Categories > Dining
5 Best Personal Chefs in Portland That Bring Culinary Magic to Your Home
We’ve all been there: the doorbell rings, guests arrive, and suddenly you’re faced with a kitchen nightmare—your oven’s out of commission, the fridge is bare, and the clock is ticking!
It can feel overwhelming but fear not! We’ve navigated these culinary crises, and we’re here to share our secret weapon: some incredible personal chefs in Portland who can turn your mealtime chaos into a delicious experience.
Ready to impress your guests without the stress? Let’s dive into the best chefs who can save the day and elevate your dining game!
1. Sage Home Chef
Services: Personalized meal planning, cooking, cleaning, and others
Phone: +1 503-447-8421
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Website
Google reviews score | 5/5 |
Yelp reviews score | 4.9/5 |
Total reviews | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Culinary skills | 4/5 |
Menu customization | 5/5 |
Professionalism | 4/5 |
Price and value | 4/5 |
Sage Home Chef takes meal prep to the next level with a super personalized approach. We got to chat with one of their chefs about our food preferences and dietary needs and were impressed by how accommodating they were.
They even asked if we wanted our meals prepped weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. This is actually nice because they could adjust to our schedule seamlessly.
We also loved how they’re so into clean eating. They use fresh, local, and organic ingredients to help their clients stick to a healthy diet without sacrificing flavor.
Best of all, clients can relax and let them handle everything, from shopping and cooking to cleaning up afterward. Some clients we talked to said the chefs even let them join in on the cooking and pick up some culinary skills along the way.
That said, we just had a tiny problem with communication, especially regarding scheduling and menu tweaks. There were some delays in getting responses, which can be frustrating for those looking for quick support.
Their culinary skills are matched only by their flexibility
“Hiring this at-home chef was a game-changer! Their culinary skills are matched only by their flexibility. They effortlessly accommodated our dietary needs and preferences, seamlessly substituting ingredients without compromising flavor. What’s more delightful is the comfort of having them shop and cook right in our kitchen. They exceeded expectations with every dish, having given us menu options to choose from. Their personalized approach to recipe requests ensured each meal was delectable. A true gem for those seeking gourmet experiences in the comfort of home. We highly recommend Sage Home Chef for a delicious culinary journey.”
Jane McKee, Google review
Abby has been wonderful with figuring out our preferences and making adjustments
“Sage Holistic Nutrition and our chef Abby are amazing! We are a working family with young kids and different tastes – I was feeling totally overwhelmed. Mimi was very professional and responsive in getting us started. Our chef, Abby, has been wonderful with figuring out our preferences, making adjustments, and stocking our fridge. Having help with meal preparation and planning created some much-needed healthy space for me while ensuring no one is hungry. I am most grateful!”
Jessica Baggenstos, Google review
2. Les Saisons NW / Portland Home Chef
Services: Private dining, on-site cooking, final clean-up, and others
Phone: +1 503-228-0937
Business hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM – 5 PM
Website
Google reviews score | 5/5 |
Yelp reviews score | 5/5 |
Total reviews | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Culinary skills | 5/5 |
Menu customization | 4.5/5 |
Professionalism | 5/5 |
Price and value | 3/5 |
With over 25 years of experience, Chef Baldwin of Les Saisons NW brings a wealth of culinary knowledge.
Her dishes blend traditional techniques with fresh ideas, creating food that’s both elegant and approachable. We even found out that she has earned some recognition from places like Williams-Sonoma and CNN!
We really appreciate how she takes the time to create tailored menus, handle all the shopping and cooking, and even take care of the cleanup afterward.
Another cool aspect is how she’s also committed to using fresh and organic ingredients, sourcing produce from her garden and local farms. This not only enhances the flavors but also supports local agriculture, with menus that change with the seasons.
However, some clients we’ve talked to mentioned that the cost of services can be on the higher side.
