My Work
As a private chef, I feel grateful for the opportunity to marry my passion for food traditions from around the globe with the magic that happens among family, friends, and perfect strangers around the table. I specialize in creating delicious meals for parties, celebrations, and special gatherings of all kinds. From intimate dinners for two to mid-sized celebrations, I work with you to create a unique experience that meets your personalized needs, including accommodating food preferences, allergies, and dietary restrictions. All food is prepared on site with ingredients either supplied by the client or purchased by me for direct reimbursement. Whether you are planning a special meal in your home or vacation accommodations, I would love to work with you to make something special happen.
My Training/Experience
Always passionate about food and dining from a young age, I got my first job in the food industry at 14 busing tables at a diner on weekends and have been working with food ever since. To refine my cooking skills and knowledge of wines, I moved for a time to Napa CA, where I received a culinary arts degree from the CIA (Culinary Institute of America) and worked in wineries. Since returning to Tucson, it has been a pleasure to share my love for food and wine with individuals, couples, families, and visitors to my desert home.
My experience spans both front and back of house, including restaurants, bakeries, wineries, and catering. Travel has always inspired my cooking and my menus draw inspiration from the wide range of places I have visited, from Italy to India and many places in between. A passion for wine took me to New Zealand where I spent a season working on a vineyard tending the grapes and learning the ins and outs of the wine making process. During an internship at the Saveur Magazine test kitchen in NY City, I learned about sourcing ingredients, developing recipes, and preparing beautifully plated dishes for print and digital publication. I am excited to bring all of this experience to bear in the dishes I create for my clients, working together to develop the perfect meal for you, your family, and your guests.
"Michelle and I absolutely loved your French dishes……that was high-end restaurant stuff! Thanks for the great cooking…….and I really enjoyed the gang that assembled for this Sunday Supper……truly an enjoyable experience all the way around……keep up the great work!"
/ JEFF MEYER /