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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
Hey, there! I'm #ChefToni and I'm pleased to make your acquaintance!
While I come from small beginnings, I know that the future is big. Coming from a multicultural background that stems from Cuba, Trinidad, Barbados, and even China, I've had the luxury of trying an array of cuisines that my family had prepared for my siblings and I ever since we were kids.
With that being said, my goal is to own my very own restaurant one day. Now you may ask yourself, "Toni, what qualifications do you have?" or "How do I know I can trust you?"
I'll be frank, I don't have any professional training aside from working at events with teams of well-seasoned (see what I did there?) chefs, running a restaurant, and having my clients believe in me to give them the best possible experience, however, when I'm truly passionate about something, I do everything in my power to learn everything there is to know. My biggest client was catering for a 40-guest Christmas Eve party and getting nothing but great remarks and feedback; I even made it to the top 10 of Carla Hall's Top Chef competition! I aspire to inspire-- that's my motto. I truly believe that if you love what you do and put in your 110% every time, then there's always room for success.
My passion is shown through my food and my successes are the beautiful relationships I've built with the customers I can truly call, my friends.
Overview
Hired 10 times
Serves Brooklyn, NY
Background checked
1 employee
5 years in business
Business hours
SunClosedMon8:00 am - 2:00 pm
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Credit card, Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, and Zelle.
Customers rated this pro highly for work quality, responsiveness, and professionalism.
Excellent 4.9
14 reviews
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Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Caroline H.
Jan 18, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
Toni is kind, professional and responsive! She created a wonderful 3 course meal for my husband and I for our 30th birthdays which we really enjoyed. It was wonderful to relax and have a nice meal at home. She left the kitchen perfectly clean afterwards as well!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 2 guests • Dinner • Dessert • I'm flexible • Dessert • American - formal • Southern • Italian • I'm flexible • Only once • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Beth d.
Feb 14, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Toni was patient with my girls as she taught them the ins and outs of making fettuccine Alfredo from scratch! They are looking forward to having her back to teach them how to make scalloped potatoes!
Details: 2 people • Healthy • Basic cooking skills • Teenager (13 - 17) • Child (under 13) • Beginner • My home, venue, etc.
Private Cooking Lessons
Erica M.
Jan 29, 2024
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Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Toni cooked a brunch for my friends and I to celebrate my birthday. Everything was delicious especially the french toast and eggs as everyone raved about them. Chef Toni was very professional thought out the entire process of booking. I would definitely do it again and recommend for others. I didn’t have any pictures of food since it was all gone! But thank you!
Details: Birthday or anniversary party • Breakfast or brunch • Non-alcoholic drinks • American - casual • American - Southern • Buffet • No, drop off only • Home • No kitchen • Fewer than 20 guests • Disposable plates, utensils, and cups • Standard (basic ingredients)
Wedding and Event Catering
Monty & Tash ..
Oct 21, 2023
Chef Toni provided great service and professionalism allowing us to enjoy our time together with well cued time entrances. Upon entry her greeting was charmed and delightful allowing me to relax immediately and look forward to whats in store.The dish was exquisite and bursting with rich flavors. Decors was creative in color & menus were placed on fine plating to match the color scheme. Her execution and descriptive array of ingredients allowed us to feel at ease as our mouths watered for a bite. In conclusion her exit was prompt swift and like true restaurant fashion trading pleasantries finishing it off with a to go package for later on. I highly recommend
Brea B.
Nov 13, 2023
I texted chef toni september 29, she replied fast and promptly. i was visiting NY and wanted a 3 course meal to ask my now girlfriend out. she made menus for us to keep and made an amazing meal. will use hee again and highly recommend
Credentials
Background Check
Antonia Brown
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Typically, I charge a minimum fee for any service:
Catering: $250 minimum
Cooking Lessons: $95 minimum (this does NOT include groceries)
Meal Prep: $220 minimum for BASIC ingredients at $30/meal and $450 minimum for PREMIUM ingredients at $45/meal
Private Chef:
- $75/hr (this does NOT include groceries)
- There will be times where I might need extra hands if the job is too large like a 50-guest party or if a bartender is needed. Each additional worker is as follows:
- Additional Cook = $40/hr
- Bartender = $40/hr
- Server = $35/hr
RUSH FEE:
Requests without a 2-week notice, in advance, are subject to $200 rush fee
DEPOSITS:
To save the date of your event, deposits need to be made within 3 days of receiving your invoice. The remainder is due 10 days before your scheduled event.
Deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE once we're within 10 days before your event.
PAYMENT METHODS:
- Thumbtack Pay
- Zelle
- Cash App
- Venmo
- PayPal
- Apple Pay
- Google Pay
- Quickbooks
I DO NOT AND WILL NOT ACCEPT CASH NOR CHECK AS FORM OF PAYMENT
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*I do also charge sales tax and proof of authorization can be shown upon request
**Clients located in NJ City, UES and above, UWS and above, The Bronx, Bensonhurst and below, Queens, and Long Island might be subject to additional travel fees as those areas are quite far from Downtown Brooklyn. Catering jobs have more flexibility for distance compared to cooking lessons and private chef experiences as I can request an uber to drop off the food to your destination
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
First and foremost, a genuine greeting can go a long way. New customers don't know what I'm about and can only judge me based on what I write, so uncertainty is understandable to have. Remember, I'm a customer, myself, to other services.
I like to get to know my clientele-- What is the occasion? Why is it important to you? Is there anything I can do to make it even more special than what it already is? A simple, but necessary consultation to see what my role in their memory is all about.
When a customer asks me for my help, I provide nothing, but the best service I can possibly give. I always stay in contact, always asking the right questions, keeping them updated. I build trust.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I'm a self-taught home-chef, but don't let that discourage you. I've worked for big companies like Great Performances and Tapuz Staffing to get as much culinary training in as possible.
I have food safety certifications:
Servsafe Restaurant Manager (July 2016)
Servsafe Food Handler (March 2022)
NYC Food Protection Manager (January 2023)
