the park! She was great to work with leading up to the event, a pleasure to have at the home while she cooked and we even asked her to stay late just to hang with us because she's just an amazing human being. I could not be more pleased that we got to meet Coco and enjoy her truly, truly wonderful and creative dishes! We look forward to working with her again!"

-Karin U.

"Exquisite!!!!!!! Delicious!!!!!!! Professional!! Talented!!!!!!! This is how I describe my experience with Chef Coco! Not only is she an amazing chef but a delightful soul! She's very accommodating to dietary needs and local supplies. We had many dietary requirements she met all of them plus created an absolutely delicious meal! She used vegetables from her personal garden and served fresh Local Halibut. I admire people like Coco she is an artist who is personable and has a gifted niche for cooking. We all loved her and will most certainly have her create another meal when we return to Montecito!"

-Diana A.

YELP REVIEWS

"Cooking is all about people. Food is maybe the only universal thing that really has the power to bring everyone together. No matter what culture, everywhere around the world, people get together to eat."