We celebrated my wife's birthday in Palm Springs with friends and a private dinner from Kuki + Ania. To start we answered a few questions and give some ideas about our interests, allergies, and some vegan meal needs. Then we received some menu options, all sounded delicious. We made our selections and asked for some fun drinks too. My group loved Chef Kerry's food and she was just fun to be around while she was cooking. It was the first time we had ever done something like this and what a great experience! read more

Everything about Kuki + Ania is superb. We worked on our menu and then had to change it all. Chefs V and Sarah were extremely accommodating. On the day of our dinner Chef Sarah arrived and was ready to go. She prepared a lovely meal for us all while adapting the menu for our food allergies. The food was delicious and beautifully served. I would hire them again without hesitation. They are well organized and the food was fabulous. read more

So good, we called her again!! After using Chef V for my dad's birthday trip 3 years ago, I knew her cooking was just the thing to make celebrating 50 with my bestie extra special!! There is nothing better than having a private chef cook for you after a long travel day (because who wants to cook after many hours in a plane or car?! NO ONE!!). Chef V cooked an amazing meal & took care of all the clean up too, so all we had to do was enjoy! Cannot recommend her enough...such a fun treat!! read more

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We had the pleasure of booking Chef Kerry for a bachelorette weekend in Joshua Tree and couldn't recommend her enough!! The booking process was so streamlined, everyone was responsive and easy to work with, and it made our weekend so special! All of the food was fresh and delicious! Kerry did a wonderful job tailoring to the groups dietary restrictions and working with what was available at the Airbnb where we stayed. Having the ability to enjoy our full evening without having to go out for dinner, cook, or clean was a true gift to the brides that we were celebrating. Cannot recommend them enough! read more

I hired Chef V for my birthday celebration while we were staying at an Airbnb in Joshua Tree and absolutely loved her and the food! I'm vegetarian and so are a few of my friends, so she worked with me to get the kind of cuisine I wanted with the dietary needs met. She brought everything and set-up so quickly and did a beautiful tablescape as well, it really elevated the whole dining experience. I still remember the mushroom taco and the mole enchiladas we had, so good! She also cleaned up everything, so we could enjoy hanging out. You won't regret booking with Chef V and I will definitely be reaching out to her for future visits to the desert. read more

We hired Chef V to cook a private dinner for my bachelorette weekend in Joshua Tree, and it was truly exceptional. Every dish was absolutely delicious--you could taste the freshness and quality of the ingredients in every bite. The flavors were well-balanced, the sauces were out of this world, and the plating was elegant and thoughtful. Beyond the food, Chef V brought such warmth and professionalism to the evening. She was kind, knowledgeable, and made the whole experience feel really special. She even set the table beautifully and surprised us with personalized menus--such a sweet touch! Couldn't recommend her more--an unforgettable meal and experience start to finish. read more

Chef Vavine cooked the most amazing dinner for my microwedding in Yucca Valley! She was very professional and put together a menu that took food preferences and dietary restrictions into consideration. The day of she arrived a little later than anticipated, but she got straight to work and even cleaned up after herself. Most importantly, her food was to die for! Everyone kept raving about the meal the next day and I still dream about the amarena goat cheese. If I'm ever in the area, I will absolutely be reaching out to Chef V again! read more

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My husband and I had planned a very small elopement ceremony in Joshua Tree, and we knew that we wanted to do something special for that day's dinner that ideally didn't involve us having to cook or bring in anything. Out of the small party that we had, we also had a whole host of dietary restrictions, which made the planning extra complicated. After doing a bit of searching, I came across Chef V's site and saw that not only did her food look delicious, but she was also able to accommodate dietary restrictions. She was super friendly to communicate with and was able to accommodate all of the food needs that our group had! On the evening of the event, she showed up and quickly went to work, actually serving us earlier than originally planned, which was great because we were all tired and hungry from an afternoon out in the park. The meal that Chef V prepared for us was hands down one of the top 3 meals I've ever had in my life! The whole party was raving about the food for days after the fact, and my husband and I happily ate off the leftovers that we had for two days after (we had originally planned for 8 attendees and ended up with 6, hence the additional food). Even re-heated days later, we were consistently blown away with just how dang good the food was. I cannot recommend Chef V and her amazing culinary skills enough. I think even for non-special events, we're going to have to make hiring her for a special meal or two a regular part of our visits out to JT from here on out! read more

Kuki + Ania - Personal Chefs Near Me

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Chef Vavine cooked my friends and I an incredible dairy-free meal for our weekend getaway in Joshua Tree! The process of booking and choosing the menu was clear, easy, and professional, and the food was ready on time down to the literal second. She left the place 100% spotless - you wouldn't have even known she was there! I was so impressed by how efficient she was at cooking while cleaning. Furthermore, she is a super fun and interesting person to talk to, and we really enjoyed getting to know her. I would highly recommend her, and would absolutely book her again if I was in the area. It's no wonder she has nothing but 5 star reviews! read more

