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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
I'm a wife and mother of 2. I am born and raised NY but moved to FL in 2010. I'm a graduate from the Culinary Institute of America and have built my career and experience at numerous high-end and luxury restaurants and hotels. I have a great passion for my craft and would love to share with you!
Overview
Hired 33 times
4 similar jobs done near you
Background checked
3 employees
5 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Cash, Check, Credit card, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2022
Services offered
Event type
Additional food/drink
Dessert
Cold beverages (non-alcoholic)
Cold beverages (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 professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
18 reviews
5
100%
4
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2
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1
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Read reviews that mention:
Anna L.
Dec 9, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
We had Chef Kiss make a pre Thanksgiving meal for our family at a home we rented in Florida. She was very easy to work with as we created the menu - gave suggestions but not in an over bearing way and still listened to what we wanted. The food arrived fresh and it was easy to heat up. All of the guests raved that everything was delicious! I would definitely recommend working with Chef and would use her again in the future.
Details: Holiday meal (Mother's day, Valentine's day, etc.) • 11 - 20 guests • Dinner • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • I'm flexible • Dessert • American - casual • I'm flexible • Only once • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Nico M.
Aug 8, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
We absolutely LOVE Chef Lesley! Our request was very last-minute—we didn’t even start looking for a chef until a little over a month before our wedding.
Chef Lesley was incredibly responsive and accommodating from the start. She really took the time to work with us and made sure the menu was exactly what we wanted. Despite Florida’s unpredictable summer weather making it hard to finalize the time, she remained so flexible and understanding throughout.
And the food? AMAZING. Everyone raved about it—from the appetizers to the salad to the entrées, everything was delicious. I’m not even a salad person, but I finished mine—it was that good! Her stuffed mushrooms, filet mignon, and lobster tail were all absolutely phenomenal.
Although we didn’t try her desserts since we already had cake, we have no doubt they would have been just as incredible.
She also partnered with a server, which made everything seamless and stress-free for us. And after dinner, they left the kitchen spotless!
We can’t recommend Chef Lesley enough. She was a dream to work with, and we’re so grateful she was part of our special day. We love her!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Dessert • Standard (basic ingredients) • Dessert • American - formal • American - casual • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Ashley P.
Feb 12, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
Lesley’s food was amazing! She was also willing to answer any questions about the menu and was extremely accommodating for multiple food allergies.
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Dessert • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • Dairy intolerant • Nut allergies • Gluten free or celiac • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
TJ B.
Aug 31, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack
For my Bachelorette party, I wanted to do an elegant 6 course Greek tasting menu for myself and 9 of my friends. Everyone I reached out to before Chef Lesley was sending me unimaginative run-of-the-mill menus, that just weren't what I was looking for. Chef Lesley, however, went above and beyond and really made my Bachelorette Dinner just the absolute best it could be! From the moment I spoke to her on the phone I knew that she understood what I was going for and she worked tirelessly to make my culinary dreams come true! The menu she sent really captured the high-end, private chef experience that I was really trying to provide my guests with.
She and her assistant were on time and set to work right away in the kitchen of the Air BnB we were staying in. Her assistant set the table and worked with me on the wine pairings and timing for dinner. They really thought of everything! It was so great to watch her work. You can really tell that she takes pride in her food! I cannot begin to describe how amazing the food was! Each course that she set in front of us just got more and more amazing. The lamb chops she prepared were some of the best I have ever had. I'm talking fall off the bone tender and just so perfectly seasoned. My friends and I were absolutely blown away!
After dinner, they cleaned up and left the kitchen spotless. It was the absolute best experience and I would highly recommend Chef's Kiss by Chef Lesley to anyone in the PSL/West Palm area!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
John R.
Oct 3, 2023
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Hired on Thumbtack
WOW! I think the website should let us choose more than 3 categories because I feel I'm short-changing Lesley by not picking all 5. My company did a work retreat for a week in Stuart, FL. The month leading to the retreat, Lesley was always responsive and I quite enjoyed our chats, menu changes for vegetarians and pescatarians on the team, and getting the details.
Quality? Sigh, 3 words - Orange Mango Pie! Lesley knew I'm not even a fan of anything sweet, but this not only blew me away, but everyone on the team away! WHEN you use her services, don't cheat yourself on not having this on the menu. Should be her signature! Not only this, but all of the dishes were done exceptionally well and there was more than enough food for everyone with leftovers. (I finished the additional Orange Mango Pie when everyone went to sleep, lol)
Professionalism and Punctuality - She arrived with her team on time, and each day all meals were served in professional attire along with her caring personality to make sure everyone was taken care of.
Value - I live in Atlanta, GA. Any chef I work with here will be judged by the standard Lesley set. I'd gladly pay that and as my company returns for another retreat, there will be no shopping; we know who we will use.
Details: Regular meal • 21 - 35 guests • Breakfast / brunch • Lunch • Dinner • Standard (basic ingredients) • Dessert • Cold beverages (non-alcoholic) • American - casual • American - formal • Vegetarian or vegan • Gluten free or celiac • Meal prepared onsite • A few times per week • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Credentials
Background Check
Lesley Valerius
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing is customized to each client as each client's requests are unique to them. A service fee will be added to cover driving expenses.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I like to speak to each client individually to understand their requests and desires more accurately. If its classes requested or in-home catering/banquets or plated meals. There's a great deal of detail I would need in order to be able to give my clients the best service possible.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated from the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY in 2009 and have worked in serveral luxury hotels, high end restaurants and country clubs.
