If we could give more than 5 stars, we would in a heartbeat! We hired Mark for our elopement dinner and he completely blew us away. From the first conversation, he was kind, funny, professional, and genuinely excited to help make our day special and he delivered on every front. The food? Unreal. Every dish was thoughtful, beautifully plated, and insanely delicious. We're still dreaming about it. He somehow managed to strike that perfect balance between fine dining and pure comfort. You could feel the love and care he puts into his craft. But what really made the experience unforgettable was him. He was warm, easygoing, and brought such a fun, calming energy to the day--it honestly felt like having someone you've known forever cooking for you, who just so happens to be incredibly talented. Our guests haven't stopped talking about it, and neither have we. Couldn't recommend him enough. If you're looking for a private chef for a special occasion (or honestly, any occasion), he's really great! read more

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Mark was absolutely fantastic. We had him do a 7 course pairing and everything was spot on. Every dish was unique, delicious and he would go out of his way to explain his process and shared whatever knowledge you wanted about his process in creating the dishes he served. If you're looking for food that is truly amazing and totally original, look no further. He will deliver. He and Elliot are nothing short of professional and awesome Thank you Mark and Elliot you really made our anniversary special!! read more

We ordered a seafood brunch experience for a girl's trip and gave basic ideas that Mark took to a whole new level. Everything was homemade and fresh, and they left the kitchen spotless afterwards. You can tell there is love and passion behind every bite and nothing will ever compare to that fruit salad, I will be talking about this meal forever. read more

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Mark and his crew did an incredible job preparing a wonderful dinner to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday. I trusted Mark to come up with an amazing menu to serve 13 people, and he did not disappoint! We rented an Airbnb and Mark & his crew did all their magic in 1 of the kitchens. Mary's service was impeccable and it was as if they were never there. From appetizers to dessert, to his delicious savory granola, the food was out of this world! Don't think twice! Would use Mark again in a heartbeat. read more

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Mark's private chef experience is 10/10 from beginning to end. He was communicative and flexible throughout the planning. He worked hard to understand and accommodate some difficult dietary experiences ensuring each participant could enjoy. The food he prepared was so creative and absolutely delicious. The quantity was enough that 8 of us got two full meals! His partner Elliot was so helpful and accomodating. They cleaned everything up for us allowing us to enjoy a delicious and work free brunch. I hope to book him again someday! read more

Outstanding! We had Mark and his team come over to prepare and serve a plated dinner for my mom's 60th birthday party (14 of us). It was a phenomenal experience. He catered to all dietary restrictions, a kids meal for my 3 year old son, and even a last minute a nut allergy the best able to. His team was able to give recommendations on wine pairing (we bought the wine ourselves as our choose). Before each course there was a nice intro to the dish and the desserts. Highly. Highly recommend him! read more

he is so accommodating and put local flavors together that went so well!! it was phenomenal!!!

I asked Mark to make up a dinner for my husband's milestone birthday for 7 adults and three kids. The food was spectacular, plentiful, and truly delicious and fun. The kids got food so that they did not have to sit through a 5 course meal, they loved their own meal and also enjoyed tasting from our meals. We loved being surprised with each course! We were staying in a rental and he left the kitchen pristine at the end of the night. Mark was easy to work with and planned a truly special meal for us. Would highly recommend. read more

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if I could give him 6 stars I would!! friendly, professional, DELICIOUS and original food! and cool tattoos! wish he could have hung out with us the whole weekend! read more

Mark catered an 80th birthday party weekend gathering for my family and me with inventive, beautifully prepared and very yummy food! He prepared a brunch and two dinners for 10 people. Some of his best dishes included: - whipped burrata, heirloom tomato, charred apricots, arugula pesto, saba - ocean trout mi cuit, everything bagel flavors, beet vinaigrette, horseradish - pressed chicken thigh, vadouvan carrot, red wine jus, haricots verts, black truffle - local shellfish bisque, chives - gnudi, spring vegetables, artichoke, lemon vinaigrette, pecorino romano -black cod, crispy sushi rice, garlic miso beurre blanc, seared baby bok choy, tare I could go on and on, but you get the gist. In addition, he and his partner Elliot were very professional, and easy to work with. They came 90 minutes before our meal time, prepared, served & cleaned the kitchen so that we could simply enjoy our meals fully. I would recommend Mark for your special events! read more

