Chef in New York, New York

Hi, fellow food lovers! I'm Cecilia, a passionate and professionally-trained chef located in the heart of New York City. I discovered the art of cooking with a particularly divine peanut butter and jelly sandwich at the green age of five. From that moment on, I spent every fleeting moment creating recipes, soaking up as much culinary wisdom as I could, and experimenting in the kitchen. Now, with over 10 years of professional culinary experience and 6 years working private chef and catering events, I am excited to share my flavorful and exciting cooking with you! I studied Food, Nutrition, and Health at the University of Arkansas and spent one-semester studying Gastronomy in Barcelona, Spain, where I learned technical skills for over 20 cuisines. I then moved to New York City to receive my culinary arts certificate at the Institute of Culinary Education. My cooking style specializes in Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine, but I have sufficient experience in many other global cuisines. I cook meals that are not only delicious, creative, and high-quality but also balanced, nutritious, and sustainable. On top of being flexible with my client’s preferences, I am experienced with modifying recipes for a wide range of allergies, diseases, and diets. Nonetheless, cooking was my first love, so I am not afraid to satisfy my client’s sweet tooth by any means (I was raised in the South, after all). I love to host events with mouthwatering menus myself and can't wait to make your ideas come to life starting with an incredible spread of food. I love to round everything out with a good cocktail (or "mocktail") pairing and can suggest a few wines to sip on, as well. From intimate dinner parties to large-scale events, I am eager to create meals that bring food to life for you and your guests. My starting rate is $200 daily, but I am happy to work with you based on the workload of your event. We'll discuss your specific needs and wants so that I can create a customized menu perfect for the occasion. Message me to turn your culinary dreams into a reality!