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About
IF YOU CALL YOURSELF A FOODIE LOOK NO FURTHER YOUR IN THE RIGHT PLACE🔥🔥🔥
The Untamed Dining Experience |
Chef Albert J
Good Day Foodies Albert J The Untamed Chef at your service... I love challenging traditional Fine Dining with an immersive, elevated, and comforting approach. While the Michelin Guide doesn’t rate private chefs, I deliver an unforgettable culinary experience designed to rival the world’s finest establishments. I invite you to please take a look at my reviews and see for yourself why my guests love my food & experience 🔥🙏
👨🍳 About Chef Albert J
I am a proud U.S. Air Force service member and a Culinary Veteran with an 18-year career cooking and competing at the highest level 🇺🇸🫡 utilizing Science and Locality to cook with the seasons in an Untamed Experience that is guaranteed to make you and your guests happy🔥
50+ Cooking Awards: Including Thumbtack Best Chef / Top Pro California annually from 2015-2016 & 2018-2026
2x BBQ Pitmaster Champion & Certified 5x Champion Master Pizzaiolo (Pizza School of New York), and graduate of the Verace Pizza Napoletana (VPN Americas) Ranked among the Top 100 Best Pizzaiolos at the 2025 & 2026 World Pizza Championships in Las Vegas NV
🔥 THE ART OF UNTAMED 🔥
Is to challenge what traditional Fine Dining is and what it could be with a fun but very comforting approach that is guaranteed to have you and your guests immersed in a non stop unforgettable Culinary Experience that all of my clients have said is far more greater than any Fine Dining Experience that they have ever had. I specialize in Nouvelle Fusion Live Fire Cuisine with a Comfort approach. This truly is the epitome of Dinner Theater that will captivate you & your guests to be inspired beyond great tasting food. LIQUID NITROGEN + FLAME THROWERS + BLINDFOLDS + FOAMS + BUBBLES & SMOKE are just part of the epic experience I want to provide you... The most important part of this is a Chef with the energy to match and execute Culinary Perfection... 🔥 My food is passionately curated by supporting small farms and growers who work tirelessly to help me create you the perfect Untamed Experience. I only use USDA PRIME House Dry Aged cuts of Beef, Air Chilled never frozen Poultry, Fowl & Seafood, Organic Vegetables. Fresh Hand Made Pastas, House Made Cultured Butter, Breads & Cheeses as well as Masterful Sauces, Fun Confections & Candies, Fresh House Churned Ice Creams & Sorbets. Only the best quality all the time 100% from scratch & always cooked on site. I BRING ALL THE FOOD, NAPKINS, DISHES, SILVERWARE AND PLACE SETTINGS FOR THIS DINING EXPERIENCE 😎
MY GUESTS HAVE SAID WHILE ENJOYING MY CULINARY EXPERIENCE THAT MY FOOD & FLAVORS ABSOLUTELY BLOW EVERY RESTAURANT AWAY ON THIS LIST... ALL GLORY TO GOD♥️
ABaC | Barcelona Spain ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Acqurello | SF CA⭐️⭐️
Addison | San Diego CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
Alinea | Chicago IL ⭐️⭐️
Arzak | Spain⭐️⭐️⭐️
Atelier Crenn | SF CA ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Aubergine | Carmel CA ⭐⭐
Benu | SF CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
Blue Hill at Stone Barns | NY ⭐️⭐️
Bouchon | Yountville CA⭐️
Californios | SF CA⭐️⭐️⭐
Canlis | Seattle WA (JBF Winner PNW)
Central | Lima ( San Pelegrino #1 🌎 2023
Chez Panisse Berkeley CA ⭐ ( New )
Club 33 | Disneyland ( Anaheim CA )
Coi | SF CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
Coastal Kitchen | Monterey CA ( MG 2025)
Commis | Oakland CA⭐️⭐️
Daniel | NYC⭐️
Eleven Madison Park | NYC⭐️⭐️⭐️
Esmè | Chicago IL⭐️
Ever | Chicago IL⭐️⭐️
Gramercy Tavern | NYC ⭐️
Jean Georges | NYC ⭐ ⭐
L'Atelier de Joël Robuchon | LV⭐️⭐️⭐️
La Calenda | Yountville CA ( MB 2025 )
Lazy Bear | SF CA⭐️⭐️
La Pergola | Rome Italy⭐️⭐️⭐️
L'antica Pizzeria da Michele | Naples Italy
Le Bernardin | NY ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Localis | Sacramento CA⭐️
Manresa | Los Gatos CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
Meadowood | Saint Helena CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
Mèlisse | Santa Monica CA⭐️⭐️
Michael Warring | Valejo CA ( MG 2025)
Minibar By Jose Andres | WSH DC ⭐ ⭐
Morimoto | Napa CA
Mugaritz | Spain⭐️⭐️
Osteria Francescana | Italy⭐️⭐️⭐
Per Se | NYC ⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Plummed Horse | Saratoga CA ⭐
Protège Palo Alto CA ⭐
Providence | Beverly Hills CA⭐️⭐️⭐
Pujol | MX City (San Pelegrino #13) ⭐ ⭐
Quince | SF CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
Restaurant Vermeer | Amsterdam ⭐
Saison | SF CA⭐️⭐️
Single Thread | Healdburg CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
State Bird Provisions | SF CA⭐️
The Elderberry House | Oakhurst CA
The Inn at Little Washington | VA ⭐ ⭐
The French Laundry | Yountville CA⭐️⭐️⭐️
The Kitchen | Sacramento CA⭐️
To Be Continued.... 😎 I AM TRULY BLESSED GRATEFUL 🙏 AND HUMBLED... Ave Maria🌹
I am also the proud owner of these incredible businesses 🙏♥️😎 upholding the highest standards and quality Ingredients.