Chef Vavine was awesome!! I hired her for my birthday dinner in the desert and the food was delicious as was the presentation and service! I was so impressed how prepped and organized she was and she left the kitchen spotless. I would love to hire her again! read more

I found Chef V though Yelp and I'm so glad I did. I'm still mind blown as to how she prepared a 7 course brunch, completely SOLO! Truly amazing. Great communication leading up the event, and she was even able to accommodate one of my guests that was on Keto. We started the meal off with her signature "Cup Cups" (Lox, Avo, & French Toast). Not only were they beautiful to look at, but the flavors of each cup cup were well balanced. The guests of the brunch are stillll talking about Chef V's seasonal fruit salad and Greek yoghurt with that UNFORGETTABLE herb, nut, and seed blend on top. I could seriously eat that fruit salad with the toppings every day for the rest of my life lol! We also had mini breakfast tacos, sweet potato chai waffles, potato hash, and this delicious grilled bread with chimichurri and linguica. ALL BOMB!!! I could go into the details of every dish & what I loved about each one individually but then this review would turn into an essay. If you're considering booking another Chef, don't even consider it. Private Chef V is the way to go! She really made our trip to Joshua Tree memorable with this meal. read more

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Look no further, book Chef V immediately. We collaborated on the perfect menu for my 30th birthday dinner at an Airbnb in Yucca Valley and it was better than I could have imagined. Not only was it the best meal ever but she is chill, fun, and so nice! It was totally worth it and I'm looking forward to the next time I can eat her food in the Hi-Dez. read more

Chef V catered an incredible dinner for 12 of us for my bachelorette party this past weekend in Palm Springs. She created a delightful, seasonal and thoughtful menu of stuffed figs in blankets, INCREDIBLE eloté salad, and a grilled steak and vegetable platter. Separately, the vegan chocolate raspberry cake was my FAVORITE dessert of the entire weekend. Light but still incredibly chocolately, this was a real treat. We had a few people with dietary restrictions, dairy free and gluten free, and Vavine seamlessly accommodated these variations into the menu. Our dinner was memorable, the best meal we had all weekend, and Vavine was just a lovely person and presence in the kitchen. I know my dear friends who booked the dinner with her will have wonderful things to share about the process of building the menu, communications, etc., but in the meantime, I couldn't wait to make sure I could tell the world that Chef Vavine is the one you want planning a private meal for your event. Cheers, Vavine! read more

Chef V was a real pleasure to work with and her food was amazing! Communication was always very easy and she had no problems catering to the diet of 9 girls. V prepared a wonderful dinner for our girls trip and was even able to accommodate our lack of bowls/plates at the last minute and had a beautiful table setting prepared. Our favorite dish was the hainanese chicken with broth on the side and turmeric coconut rice! Don't forget the homemade hot sauce... I am salivating thinking about it! V left the kitchen super clean and tidy... she even packed leftovers for us to enjoy the next day! We highly recommend her! read more

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We hired Chef V for a private dinner at our Airbnb for a bachelorette party and it was amazing! She arrived on time with everything she needed and the food was DELICIOUS! From the starter salad to the main course of steak, salmon and veggies - everything was perfect. We had our two pups with us (one of which likes to be right under your feet while cooking) and she didn't bat an eye. She organized the table beautifully and cleaned the kitchen better than we arrived! Would highly recommend!! read more

When I knew that my mother would be in town for her 72nd birthday I immediately sought out options for ways to celebrate her special day! My search lasted no longer than 10 minutes, as Chef V was not only available, but incredibly ready and willing to help me plan out a fabulous meal and help make my mama feel loved. From day one, Chef V was extremely helpful, as she provided several options for all courses so as to cater to my mother's vegetarian preferences. She took the time to ask questions pertaining to who my mother was and what her likes/dislikes were - beyond that of her dietary palette, but also, simply about her character. Chef V truly cares about those she cooks for and my goodness, did I feel this from the beginning. When Chef V arrived she barely needed any help navigating my kitchen. She appeared to work effortlessly, and not to mention quickly! My entire family was blown away by how efficient she was! My children even took the time to watch her as she gracefully flowed from one task to the next. Chef V was so well prepared when she arrived, before we knew it, dinner was served! It was plated elegantly, to match our own kitchen's motif as well! And the best part, she had created a beautiful menu that we have saved for our own personal memories. Chef V knew how important this meal was and she took the time to guarantee that it would be a night to remember. We all felt so cared for and loved. It was genuinely a pleasure to have Chef V in our home to curate such an artistic meal! We wish she could come every night! Absolutely 5,000 stars! I am still blown away by Chef V! read more

