Private Chefs in Santa Barbara
Best private chefs in Santa Barbara for your next dining experience.
Starting at $59 per person!
Private chefs in Santa Barbara can turn your next event into a luxurious five-star dining experience inspired by the region's coastal elegance. Enjoy dishes like seared Santa Barbara spot prawns, Mediterranean-style roasted lamb or seasonal heirloom tomato bruschetta, all expertly prepared in your home. These top chefs handle everything from ingredient sourcing to serving and cleanup, so you can relax and savor every bite. Hosting near Montecito, Goleta or the Funk Zone? Santa Barbara’s private chefs are just a short drive away. Book today and let "The American Riviera" elevate your event!
ELEVATE YOUR NEXT
- Date Night
- Birthday Dinner
- Dinner Party
- Holiday Celebration
CHEF TRAVELS TO YOU
Elegant Southern Seafood
$109
Private Chef Meal
$109
Southern flavors are on full display from start to finish in this elegant menu. In this private chef meal, enjoy gourmet Southern seafood prepared with care by Chef Pamela for you and your guests. You'll begin your meal with oysters vol-au-vent: Tender puff pastries topped with creamy oysters. For the main...
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Verified Chef
Chef Pamela
Serving the Santa Barbara area
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CHEF TRAVELS TO YOU
Cajun Sophistication
$109
Private Chef Meal
$109
Chef Pamela combines classic French and bold Cajun cooking in this elegant menu. In this private chef meal, Chef Pamela highlights vibrant Cajun flavors with a touch of sophisticated European flair. Begin with bright shrimp and corn chaudrée topped with crispy bacon. The main course is a creamy Cajun carbonara...
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Verified Chef
Chef Pamela
Serving the Santa Barbara area
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CHEF TRAVELS TO YOU
Southern Italy Specialties
$99
Private Chef Meal
$99
Savor a meal that celebrates the culinary heritage of Italy's historic southern region. Taste the unique culinary character of Southern Italy in a private chef meal with Chef Pamela. It's a voyage beyond the familiar flavors you're used to in Italian dining. You'll enjoy a classic Caesar salad and lobster fra...
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Verified Chef
Chef Pamela
Serving the Santa Barbara area
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CHEF TRAVELS TO YOU
Mediterranean Gourmet Soirée
$129
Private Chef Meal
$129
Experience the rich tastes of the Mediterranean, expertly prepared just for you. Indulge in a private chef meal that brings the best flavors of the Mediterranean coast to the comfort of your home. Your expert Chef Tim will craft a refined three-course menu to make an evening with your loved ones even more...
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Verified Chef
Chef Tim
Serving the Santa Barbara area
CHEF TRAVELS TO YOU
Little Italy in Your Home
$139
Private Chef Meal
$139
Transform your home into a fine Italian restaurant for an evening to share with your loved ones. Treat yourself to a private chef meal where Italian culinary excellence is brought directly to your home. Five star Chef Tim curates an enticing four-course menu that promises to transport you to the Roman...
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Verified Chef
Chef Tim
Serving the Santa Barbara area
CHEF TRAVELS TO YOU
Sizzling Steakhouse Delights
$139
Private Chef Meal
$139
Experience premium steakhouse inspired dining with expertly prepared, mouthwatering cuts and exquisite sides. Enjoy a private chef meal that brings the elegance of steakhouse dining to your home. Chef Tim, a culinary artisan, will guide you through preparing a sophisticated four-course menu.
Start with a...
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Verified Chef
Chef Tim
Serving the Santa Barbara area
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CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
French Bistro Meets California Coast
$139
Private Chef Meal
$139
The best of French cooking and California produce meet for this farm-to-table meal. Old world meets new in this French California fusion private chef meal with Chef Mickael. Begin with a fresh Caesar salad and homemade croutons followed by savory crab cakes with chipotle crema and avocado corn salsa. Next,...
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Verified Chef
Chef Mickael
Serving the Santa Barbara area
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
International Vegan Delights
$109
Private Chef Meal
$109
Enjoy big, sophisticated flavor in this meat-free, vegan meal with Chef Mickael. Enjoy a vegan feast from around the world in this farm-to-table private chef meal with Chef Mickael. Discover delightfully creamy butternut squash soup with coconut milk before you indulge in a sumptuous buddha bowl with quinoa,...