✅ Albert J's Untamed Live Fire
( On-site Catering )
✅ Pizzaria Ave Maria
( Mobile Wood Fire Pies )
✅ Gridiron of St Lawrence
( Award winning BBQ )
✅ Our Lady of Akita
( Omakase - Sushi )
✅ Porcus de Sanctus Antonius
( Whole Latin Hogs ) Cooked On-site
✅ Taqueria Ave Maria Untamed
( Haute Latin Cuisine & Tacos )
Overview
Current Top Pro
Hired 334 times
Serves Stockton, CA
Background checked
2 employees
11 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon8:00 am - 11:59 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Samsung Pay and Stripe.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2025
2024
2023
2022
2021
2020
2019
2018
Services offered
Event type
Additional food/drink
Dessert
Cuisine types
American - casual
American - formal
Italian
Southern
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
280 reviews
5
98%
4
1%
3
0%
2
0%
1
1%
Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Kim O.
2 weeks ago
•
Hired on Thumbtack
We had a 40th birthday girls weekend planned with a private chef who got sick. With only 24 hours notice, we found and hired Chef Albert who immediately agreed, prepared a menu, and gave us a 5 star birthday experience! They put some extra pizazz in showmanship, prepared a delicious meal with dietary constraints, and left the kitchen very clean. Small portions but high quality ingredients, great tasting, and prepared in a fun and eventful way, including liquid nitrogen and blind tasting! So fun, and enjoyed by all! We highly recommend him for a fun filled dinner night!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 11 - 20 guests • Dinner • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dessert • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - formal • Asian • Italian • Mexican / Latin American • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Southern • French • Vegetarian or vegan • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Albert J. The Untamed Chef's reply
We had so much fun it was truly an honor to cook for such an amazing group of ladies who appreciate the finer things in life especially friendship.
Personal Chef
Victoria B.
Sep 8, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Albert and his son did an excellent job helping our family surprise my husband for his 60th birthday with an amazing private dinner. The dinner was held at a new home we're building: we were without pots, pans, utensils, or plates. We hadn't even fired up our stove! Albert was up to the task. He masterfully managed the challenges and provided a delicious dinner with a ton of fun. Great descriptions of the meal courses and a very engaging presentation overall. I highly recommend Albert for a fun, special, memorable occasion!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • American - formal • Dairy intolerant • Nut allergies • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Albert J. The Untamed Chef's reply
Thank you so much Victoria for giving us the opportunity to showcase our fine dining keto talent. I can't imagine that a lot of times food must seem boring for somebody who has lived their life a certain way and I'm glad we can bring some excitement for such a special day for such a great person. Thank you again... 💯🇺🇸🙏
Personal Chef
Jared W.
Sep 28, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Alberto and his son were awesome! We had them prepare a multi-course dinner at our house while friends from Taiwan were visiting, and it was such a fun evening. The food was excellent, and they made the whole experience feel special. Five stars all around!
Details: Brunch / dinner party • 6 - 10 guests • Lunch • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • American - formal • Italian • Mexican / Latin American • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Vegetarian or vegan • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Albert J. The Untamed Chef's reply
Thank you brother I appreciate your kind words I cannot wait till we get to do it again and I appreciate your hospitality as well 🙏💯
Stay Untamed 😁🇺🇸
Personal Chef
Shannon M.
6 days ago
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Albert came to Yosemite and cooked brunch for my family and I after my husband and I eloped during sunrise. It was hands down, the best food we’ve ever had. It truly made our day so special and I cannot thank and recommend him enough for anyone looking to hire a private chef.
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Breakfast / brunch • Premium (high end ingredients) • American - formal • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Albert J. The Untamed Chef's reply
Truly the honor was mine. Congratulations to both of you on your Special Day♥️🙏 Thank you for letting me be a small part of you're Journey as Husband and Wife♥️♥️🙏
Personal Chef
Todd F.
Jul 27, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Albert was awesome. The food was delicious and the production was entertaining. Would definitely recommend Chef Albert for a special occasion where you want a tasting menu and some fun entertainment during the cooking process.
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - formal • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Albert J. The Untamed Chef's reply
Thank you again Todd 😁💯 it was a true honor and I hope I get to cook for you again during Christmas time 🙏
Personal Chef
Credentials
Background Check
Albert J. Hernandez
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Anything is possible Everyone deserves to have a real dining Experience. I can and continue to work with everyone.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I am here to listen and make your life a whole lot easier. I am a Professional and real Chef I have trained in some of the best kitchens in the country, and have learned to utilize that in my business and make life a whole lot easier for you.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Absolutely I use all types of new and amazing technology the same found in James Beard and Michelin Star Restaurants.