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Chef V created a delicious vegan meal for a bachelorette party of 11! She trudged through the rain to our rental house and was even able to pull together a beautiful table setting. Sweet potato pikelets with crème fresh and gooseberry salsa was one of the best things I've eaten. read more

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The day after my wedding, I asked my husband "What was the best part of yesterday?" He quickly and overzealously responds to me without any hesitation, "The food!" And that's exactly what Chef V will bring to the table, but it does not stop there. There's so much more to it other than all the delectable food. She delivers a memorable experience that unifies you and your loved ones all together. Her talent and creativity with what she does with food are second to none. Moreover, her heart and passion for what she does is so palpable. You can taste it in every bite. There's an incredible story that comes with the food. Our entire experience with Chef V, from start to finish, was quite remarkable. Everything flowed smoothly and every little detail was executed to perfection. I cannot thank you enough, Chef V. Lastly and most importantly, I cannot recommend her enough! read more

Kuki + Ania - Cucumber Salad - Personal Chefs Near Me

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I cannot recommend Chef V enough. I hosted a ladies weekend in Joshua Tree and she created one of the most delicious and memorable meals of my entire life. No exaggeration - every single guest audibly squealed after the first bite of her mind-blowing cuisine. She crafted such a unique, fresh, and flavorful three-course dinner that accommodated everyone's personal diet and allergies. Not only was the food beyond fantastic, but Chef V was such a sweet, kind, and professional presence. I cannot wait to have another excuse to book her again. She is truly incredible! read more

Chef V was 100% the smoothest part of our small COVID-era wedding. She cooked a beautiful 3-course meal for us and everyone is still talking about the food and how fantastic it was. She helped us with the menu and showed up and did her thing; the whole process was easy and seamless and she was charming and lovely to work with in the weeks leading up to the wedding and the evening of. Not to mention her price point was pretty fantastic and there is no way we could have had a meal that flawless at a restaurant for even close to her price. We had our dinner/reception at an air b and b and she was able to pivot and make the meal work in a space that was new to her. She was easily one of the best choices we made for our celebration, outside of the groom I chose of course :) read more

Words cannot describe how incredible and unique this experience was. Chef V is a master of her craft and curated a well thought and tasteful culinary journey for us. We enjoyed hearing her story as she took us through a 3 course meal of flavorful dishes. We also shared our love for dogs (which is always a plus). Chef V is the go to for any intimate dining experience here in the high desert. We hope to enjoy her services again read more

Kuki + Ania - Our view - Personal Chefs Near Me

I booked a dinner prepared by Chef V this past week for my wife's 40th birthday dinner. This was not only a fantastic meal, this was a once in a lifetime experience. Chef V is absolutely charming and not only did our family enjoy her delicious meal but we all enjoyed her company as well. We were in LA for 3 days, Joshua Tree for 3 days, and San Diego for 3 days and we all agreed that this meal with Chef V was our favorite part of the trip. Can not recommend Chef V and this experience enough! read more

Kuki + Ania - Show-stopping grilled vegetable board - Personal Chefs Near Me

I hired Chef V to cook for six of us visiting Joshua Tree to celebrate a friend's 30th. Chef V exceeded ALL expectations! She was responsive, friendly and professional while planning for the dinner and very easy to work with. The dinner itself was AMAZING! The ceviche and steak were especially phenomenal. We all had the best time and enjoyed meeting Chef V. I would recommend Chef V without any reservation and hope to get a chance to work with her again! read more

Kuki + Ania - Personal Chefs Near Me

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Our experience with Chef V was incredible! Her communication leading up to the event was great, she is responsive. She curates a micro dining experience and it truly is an experience. I recommend opting for the tablescape, it's very pretty. Chef V's food is delicious and she's flexible with the menu she prepares. She's a friendly person, wonderful chef and leaves the kitchen sparkling clean when she is done! Would love to dine with her again! read more

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Chef V made the entire dinner experience amazing! She was great to work with from the beginning to the end! The meal, service and presentation the day of was above our expectations and she was very accommodating to our dietary needs. Chef V was kind throughout the entire process and I give my highest recommendation! I wish I had pictures of the food, but it looked so good when it came to the table we forgot to take them read more

Chef V is the most gifted chef I've ever used. Not only is her food delicious, fresh & locally sourced, it's also so beautiful & creative. I hired Chef V for my 40th Birthday Easter Brunch and she blew everyone's socks off. She designed the entire menu and table setting around a few ideas I had, but I had no idea the creativity this woman has. Every detail was beyond magical & I could not recommend her more for your event. A lovely person & talented chef that you will love too. read more

