Meagen SetterIf there’s one thing that can outdo Google’s recommendations, it’s definitely word-of-mouth. So, when we decided to hire a private chef for our anniversary dinner, we did the most logical thing – we asked our foodie friends.
Before we knew it, we had a flood of suggestions pouring in from every corner of our social circle! Clearly, the foodie network is alive and well, my friends.
Instead of getting overwhelmed, we embraced it. After numerous taste tests and hours of research, we compiled this: a list of Vancouver’s finest private chefs. Here’s who made the cut!
| How Much Do Private Chefs Cost in Vancouver? The cost of a private chef service in Vancouver is around $112 to $200. The overall price will depend on the number of guests. The more guests, the further the costs decrease. |
1. Evan Elman of Vancouver Private Dining
Address: 1500 Howe St #506, Vancouver, BC V6Z 1W7, Canada
Phone: +1 604-657-2433
Business hours: Monday to Sunday; Open 24 hours
Starting his professional kitchen journey at the age of 14, Evan graduated from the University of British Columbia in 2013. He chose to prioritize his culinary career over academia, rekindling his love for cooking.
In Vancouver, Evan has served as Chef de Partie at the prestigious Relais & Châteaux’s Wedgewood Hotel & Spa, a 5-diamond hotel.
His most recent achievement is securing his first Executive Chef position at Dinner in the Sky Canada, which inspired him to launch his private dining service, Vancouver Private Dining.
What impressed us the most about him was his diverse experience as a chef. He has worked as a cruise ship chef in Antarctica and as a sou chef on the remote island of Haida Gaii.
He has also been a part of Vancouver’s renowned Hawksworth Group and organized pop-up dinners in New York City, attended by notable figures from the New York Times, Food & Wine, and Complex Magazine.
We’ve also received feedback from his past clients that he’s a great communicator, as he makes sure to keep them informed throughout the dining experience and is always open to feedback for continuous improvement.
Regarding the price, we found it to be on the higher end. However, this could be attributed to inflation. All in all, we highly recommend Evan Elman as he’s one of the best private chefs in Vancouver.
Pros
- Diverse culinary experience
- Customizable and flexible menu
Cons
- Relatively pricey
Customer Reviews
Amazing chef and incredible food
“Absolutely Amazing! He made us an incredible dinner for 10 of our friends and the whole experience was incredible…”
-Mr. Moshevich, Google Review
Excellent communication
“Food was incredible. Staff were professional. Communication was excellent. This is the 2nd time they’ve catered our work Xmas party. Great job!”
-Mr. Ahamad, Google Review
2. Tushar Tondvalkar
Address: 1203 Broughton St #304, Vancouver, BC V6G 1V4, Canada
Phone: +1 604-773-6456
Business hours: Monday to Sunday; Open 24 hours
Tushar began his culinary career in 2007 by attending a three-year culinary program in Mumbai, India. After completing all his studies, he moved to Vancouver in 2013 to further his career.
Chef Tushar, has an impressive background with studies in culinary arts and a postgraduate degree in hotel management.
His experience includes working at prestigious establishments such as the two Michelin star Gaggan and the one Michelin star Gaa in Bangkok, as well as Blue Water Cafe, Bauhaus, Fish House in Stanley Park, and West Oak in Vancouver.
He also served as the executive chef at Mumbai Local for two years before branching out on his own.
In 2019, Chef Tushar launched The Indian Pantry, which offers regional Indian cuisine through tasting menus, private dinners, catering services, and retail options.
His favorite ingredients to cook with include turmeric, coconut, goat, okra, and eggplant. So, expect a unique and flavorful dining experience that showcases the diverse flavors of India with a modern twist.
Pros
- Extensive culinary arts education
- Specializes in upscale Indian cuisine
Cons
- Limited client capacity
Customer Reviews
Magnificent dish presentation
“Only a true chef can bring a soul into a recipe. The presentation of the dishes are very magnificent. Every dish brings out the culinary expert of a great chef.”
-Mr. Tondvalkar, Google Review
Outstanding culinary expertise and attention to detail
“Chef Tushar elevated our dining experience to new heights! Their culinary expertise and attention to detail were outstanding…”
-Ms. Sarpoushan, Google Review
3. Kevin Houssais of Les Petits Chef
Address: 1510, Nelson Street, V6G1M1, Vancouver, BC
Phone: 604-446-6852
Business hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 8:30am to 9:30pm
- Sunday and Monday: 8am to 9:30pm
Kevin Houssais of Les Petits Chef is an experienced and dedicated private chef with a profound passion for creating exceptional culinary experiences in Vancouver and the surrounding areas.
