The Starving Gypsy

Exceptional 5.0(43)

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Chef Derek Barragan

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Most Wanted Chef LLC

4.8

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$25/person

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These pros are able to help

Chef Derek Barragan

(169)

contact for price

Most Wanted Chef LLC

(80)

$25/person

starting cost

Introduction: Before contacting us, please read over our basic info to decide if we may be remotely close to what you are looking for. COVID Clause: We are taking extra safety and health precautions. Therefore, with the current climate, we are not doing events with more than 30 people. Please read this and do not contact us if you have a party that exceeds this amount. We are still providing full service. Our staff brings gloves, face masks, hand sanitizer, etc. Some quick "Snapple Facts" about us: -We are a South Austin based company, but we do travel. -Our main goal is to provide exceptional restaurant style service and experiences framed by fantastic food. -Our chef is a USAF Veteran that grew up in between Germany & Louisiana. She served in England & South Korea and then attended culinary school in Hawaii. That means she is not afraid of embracing many different flavors and uses them to inspire every portion of all of our menu options. She also was on the Food Network's Cooks Vs. Cons. -We provide casual yet elevated chef services by way of personalized events, date nights, group gatherings, cooking classes, etc. -We like for everyone to feel included so dietary restrictions/preferences are not an issue here. Our chef believes its essential to provide the full experience which means any vegan, vegetarian, gluten free or dairy free guests will not be served a collection of sides. We are well versed in making delectable entrees that appease any palette. -Don't be scared if you have never hired a private chef before. Our goal is to make this as painless as possible and if you have an idea or a theme, we will make this even easier. Policy: Upon booking with us, we have a 25% deposit to be made 3 weeks prior to the event. If for any reason you need to cancel, please do so before your final payment to receive the deposit back. If after the final payment is made, you will receive 50% back (if it is before 7 days before the event.) If a cancellation is made the day of the event, you will forfeit all the funds paid unless a reschedule is planned and made within 48 hours.

Overview

Hired 47 times

Background checked

4 years in business

Payment methods

This pro accepts payments via Apple Pay, Credit card, Stripe, and Venmo.

Social media

Instagram, Twitter

Top pro status

Top Pros are among the highest-rated, most popular professionals on Thumbtack.

2020

2021

This pro indicated that they reviewed CDC safety guidelines for COVID-19 and pledged to do the following:

Maintain 6 feet of distance from customers

Wear masks during the job

Wear gloves during the job

Disinfect surfaces touched during the job

Featured Projects

35 photos

Specialties

Cuisine(s)

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Event type

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Reviews

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

Exceptional 5.0

43 reviews

98%

Read reviews that mention:

Will L.

May 21, 2022

Hired on Thumbtack

Awesome dinner with Chef D! She did an amazing job catering the meal to the group and was a joy to have around for the evening. Thanks so much, Chef!

Details: Brunch / dinner party • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.

The Starving Gypsy's reply

Thanks Sir!!! You guys were a joy. If you’re ever in town again, you know how to find me.

Personal Chef

Lauren S.

Mar 22, 2022

Hired on Thumbtack

Chef Demeatrie was excellent from the moment we first conversed about our meal through the end of the night! I wasn’t sure what to expect, but she took the time to go through her menus and everything she offers. The whole bachelorette party was in awe of how she took what could be a simple meal (Mexican) and made it uniquely her own. My best friend- and who the night was in honor of has Celiac. Chef made sure the meal was GF and no one could tell the difference! We even had enough for everyone to have left overs and she packaged everything up so we didn’t have to lift a finger after our meal. Her table set up was simple, yet beautiful. Everything was really perfect for celebrating our bride-the delicious food, cute wine glasses and color scheme! I cannot recommend Chef Demeatrie enough to exceed your expectations and leave your heart and stomach full! Thank you again!!

Details: Special occasion (birthday, anniversary, etc.) • 6 - 10 guests • Dinner • Premium (high end ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • American - formal • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Asian • French • Italian • Southern • Mexican / Latin American • Gluten free or celiac • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.

