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
Dank (adj): a term used for something of High Quality
I’m Chef Shelby Lewis and I started Eat Dank Food in 2014 as a way for me to share my love for intimate dining experiences tailored to foodies. I create each menu custom and no matter the occasion, know that it will be Dank! I am based in Vail, CO but travel throughout the CO Rockies from Aspen to Breckenridge to Buena Vista.
Originally from South Jersey, I grew up cooking and got the bug to cook for others on an Organic Winery & Farm in Healdsburg, CA at the age of 18. I then completed a Chef’s Apprenticeship in Vail, CO at the age of 19 and went on to work in Fine Dining Restaurants in San Francisco, Philadelphia, Philadelphia, and Vail. I have completed 2 whole animal butcher apprenticeships and have worked under James Beard & Michelin Star awarded Chefs. I have spent the majority of the past 16 years professionally cooking and never stop learning and creating.
I enjoy using local ingredients whenever possible and have experience with a wide variety of different cuisines and dietary restrictions.
I also offer wine and craft cocktail pairings and have a staff of Long-time Waitstaff Professionals to help create the experience that you're looking for.
Now, let's Eat Dank Food!
Overview
Hired 21 times
Serves Vail, CO
Background checked
6 employees
12 years in business
Business hours
Sun12:00 am - 11:59 pmMon12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, professionalism, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
36 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
0%
Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Lauren S.
Oct 20, 2025
•
From Google
My event was flawless from inquiry to execution and each course was curated perfectly. Truly a memorable meal we will be talking about for years! Thank you!
Eat Dank Food.'s reply
Thank youu!!!
Sarah D.
Oct 19, 2025
•
From Google
We hired Eat Dank Food for a private chef dinner and it was fantastic. Great communication and her menus were so fun to pick from! 5 Stars on the short rib.
Eat Dank Food.'s reply
Thank you Sarah!!
Arden T.
Feb 15, 2022
•
Hired on Thumbtack
He had Shelby over to cook dinner for my boyfriend's birthday in Aspen and to say it was our best meal here is an understatement! We got to choose from many delicious and creative options to build a custom menu that had something for everyone. Every dish was spectacular! One of the best parts about our experience was getting to chat with Shelby as she cooked! She is so kind and personable and made the best addition to our group! We cant wait to come back to Aspen (or Veil) and see Shelby again!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • American - formal • Mexican / Latin American • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • French • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Eat Dank Food.'s reply
Thank you Arden! It was a blast cooking for all of you. I hope to cook for you again in the future. :) Safe travels!!
Personal Chef
Rob Y.
Sep 26, 2021
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Shelby was brilliant! Traveling across the country and renting a home for a week, site unseen was very stressful. We asked Shelby to come in and prepare a special meal. She was able to prepare an unforgettable meal with a third of our guests having different food restrictions. She brought everything with her, the area tends to be very limited. The table looked phenomenal and our guests couldn't stop raving about the food. Shelby will never be forgotten in our tales of Granby.
Details: Regular meal • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dessert • Standard (basic ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Mexican / Latin American • Gluten free or celiac • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Leigh O.
Mar 12, 2021
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Shelby, the chef of Eat Dank Food, is one of those rare people who can cook at four-star levels while remaining approachable and open with the guests. She took tremendous care to collaborate with us on menu options, as well as being willing to come early and demonstrate her cooking in a “cooking class” style. We had younger 20s crowd who wanted to learn some of the recipes, and Shelby was perfect. You can tell she is passionate about delighting people with her cooking and wanting to teach others.
Every single detail was well thought out, from the grass-fed dry aged ribeyes that were hand picked from her Denver while animal butcher to a corn eloute soup that had been made from scratch - down to the roasted chicken bones that she had tended to for 24 hours in making the Demi for the soup. The flavors were amazing. Each course surprised and delighted us!
We highly recommend your taking Shelby up on offering to bring Ellery, who bartended and served and made the whole experience even easier on us and allows Shelby some space while cooking to not have to worry about the other details. Ellery is delightful, and her two cocktail suggestions (Grapefruit Sage Paloma and Whiskey Meyer Lemon Sour) were big hits! It’s totally worth the extra expense as this added a lot of value while we relaxed.
All that to say, if you want an authentic dining experience while in Vail or Breckenridge, you can’t get anything this wonderful eating out. Eating in is the way to go.
Details: Regular meal • 6 - 10 guests • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dinner • Dessert • Premium (high end ingredients) • Hot beverages (coffee, tea, etc.) • Dessert • Cold beverages (alcoholic) • Cold beverages (non-alcoholic) • Italian • American - formal • American - casual • Nut allergies • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Credentials
Background Check
Shelby Lewis
FAQs
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I like to have an initial phone call or email to go over the overall vibe of the event. I ask if there are any dietary restrictions or special requests for the menu. I then send over at least 15 to 20 options within each Course Category tailored to the season and needs of my clients.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been working as Professional Fine Dining Chef in a multitude of capacities for the past 12 years. This includes Whole Animal Butcher Apprenticeships and hundreds of private events for the past 8 years since I have started Eat Dank Food.
How did you get started doing this type of work?
I began cooking on an Organic Winery and Vineyard at the age of 18 and started my professional culinary apprenticeship at age 19 in Vail, CO helping to open a fine dining restaurant.
