We reached out to Chef Michael for a special dinner for 6. Thank goodness he was available! We asked for a recommended menu based on several food allergies and preferences. He provided a 4 course menu that included shrimp cakes with chipotle aioli, poke (divine) with wonton chips and fresh from his garden, cucumbers! Followed by coconut curry soup with shrimp, mushrooms, Thai basil, cabbage, lemon grass and onion...but wait, there's more...monchong in parchment, long beans and jasmine rice. I'd go into detail but I recommend you request this dish yourself...Beyond!! For dessert he served a rich flourless chocolate cake with raspberry purée and fresh whipped crème. As full as we already were, we licked our plates. He provided a beautiful description of each course and offered to share recipes! As for housekeeping...he left the kitchen spotless!! He was delightful, told stories of his island life and overall created a dining experience we won't soon forget! Thank you Chef Michael, Cheers!! read more

Exceptional meal - truly the highlight of our trip. Highly recommend. Thank you, Michael!

We used Michael Stauber as our Chef for my mom's 70th birthday. He was amazing every step of the way. He communicated with me well and made everything seem effortless. He was on time, super friendly, great with my kids, an amazing host for my family who asks all sorts of questions and the food was outstanding. I could eat his appetizers every day of my life and would be happy. I highly recommend him for any special event you have. You will not be disappointed. THANK YOU MICHAEL! :) read more

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Our Chef Michael experience was way more that we can ever ask for. He was extremely professional from the way he introduced himself to the dishes he served us! Every dash was described from what he made to where the ingredients come from with a little history about the food as well! If I can give more than 5 stars I would! The idea of a private chef sounds very expensive but it actually isn't and worth every penny. The convenience of having someone cook, serve and clean for you in your own home while your on vacation is simply amazing. This is a must try! read more

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Chef Michael was the first chef to respond to my inquiry and offered the most extensive menu to choose from. He was professional and passionate about his work. He's talkative and enjoys conversation with our guests. Last minute, I requested a vegan meal and he was able to assist and for that I'm grateful! Most people find private chefs to be expensive, but it's well worth the price. Especially when kids are annoying at restaurants and you just want to be comfortable in your BNB, you're now paying for the convenience and that's worth every penny. Thank you so much Chef, we look forward to seeing you again! read more

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Chef Michael was fantastic!! The entire process was very easy to plan and his food was out of this world. He took care of all of the details and left the kitchen cleaner than it was before he arrived. It was the perfecting evening on Kauai! I can't wait to bring Chef Michael back into our home during our next trip to Hawaii. read more

They were the perfect treat to our family trip! We had five kids and six adults, and everyone loved the meal and the presentation. You can tell they care about ensuring dietary needs are met and are very versed in pleasing a large group. Would highly encourage you to work with them. read more

South Shore Chef - Personal Chefs Near Me

If you are looking for a private chef, chef, Michael is your guy! He was knowledgeable and very accommodating of my food allergies. He arrived early, was well prepared and his assistant helped clean as he cooked. It was so nice to not have to cook and clean for our large party. Highly recommend!!! read more

Michael is a king. He made my 50th birthday vacation dinner with my extended family delicious and special. He gracefully accommodated all of our dietary restrictions - not everyone does so well with garlic and onions - and was a delight to have in our space. His ingredients and preparation were superb whether it was Ahi poke with beautiful fish and light touch of seasoning or the fried pork appetizer. 11/10 would eat much more if given the opportunity. read more

We had a wonderful experience with Michael creating a dinner for a group of 6 adults and 5 rambunctious young kids! Not only was his food fresh and delicious (especially the seafood) but we also learned so much about the island and appreciate how personable he was. We would happily book him again when we return in the future read more

Wow, what can I say? From the moment we spoke to Chef Michael, he was kind and welcoming. We discussed meal plans and came up with the perfect meal. He showed up exactly when he said he would, and immediately began giving us an experience that we'll never forget. The food was delicious and fresh, and we couldn't believe what he served us in such a small amount of time! He served us at the perfect pace that we all enjoyed, he cleaned between courses, and even left the place cleaner than when he started. Sure, he can cook delicious food, but his professionalism and general experience of the island made us feel right at home. He surpassed every expectation that we had with fantastic food, great discussions, and a lovely attitude. Next time I go to Kauai, the first person I will contact will be Chef Michael - I cannot recommend him enough! read more

