If you want an event that’s filled with culinary delights, sophisticated presentation and that personal New York touch, then I am your chef!
With over twenty years’ experience as an Executive Chef, I have now ventured into the world of personal private chef services, specializing in gourmet cuisine for very discerning clients in the Coachella Valley area. Born and raised in the Hudson Valley region of New York, I attended the Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY) and then became a head chef for a family-owned Italian restaurant in the Catskills. After many, many years at this restaurant, I opened my own place and had a great few years as a restauranteur and chef. About 7 years ago, I moved to California to be with my love and to be done with winter. I’ve been an executive chef in this region for the past few years at a couple of the hottest restaurants in the desert.
I am trained in classic Italian cooking and use that training to create fusion dishes, incorporating Asian, Spanish, French, old school American and other world influences into my food. I also specialize in nutritional cuisine – creating meals that are for sensitive diets (including Gluten-Free, Vegetarian/Vegan, Organic and Farm-To-Table meals).
Creating menus, inventing new & exciting dishes and utilizing my knowledge of cooking make me a versatile chef who can make a memorable evening for private individuals and parties who are looking for quality, presentation and sometimes a more personal, interactive experience with the chef.
Over the past couple of years, I have worked with a variety of people and have prepared and served full course dinners, buffet and family-style dining experiences, and some in-home cooking classes and interactive meal preparations for people in their own kitchens.
When I’m not cooking, I spend time at home with my wife, our 3 cats and 2 dogs. We love to hike and I love to take Aerial Yoga (my wife is a yoga teacher). We have a beautiful life here in the desert and thoroughly enjoy ourselves and these amazing winters.
I really hope I get the chance to cook for you sometime soon!
Buon Appetito,
Chef Wayne Smith