First, I'd like to apologize for not writing this review sooner. A year has almost passed since a group of friends and I experienced the amazing food and all-around hospitality provided by Chef Daveed. We are currently planning a new trip to a different destination and couldn't help but reminisce on our experience with Daveed, the single-most memorable highlight from our last trip to Mexico... Our group of 6-10 thirty-somethings from NYC hired Chef Daveed to provide both breakfast and dinner on each day of our week-long vacation. We were staying at a house in the Sian Ka'an biosphere reserve which is notoriously difficult to access, especially at night. For us, driving to eat in Tulum each day would have been extremely difficult and not worth the hassle. We contemplated cooking ourselves, but this would have taken away from our intended experience. Chef Daveed, coming from Akumal, arrived on time and without complaints, twice a day. Daveed offers an abundance of options from a designed menu. and we thoroughly enjoyed them all. In addition to this -- and what we eventually preferred -- was having Daveed cook whatever he wanted. Each morning at Breakfast he would talk to us about dinner to feel us out and with every meal we were continually impressed. Some of our favorites were twists on his family recipes -- for which he was slightly hesitant to offer as he considered them "simple" and not as impressive -- but for us they were unbelievable and instant favorites. This also made it more authentic and ultimately more unique. There wasn't a single item that we didn't enjoy. Daveed took great care in plating and setting up the dining area as well. We ate most meals outside on a long rustic table and each time we went out we were thoroughly impressed. From the placements to the overall aesthetic, it was reminiscent of a spread in a magazine and something we continually looked forward to. The length of stay for each person in our group was different -- with arrivals and departures staggered -- resulting in a different amount of people eating each meal per day. Daveed handled this as efficiently as possible and our grocery bills never exceeded our expectations or what Daveed previously estimated. For meals where we had the most people, Daveed brought an assistant (which was sometimes his mom) to help with prep and clean-up. This made things run even smoother. By the time they left each day the kitchen and dining areas were cleaner then before they arrived and the fridge stocked with any leftovers (though on most nights there wasn't any). There were so many amazing aspects of the overall experience. From providing birthday cakes to picking up wine or beer on the way in, he continually went out of his way for us and well beyond what we expected. In addition to providing amazing food and service, Daveed was very friendly and humble. A lot of what made the experience so enjoyable was how personable he is. We had a handful of great conversations and really enjoyed getting to know him outside of the chef/client dynamic. Thank you Daveed and I'm really looking forward to next time! read more

My family just wrapped up a week's vacation at a private home in Playa Del Carmen. We decided to hire a private chef as it was something we'd never done before and it was beyond all expections! Chef Nahum from Daveed Chef Service was there every night and we still can't stop raving over his food! From the appetizers (how many different and beautiful ways can you present guacamole? turns out we now know of at least 7!!) to the soups, salads and entrees, every single meal was delivered with care, presentation and the most amazing taste. Nahum catered to our wishes, made recommendations and even went out of his way to find an authentic Mexican Pinata for our 5 year old nephews birthday (authentic as in they only really have that style of gorgeous pinata at Christmas time). Our family came from three different US states, and each of us wanted to pack Nahum up and bring him home with us. Sous Chef Romina was just as lovely and nice as could be and they made a great pair in the kitchen. If you've ever considered hiring a private chef while in Mexico - do it, the food is amazing and the price is beyond reasonable! Thank you again Nahum :) - Kristin and Jim Darling, Burbank, CA read more

Chef Daveed is wonderful! I've used him a few times now when traveling to the Riviera Maya over the past few years. He's always quick to respond, professional and helpful. He and his staff accommodate all dietary restrictions - gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free, etc. He is very easy to communicate with and we were always impressed with the beauty and quality of food, not to mention the quantity! At our recent stay, Chef Nahum and Aurora were just wonderful for our group of 15. They arrived on time, with many things prepared and got straight to work on the rest of our meal. The presentation of each meal was lovely. As a mom of two who cooks most meals at home, it is so nourishing and relaxing to have meals and cleanup handled on vacation. Even if you can't afford a personal chef for all meals on your trip, I'd highly recommend treating yourself to an arrival and departing dinner for your first and last nights in the Riviera Maya. There is nothing better than not having to worry about having good food for you and your family handled and cleanup taken care of. read more