Chef Michael prepared a celebratory dinner for my family, adult children and young grandchildren, that we all thoroughly enjoyed. The food was excellent and the experience of having him prepare and serve in our rental was just a treat for all of us. His kind professionalism shone throughout my correspondence with him and our family dinner. He accomodated picky kids and adults with dietary restrictions with ease and great success . The whole experience was so much more pleasant, fun and intimate than trying to take the crew to a restaurant, and we would never have found a place with ingredients and preparation with the quality he provided. read more

Michael Stauber was the first to reply to my inquiry about services and availability for a special occasion meal in our Kauai vacation rental home. He provided clear and delicious menu options and was attentive to my emails leading up to the event. He arrived fully prepared and on time, and took over the kitchen to prepare a memorable multicourse meal for our family of 10 (including small children). He even brought special home prepared mac and cheese for the kids -- although they loved his adult food as well. He is personable and was fun to have in the home. And the food was DIVINE!!! Highly recommend Michael! read more

Chef Michael definitely lives up to his high ratings and reviews. He was knowledgeable, great at communicating and made an excellent meal for our family. He also left the kitchen cleaner then he received it which all BNB renters can appreciate I would recommend Chef Michael to anyone looking into a private chef read more

Chef Michael is the best! From the beginning, he was very responsive to my emails, offered a variety of menu choices, and showed up right on time at our condo. He catered to all of our needs- wouldn't let my husband and I help at all. You could tell he was able to feel out if we wanted a more intimate dinner or if we wanted to socialize with him- we wanted to converse with him. He had great stories about the island and his background. He was great- so friendly. Now the food! Food was amazing!!! We had seared ahi, a fresh local salad, fresh fish, crazy good rice with green beans, the apple-banana sprig rolls with homemade ice cream. That ice cream was beyond good! He had enough to ensure we had leftovers. Everything was just as good the next day. If you are ever on Kauai- hire Chef Michael. I know we will when we return. read more

South Shore Chef - Personal Chefs Near Me

We could not stop talking about what an incredible evening we had with private dining with chef Michael. He was so easy to work with planning a special meal for a friend of ours who is vegan (health issues). Since he never gets to enjoy something prepared just for him, we wanted this to be special - and it FAR exceeded our expectations! The other 3 of us are not vegan and we were prepared to compromise for our friend - there was NO compromising at all. Every dish was spectacular from the spring rolls to the mac/cocount tart for dessert and everything in between. We did opt for the fish dish for 3 of us and he substituted tofu for our fiend - we all raved about how delicious it was. Michael was interesting and personable. He came on time and was prepared. Everything was spotless when he left. We have decided this is a MUST DO every year when we are on Kauai. Its a splurge but well worth it. When you compare to Roys or Merrimans for a similar price - this is so much better! read more

South Shore Chef - Spectacular private dinner from our lanai a Alihi Lani 4. Fish in parchment, long beans, purple mashed potatoes. - Personal Chefs Near Me

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Our experience with Chef Michael was a complete surprise as friends organized a special anniversary pool-side in our rental home. He was delightful to chat with, get restaurant recommendations from and learn about his history as a chef. Our lunch was delicious with tons of Hawaii flavors and we very much enjoyed our private chef experience. Thank you Chef Michael! :) read more

Michael Stauber prepared the finest meal we have ever eaten in Kauai for our evening meal in our place in Poipu. Thank you Michael Robert from Southern California read more

Awesome dinner! Fresh ingredients and expertly prepared. Easy to work with, friendly and responsive. Would hire again in a heart beat! read more

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Amazing dinner by Chef Michael! He was easy to communicate with, gave us lots of great choices and I didn't have any doubts about hiring a chef in a location thousands of miles from home. When we arrived to Kauai, he touched base to confirm all the details. When he arrived at our condo, I knew we had made a great choice. Not only was the food delicious, he shared about each dish, chatted with our whole family and left the kitchen spotlessly clean. My kids are still talking about having a private chef come to cook for them! Would highly recommend Michael! read more

Chef Michael is top notch!! We wanted a special meal for 4 adults and 2 kids. Chef Michael did not disappoint--we experienced the best meal we have had on Kauai. His ability as a chef are second to none!! Through out the entire experience he was a true professional, from booking the date, to his arrival, to cooking, and cleanup. I was worried about how the evening would go, but Chef Michael was very personable, and had just the right amount of interaction with the group. He helped us come up with a menu that more than satisfied the adults, and a second menu for the kids. It says something when the grandchildren say it was the best experience on the vacation, not to mention the adults. It was an experience none of us will forget. When we return I definitely will be calling Chef Michael!! read more