With over 23 years in the industry, his culinary journey began at a young age, sparking a deep love for food and a curiosity to explore diverse flavors and cooking techniques.
Chef Kevin offers private chef services, serving exclusive European gourmet cuisine for birthday parties, private dinners, anniversaries, and other special occasions.
What’s awesome is that he’s able to accommodate rush requests with as little as 24 hours notice, ensuring that your event will be a success even on short notice.
However, it’s important to note that while they can provide all the tableware needed, this is not included in their regular prices.
Nevertheless, we liked that they utilize local, organic, and sustainable products available. Overall, we’re impressed with what we’ve seen, and we cannot recommend him enough.
Pros
- Able to accommodate rush requests
- Utilizes local, organic, and sustainable products
Cons
- Tableware not included in regular prices
Customer Reviews
Amazing home chef
“Kevin is an amazing home chef. We had a fantastic evening, the food was delicious and Kevin told us about how and why he cooks the food in certain way…”
-Ms. Booij, Google Review
Easy to communicate with
“My family and I hired Chef Kevin as a surprise for my moms 60th birthday. What an incredible experience. Leading up to the event he was super easy to communicate with and he customized the menu specifically for us…”
-Ms. Ceron, Google Review
4. Deon Asencio of Modern Chef Society
Address: 535 Smithe St, Vancouver, BC V6Z 0H2, Canada
Phone: +1 778-888-6125
Business hours: By appointment
Chef Deon Asencio brings over 10 years of culinary and hospitality experience, having traveled worldwide to cook for prestigious brands such as Gucci, Bloomingdale’s, Hugo Boss, Cartier, Tiffany & Co., and more.
Most recently, Chef Deon founded the Modern Chef Society to share his passion for cooking with the world and embark on a new culinary journey outside of the restaurant kitchen.
Modern Chef Society currently serves the greater metropolitan area of Vancouver and locations within 25 km of the city center.
They offer a variety of dining experiences, including canapé style, sit-down dinners, large party dining, and corporate events.
However, it’s a bit disappointing that they charge a fee for last-minute menu changes. Nevertheless, we appreciated that they ensure your kitchen is spotless before leaving after your event.
In conclusion, we think Chef Deon Asencio has truly elevated the dining experience in Vancouver with his innovative and delicious creations. We’re not hesitant to recommend him as one of the best private chefs in Vancouver.
Pros
- Has cooked for prestigious brands
- Offers a variety of dining experiences
Cons
- Charges fee for last minute menu changes
Customer Reviews
Incredible 5 course meal
“We planned a private dinner for my dad’s 60th/retirement and it was incredible. Chef Deon cooked an amazing 5 course meal with quality, fresh ingredients…”
-Ms. Bartnik, Google Review
Exactly as advertised
“Modern Chef Society was exactly as advertised! Chef Deon worked with me to develop an amazing menu that met the dietary restrictions of my girlfriend…”
-Mr. Chan, Google Review
5. Jesse Hochhausen of Ronin Chefs
Phone: 778-968-9022
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 9am to 11pm
Chef Jesse Hochhausen, founder of Ronin Chefs, grew up in Calgary, where nori and rice were his school snacks, which significantly influenced his culinary palate.
He’s a big traveler, with adventures in Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, the Caribbean, the Southern States, and many other places worldwide.
This love for globetrotting has hugely influenced Jesse’s cooking style. Chef Jesse began his career in independent restaurants before moving on to a global hotel chain in Calgary.
What sets his company apart is its culinary consulting services catering to various businesses. They offer assistance with menu and recipe development, concept creation, and temporary chef placements.
Ronin Chefs provides a range of services including seasonal course dining, family-style dining, happy hour events, chef stations, and backyard BBQs.
When asked, clients of Chef Jesse Hochhausen told us that aside from the delicious food, he and his team are also able to accommodate dietary restrictions for an inclusive experience.
That said, we’re pretty confident in our recommendation of Chef Jesse Hochhausen and his team if you’re looking for one of the best private chefs in Vancouver.
Pros
- Provides culinary consulting services
- Able to accommodate dietary restrictions
Cons
- Relatively new business
Customer Reviews
Diverse and top-notch food
“I have had Ronin Chefs do about 5 parties for me now. Food is spectacular, from West Coast, to Korean, to Japanese to Southern it has all been top notch…”
-Mr. Hale, Google Review
Reliable chef
“I’ve hired Chef Jesse for multiple events and he (and his team) have crushed it every time. My guests always leave full, happy, and wanting his number for their private events…”
-Mr. Nitikman, Google Review
