Chefs
Chefs

Chefs

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Introduction: Chefs can prepare a custom menu for you and your guests in your home or vacation rental. We accommodate special diets so all of your guests can enjoy the same experience. Visiting New Orleans? I can create a brunch or dinner menu featuring the Flavors of New Orleans to give you and your guests a memorable event! We offer additional services including meal prep and individual or group cooking lessons. Chefs Meal Prep - 2 proteins, 2 starches, and 3 vegetables. Great for busy professionals, elders who have barriers to cooking, new mothers, and folks recovering from surgery or illness. I use over 20 years of culinary experience to make food that my clients are supposed to eat into the food they want to eat. Makes a great gift! Chefs Cooking Lessons - allows students to expand their skills and save money by tackling intimidating projects. Visiting New Orleans? Learn how to make gumbo! New home? Grab some friends and learn how to butcher a pork loin into exactly the cuts you want. Chefs - where Food Comes First.
Overview

Hired 13 times

Background checked

2 employees

6 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Cash, Credit card, PayPal, Square cash app, and Venmo.

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Facebook, Instagram, Twitter

Top Pro status

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2020

Featured Projects

41 photos

  • Corporate Cocktail Party for 100

    Personal Chef

Specialties
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Reviews

Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and punctuality.

Exceptional 5.0

10 reviews

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pro avatar
Katie T.
Jan 14, 2019
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Val was incredible - We had her cater a 10 person dinner to celebrate a friend's birthday in our Airbnb. She was on time, super professional and left the kitchen so spotless, our Airbnb hosts said we left it cleaner than it was before our stay. She timed everything really well and the plating was beautiful. Everyone loved the corn succotash and the soup. The bananas foster was a hit and the leftovers were a prized commodity later that night! I would highly reco!

Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Dessert • Standard (basic ingredients) • American - casual • Southern • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • The personal chef travels to me

Personal Chef
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Olivia R.
Mar 19, 2020
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Val and her team created the best brunch experience for me and my 10 bridesmaids. They cooked an excellent vegetarian / vegan NOLA style brunch that was absolutely delicious! There was something for everybody, although everyone ate everything. The process was seamless from start to finish and the place was sparkling clean. I couldn’t recommend them more. It was one of our favorite parts of the trip and one of the best meals! This went beyond our expectations! Val was great to work with on our budget, dietary restrictions and timeline.

Details: Brunch / dinner party • 11 - 20 guests • Breakfast / brunch • Standard (basic ingredients) • American - casual • Southern • Barbecue • Vegetarian or vegan • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.

Personal Chef
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Patti M.
Dec 17, 2019
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Wow!!!! Chef Val and her team are top-notch. This was my first experience hiring a private chef and I was not disappointed. Chef Val was tasked with creating a menu for a Surprise 50th Birthday party for ten people. Our menu: Passed items: Seared Duck on Cornbread Waffle with Sugarcane Mustard and Brie & Fig Flatbread with Toasted Almonds. Starter: Cane Fields Salad- Baby Greens with Satsuma Supremes, Spiced Pecans, Feta Cheese, and Sugarcane Vinaigrette. Entrée: choices: Seafood Stuffed Redfish Roulade, Lemon Beurre Blanc, Sautéed Green Beans, AND Petite Filet Mignon, Mushroom Demi-Glace, Parmesan & Black Pepper Risotto, Roasted Brussels Sprouts- Dessert: Bananas Foster. We had some folks that did not eat beef or pork and Chef Val's menu was able to make everyone happy and stay on the price per person plan. Also, Chef Val's team was able to help me with the table setting and selecting the appropriate wine glasses for the selected wine pairings. The food was delicious, to say the least. Everything was timed perfectly. The kitchen was immaculate. The leftovers perfectly packaged and left in the refrigerator. Unfortunately, I did not get a chance to thank her and her team before they left. A miscommunication almost caused me to miss out on an opportunity to work with Chef Val. Make sure to respond to correspondence clearly and ahead of any deadlines. :0) Chef Val and her team were the biggest part of what made the surprise birthday party the success that it was. My guests couldn't stop raving about the food. Many thanks to Chef Val and her team. Y'all Rock!

Details: Birthday or anniversary party • Cocktail hour or hors d'oeuvres • Dinner • Dessert • American - formal • French • Plated meal • Yes, full service • Home • Yes, full kitchen • Fewer than 20 guests • Premium (high end ingredients)

Wedding and Event Catering
pro avatar
Jaimie O.
Oct 8, 2019
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Val and her team were absolutely amazing! They were flexible with timing and communication was clear and organized. The food prepared was delicious and the team loved it. Special food sensitivities were accommodated easily. Val worked with her team members in the kitchen while our group worked and did other activities. They were prepared and needed no additional assistance with any supplies. Friendly and talented! Would highly recommend!

Details: Brunch / dinner party • 3 - 5 guests • Dinner • Dessert • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Premium (high end ingredients) • Cold beverages (alcoholic) • Dessert • Cold beverages (non-alcoholic) • Southern • French • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc. • At the pro’s location

Personal Chef
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Anastasia G.
Jul 16, 2019
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Hired on Thumbtack

Hired on Thumbtack

Valerie was a pleasure and a professional. I was planning a dinner for a bachelorette. We had everything settled ahead of time and the menu sounded amazing. Valerie answered all of our dietary restriction questions and made a menu that met our needs. She was helpful in making sure we had what we needed at the airbnb. Right before our trip, a massive storm was set to hit New Orleans and we had to cancel our trip. She was extremely professional in this too. When I plan my next trip to the area, we will absolutely be working with Valerie.

Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 3 - 5 guests • Dinner • Standard (basic ingredients) • American - casual • Southern • French • Asian • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.

Chefs's reply
Thank you, Anastasia! I look forward to working with you again!
Personal Chef
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Valerie Hesse

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