WOW! We enjoyed a very special "chef's table" treat in our Kiahuna Plantation condo. Chef Michael created a meal and an evening to remember during our stay at Poipu Beach, Kauai. The flavors were divine! Pupus of fresh Ahi 2 ways; 1- Poke- raw diced fish with scallions, sesame, soy, papaya, avocado, served with won ton chips (YUM!!). 2-- Cajun spiced seared Ahi, sliced and served with tropical fruit salsa (AMAZING!). Next an aromatic, mouthwatering second course featuring Thai coconut curry soup with shrimp or chicken, lemongrass, kaffir lime, straw mushrooms, sooo good!! The entree was an amazing treat featuring melt in your mouth - fresh Island Mahi Mahi baked in parchment with ginger-wasabi aioli, fresh spinach, mushrooms and tomatoes, an amazing Coconut jasmine rice with kaffir lime and vanilla bean (unbelievable!) and long green beans with garlic Hold on for dessert!! Banana lumpia (spring rolls) with cinnamon mac nut ice cream and honey-caramel sauce. The most exotic and flavorful perfect finish to a magnificent meal! Each inspired dish was prepared with Chef Michael's creativity and passion for food. His presentation and explanation of each dish was a special table side treat. We can't wait to come back and plan another great evening with his incredible food. We enjoyed several restaurant meals earlier in our trip, but South Shore Chef Michael's food was far beyond what we had ordered in the area's top restaurants! read more

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Michael was the highlight of our trip! He cooked an amazing dinner for the ten of us in celebration of our son's engagement. Everything from the poke to the dessert was top notch and absolutely worth the splurge. Working with Michael before the trip was easy. He was very responsive, easy to work with, and helped us plan out the perfect menu. Not only was the food great, Michael was a fun addition to our party. Super friendly, fun to chat with, delightful individual. If you are at all on the fence between Michael and another chef, choose Michael! You won't be disappointed. read more

While our week's stay on Kauai included many excellent dining experiences in local restaurants, we were all in agreement that the birthday dinner prepared by Michael, The South Shore Chef, was the best of all. Our appetizer selection included marvelous seared ahi tuna, which was the best I have ever tasted. The fish was buttery smooth and tender. My main course was a spectacular Mahi Mahi filet with vegetables, baked in a parchment paper pouch. Simply superb. Michael is friendly and a true culinary talent. I highly recommend his services. read more

We have just enjoyed the most amazing dining experience with Chef Michael! Every single part of the meal was absolutely perfect! Spring rolls, ahi poke, salad, snapper in parchment, garlic green beans, jasmine rice, banana lumpia with cinnamon ice cream. It was an unbelievable dining experience! Chef Michael was friendly, organized, prompt, efficient, & supremely talented! This was a wonderful treat & I highly recommend Chef Michael to everyone! read more

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Chef Michael was excellent! My entire family, from my mo, who is herself a skilled chef, to my picky vegetarian daughter, to my 7-year old, all enjoyed the meal tremendously. Michael arrived on time and was well prepared and presented the dishes beautifully and introduced all of the ingredients and preparations thoroughly. The ahi poke was fresh and savory. The salad was sweet and tasty. The baked mahi mahi wrapped in parchment soaked up all of the smell of olive oil, mushroom, spinach, and others. The meal ended with fresh tropical fruit crepes. Michael also shared with us tips for Kauai. We had a memorable evening and would highly recommend chef Michael. read more

I can't recommend Chef Michael enough!!! I interviewed several private chefs for when my family and I came into town. Michael was so easy to work with while planning the menu via email and was incredibly reliable and great at communicating throughout the entire process. Little did I know just how much he would blow us away from the moment he arrived at our rental home. My entire family fell in love with him, he was so much fun, and not to mention, most importantly, the food was unreal!!! Every single dish he prepared was mouth watering. The whole experience was 10 stars!! Book him! read more

Michael served a delicious meal in our rental home last night. What an incredible treat! He used fresh local ingredients; I understand that he grows many of the herbs he uses in his recipes. We wanted to stay in, and yet have a restaurant quality meal. I honestly believe that our dinner was better than anything we could have had on this side of the island. We had poke and shrimp spring rolls as an appetizer (pupu), salad, fish with crab and sauce, coconut rice, and asparagus. For dessert, fresh local fruit and shortcake. Of course, he described the meal much more beautifully than I am. He washed up all of the dishes and left the kitchen spotless. I would definitely recommend Michael to anyone that just doesn't want to fight the traffic to get out to dinner. He was very professional, punctual, friendly, and he is a consummate chef! Bon Appetit!! read more

