If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
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 328 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
276 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:
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.
Personal Chef
Erica L.
Jun 28, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Albert was very quick to respond so that we could quickly identify fit, a menu that worked for all, and details to make this celebration extra special. Courses were timed out well, Chef Albert was extremely engaging, welcomed questions, came to have fun and his passion for what he does exuded in everything he did for our evening. He was extremely prepared, only really requiring some counter space to execute. His energy was infectious and he added some amazing touches to our event that made it unforgettable. This was an event to celebrate a milestone birthday and the birthday girl can’t stop talking about how absolutely perfect it was. A huge that you to Chef Albert and Adam, what you created for my family and I was so special and delectable. We are looking forward to hiring you for future events.
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 11 - 20 guests • Dinner • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dessert • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - formal • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Joe B.
Jun 20, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Albert delivered an absolutely unforgettable dining experience. Each of the 10 courses was thoughtfully crafted, beautifully presented, and bursting with flavor. Every dish showcased not only exceptional technique but also a deep understanding of ingredients and how to bring out their very best qualities. What impressed us most was that even after ten incredible courses, we found ourselves wanting more—a true testament to how captivating and enjoyable the entire experience was. Chef Albert is clearly a master of his craft, combining creativity, passion, and expertise in every bite. If you’re looking for a culinary experience that exceeds expectations and leaves a lasting impression, Chef Albert is simply outstanding.
Details: Date night • 2 guests • Dinner • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dessert • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • Mexican / Latin American • French • American - formal • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Maria S.
Jan 20, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
We had the absolute pleasure of hiring Albert as a private chef for my sister’s birthday dinner, and I truly cannot say enough good things about the experience.
From the very beginning, Albert was professional, responsive, and thoughtful in helping us curate the perfect menu. On the day of the event, he exceeded every expectation. The food was exceptional! beautifully presented, full of flavor, and clearly prepared with care and passion. Every course felt restaurant-quality, yet warm and personal, which made the evening feel incredibly special.
Beyond the food, Albert was a joy to have in our home. He was punctual, organized, and made the entire evening seamless and stress-free. He paid attention to every detail and ensured that everyone felt comfortable and taken care of. Our guests are still talking about how amazing the dinner was.
If you’re looking for a private chef who delivers an unforgettable experience, Albert is it. I would hire him again in a heartbeat and recommend him to anyone looking to elevate a special occasion.
Thank you, Albert, for making my sister’s birthday night so memorable!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • American - formal • Mexican / Latin American • French • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Connie B.
Dec 29, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
We hired Chef Albert to prepare brunch and dinner for our family holiday gathering of 9 adults and 2 small children, and he absolutely exceeded our expectations.
While he's primarily known as a dinner chef, he prepared an incredible brunch spread featuring fluffy waffles with his homemade Fleur de sel butter, fruit compote, whipped cream, and a fresh fruit salad. The bacon was exceptional - he cured and seasoned it himself, though he thoughtfully brought regular bacon for the two young children. Our 7-year-old grandson was so impressed he ate two full waffles!
For dinner, Chef Albert truly showcased his expertise. The dry-aged prime rib (which he aged himself!) was perfectly cooked and served with horseradish and a rich Triple Merlot jus. The sides were equally impressive: Yukon potatoes, roasted broccoli, slow-roasted sweet potatoes, and homemade bread with his delicious honey butter. I had let him know that one family member doesn't eat beef and he prepared a special salmon dish just for her.
Dessert was the perfect finale - Creme Brule Catalan and a buttery almond pound cake, plus nitro dipping dots with a fun demonstration that had the kids absolutely thrilled!
Beyond the outstanding food, Chef Albert was organized, personable, and left the kitchen spotless. He brought all the serving dishes and utensils needed, which meant we could simply relax and enjoy quality time with our family. The entire day was completely stress-free thanks to his professionalism and attention to detail. We couldn't have asked for a better experience and will definitely hire him again!
Details: Holiday meal (Mother's day, Valentine's day, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Breakfast / brunch • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • French • American - casual • American - formal • Meal delivered • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
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.