The food was amazing and we loved having her over
“We had a little dinner party for 8 people and we were so amazed by Brittany’s professionalism and cooking skills. We didn’t have such a good dinner experience for a long time. The food was amazing and we loved having her over, she was so respectful she made everything from scratch, it was truly fantastic. We couldn’t have had such an amazing evening without her! I would definitely recommend her to family and friends!”
Paulien Van Uden, Google review
My group felt incredibly cared for and we enjoyed talking with Brittany
“Our 5 person private dinner with chef Brittany was awesome! This was a first time experience for my entire group and we had a great time. Chef helped me put together a menu for the event, spoke with us about the Portland foodie scene, and knew everything about each piece of food that was prepared. Dietary restrictions were accounted for. Brittany was transparent about pricing throughout the entire process and I found it very reasonable. The dishes were thoughtfully timed out and chef had everything prepped, food and table, as we arrived home from an afternoon out. Brittany was easy to get in touch with over text and even set aside a meal for a guest who couldn’t make it. My group loved the experience, felt incredibly cared for, enjoyed talking with Brittany, and most importantly loved the food! It is definitely something I will do again!”
Spencer Mischka, Google review
3. Portland’s Personal Chef- Rafi Levy
Services: Meal prep, catering services, cooking lessons
Phone: +1 310-804-4891
Business hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 AM – 7 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 9 AM – 7 PM
Google reviews score | 5/5 |
Yelp reviews score | 5/5 |
Total reviews | 3/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Culinary skills | 5/5 |
Menu customization | 5/5 |
Professionalism | 5/5 |
Price and value | 4/5 |
Rafi Levy brings a vibrant culinary flair to the table, thanks to his diverse background in cooking styles and techniques.
He doesn’t stop at just meal prep. He also offers catering for events and cooking lessons, which adds a unique twist that sets him apart from other chefs.
What’s really cool is his focus on crafting healthy yet delicious meals that cater to individual dietary needs. Rafi ensures that clients can enjoy nutritious food without sacrificing flavor.
What we love most about Rafi is how he genuinely connects with his clients, learning their preferences to create a dining experience that’s truly personal and memorable. He takes the time to whip up customized menus that reflect personal tastes and dietary restrictions.
He’s all about fresh, locally sourced ingredients, too! This means you’re not gonna only be eating top-notch quality food but also supporting local farmers.
Sure, his prices might be a bit on the higher side, but the exceptional dining experience he provides is absolutely worth it.
He created delicious, nutritious meals for us that were exactly what our family needed
“After breaking my ankle in January I wasn’t able to cook for my family with special dietary needs. Chef Rafi to the rescue. He created delicious, nutritious meals for us that were exactly what our family needed. He creates a weekly menue and we could pick each week like in a high-end restaurant. I’d highly recommend Rafi and we’ll continue to work with him even though my ankle is healed enough for me to wield the wooden spoon”
Daniela Caine, Google review
Chef Rafi has done a terrific job catering to my dietary needs with his meal prep service
“Chef Rafi has done a terrific job catering to my dietary needs with his meal prep service. I was skeptical about hiring a Personal Chef, as I thought I would not be able to afford the service, but Rafi has been able to reduce my monthly expenses on groceries and food waste with his service. I have had such a hard time preparing meals for myself while on a low-FODMAP diet with celiac disease, but Rafi has created very inventive menus. I have used many different meal delivery services and worked with other Personal Chefs, but Rafi has proven he knows what he is doing. Thank you!!”
Liat Merhiban, Google review
4. The Skinny Chef PDX
Services: Private dining, catering, pop-up events
Address: 4038 N Williams Ave
Phone: +1 503-660-9292
Business hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday: Open 24 hours
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
Google reviews score | 5/5 |
Yelp reviews score | 5/5 |
Total reviews | 3/5 |
Score consistency | 5/5 |
Culinary skills | 4.5/5 |
Menu customization | 4/5 |
Professionalism | 4/5 |
Price and value | 4.5/5 |
If you’re looking for a cool twist on traditional Indian cuisine, you’ve got to check out The Skinny Chef PDX.