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My husband and mom hired Chef V as a surprise for my 40th birthday. She is the absolute Best!! Not only was the food absolutely delicious and beautiful, V is an amazingly sweet and cool woman! Our Airbnb did not have a grill so she made due cooking our steak on the tiny portable grill my husband brought. You would have never known and she did not complain stooping out in the heat (sorry V!) We started with ceviche then a steak board then mango coconut sticky rice and lastly the most decadent chocolate cherry cake. We felt incredibly safe with V given the circumstances (Covid). If you are so lucky to have the chance, book V now! She really made my birthday special and I am so grateful for her. Thank you, V, and thank you to your husband for letting us steal you on Father's Day! read more

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Vavine put together a truly perfect 4-course outdoor reception dinner for our group of ~12 people for our tiny pandemic wedding in May 2021. She was extremely professional and pleasant to work with, from the early stages of contacting her to ask for a price quote several months before, to menu planning, to executing an amazing dinner for our group (which was hosted at the AirBnB we rented for the occasion). She set up some beautiful desert-themed table decor along with wonderful plating of each dish, and despite working out of a tiny kitchen (where I'm sure people were getting in her way) she was perfectly calm and very sweet while cooking and serving dinner. She also packed up 2 gorgeous charcuterie plates for us to bring to our ceremony site in JTNP (we planned on doing a champagne toast + charcuterie after our ceremony), and drove to our AirBnB to drop the plates off in the afternoon before the dinner - this was a lifesaver since we were all running around like idiot chickens trying to get ready the afternoon of the wedding :) We also ended up with TONS of amazing leftovers from dinner that fed our group really well for the remainder of our stay in Yucca Valley. Importantly, Vavine adhered to very safe COVID-related protocols the entire time she worked with us; although everyone in our group was vaccinated, we really appreciated these additional layers of precaution, especially since we had older family members present. It meant so much to us to have a wonderful dinner, not only to help celebrate our wedding, but because this was the first time our families had gotten together since 2019. Sharing a beautiful meal together was a much-needed moment of normalcy. If you're looking for a chef to handle a fantastic private dinner for any type of celebration, I can't recommend Vavine highly enough! She's a genuinely wonderful person to work with and we look forward to hiring her again for any future trips we do in the Yucca Valley/JTNP area. read more

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I hired Chef V to make dinner for my team retreat in Joshua Tree. Exceeded all of my expectations. The presentation was perfect. The food was perfect. The service was perfect. I cannot recommend Chef V enough! read more

Thank you so much Chef V! My daughters 40th birthday dinner was absolutely delicious from the Ceviche to our main entre. You made due when the house we AirBNB'd did not have a BBQ. You used the baby Weber we brought with us and made us a 5 star meal. Including a chocolate cherry cake! You are awesome! I highly recommend you for any and all meals! I wish we lived closer! We can't thank you enough! read more

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Chef V is absolutely the best! Her food is delicious, she is so sweet and excellent at creating not just a plate but an experience. I would highly recommend!! read more

Chef V did a table nacho party I went to. The drink/cocktail table she set up was gorgeous and an easy self serve situation that satisfied everyone's beverage tastes. The table nachos were BOMB! She even has vegan/dairy free options at one end of the table. read more

It was an honor to host Chef V at a private event at La Matadora Gallery. She organized a brunch pop-up with an enticing menu, with two seamless seatings of 10 people each. Chef V has an eye for aesthetic details, such as a gorgeous centerpiece, & her plating skills are next level. Her creative use of ingredients fresh from the farmers' market is enough to make any discerning palate suddenly hungry. Every bite was a match made in heaven! Even though an art gallery is not really set up for brunch parties, Chef V seems savvy enough to make any situation work. Without question, her table decor & delish food presentation was an art form in itself! read more

Chef V was easily one of the best parts about my bday trip to Joshua Tree. She was so warm and refreshing and we had great conversations. she was quick and efficient in her cooking and she was CLEAN!!!!! This is something I appreciate more than anything growing up with a mother who owned a housekeeping company. Cleanliness is everything to me especially when cooking! So I appreciated that aspect so very much and I thank her for that especially in the age of COVID! We did a private dinner for two and had an amazing 3 course meal. First up were the Roasted mushrooms stuffed with spiced herbed pork sausage and gruyere. These were pretty freaking tasty. Like small bites of yummy goodness. The sausage was the best part so darn flavorful. Next up was herbed frenched lamb chops with Z'tar Cous Cous, Swiss chard, Spiced Roast carrots with tahini sauce. The lamb chops were THE BOMB!!!!!!! Simple as that. Juicy, tender, flavorful I am a lamb chop fan and I can very easily say these were some of the best lamb chops I've had hands down! For the finale and my favorite course dessert she made a beautiful chocolate raspberry birthday cake with chocolate whipped cream and chocolate genach frosting. The fact that my husband ate every single bite of his slice is a testament all on its own. Because my husband DOES NOT eat cakes he does not eat desserts he deprives himself of these wonderful treasures so that he ate it all was extremely telling. I say all of this to say JUST BOOK HER! she will not disappoint. read more