private chef services

meet robin

With more than 40 years in the culinary industry, Chef Robin has built her career around creating exceptional food and memorable experiences. From award-winning catering and high-profile private clients to cookbook author and culinary educator, her career has been shaped by years of professional experience, travel, and culinary exploration. Her cooking brings together classic technique, seasonal ingredients, and Mediterranean-inspired flavors.

Chef Robin smiling and holding a wooden bowl filled with assorted ripe tomatoes.

Private Chef Dining

A variety of grilled vegetables and dishes, including carrots, zucchini, eggplant, and asparagus, served on different plates with sauces and spices on a rustic wooden table.

You choose the date, invite your guests, and bring the occasion — I’ll handle the details.

We’ll begin with a conversation about your vision for the event, including the flavors you love, the atmosphere you’d like to create, and any special preferences. Based on that, I’ll craft a personalized menu for your gathering, whether you’re planning a cozy family-style meal, a refined multi-course dinner, or something in between.

On the day of your event, I’ll come to your location and prepare the meal onsite in your kitchen. For gatherings larger than six guests, a server will assist with service and cleanup, allowing you to enjoy the evening without worrying about the cleanup.

Groceries are charged at cost with no markup. My fee covers the full experience, including menu development, shopping and sourcing quality ingredients, preparation, onsite cooking, coordination of service, and cleanup.

My cooking style is deeply rooted in Mediterranean cuisine, along with a love for Mexican inspired dishes.  To design the right menu for your group, I’ll ask about your preferred main course — such as beef, lamb, pork, chicken, fish, or seafood — as well as any allergies or dietary needs.

Since I accept only one client per weekend, a deposit is required to secure your date.

I’d be happy to create a custom quote for your event.

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Plan Your Experience

  • We offer customized private chef services including in-home dining, dinner parties, special events, and vacation chef services. Private dining experiences can be customized for up to 30 guests. Larger gatherings may require additional service staff. Meal prep is not currently available.

  • Start by submitting an inquiry with your preferred date, location, guest count, and any menu or dietary considerations. We’ll discuss your event, then provide a custom quote and booking details. Once your deposit is received, your date is secured and menu planning begins.

  • Yes. Please share all known allergies and dietary restrictions when you inquire so we can plan your menu accordingly.

  • Pricing varies based on the type of service, number of guests, menu, ingredients, travel, and staffing. A 20% service charge is added for gratuity. A custom quote will be provided based on your event.

  • We recommend booking at least 2–4 weeks in advance. Holidays, weekends, and peak seasons may require additional lead time.

  • A clean, functional kitchen with access to water, electricity, refrigerator and counter space, as well as tableware unless otherwise arranged. Clients typically provide their own beverages, including wine, spirits, soft drinks, water, and ice.

  • Yes. Kitchen cleanup is included with most services, including washing used cookware, wiping surfaces, and leaving the kitchen as we found it. Additional service staff may be required depending on the size and style of your event.

  • A non-refundable deposit is required to secure your date. Cancellations made within 30 days of the event will forfeit the initial deposit.

    The remaining balance is due one week before the event. Any additions, changes, or overtime charges will be billed after the event.

    Payments are accepted securely online by ACH, Zelle, or credit card. A 3% processing fee applies to credit card payments.

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Cooking Classes, Workshops + Live Cooking Demos

Chef Robin preparing food at outdoor cooking demo on a table with various ingredients and kitchen tools, surrounded by green plants.

Chef Robin brings the same warmth and passion to teaching that she brings to the kitchen. With a relaxed, hands-on approach, she creates engaging experiences that make cooking approachable and enjoyable for everyone — even the most reluctant student.

From private kitchen classes and small-group workshops to food tastings and live cooking demonstrations, each program is thoughtfully designed to be both informative and fun.

Chef Robin cooking on a stovetop at an outdoor cooking demo event.
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A collection of Chef Robin's cookbooks arranged vertically on a shelf, next to a potted ivy plant with green leaves, on a rustic white wooden surface.

Food Styling + Book Design

Chef Robin brings her culinary expertise and an eye for beautiful presentation to food styling and book design. Working collaboratively with you and your creative team, she develops thoughtful, visually compelling food for websites, editorial features, advertising, cookbooks, and other media projects.

From styling individual food shoots to developing the visual direction of a cookbook, Robin combines creativity and culinary knowledge to bring each project to life.

Tomato panini
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What People Are Saying

  • Goodness Robin your dinner was absolutely superb — everyone LOVED it and had heard of you etc. I think the middle eastern theme went over really well. I certainly thought it was BRILLIANT, from the spiced feta onwards. Thank you so much, and also for your wonderful staff. They were just great. I hope your lovely daughter enjoyed herself and learned from the master! We were honored to have you as our chef. Let’s do it again!

    — Jeanne S.

  • I would highly recommend Chef Robin! My family and I had such a great time. The food was delicious, and we loved the flavors and variety of each dish. Her attention to detail and presentation was outstanding. We are looking forward to our next family gathering catered by Chef Robin.

    — Manny F.

  • Chef Robin came to our vacation home and prepared a wonderful Italian feast as a surprise to my wife for our 10th Anniversary. Everything was perfect and we were happy to share our evening with Robin. What a unique and fun experience. Thanks Robin!

    — Larry D.

  • Robin creates the most amazing charcuterie boards and she shared her tips and tricks with all of us at her Cheeseboard Making Workshop. She is a true Santa Barbara gem!

    — Margaret L.

  • What a great time we had getting Cheesy with Chef Robin, she was so fun to learn from and hang out with at Jamie Slone Wines in Santa Barbara. Have a wedding weekend on the way? Make your wedding a memory not to forget.

    – Jamie S.

  • Chef Robin is amazing!! We were in from out of town for a funeral and wanted to host a dinner for the family at our rental house. In less than 24 hours, Chef Robin prepared an absolutely beautiful and exceptionally delicious dinner. There is not one thing that could have been more perfect. She is wonderful and kind!

    – Barbara P.

  • So much fun cooking with Robin! She's so knowledgable, friendly, and her mediterranean inspired food and recipes are so flavorful and delicious, (and easy to recreate)! Love working with her!

    – Amy