With parties and gatherings on pause for the time being, Mark has pivoted and offered an amazing selection of doughs, condiments, soups, and sauces for home cooks who want a break or a little help in the kitchen. The meals that I've incorporated Mark's creations into have been some of the best! Chipotle Mole - I've made black bean and butternut squash enchiladas using Mark's Chipotle Mole twice as they were such a big hit the first time around. The sauce is smoky with just a touch of heat and a wonderful blend of traditional Oaxacan flavors. 5/5 Clam Chowder - I shared this chowder with my parents, both of whom love chowder and can be harsh food critics. The verdict is in and this is the best chowder any of us have had. Loaded with clams, not too thick or salty, perfect balance of flavors. If you have a chance... run, don't walk, for Mark's clam chowder. 5+/5 Garlic Soup - We started a meal with this tasty garlic soup. It was creamy with a great flavor that doesn't overwhelm you with garlic. A perfect start or side to any meal. 4.5/5 Pizza Dough - I made the mistake of having too much pizza dough on hand (not really a problem but that's besides the point) so I let this one sit in the fridge over night and it lost some of it's rise. Still amazing flavors but it didn't roll out the way I'd hoped. 3.5/5. (Note: I've had Mark's homemade cast iron pizza previously and they're always a 5/5.) I'm looking forward to trying Mark's pumpkin soup and roasted red pepper sauce but put them in the freezer when the heat wave started (updates to come!). read more

Mark Nargi - Homemade pizzas with Mark's pizza dough - Caterers Near Me

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Mark absolutely nailed it for my wedding reception! Working with him was a breeze and we were wow-ed by every dish that came out of the kitchen. Mark has a great energy, a fantastic team and exceptional food - my mouth is watering writing this and I can't wait to work with him again! read more

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Mark Nargi is awesome! I've used him twice now (once in Santa Barbara and once in Ojai) and what I really like is his flexibility and creativity. First time I wanted to do more of a tasting menu, "surprise me", type of set up and he was able to come up with great, creative dishes. Ended up feeling like it was a 10 course gourmet meal! Second time I used him for my 40th birthday dinner, and he was flexible in working with me to come up with more of a fixed course dinner. He can either come up with something completely on his own or work with you on ideas depending on what you like and your budget. He also takes great care in his presentation, and will take the time to explain every course. He's very responsive as well. And don't worry about not being full after his meals - you will be STUFFED! Really recommend him if you need a creative idea for a special occasion! read more

I contacted Mark Nargi to cater a private dinner for 10 in Montecito. Mark was very responsive and approachable. I offered a few parameters and let Mark take it from there. Mark and his assistant Elliot arrived promptly, offered greetings to our guests and immediately went to work. Every course was prepared beautifully; with the first course of cold salmon standing out as really original and delicious. Everyone thought it was outstanding. Every course was substantial and artistically plated. Throughout the evening, Mark and Elliot were very personable. We learned Mark's 'back story' as part of his presentation of each course; which added to an extremely personable experience. The kitchen was left spotless and just when we thought all was done and over we were presented with Mark's hand-crafted granola, which was exceptional and extended our great experience in to the following day! Thank you Mark and Elliot for a great dinner and evening! read more

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Mark made our wedding dinner a meal we'll never forget! The vision was a family table of 20 people with good conversation, plentiful wine, and just the best food ever and Mark BROUGHT IT! He had great communication, fair pricing, thoughtful, and creative. The menu was incredible but what really shined were the ingredients he used and the care and time he put in to each dish. You can really tell he has a passion for what he does. He even took time throughout the meal to talk about the dishes which the guests really loved. The thoughtful touches (like individually bagging up extra granola as little favors at the end of the night) sets Mark apart from any other chef I've worked with. My only regret is that I don't live in SB to be able to have him cook for me all the time! read more

Mark Nargi - Hors d'oeuvre spread before the big meal. The duck pate was phenomenal! - Caterers Near Me

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Mark is an amazing chef. His food is consistently delicious and jaw dropping. He's passionate about his craft and it shows in each bite. I've eaten several meals prepared by Mark and each one has left me full but wanting more. His multi course masterpieces where each step complements and contrasts the previous one are masterfully executed, every time. He's prepared food I thought I hated or never imagined I would like and turned me into a lifelong fan of them. read more

