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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
Hi! I'm a well-seasoned Chef with over 15 years experience in NYC, 10 years at the Executive level, including Michelin and NY Times rated restaurants.
I love cooking with the seasons and I source my ingredients from local farms, when possible. The majority of my experience is in Italian and French cuisines, but I am fluent in global flavors and techniques.
I'm available for private events, hospitality consulting, meal prep, and cooking classes.
Overview
Hired 22 times
Serves Bronxville, NY
Background checked
1 employee
3 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, Credit card, Venmo, and Zelle.
Top Pro status
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2025
2024
Services offered
Desired cooking skills
Interested cuisines
American
Japanese
Chinese
Indian
Work location
My customers travel to me
I travel to my customers
Projects and media
Projects and media
Reviews
Customers rated this pro highly for professionalism, work quality, and responsiveness.
Exceptional 5.0
10 reviews
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Read reviews that mention:
Carol W.
Mar 7, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
For my 75th birthday on Valentine’s Day I wanted something special, something memorable and above all, something delicious. I hired John and got all three, and then some. This was the first time I had used a private chef, and he was cooking for just three people—myself and two girlfriends—so it was uncharted waters for all. But we could not have been in better hands. He was responsive, accommodating (he created the menu with my friends because I wanted to be surprised), unflappable, unpretentious and a joy to work with. I told him upfront that I don’t cook and probably didn’t own many chef-worthy cooking supplies and utensils. “I have a whisk,” I confessed. I needn’t have fretted; he cheerfully said he would bring his own supplies. The dinner itself was a masterpiece from the crudités and whipped carrot soup to the Wagyu beef strip loin and chocolatey desserts. (He is not a pastry chef so he outsourced our sumptuous sweets to a French-style bakery he often works with.) If you open the dictionary and look up the word excellence, I’m sure John’s face will be there. I am in search of excuses to hire him again and would not hesitate to recommend him for any occasion.
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 3 - 5 guests • Dinner • Dessert • Standard (basic ingredients) • Dessert • American - formal • American - casual • Meal delivered • Only once • At the pro’s location
Personal Chef
Ji H.
Nov 7, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
I feel lucky to have Chef John as a private chef in Westchester. He is a top Michelin-star-trained chef who’s also humble and hardworking. His food is better than most restaurants around here. It’s delicate, and the texture hits all the right taste palettes.
We regularly hired him for family meal prep, and every day was a joy to have his food at every meal. One of the favorite dishes for us were Peruvian Pollo ala brasa with green chili sauce, Grilled vegis with herbs, ceviche, roasted chicken breast, to name a few. He was excellent at customizing dishes to meet our dietary restrictions without compromising on flavor or quality.
Details: Regular meal • 3 - 5 guests • Dinner • Lunch • Premium (high end ingredients) • Asian • American - casual • American - formal • Barbecue • Indian • Mexican / Latin American • Meal prepared onsite • Weekly • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Caroline C.
Feb 7, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
I cannot sing enough praises about the extraordinary experience we had with Chef John for my husband's 30th birthday dinner! From the moment we reached out to him, John was an absolute dream to work with. His creativity and inventiveness shone through in every aspect of planning, and his responsiveness made the entire coordination process a breeze.
On the night of the event, John brought such wonderful vibes into our home. His warmth and professionalism immediately put us at ease, allowing us to relax and fully enjoy the evening. And let me tell you, the menu he crafted was nothing short of a culinary masterpiece!
The cocktail hour kicked off with an array of tantalizing hors d'oeuvres, including a beet-cured salmon dish that truly blew our minds. The charcuterie and caviar service were impeccable, with the caviar he specially sourced being the best I've ever had. Each bite was a symphony of flavors, perfectly balanced and expertly presented.
As dinner commenced, John continued to wow us with his culinary prowess. The escargot appetizer set the stage for what was to come, leading into a heavenly truffle cacio e pepe that left us speechless. The addition of freshly grated truffle elevated the dish to new heights, and every bite was pure bliss. And let's not forget about the main course—a succulent steak and potatoes dish that was nothing short of divine. The flavors were sensational, and the execution was flawless.
What truly sets John apart is his thoughtfulness and attention to detail. Not only did he cater to our every need, but he also went above and beyond to accommodate a vegetarian version of the meal for one of our guests. It's clear that John's professional training and experience shine through in every aspect of his work, from the delectable menu to the gorgeous plating.
Overall, the entire experience was nothing short of magical. John's passion for his craft and dedication to creating unforgettable culinary experiences truly made my husband's birthday dinner one for the books. We are beyond pleased with the result and cannot wait to work with him again in the future. Even our dog adored having him! Thank you, Chef John, for making our evening so special and memorable!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 3 - 5 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • American - formal • Italian • French • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc. • At the pro’s location
Personal Chef
Samantha B.
Jan 31, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
Chef John was spectacular!! He was communicative and accommodating before my dinner party and then when he arrived he was swift, clean, and responsive. He made my friends and I speciality cocktails all night, set up a meat and cheese board, cooked and served us a gorgeous requested Italian dinner, served dessert, and cleaned up! He made us a salad, cooked us spaghetti alla limone and chicken piccata with roasted broccoli and roasted carrots. Left my kitchen in pristine condition and my friends and I still talk about how much fun the night was with chef John! He got in on the fun and just made the night seamless. Couldn’t recommend him more!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 11 - 20 guests • Dinner • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dessert • I'm flexible • Italian • American - formal • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Robyn F.
Jun 19, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
We had the most amazing night with Chef John! He cooked an incredible multi course dinner for my friends 40th birthday. Both his food and energy are incredible. We haven’t stopped talking about the dinner. Highly recommend!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • I'm flexible • American - casual • Italian • American - formal • Asian • French • I'm flexible • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Credentials
Background Check
John Poiarkoff
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Pricing includes planning, shopping, prep, service and clean-up. Food cost is charged separately, as it can vary greatly based on the menu.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I customize each event with the host and I offer several different dining experiences. The format largely depends on the style of food you'd like and how it is best served. You can see pictures of my work in my profile.
We will plan the menu together, starting with a conversation about your likes/dislikes, any allergies or dietary restrictions, then refining based on seasonality of ingredients and your personal preferences.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I graduated first in my class from the French Culinary Institute in NYC and have 15+ years experience in NYC fine-dining restaurants, ten of those at the executive level.
