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    Mark Nargi

    5.0 (49 reviews)
    Open Open 24 hours

    Services - Mark Nargi

    Catering

    Gluten-free catering

    Kosher catering

    3 More Services

    Personal chefs

    Vegan catering

    Vegetarian catering

    Mark Nargi Photos

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    Recommended Reviews - Mark Nargi

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    Unforgettable 80th birthday dinner
    Suzanne S.

    Mark and his crew did an incredible job preparing a wonderful dinner to celebrate my dad's 80th birthday. I trusted Mark to come up with an amazing menu to serve 13 people, and he did not disappoint! We rented an Airbnb and Mark & his crew did all their magic in 1 of the kitchens. Mary's service was impeccable and it was as if they were never there. From appetizers to dessert, to his delicious savory granola, the food was out of this world! Don't think twice! Would use Mark again in a heartbeat.

    Crostini with whipped burrata, arugula pesto, charred peach, and balsamic-port-cherry reduction

    I asked Mark to make up a dinner for my husband's milestone birthday for 7 adults and three kids. The food was spectacular, plentiful, and truly delicious and fun. The kids got food so that they did not have to sit through a 5 course meal, they loved their own meal and also enjoyed tasting from our meals. We loved being surprised with each course! We were staying in a rental and he left the kitchen pristine at the end of the night. Mark was easy to work with and planned a truly special meal for us. Would highly recommend.

    Homemade pizzas with Mark's pizza dough

    With parties and gatherings on pause for the time being, Mark has pivoted and offered an amazing selection of doughs, condiments, soups, and sauces for home cooks who want a break or a little help in the kitchen. The meals that I've incorporated Mark's creations into have been some of the best! Chipotle Mole - I've made black bean and butternut squash enchiladas using Mark's Chipotle Mole twice as they were such a big hit the first time around. The sauce is smoky with just a touch of heat and a wonderful blend of traditional Oaxacan flavors. 5/5 Clam Chowder - I shared this chowder with my parents, both of whom love chowder and can be harsh food critics. The verdict is in and this is the best chowder any of us have had. Loaded with clams, not too thick or salty, perfect balance of flavors. If you have a chance... run, don't walk, for Mark's clam chowder. 5+/5 Garlic Soup - We started a meal with this tasty garlic soup. It was creamy with a great flavor that doesn't overwhelm you with garlic. A perfect start or side to any meal. 4.5/5 Pizza Dough - I made the mistake of having too much pizza dough on hand (not really a problem but that's besides the point) so I let this one sit in the fridge over night and it lost some of it's rise. Still amazing flavors but it didn't roll out the way I'd hoped. 3.5/5. (Note: I've had Mark's homemade cast iron pizza previously and they're always a 5/5.) I'm looking forward to trying Mark's pumpkin soup and roasted red pepper sauce but put them in the freezer when the heat wave started (updates to come!).

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    Emily F.

    Mark absolutely nailed it for my wedding reception! Working with him was a breeze and we were wow-ed by every dish that came out of the kitchen. Mark has a great energy, a fantastic team and exceptional food - my mouth is watering writing this and I can't wait to work with him again!

    S O.

    I contacted Mark Nargi to cater a private dinner for 10 in Montecito. Mark was very responsive and approachable. I offered a few parameters and let Mark take it from there. Mark and his assistant Elliot arrived promptly, offered greetings to our guests and immediately went to work. Every course was prepared beautifully; with the first course of cold salmon standing out as really original and delicious. Everyone thought it was outstanding. Every course was substantial and artistically plated. Throughout the evening, Mark and Elliot were very personable. We learned Mark's 'back story' as part of his presentation of each course; which added to an extremely personable experience. The kitchen was left spotless and just when we thought all was done and over we were presented with Mark's hand-crafted granola, which was exceptional and extended our great experience in to the following day! Thank you Mark and Elliot for a great dinner and evening!

    Hors d'oeuvre spread before the big meal. The duck pate was phenomenal!
    Cicely H.