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Verified Chef
Chef Mickael
Serving the Santa Barbara area
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
Rich French Feast
$139
Private Chef Meal
$139
Fill your home with the elegant yet rustic essence of a French bistro. Immerse yourself in sophisticated French cuisine from the comfort of your home in this private chef meal with Chef Mickael. First, discover wild mushrooms braised in a sauce made from wine and fresh herbs, enveloped in a buttery puff pastry....
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Verified Chef
Chef Mickael
Serving the Santa Barbara area
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FINDING A CHEF?
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FAQS ABOUT PRIVATE CHEFS in Santa Barbara
How much does a private chef in Santa Barbara cost?
The price will generally vary depending on the event details such as your group size. Usually, the price will range from $59 per person to over $100 per person. As you scroll through available experiences on this page, note the displayed price person associated with each experience on this page. That price will automatically adjust with a tiered pricing structure based on the number of guests your chef will be cooking for. There’s also a local sales tax that is applied. Your total cost of a private chef for a dinner party will ultimately be determined by the menu chosen and total head count in attendance.
What is included when you hire a chef for the night?
Your private chef experience is an all-inclusive event, with all necessary ingredients provided by the chef. You and your guests have the stellar talents of a premier Santa Barbara chef who will create five-star dishes from scratch. Any special equipment required to complete the recipes will be provided by your chef as well. Your in-home chef will serve their creations, clear the table and clean up the kitchen as part of the package, letting you enjoy the company of your guests. If you have additional questions about what is included when you hire a chef for dinner or similar special occasion, please contact Cozymeal’s concierge team for more information.
What are the most popular cuisines with private chef experiences?
You can find steakhouse menus featuring surf and turf specialties, contemporary American fare, Italian dishes and Asian selections. Trendy fare like sushi and enticing global creations are also staples of the private chef portfolio. Those with a taste for luxury will enjoy the wide range of Michelin-quality dishes with origins from all over the world. There’s a rich variety of other cuisines available, with new options appearing regularly and dishes that make the most of the bountiful farm-to-table and wine country ingredients from the region. You’ll find selections similar to specialties at fine local restaurants like The Lark and Loquita. If you or your guests have special requirements like vegetarian, vegan or gluten-free dining, you can find an array of delicious possibilities in these formats, too.
How do I hire a chef or rent a chef?
Hiring a chef is as simple as finding a menu you love on this page, selecting a date and guest count and booking your experience. By clicking the “Contact Chef” button, you can start the reservation process and learn more about what to expect from your private chef. You can discuss the menu and surrounding details to dial in the experience that’s right for you. If you have more specific questions about hiring a private chef for a dinner party or similar event, reaching out to Cozymeal’s concierge team will let you discuss the possibilities in more detail.
How much should I tip my private chef?
Tipping your chef is definitely not required. Should you choose to offer a gratuity, we suggest tipping anywhere between 10% and 25% of the total cost of the event. Of course, you can extend beyond that if you find your experience to be worthy of a higher tip.
Where do the experiences take place?
It is popular to book an in-home private chef for a dinner party where you hire a chef to cook at your home. However, you can also choose an alternate venue in town for your private chef experience. Your chef will need a clean kitchen with working appliances to ensure proper preparation of your meal. You have the freedom to choose a locale that reflects your preferred Santa Barbara vibe, whether you’re after the edgy energy of The Funk Zone, the stately spirit of Presidio or the cosmopolitan feel of Uptown.
WHY YOU’LL LOVE a PERSONAL CHEF
Ideal for birthday dinners
Brian
Chef Francesca was fantastic! She came to our house to cook dinner for my wife’s birthday and we enjoyed every moment of it. From the preparation of the meal to the delicious food she served, it was all incredible. I would recommend her to anyone and look forward to having her back to our home again very soon!
Elevate a dining experience
Nikki
Our experience with Chef Daniel was excellent! Not only did he take the time to create a thoughtful menu that paired well with our wines, but he took care in how his dishes were presented. The dishes were exquisite and all in all lead to a memorable night for us and our guests.
Impress your guests
Chrystal
We had a great time having our own personal chef to create a private dining experience for us. It felt like being in a five-star restaurant without leaving the comfort of the house. The chef was amazing. Great food, great company, amazingly unique experience! I will definitely do it again.
Other experiences with the best personal chefs in Santa Barbara
Covid-19 Precautions
These are the precautions your Chef will be taking for your experience:
chef Will Be Wearing a Mask (Upon Request)
Requires Proof of Vaccine
Social Distancing Friendly
Flexible booking: Cancel or reschedule this event's reservation for free up to 48 hours before the event.