Everything that Mark and his team prepared was delicious and beautiful. Lovely fresh local ingredients with inventive flavors. Service was outstanding and really made the evening so special. read more

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Amazing meal - great service, Mark takes his food and service seriously, but he delivers in a fun entertaining manner. If you want a great meal can't recommend him more strongly. It's all about the customer in terms of designing the meal. Outstanding dining experience! We did 5 courses, the pasta was hand rolled (gluten free pasta) read more

Mark catered a private dinner for 9 of us in Ojai for my father-in-law's 70th birthday. He had us choose between setting a very specific menu in advance, setting a general plan while allowing him some creative liberties, or just allowing him to run with it and do something amazing without any guidance. We opted for a bit of a "most popular hits" theme with creative liberties since some of the group wasn't as adventurous and it was absolutely unbelievable. Each and every dish was so beautifully presented and tasted exquisite. We had 3 kids, between ages 10-12 in our group and even they ate up every last bit of every plate. And beyond the food, Mark was so kind, friendly and easy going that his presence just put us all at ease and made the experience that much better. I can not wait to return to the area so we can have him come cook for us again! read more

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Amazing meal! We had Mark prepare a 5 course meal at a private residence in Oxnard. He did a fabulous job putting together a meal that flowed fabulous for a small group of five of us. Letting him create his own dishes and plan the menu allowed us to try some mouthwatering food. I can't begin to tell you how much fun we had. From the duck tostadas to homemade pasta and boozy gummies he took us on a journey. Two of my favorites were his homemade butter and homemade pasta. He was extremely professional. The kitchen was left just as clean as when he arrived if not cleaner. The professionalism, tasty food, beautiful presentation and cleanliness is every reason to hire this amazing chef. We are already trying to plan when we will have another meal prepared by Mark. Thank you so much for a wonderful night. read more

A few weeks ago, I spent Memorial Day weekend in SB for my friend's birthday. We sipped wine all weekend, and on Sunday, Mark came and whipped us up a fantastic meal! It was incredible how fast he set up, cooked, and left the kitchen more spotless than it originally was. The food was so delicious and I would have never thought to pair any of the ingredients together myself! I'm very fortunate to have wonderful friends with good taste in chefs and are generous enough to share the experience with me. 10/10 would hire Mark if I need a private chef! read more

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Mark has cooked for me weekly over the past 3+ years and has never served me something I didn't love. He is an expert in so many different cuisines, his technique is incredible and he, as others have said, is a perfectionist. I've never met someone who knows so much about food science and nutrition. He's also handsome, and funny. Whether it's breakfast, lunch, dinner or a late night snack - it always tastes amazing and looks beautiful. Here's a list of some of my favorites: - squid ink gnocchi with langostino tails and lobster sauce favorite dish! Favorite. Dish. - anything with beef/steak, ribeye is my go to, but he has made me amazing short ribs, beef cheek, sirloin, carne asada, the list could go on. He cooks everything perfectly, every time. - his potato purée is out of this world. Don't ask how much butter is in it, it's incredible. I'm a meat and potatoes kind of a gal, myself and the purée is my favorite, but he also makes fantastic roasted and smashed potatoes. Bomb. - speaking of purées, He's also made me parsnip puree, cauliflower puree, and potato puree with cauliflower cream (eek! ) also some other purées that I'm not thinking of. Trust his purées. - chicken breast. Sound boring? Get ready for the best effing chicken breast you've ever tasted. - lamb. leg of lamb. Lamb loin. Lamb chops. Lamb ravioli. Lamb shoulder. Braised lamb. Lamb stew. Lamb everything. I wasn't a huge fan of lamb, but he converted me. - Chilean seabass he made this for me recently with a wheat berry pilaf and broccolini and asparagus. It was some of the best fish I've ever tasted. - brekafasty things: duck confit Benedict on homemade buttermilk biscuits. This ties as a favorite with - pancakes with caramelized bananas and bourbon sauce. Holy shit - third favorite breakfast dish: hash and eggs (hash with ham, potatoes, scallions, herbs, cheese , other stuff I can't remember. Poached eggs on top. You're welcome. - buffalo wings. The best you've ever had. He's also served me buffalo bunny (like wings but with rabbit meat instead of chicken, insane) - did I already say steak? He makes steak and grits, real South Carolina grits, cheesy and delicious (or not cheesy, but I love cheese) - tater tots. Homemade. With some kind of green cilantro-y aioli dip. A great side for any kind of steak, or as an app. I could eat these every day. -Deep fried sous vide chicken thighs with cheesy tots, asparagus, garlic confit, pickled mustard seeds, herbs and jus. This dish is crazy. Holy shit. It was beautiful. And my belly thought so too. -sous vide pork belly fried and served with sweet potato-lentil hash with spinach and garlic confit, with jus and micro radish greens - foie. Oh my gawd let him make you foie. Even if you think you do not like foie. Do it. Eat the foie. -lamb belly fries with date ketchup. Wow. - Gouda fonduta. Ask him about it. Think queso, but super fancy and not spicy. - ribs. Oh lord how could I forget the ribs! If you are hiring him for some kind of BBQ ribs are where it's at. RIBS. I'd eat them every day. So yeah, he's cooked for me a few times. The best advice I can give you when hiring him to let him take the lead; the more freedom you give him, the more incredible the meal will be. He is so creative. If you tend to be a picky eater, don't turn your nose up if the menu he suggests initially includes things you think you don't like. I used to have many food aversions and was skeptical of several dishes he proposed based on the ingredients involved, but he hasn't failed me yet, and I have expanded my repertoire of foods I enjoy (and crave). He will not disappoint! read more

