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If you hire this pro, you’re covered by a money-back guarantee. Learn more
About
We are culinary professionals with a combined twenty years of NYC high-end restaurant experience. We take pride in our work, using seasonal Hudson Valley ingredients while delivering exceptional service and distinctive, delicious cuisine.
Overview
Hired 36 times
Serves New Windsor, NY
Background checked
2 employees
7 years in business
Business hours
This pro hasn't listed their business hours.
Payment methods
This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Cash, Check, PayPal, and Venmo.
Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.
2025
2021
2020
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
32 reviews
5
100%
4
0%
3
0%
2
0%
1
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Read reviews that mention:
Jessica W.
Aug 10, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
I hired James for my bachelorette weekend for a group of twelve women, and we could not have been happier with the experience! He was extremely accommodating with all of my special requests and was always quick to respond throughout the planning process.
The day of the dinner, everything was absolutely delicious. All of the ingredients were clearly fresh and high quality, and everyone has been talking about how good the food was ever since! He also made plenty of extra food, which was such a nice surprise and gave us more than enough to enjoy the entire next day.
On top of the amazing food, he took care of everything and even cleaned up afterward, which made the evening completely stress-free for us. He truly went above and beyond and was such a great addition to my bachelorette weekend. I would highly recommend him to anyone looking for a personalchef!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 11 - 20 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • American - formal • Italian • Mexican / Latin American • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Angela m.
2 weeks ago
•
Hired on Thumbtack
Chef James provided an incredible and truly memorable intimate dinner for our mom’s 70th birthday! From start to finish, he was responsive, accommodating, and collaborative, making the entire experience completely seamless.
We were staying in a rental house with a kitchen that had very limited supplies, but James came fully prepared and brought everything he needed. We genuinely didn’t have to worry about a thing, which made it so easy for us to relax and enjoy the evening together.
And, of course, the food was absolutely incredible! Every course was delicious, beautifully prepared, and enjoyed by everyone. There wasn’t a single bite we didn’t love—and we were all very happy to enjoy the leftovers the next day!
We highly recommend Chef James for anyone looking for a private chef experience. He made our mom’s birthday extra special, and we would absolutely book him again!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Dessert • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • Italian • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Tal S.
Apr 27, 2026
•
Hired on Thumbtack
I hired chef James for my upstate bachelor party and boy he did not disappoint! James was a consummate professional and truly gave us a night to remember. Not only was his food delicious and fresh but he also has a real instinct for how to cater to the wants and needs of the group. Highly recommend James for your next event!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • American - formal • American - casual • Southern • Italian • French • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Barbecue • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
Personal Chef
Sonam s.
Aug 18, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I cannot recommend James from JW Events enough! He created the most incredible private chef experience for 9 of us in East Hampton for a friend’s birthday dinner, and everything was absolutely flawless. From the very beginning, James worked closely with me on the theme of the evening and brought so much creativity and professionalism to the table - and catered to all dietary restrictions.
He came all the way out to the Hamptons and came fully prepared with the freshest ingredients. Every single dish he served was impeccable—not only beautifully presented but also bursting with flavor. You could truly taste the care and passion he puts into his work.
On top of his culinary talent, James was a pleasure to work with: organized, attentive, and committed to making the night special. He made the entire process effortless for us so we could just enjoy and celebrate.
Whether you’re planning a family dinner, a group gathering, or a professional event, James is the one to hire. He elevated our evening beyond what we imagined, and I’ll definitely be booking him again. If you’re considering a private chef experience, don’t hesitate—JW Events is outstanding!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Dessert • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • Italian • Vegetarian or vegan • I'm flexible • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
JW Events's reply
Thank you so much Sonam! It was a pleasure cooking for you and your friends for the birthday dinner.
Personal Chef
Brenna B.
Aug 2, 2025
•
Hired on Thumbtack
This experience was absolutely perfect for my sisters 40th birthday. Communication was on point. We were able to pick our curated menu from a vast variety of options and the food was absolutely out of this world. Service was incredible and Mark went into so much detail explaining where all the fresh ingredients were from. James and Mark created an atmosphere that was professional and relaxed so we could spend our time with each other. Do yourself a favor and hire them right now!
Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • I'm flexible • American - casual • Italian • French • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.
JW Events's reply
Thank you Brenna for the amazing words! It was a pleasure speaking with you throughout the process. Both mark and I enjoyed cooking for you!
Personal Chef
Credentials
Background Check
James Wenzel
FAQs
What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
Guests should know that the cost for a private chefs services are between $100-$150 per hour (chef fee), plus the cost of ingredients and travel.
The costs include: Menu planning, Food shopping, Prepping, Cooking, Storing food properly and Cleaning the kitchen. At a minimum guests should expect to spend for a party of 10 around $2500
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
My typical process working with a new customer is to find out exactly what they want at their event. This can be anything from type of food, how the food is served and then how casual or formal they would like their event to be.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I am a CIA graduate, trained under highly acclaimed chefs Gordon Ramsay, Thomas Keller, Michael White, Matthew Accarino, Daniel Boulud and Markus Glocker. I have over 10 years of working in and running Michelin rated restaurants. I am able to cook and cater any specific party and have the ability to customize your event to make your event special and unique. I am also food safe certified in NYC and am serve safe certified.