The Starving Gypsy's reply

My goodness! I appreciate your kind words and as I told all of you that night, you are more than welcomed. My nailing of the color scheme was nothing more than fate and I am super grateful that you guys loved everything and I was able to add to the experience.

Personal Chef

Shatia h.

May 15, 2021

Hired on Thumbtack

If I could choose all five options I would!! This was my first experience hiring a personal chef for a small event and omg what a great experience! Chef you are truly amazing and ALL of your food was amazing!! You threw down in the kitchen and you were so patient with ALL of the hiccups the location had (sorry about the craziness!!). My guest were so satisfied we didn’t even eat cake!! Hands down the best food I have eaten in Austin Texas and I’ve eaten a LOT of food lol 😂 Again, I thank you so much and I can’t wait to have you again!! Everything was so delicious!

Details: Dinner party • Breakfast or brunch • American - casual • Plated meal • Yes, full service • Community center • No kitchen • Fewer than 20 guests • Standard (basic ingredients)

Wedding and Event Catering

Jose T.

Feb 15, 2021

Hired on Thumbtack

The chef did an amazing job. She was punctual, provided a beautiful dinner setup for valentines day, everything was from scratch and the food was honestly amazing. I already recommended her to several of my friends. I will definitely be hiring her again for future events.

Details: Date night • 2 guests • Lunch • Cocktail hour / hors d'oeuvres • Dessert • Standard (basic ingredients) • Dessert • American - casual • American - formal • Italian • Southern • Mexican / Latin American • Mediterranean / Middle Eastern • Asian • Meal prepared onsite • Only once • My home, venue, etc.

Personal Chef

TIM R.

Dec 6, 2020

Hired on Thumbtack

Chef Demeatrie went out of her way to make our Thanksgiving holiday most memorable and special. We hosted a dinner for our son and some of his fellow soldiers. We wanted to serve the traditional Thanksgiving meal and she was most accommodating to everything we wanted to serve. The meal was amazing and the dessert which was a pumpkin caramel cheesecake most delicious. She took time from her holiday celebrations to deliver from Austin to Killeen. We know the guys thoroughly enjoyed the dinner after watching them go back for thirds. I would highly recommend Chef Demeatrie at The Starving Gypsy for any of your catering needs. Thank you again Chef Demeatrie for making our holiday so special and thank you for your service. Tim and Terri Riddle

Details: Dinner party • Dinner • Non-alcoholic drinks • American - casual • Buffet • No, drop off only • Home • Yes, full kitchen • Fewer than 20 guests • Premium (high end ingredients)

The Starving Gypsy's reply

Thank you so much! It was indeed a pleasure.

Wedding and Event Catering

Credentials

Background Check

Demeatrie Funderburk

FAQs

What should the customer know about your pricing (e.g., discounts, fees)?
We prepare our coursed menus in family style servings therefore, if it is for a group of 2 to 4 who would all like individual apps, entrees, sides and desserts, the party will be upgraded to plated service and charged the fees in conjunction with that style. We are a veteran owned business and that is important to us. We do have a Vet discount, with proof of service. We also offer seasonal discounts that vary throughout the different seasons. There are additional charges for allergies or specified dietary preferences. There are also additional fees for travel, dependent upon the location. We do not include gratuity in our pricing unless it is for a group that is of 10 or more.
What is your typical process for working with a new customer?
I like to first discuss with the client what they want to accomplish and then build upon that. If you have an idea of something we can build around, that's great. We also have seasonal featured menus that customers can choose from as well. With that being said, if one is choosing from a seasonal menu and adding on dishes that do not exist within that menu, fees will be applied.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I attended culinary school in Hawaii. Also, as a military veteran, I know how to think on my feet and work under extreme pressure. I have worked in high end fine dining establishments, resorts, hotels, catering companies, bakeries, film shoots, private clubs, etc. in various parts of the world. Therefore, I pride myself on being able to create and cultivate any experience asked of me.

The Starving Gypsy

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