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Amazing experience, super fun, great sense of humor. I would highly suggest Mark for any personal dining experience. The food was very well prepared and the flavors unique. Everyone at the party had great things to say. Dont wait, book him today! read more

We had the most FANTASTIC experience with Mark last evening. We let him take care of the menu with zero input and couldn't be happier with that decision. We were wow'd by every dish. It was so imaginative, gorgeous and most of all delicious! The bonus was his how fun and engaging he and his partner, Elliott are! We highly highly recommend Mark and can't wait until next time. Oh! They left the kitchen cleaner than when they arrived!! read more

Mark is an extremely talented chef. He made an amazing 7 course dinner for myself and 7 friends. We all absolutely loved every course and really noticed how he pays attention to very fine details. He went above and beyond. We can't wait to hire him again. It was such a fun and relaxing night. read more

I was referred to Mark after a couple of my friends used his private chef services in Santa Barbara. I normally cook at my own dinner parties but I wanted to try to have someone do the heavy lifting after I had moved to a new place and thought of Mark immediately based on my friends' experience. I live down in Burbank so I wasn't sure what the options were. I highly recommend Mark. I have a lot of preferences in how I host at my place as I have been cooking and hosting dinner parties on my own for a number of years and I have a general menu and flow that I like. I had an initial call with Mark to discuss what I was looking for and it seemed like what he could offer and price were in range of what I was expecting. So I ran him through the typical flow I like but let him know that I would also defer to him as well on anything he thought that would be best for the evening. I always get nervous when I am looking for services to help me as I have many ideas and preferences. But Mark was great in listening and working it all in. My party was around a 18 person formal sit down. Mark definitely listened to my typical flow and I was very pleased with the various ways he thought of working his offerings into what I typically like. I also let him know that although its a seated dinner, I like my guests to have options of which they can choose what they want more of and what they want less of, have time to mingle and eat leisurely. The menu and order he came up with was perfect for what I was looking for. For example, he kicked it off with some great easy flatbreads that were good for mingling and good for the fact that my friends tend to trickle in over the first house. I had thought maybe an optional soup would be good and Mark had a great idea of incorporating it by having a small taste of a soup without having it be too much. I also liked that the pasta course was a family style towards the end so that everyone could decide how much they wanted - but still have something starchy towards end of evening as we have a lot of wine throughout the evening. His dessert option was perfect as it was a pot de creme - but customize your own toppings. A couple other highlights were the fact that I had a few guests with dietary restrictions (such as a friend being vegan) and he was able to incorporate all of these seamlessly from start to finish - without making anyone feel like they were left out. Another highlight was that I let him know that I had never done lamb as a protein at one of my parties and so that would be interesting and he came up with a really fantastic lamb dish to serve everyone (with a impossible burger swap for the lamb for the vegan/vegetarians) which was a hit with all. On top of everything, I was really impressed with Mark's ability to just work in any setting (i.e. small kitchens), engage with the guests in conversation while he was cooking (which is something I can't do myself), and he also focused on presentation as well - which I appreciated as I also think about this when hosting. Hiring Mark took so much off my mind in my last dinner party and I would for sure call him up again! read more