They blend classic Indian dishes with fresh ingredients from the Pacific Northwest, creating a unique dining experience that highlights local flavors while staying true to authentic Indian techniques.
While the focus on Indian cuisine might not appeal to everyone, it’s awesome how the chef uses food to share Indian culture. It’s not just about the meal; it’s about understanding the story behind each dish.
And let’s not forget the creativity in the menu! Their innovative dishes give traditional flavors a fresh spin. Each meal is not only delicious but also a feast for the eyes.
Molly’s attention to detail and creativity were beyond impressive
“We had the absolute pleasure of hiring Molly to create custom ‘his’ and ‘hers’ desserts for our wedding, and we couldn’t have been more thrilled with the results! Not only were the desserts stunning to look at, but they were incredibly delicious—every bite was a burst of flavor and a perfect complement to our special day. Molly’s attention to detail and creativity were beyond impressive, and she captured our personalities beautifully through her dessert creations. Our guests are still raving about them! If you’re looking for someone to make your event truly unforgettable, Molly is your person. She’s a true artist with an amazing talent for creating both visual and culinary masterpieces.”
Allison Benz, Google review
Every dish had a unique burst of deliciousness
“I came across Skinny Chef PDX on Instagram and I loved her posts of her beautiful and enticing creations. During the pandemic, I wanted to have a special dinner for my son’s 16th birthday and invited Skinny Chef Molly to create a special birthday celebration in my home. We are a foodie family so we appreciate Molly’s fusion of spices from the East with the local produce and meats. Every dish had a unique burst of deliciousness that kept me guessing what spice or ingredient created that amazing flavor. Molly is not only an aspiring talented chef but a beautiful person inside and out. I had her back for another dinner with friends and the dinner was fantastic! This foodie highly recommends Skinny Chef PDX for private dinners and celebrations that the guests will enjoy and love.”
Anna T., Google review
5. The Table PDX
Services: Private dining, in-home services, catering and others
Address: 8120 SE Madison St
Website
Google reviews score | 4.7/5 |
Yelp reviews score | 5/5 |
Total reviews | 4/5 |
Score consistency | 4/5 |
Culinary skills | 4/5 |
Menu customization | 5/5 |
Professionalism | 5/5 |
Price and value | 3/5 |
Whipping up 3 to 5 meals a week based on my preferences, The Table PDX is the perfect choice for those seeking personalized culinary experiences.
When we reached out to them, we found out that the chef would handle everything—from grocery shopping to cooking and even cleaning up afterward. This really stood out to us as it meant clients could savor nutritious meals without any of the usual hassle.
The chef’s expertise in balancing nutrition and flavor is also impressive. It’s perfect for someone like me who wants to eat healthily but has a busy schedule.
When we asked if they could cater to dietary restrictions, they were up for that as well. Even mentioning that they provide intimate catering for special occasions.
Most of all, we appreciated their commitment to local sourcing. They partner with farms like Tanager Farm for fresh, seasonal ingredients, and incorporate items from Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) programs.
However, their pricing is on the premium side, making it great for those seeking a higher-end experience but less suitable for tighter budgets.
Our food was healthy, delicious, and never boring
“We absolutely love Annie at The Table PDX! Our company has used The Table’s services for catering an evening event, as well as for dedicated personal chef support. The meals were incredible every time, and Annie took especially good care to ensure the food was healthy, delicious, and never boring. She was our kitchen nanny too, always leaving the place sparkling. We couldn’t recommend Annie and The Table more!”
Alex Beavers, Google review
Annie communicates well and over the years, she has adapted to our family’s food preferences
“The Table PDX has provided weekly meal preparation services for our family since 2019. It’s truly impossible to express in a short review, how much Annie and her team have transformed our lives. Among the many benefits to this service, the most important for us is the time we get back during the weekday evenings to spend with our kids. Annie communicates well and over the years, she has adapted to our family’s food preferences. Notwithstanding, she frequently surprises us with amazing new and creative dishes. Also, Palm Springs! Thanks to Annie and her team!”
Kazuo Oishi, Google review