I wanted to do something special for my 65th Birthday in Kauai. This was honestly the best meal my family of 8 had on the island during our stay. The food was absolutely amazing. He followed our food preferences and even made sure the grandkids had a fabulous meal. Michael was so professional and easy to work with. He arrived on time, served our meal at a very relaxed pace and cleaned up so well you didn't even know he had been there except for the leftovers. I wish I had scheduled him to do a second dinner while we were there. You will not be disappointed! read more

If I could give 10 stars to Chef Michael Stauber I would. He was a joy to work with, offered a beautiful variety of menu options, and the food and service were simply impeccable. We are a group of 6 adults, 2 kids & a toddler in a rental home in Koloa, and especially during Covid times, this dinner substituted for us all going out to a luau. Everyone, including the 6 & 4 year olds, loved the meal ... Chef Mike had even brought Mac 'n Cheese as a backup for them (his idea, not mine) but we didn't even need it:). My grandson now wants to be a Space Chef. Michael is not only a fantastic chef but is incredibly personable. He even went the extra mile and took some family photos for us. We LOVED this guy and we LOVED the meal:) read more

I didn't even get to use Chef Michael's services, but he helped me find a chef when our "Celebrity Chef" Amanda- her words not mine cancelled at the last minute on our retreat for six women. Chef Amanda left us with a recommendation for a chef on Maui (yes, we were on Kauai) and Chef Michael connected us to a solution. Thank you again, Chef Michael! we hope we can come and eat your delicious food in the future! read more

This review is 3 years late but still had to write it! Michael is an incredible chef and made a perfect anniversary dinner. We've had other private chef the past few years but always keep coming back to how amazing this experience was. Highly recommended. read more

We would hire Chef Michael again in a heartbeat. The food was simply delicious and Chef Michael was professional personal and everything you could ask for. We cannot recommend him highly enough. Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to a night with Chef Michael. read more

Chef Michael cooked for our party of 8 and it was amazing! He was friendly, professional and accommodated all our needs fo ages 10-55. He was so easy to work with and very responsive to emails. The food was incredible! We only had him cook for us for two nights and we were all very sad we didn't have him for longer. A great experience! read more

Chef Michael made our evening and dinner a delight. He did the shopping, the prepping, the cooking, and the clean up. We weren't allowed to do any of the work except the eating. It was fabulous. All the appetizers, the entree, sides and deserts we excellent. He was professional and we really enjoyed his company. What a treat for the 6 of us. I highly recommend Chef Michael. He was a added bonus to our great visit in Kauai. read more

Chef Michael prepared a wonderful meal for our family of seven at our condo in Poipu. Like the other reviews say, the food was exceptional. Michael seems to have his sourcing dialed in. The greens tasted like they were picked that morning and the ahi melted like it was right off the boat. I also found Michael really easy to deal with as we planned the menu for our group. If you go with Chef Michael, chances are it will be your best meal on Kauai. Bon Appétit read more

Michael prepared a dinner for my family of 10 to celebrate my parents 50th wedding anniversary. The food was outstanding and his engagement with our group was perfect. His unassuming nature and interest made him feel more of a participant and part of the family than someone simply providing a service. If you are looking for something special, Michael will provide not only a great meal, but an entire unique experience. read more

I found Michael on Yelp (just like you!) and was thrilled he could modify his typical "private chef" nights for an evening cooking class. Once I had poke, I knew I wanted to make it at home and now I know how! Plus he offered some ideas on how to make laulau in Minnesota where ti and banana leaves don't grown so well. Booking the date was a breeze (last minute of course), he was flexible with times, and arrived completely prepared. He was extremely friendly and professional. And since he's lived here for over 25 years has some interesting stories about the island. And not only does he clean up after himself, he left us the leftovers (Including fresh herbs from his garden) AND even put away the clean dishes. I am inspired by people who take a chance on their dreams and do something they absolutely love for their work and I think Michael does just this. His passion comes through. This was definitely the "indoors highlight" of our trip. read more

Beautiful meal and an overall great experience. Would highly recommend. It made for a very special night for our family of 10. The highlight was the mahi-mahi. read more

Chef Michael was amazing! Prompt, professional, funny. This guy cooks local and delicious. Food was beyond excellent. Couldn't have asked for a better private dining experience. Thanks again for everything, Michael. You made my birthday and our honeymoon an unforgettable experience. -Justin and Kara F. read more