Mark prepared a 5+ course dinner for our 25th wedding anniversary last night. We rented a small guest house on an estate near the Mission for a few days and wanted to do something special for the day. My wife did the research and came up with Mark as an option ..... great choice! Started off with two different appetizers including Foie Gras stuffed dates (unbelievable!!) Moved on to a seafood pasta, then an absolutely delicious Sea Bass in Meyer Lemon Beurre Blanc followed by Mark's take on Meat & Potatoes then finished with desserts of both Chocolate and Lemon....our favorites. Mark was very responsive to our requests. Great communication regarding our likes and dislikes. We provided different wines for each course. Mark worked to insure each course matched perfectly with the wines. Thanks to Mark and Elliot for a 25th Anniversary meal and menu we'll never forget. read more

If you: 1. Love incredible + inspiring food 2. Need an amazing chef for small to large gatherings 3. Appreciate artistry and expert execution Then: 1. Call/email + book Mark ASAP. Mark's culinary prowess is demonstrated through the details, depth, and dedication to perfection. For example: We asked for paleo pasta - not an easy task - and Mark not only made the most delicious handmade paleo pasta dough out of cassava flour, but he topped the perfect pasta with shaved cured egg yolk that tasted just like cheese - genius and so outside the box. Mark's warm and gregarious nature is felt through his cooking - every plate contains his love and passion for the art and for making his clients happy. Why hire Mark for your event? 1. He will plot, plan, and execute the most exquisite culinary experiences. 2. Your guests will be wowed to the max - most events have boring or even bad food - Mark only makes insanely beautiful and delicious food - we talk about his creations for weeks on end. 3. Heart of gold - good guy. 4. OCD + perfectionist qualities really shine - all items are always on point. 5. He will work w your budget to create a perfect event. 6. Just look + drool over his Instagram pics @marknargi read more

Every dish Mark brought out to the table was absolutely amazing. I highly recommend Mark, he is excellent at his craft. read more

Mark Nargi - Caterers Near Me

Update: It's been a few months so I thought I'd update Mark's review His cooking is just as amazing. He's done themes now. Middle eastern, tapas from Spain (13 dishes in one night), vegan and vegetarian, as well as specialized Moroccan meals involving all kinds of meats and spices. The amount of research he puts in each preparation is nothing short of impressive. He tries flavours at his place before the dinner night. I have already referred him to friends and he didn't disappoint. I am even guilty at throwing at him last minute guest or someone says they are vegetarian after they showed up already and I would be glad he planned for that in advance. So thankful. I recommend highly. read more

Traveled to Santa Barbara for a long weekend and booked Chef Mark to prepare dinner for 9. The experience with Mark was flawless end-to-end. He is incredibly responsive (as any good business person should be) and attentive to detail. We looked for quotes and had conversations with 3 different chefs that serviced the Santa Inez area and Mark was by far the most personable while maintaining a high degree of professionalism. The favorable good initial impression only got better as we got into the actual dinner experience. We enjoyed a 5 course that started with a scallop amouche bouche that only left you wanting. Scallop was followed by a crab in coconut milk that was absolutely delicious and a colorful salad that had over 14 ingredients and ricotta. Both dishes were amazing in their own way from the freshness of the ingredients to the very delicate combination of flavors. Entree was a chicken dish that was prepared in such a manner that made chicken (you can't get less exotic than that) seem like an a non-traditional dish. Of course, we couldn't forget dessert ... berry crumble pie with ice cream. Very traditional and made with local, fresh ingredients that made it a winner. To go along with the wonderful food, which is deserving of a 5 star restaurant, comes Mark's great personality. He's lively, friendly and his passion for what he does truly comes through every step of the way and makes the whole experience so much more enjoyable. He will describe his train of thought and care for the preparation of the dishes, as well as talk about another topic that comes up. He makes the preparation of the meal and the a fully integrated journey and is just fun to watch how much he enjoys what he does. I promise he's underselling his services and is truly a hidden gem in the Santa Barbara area. Being from NYC I can be a difficult customer, but there's absolutely nothing to say about Mark but good things. If you have a small dinner party or a large event (i understand he caters these too) you are in great hands. P.S.: ...and how could i forget, the kitchen was left way cleaner than when he arrived!!! read more

