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
Chef Stef is a Hudson Valley based chef and caterer serving the tri-state area, and Multi-Year Hudson Valley Magazine's Best Private Chef/Caterer.
Chef Stef brings the restaurant experience to you, so you don't need to leave your home or rental. Chef Stef not only handles the cooking but the table setting and cleanup as well. You also get your choice of napkin color (10 different to choose from) and custom printed menus (option to have a custom header).
The menus I prepare for all of my services are created from scratch. I work with the client/host to create a menu for their event or meal that highlights their culinary preferences, and accommodates any allergies and/or dietary restrictions there may be. I do this through the use of an online questionnaire that you will be asked to fill out.
My pricing includes the cost of goods, travel and sales tax. Additional costs only incurred for special requests, specialty food items and optional wine or beer pairing. I will outline all additional costs in your proposal.
In addition, I also offer full service and drop off catering services.
Overview
Hired 218 times
1 similar job done near you
Background checked
1 employee
13 years in business
Business hours
Sun12:00 pm - 6:00 pmMonClosed
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.
2025
2023
2022
2021
2019
2018
2017
2016
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.
Excellent 4.9
142 reviews
5
96%
4
3%
3
1%
2
0%
1
0%
Your trust means everything to us. Learn about our review guidelines.
Read reviews that mention:
Mani S.
Oct 12, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Stef was amazing! He’s not only a talented chef but also incredibly personable and kind. He took his time with each of us and made everyone feel special. The food was absolutely 10/10 — every dish was delicious, and everyone enjoyed the meal. Highly recommend!
Details: Brunch / dinner party • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Dessert • I'm flexible • American - formal • Italian • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Asian • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Meredith S.
Sep 30, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
I hired Chef Stef as a private chef for my parents as a Christmas gift. They had the best time with him and raved about his food. They were able to sit in the kitchen and watch him cook. He was very personable, and they had the best time. I would HIGHLY recommend this as a gift idea. He was awesome!
Details: Date night • 2 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • American - formal • French • Asian • Barbecue • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Emily H.
Apr 27, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
We recently hired Chef Stef for a birthday dinner with friends and were so happy with the experience! Booking was extremely easy, Leah his manager was responsive and super helpful. Night of, Chef Stef was right on time, prepared a great meal with hors d’oeuvres and cleaned up the entire kitchen on his way out. The food was amazing and his service was top notch! Would absolutely hire his services again.
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • American - casual • American - formal • Italian • Mexican / Latin American • Vegetarian or vegan • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Frank P.
Apr 3, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
I just want to say the whole experience was a pleasure. The food was amazing ! Everyone had a great time. My wife was beyond happy with her birthday dinner, and the chef made it very special.
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • I'm flexible • American - formal • Italian • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Chef Stef's reply
Thank you for the 5 stars Frank. Great that your wife was happy with the meal. Your entire group was a pleasure to cook with; very cordial and complimentary. Happy to be your chef anytime!
Personal Chef
Olivia D.
Mar 24, 2025
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Hired on Thumbtack
Chef Stef was wonderful! Helped me pick out a menu for 11 people and flexible with dietary restrictions for everyone. We had several gluten free guests and he brought a local gluten free sour dough which was a hit with the whole group. We so appreciated his professionalism and the food was great. Made our evening so special!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 11 - 20 guests • Dinner • Standard (basic ingredients) • Dessert • American - formal • American - casual • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • French • Gluten free or celiac • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • At the pro’s location • My home, venue, etc.
Chef Stef's reply
Thank you Olivia for taking the time to review. Honestly, you and your group make this so enjoyable for me. You were all so kind, and I promise if I had any kind of voice I would have sang along with you haha.
Personal Chef
Credentials
Background Check
Stefan Fraundorfer
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
My pricing is very up front, and is based on what you want. I will explain what is included in any price I propose from the beginning. I do not have hidden fees, or surprise you with additional fees at the end.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I begin with a few questions that relate to their need, and use those answers to give them the options I can provide that relate to what they want. For larger events I prefer to do a phone call or online video chat, so we can go over the details in depth without having to exchange a long, drawn out chat chain. Big events, such as weddings, are where I will get more in-depth with since there are so many moving parts, and I want to make sure the culinary part of your evening intertwines with the entire event.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I received my Bachelor's Degree in Culinary Arts Management in three years from the Culinary Institute of America, Hyde Park, NY. The majority of my culinary tenure has been in country clubs (15 years) where I was used to having to multi-task daily to ensure different events with different plans executed properly.
