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
We are a luxury catering company and private chef service catering Florida’s Treasure Coast. We have access to the freshest, finest ingredients and perfectly prepare them in new and unique ways for each of our events. We also customize menus for each of our events to fulfill all of our clients personal tastes and preferences.
Overview
Hired 36 times
Serves Port Saint Lucie, FL
Background checked
5 employees
7 years in business
Business hours
Sun12:00 am - 11:59 pmMon12:00 am - 11:59 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, and Square cash app.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2025
2024
2023
Services offered
Event type
Additional food/drink
Dessert
Cold beverages (non-alcoholic)
Hot beverages (coffee, tea, etc.)
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.
Excellent 4.9
36 reviews
5
97%
4
0%
3
3%
2
0%
1
0%
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Read reviews that mention:
Patty W.
Jan 19, 2021
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Hired on Thumbtack
From my first contact with Ryan to our “goodnight” at the door after a delicious meal, it was a responsive, creative, fun experience. Not only is a fantastic chef, he is a warm, funny, informative, engaging person. He related well to both the adults and the girls aged 12 and 9. Ryan has so many menu choices and is helpful in the final selection. Ryan was punctual, brought everything he needed and cleaned up. The food was incredible: Ahi tuna, braised beef on polenta, beet and fennel salad, beef tenderloin with 2 sauces, au gratin potatoes, broccoli and chocolate lava cake with vanilla ice cream. You know the food is out when the girls ate their broccoli. I think Ryan’s pricing is fair. I would definitely hire Ryan again and I encourage all of you reading this to hire him. You will not be disappointed
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 3 - 5 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Amy K.
Mar 19, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Ryan was literally our favorite part of the trip! We had 8 ladies celebrating a bachelorette and we have nothing but amazing things to say about our experience from start to finish! The food was absolutely amazing. Presentation was 💯. He was super personable and professional. We truly had the best night because of him! (And ate leftovers the entire day after) Thanks chef Ryan! Xoxo
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Standard (basic ingredients) • Asian • Italian • American - casual • Mexican / Latin American • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Emma J.
Mar 23, 2022
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Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Ryan was incredible!! We hired him to make dinner for a group of 10 girls for my best friends’s bachelorette party, and it was by far the best meal we had and one of the highlights of the weekend! We chose a tropical theme for dinner and Ryan worked with me in advance to select a really fun tropical menu with a variety of small plates, plus a big citrus salad, coconut lime rice, and asparagus for the group to share. The portions were incredible — the “small plates” were more like platters and each one was fresh and delicious. We had tuna tartare, fish tacos, seared tuna, crab cakes, chicken sliders with a coconut aioli, chicken and pineapple skewers (served out of an actual pineapple), fresh snapper ceviche, shrimp cocktail, and more. Ryan was also accommodating of any dietary restrictions and even made some separate servings of certain dishes for our gluten free friend. He was flexible, responsive, arrived in time, and even put our leftovers away and cleaned everything up for us when he left. I can’t recommend him enough for your next group event!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 11 - 20 guests • Dinner • Standard (basic ingredients) • American - casual • American - formal • Mexican / Latin American • Gluten free or celiac • Dairy intolerant • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Shannon W.
Nov 21, 2020
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Hired on Thumbtack
Ryan did an amazing job putting together a special 50th anniversary dinner for my parents, who were unable to get out due to COVID. Ryan presented me with many options for the menu and we collaborated to come up with the perfect 5 course meal which included a raw bar appetizer, shaved beet and fennel salad, surf and turf and chocolate lava cake. The food was delicious and the service could not be beat! Ryan was responsive to messages, flexible on the menu/planning and dropped off the perfect prepared meal exactly when promised. I highly recommend Ryan and Zest Gourmet for a special dining experience!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 2 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • American - formal • Italian • Meal delivered • Only once • At the pro’s location
Personal Chef
Donna M.
Aug 3, 2020
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Hired on Thumbtack
Our first experience working with Zest Gourmet was INCREDIBLE!! It was so great that we have a 2nd event already planned. Chef Ryan was a pleasure to work with and we are so looking forward to our next event, an intimate Surf and Turf dinner at home with family. We have also spoken to Chef Ryan about doing a backyard Clambake this summer and also a private cooking class for "Just Us Girls!" If you are looking for a special catered event of any kind and any size, I would highly recommend Zest Gourmet. We were impressed with the speedy reply back, professionalism, promptness, the vast array of menu options and suggestions, his food presentation was gorgeous, clean up was impeccable, food portion sizes were plentiful (we even had leftovers to send home with guests and still had some for us to enjoy again the next day!!!) Our daughter's 31st birthday party was perfect thanks to Zest Gourmet and Chef Ryan, Thank You!! A++++++++++
Details: Birthday or anniversary party • Lunch • Alcoholic drinks • American - casual • Barbecue • Italian • Family style • No, drop off only • Home • Yes, full kitchen • Fewer than 20 guests • Standard (basic ingredients)
Wedding and Event Catering
Credentials
Background Check
Ryan Liepa
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
I price each event based on that particular event. Every event is custom and we can tailor it to fit into any budget.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
Typically, I have an initial conversation with my clients and get to know what they are looking for for their event. I ask them basic questions like number of people, budget, if they have a theme or type of cuisine they are looking for but I also get as many details as possible, if they have any allergies or dietary restrictions, any food they really love or really don’t eat, if they want a buffet or sit down plates dinner, etc. I then create a custom menu template with some different menu item options. I send this to the client and they review it. We work together to change it into exactly what the client wants and only when they are happy with it do I send out a contract.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I have been in the hospitality industry for over 15 years and have held pretty much every position in the industry.