Mark is unbelievable and the talent speaks for itself. We hired Mark for my sisters birthday dinner and it was incredible. Absolutely delicious and he is such a delight! We chose an Italian theme and Mark prepared the most beautiful dishes for us and the group. We cannot say enough and will be hiring him again soon!!!! He is the best and made the event so special and memorable. Thank you Mark! read more

Look no further! When I say Mark brought it, I mean he really BROUGHT it. I threw an impromptu bachelorette party for my best friend and Mark helped make it feel so much more special. From my first interaction with him I knew he was going to make this part of the planning seamless - he was friendly, personable and to the point. Upon meeting him the day of he was even greater in person! Within minutes he had one of our party hats on and got down to business. Mark prefers creating the menu himself, and I agree that you should give him the creative freedom to do so. Each course was so unique, beautiful and incredibly delicious. When he left it was like he was never there, not a spot in sight. I have to give a shout out to his partner that was there the night of the party as well - she was so friendly and great. I really appreciate all of the work you put into making our party so amazing, Mark! read more

If you need a private chef this is your guy! He recently catered a brunch for our group of 8, from the first call to the preparation of the meal we could not have been happier. The food was amazing! There is only so much you can do with a brunch and he was able to leave his mark on every dish. Looking forward to the next time we can use him! read more

Chef Mark is not only an amazing chef , he is very conscientious about the dietary concerns of his clients. Once he cooked a dinner for me and a couple of friends ( one is a vegetarian, one a vegan and I'm a meateater). The way he accommodated my guests without having to make a separate meal, was truly clever and inspiring read more

Chef Mark is an amazingly talented chef who has worked at places like Michael Mina, and it shows! He is a real professional and can explain the chemistry behind why one should prepare foods in certain ways. His attention to detail means his seasoning is subtle and exact, and his service timing is impeccable. Mark especially enjoys working with out of the ordinary ingredients and methods, so pick Chef Mark if you are looking for a unique experience. read more

I attended a free cooking class/dinner courtesy of Chef Mark. He invited us into his home and gave us great cooking tips and simple techniques to create a delicious meal. He's very creative, passionate and unpretentious. I really appreciated that he cooked healthy food for us. I'm looking forward to his pop-up dinner next month. Thanks, Chef Mark! read more

I hired Mark as a private chef for my dinner party based on his Yelp reviews only and those great reviews didn't lie. From start to finish Mark was very easy to communicate with, had a great menu concept, and produced a 5-course meal that looked as beautiful as it tasted. We truly enjoyed his enthusiasm when he talked about each course with us and how easy going and unpretentious he was. He really knows his flavors and how to add those special touches that made us all say "wow" ( I won't step on his "secrets" but just to say we totally loved what he did with his creme brûlée ;-) amazing!) Finally, I do want to mention a major plus if you are lucky enough to hire Mark. He works on occasion with an excellent assistant (Elliott), she was such a pleasure to have in our home working along side Mark throughout the evening. They are a great team for sure. So.... If you are looking through Yelp reviews for a private chef that you can count on to produce a great menu, beautiful plating, and flavors that will WOW your guests, you can't go wrong here. Ciao Mark and Elliott and thank you! read more

Mark is very talented chef. My girlfriends and I had the pleasure of having Mark prepare a scrumptious 5-course meal for us last weekend. Every course left us anticipating the next one. Every dish was not only delicious but looked incredible. Mark is nice, funny and very professional. Can't wait to have him over again. read more

Chef Mark is absolutely fantastic, a master of organization and cooking (of course.). Mark put together a brunch menu for 21 guests for our Monaco Grand Prix/Indy 500 get-together. His pre-event communication was great and he arrived on time, fully prepared on the date of our party. He and his assistant Reuben worked tirelessly, made a delicious meal for us, and did all the cleaning afterwards. Chef Mark is the best! read more