    Mark made our wedding dinner a meal we'll never forget! The vision was a family table of 20 people with good conversation, plentiful wine, and just the best food ever and Mark BROUGHT IT! He had great communication, fair pricing, thoughtful, and creative. The menu was incredible but what really shined were the ingredients he used and the care and time he put in to each dish. You can really tell he has a passion for what he does. He even took time throughout the meal to talk about the dishes which the guests really loved. The thoughtful touches (like individually bagging up extra granola as little favors at the end of the night) sets Mark apart from any other chef I've worked with. My only regret is that I don't live in SB to be able to have him cook for me all the time!

    Everything that Mark and his team prepared was delicious and beautiful. Lovely fresh local ingredients with inventive flavors. Service was outstanding and really made the evening so special.

    passion fruit macarons
    Jua P.

    Mark catered a private dinner for 9 of us in Ojai for my father-in-law's 70th birthday. He had us choose between setting a very specific menu in advance, setting a general plan while allowing him some creative liberties, or just allowing him to run with it and do something amazing without any guidance. We opted for a bit of a "most popular hits" theme with creative liberties since some of the group wasn't as adventurous and it was absolutely unbelievable. Each and every dish was so beautifully presented and tasted exquisite. We had 3 kids, between ages 10-12 in our group and even they ate up every last bit of every plate. And beyond the food, Mark was so kind, friendly and easy going that his presence just put us all at ease and made the experience that much better. I can not wait to return to the area so we can have him come cook for us again!

    Yuri C.

    A few weeks ago, I spent Memorial Day weekend in SB for my friend's birthday. We sipped wine all weekend, and on Sunday, Mark came and whipped us up a fantastic meal! It was incredible how fast he set up, cooked, and left the kitchen more spotless than it originally was. The food was so delicious and I would have never thought to pair any of the ingredients together myself! I'm very fortunate to have wonderful friends with good taste in chefs and are generous enough to share the experience with me. 10/10 would hire Mark if I need a private chef!

    Handmade pappardelle with roasted wild mushrooms and fines herbes. His fresh pastas are amazing

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    he is so accommodating and put local flavors together that went so well!! it was phenomenal!!!

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Mark Nargi

    Hi. Do you deliver to Ojai? Thank you.

    Hello, I travel to Ojai (or anywhere, pretty much) for on-site events, but unfortunately there are… Read more

    Hi Mark - is there an email address I should use to get in touch with you? Thanks!

    Hey there! my e-mail is mark.nargi@gmail.com but a phone call is generally a better way to get some questions out of the way, so I can give you the most accurate answers for your party.

    Don’t See Your Question? Ask Away!

    Review Highlights - Mark Nargi

    I trusted Mark to come up with an amazing menu to serve 13 people, and he did not disappoint!

    Mentioned in 4 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    My family and I just had catering from Smoke Me Out BBQ last weekend and it was genuinely a 10/10…read more Every guest at our party asked about the food and had nothing but great things to say. Apart from the quality of the food, the communication was great, as well as the efficiency during the drop off! I will definitely book again!

    I am so grateful we went with Jorge and his team to cater our wedding! Even weeks later our friends…read moreand family are still raving at how delicious and plentiful the food was. We ordered deviled eggs, bacon wrapped dates, jalapeno poppers and caprese skewers for the appetizers. We also did brisket and pulled pork with Spanish rice, mac n cheese, potato salad and coleslaw for dinner. And everything was so yummy! I echo what many others have shared in that Jorge is incredibly professional and responsive. Him and the team really go above and beyond - from ensuring the set up was done nicely, to the color table cloth we preferred, they really want to make sure everything is done thoughtfully. I got married in La Arboleda in the Lompoc area and had interviewed many other wedding caterers. Many of which charged an arm and a leg for every item - literally, serving spoons, chafing dishes, linens, tables, every piece had a markup fee as well for convenience even though they were all likely rented from the same rental company that I could have rented from directly. Jorge gave the option for an inclusive flat rate set-up and service fee which was so much more reasonable and simple. I am so incredibly happy with the food and service we got from SmokeMeOut BBQ and highly recommend them for catering.