We had Ched Daveed's Service for three meals during our family holiday and were super happy. Amazing food, and no precious vacation time wasted to cook or clean up! They even made extra so we had leftovers. Over the week we had a total of 6 salsas, 3 apps, 2 soups, 1 salad, 6 entrees, 3 sides, and 3 desserts. My recommendations are: Salsas: Tamarind and Cilantro Dip Appetizer: Molotoles - yum! Crowd pleaser with the adventurous and picky eaters alike. Soup: Lime Soup - amazing!!! Aztec great as well. Salad: Aztec salad was very good, but had no other comparisons. Mains: Fish Veracruz was definitely the winner! Conchinita Pibil (not on the menu, but possible) is also amazing. Everything we ate was very good, but these really stood out. Dessert: Fried Plantains The chefs even took time to explain how things were prepared in case we wanted to attempt to replicate the dishes at home. My only disappointment - no meal with Chef Daveed himself! However, we were in good hands. Will definitely use his service next time in the area. read more

Wow!! A group of nine friends gathered at a rental house in Akumal this March, and when we inquired about cooking services for a special meal we were to directed to Chef Daveed. He worked several iterations of our menu in advance, taking into account that we had varying dietary restrictions - one pescatarian, one dairy intolerant, another unable to eat peppers. The resulting menu provided a separate version or option for those with the restrictions to those dishes they could not eat.timing The team he sent to cook for us was Chef Nahum and Romina, who did a fabulous job. As the kitchen was open to our gathering space we could watch the entire proceedings and ask questions. The care taken in preparation, the timing, the presentation -- all amazing! We had leftovers for several days; they packaged everything at the end and placed them in the house refrigerator as they cleaned the kitchen at the end of the meal. This was a highlight of the trip for the group; something we all would recommend without hesitation! read more

Amazing! Delicious! Incredible! I can't say enough about the wonderful experience. Our first night in town, Chef Esmeralda wowed our group with such delectable delights that we ordered chef services for a second night later that week. That night, Chef Alex came and did not disappoint. Both experiences were excellent. Some of the dishes we selected for the two nights were the same, and it was fun to see how the different chefs had slightly different takes on them. We highly recommend the chicken poblano and the pork pibil. after dinner, they cleaned up the kitchen and packaged away leftovers. note that some of the costs quoted will include only the chef services, and not the food, which they buy fresh the day they cook it. Your final price will vary based on the food they purchase. our group, the total cost including tip came to around $50 per person. Well worth it!!! read more

Everything was absolutely WONDERFUL!!!! Chef Esmeralda and Yuli exceeded our expectations. Everyone truly loved every bite of our authentic meal, and the experience was perfect... menu and presentation were ideal! Chef Esmeralda even brought a special flower birthday candle for the delicious tres leches cake- my sister loved it. Thank you so very much for your hospitality, Chef Daveed. I appreciate your communication and level of care and professionalism so much. Our guests are still talking about what a fantastic dinner this was- a huge highlight to our trip :-) We wish we could host every weekend with your team. Our dinner was at a private home we rented for 15 guests on the Riviera Maya. Pricepoint was very reasonable to have your own private chef. Our kitchen was spotless when these two fabulous chefs left. Muy bien!! read more

We had Chef Daveed Services come serve a meal to our group of 15 (half of which were kids) at our rental house in Akumal. Chef Gustavo and helper Gabby were amazing at preparing everything, serving us and cleaning it all up. The food was superb! We all loved having authentic Mexican food in a comfortable home setting. The adults loved everything and the kids really enjoyed the guacamole (of course, who doesn't??), lime soup, chicken flautas, Mexican rice and beans, and dessert - fried plantain with ice cream. We also really liked the mixed ceviche, octopus salad, beef salpicon tostadas, and a mild and a picante salsa. We have no good pictures because we were too busy enjoying the food! And we had lots leftover for the next day:) Very worth it! I totally recommend Chef Daveed Services! read more

We were a bachelorette party staying in Tulum and hired Chef Daveed to cook. Our expectations were greatly surpassed; he arranged entertainment for us to compliment his delicious meals (a fantastic guitar player and a "sexy waiter"). He also hooked us up with transportation & restaurant recommendations and little "extras" for the bride. All of the pricing was very clear, he is quick to respond, resourceful, and goes way above and beyond. He was VERY professional, intelligent, graceful, and genuinely wants to help make your experience the best. We spent quite a bit of time with Daveed over the course of our stay- he is a wonderful chef and an even better human being. This is a must-do on your trip to Riviera Maya! And I recommend the Chipotle meatballs! read more

The food was AMAZING. Chef Evelina Cardenas and Chef Luis Martinez from Daveed Chef Service were very pleasant, friendly and the way the food was presented was above and beyond my expectations. We enjoyed every bite of every entree. We were fighting over who gets the last of the red sauce, fish tacos and the ceviche. We had leftovers for the next day or a late night snack. Since we had to fin for ourselves on Friday, we didn't know what to do...lol. So we were definitely looking forward to their return on Saturday. I appreciate all their hard work and attention to detail to make us very, very happy. Oh and Chef Luis made us watermelon juice for breakfast...never had it before and loved it! read more

Our expereince with Daveed Chef Service was top-notch. Planning was easy and there are a variety of menu options and services to choose from. During our stay, our coordinator, Israel, was available to answer any questions we had. Chef Esmerelda and her assistant Alan were incredible! The food was fresh, delicious, and presented beautifully. We were able to try some local Mexican dishes and were so impressed by the service and quality of the meals. We had to change accomodation suddenly mid-trip, and Chef Esmerelda and her team were super flexible and even delivered to our new hotel. Our chef service was an absolute highlight of our trip and we recommend to anyone visiting the Tulum area! read more

Our experience with Chef Daveed's service could not have been better. Starting with consistent and helpful email communication and flexible billing, Chef Daveed gave us everything we needed to plan our 6 dinners in Cancun. Chef Mari and Alex were fantastic - friendly, responsive, timely, and unbelievably skilled. The food was delicious, the presentation beautiful, and the clean up spotless. The leftovers, carefully wrapped and stored for us, were just as good the next day. With young 3 kids and 8 adults to feed, being able to eat really well in the comfort of our rental made all the difference. Thank you!!! read more

Chef Evelina and her assistant Alejandro created a wonderful birthday dinner for sx in our Casa in Akumal. Coordinationation by email with Chef Daveed was efficient and he was helpful in advising on menu choices for us. Dinner was served outside at our requests and everything was fresh and delicious We especially enjoyed the guacamole, Grandmas salsa and the pork pibil. But there were no choices that we regretted. Leftovers were great for lunch the next day. Evelina and Alejandro prepped, cooked, served and cleared up quietly and efficiently. We look forward to,another opportunity to use Chef Daveed's services read more

Our chefs arrived promptly and helped make our trip top notch. They worked with us on timing the meal appropriately for appetizers, main course, and dessert. They reset the table after each course and went out of their way to accommodate our family's needs. Hiring a private chef makes your vacation feel like a top notch resort experience (or even better). Daveedchef communicated professionally and promptly. The food quality was delicious and our chefs were willing to make adjustments (things like sauces, etc that we loved) throughout our time. read more

We had a wonderful experience with Daveed Chef Service. They prepared every meal for our group of 18 over 5 days - Chefs Alex and Gabriella really knocked it out of the park. The food was delicious, and they were super friendly and helpful. We also had phenomenal bartender service from Morgan and Daniel - the rum punch and carajillos were crowd favorites. Highly recommend this chef service, and we will definitely use them again on future trips! read more

We had Chef Jorge come to our villa on Isla Mujeres for a dinner party. He and his assistant, Juan, did an amazing job! They were very professional and the food was great. The chile rellenos were the best I've ever had. Our party was for my sister's birthday, and they made a chocolate zucchini cake that was beautiful and delicious. They even brought us candles for the cake. I would definitely recommend them for causal dinners or big events. read more

I didn't get to interact with David, only with his assistants on the planning and the communication was excellent. We did get to interact with Jose and Maria as our bartenders. They are simply awesome. When you need any bartending services from Chef Daveed ask for them specifically. They are great on their services and phenomenally warm and caring people. Whenever I come back here I will ask specifically for them. Arturo - read more

Oh my god -- Chef Nahum and Chef Carolina were incredible!!! Besides preparing such amazing food, they made the whole experience perfect. They cleaned everything, packed up leftovers for us, and even spared extra time to hang out with us when we begged them to :) I couldn't recommend Chef Daveed's service enough. And if you're at a bachelorette party you must spring for the Sexy Waiter (shout out to Leandro)! read more

Our family and friends had a great experience with Daveed Chef service - Chef Samuel was prompt, friendly, and prepared two delicious meals. He and his assistant made us cocktails, set a gorgeous table, served the food and then cleaned up everything. Our group of 9 ate well both nights and we had leftovers for several lunches. We would not hesitate to book with Daveed again! read more