    Chef 805 Catering - Dinner party appetizers

    Chef 805 Catering

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    Highly recommended!Shoutout to Chef Ray Swanson of Chef 805 Catering for an absolutely incredible…read moreexperience. My wife and I attended a friend's birthday party where Chef Ray handled the catering, and the food was truly outstanding. Having spent 22 years in the food service industry myself, I'm not easily impressed--but the presentation, flavors, and overall execution were exceptional. Every item was fantastic. The bruschetta with goat cream cheese was fresh and perfectly balanced. The seared ahi tuna bites were beautifully prepared, and the shrimp spring rolls with ginger peanut sauce were bursting with flavor. Even the flatbread pizza with Caesar salad was spot-on. One great dish after another--we were honestly stuffed by the end of the night. What stood out most was the attention to detail and restaurant-quality presentation, something you rarely see at private catered events. Chef Ray clearly takes pride in his craft, and it shows in every bite. We're already looking forward to the next event he caters at our friend's house--and we'll definitely be using Chef 805 Catering for one of our own parties in the future. -- Anil

    Chef Ray exceeded our expectations. He was responsive, friendly, and professional. The food was…read moredelicious! He prepared a buffet with something for everyone, including those with dietary restrictions. I will definitely work with him again. He offers luxurious food at really reasonable prices. But the best part about working with him is his wonderful, positive attitude.

    Viva Taco Bar - Birthday at the beach

    Viva Taco Bar

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    Look no further, Brendan& his wife, the owners (who owns the fabulous Viva Modern Mexico, Pizza…read moreMizza and Mizza) aim to please. Quality, Dependable, Creative and Positive Energy - are all just some of the adjectives. We suggested a different watermelon mint salad and they kindly substituted this special order. When short on chairs, he brought us some and then when the Berry Man shorted us OJ, he got us fresh squeezed. Going Above and Beyond! Not only is their food great for big or small events, you are also getting a star sense of support and positivity. By working with them, you are supporting local business that was doubly affected by the Thomas Fire disaster both due to the loss of business during the fires but they also lost their home in Ventura County. Yet, they power through it and even opened up the fabulous new Mizza on uppper State street (near the turtle arcade of their Viva Modern Mexico). If you have any questions, just PM me. Supporting them means supporting local business and doing so deliciously! Thank you!

    We hired Viva Taco Bar for an employee party a couple of weeks ago. They were fantastic! The food…read morewas amazing (and plentiful! I sent people home with lots of leftovers.) and the set up was perfect. Alex was our primary contact the day of and he was great to work with. He and his team were prompt, efficient, & professional. I highly recommend Viva Taco Bar for your next party. We got beef, pork, chicken, & veggies for our taco options. All 3 meats were delicious & the beef seemed to be the crowd favorite.

    DJ's California Catering

    DJ's California Catering

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    We used DJs Catering for our wedding in Ojai April 2026! We used their all inclusive services for…read morefood and rentals. Everything was absolutely perfect from start to finish. There was not a single issue or hiccup, and that kind of execution is no small feat. The team was incredibly helpful, the food was truly impeccable, and the staff were so kind and attentive throughout the entire event. We received endless compliments from our guests, the catering was genuinely one of the highlights of the night. KB, the catering manager, was on another level! She took such amazing care of us as a couple, constantly checking in, bringing us food, and making sure we had everything we needed at all times. We never once had to look for her, she was always right there, anticipating everything before we even had to ask. She was like a hawk in the best possible way, completely on top of every detail while still being warm and calm. Because of her, we were able to fully relax and enjoy our wedding! A true gem! They went above and beyond, and it showed in every detail. We are so grateful and will be talking about them for a long time!

    We went to a school family camp weekend at El Capitan Canyon this month and got a bountiful…read moreHawaiian luau-themed dinner through DJ's California Catering. My friend Kelly M. did the hard work of booking, but I was part of the host crew and thought this dinner was quite successful. We ordered a buffet for 30 adults and 35 children, which ended up feeding 41 adults and 39 children, with leftovers to spare. The total cost, including tip, was a little over $2,900. Not cheap or anything, but definitely worth it for the food and service. DJ's came and set everything up, and there was a guy on site to handle everything for a period of like five hours. I didn't get his name, but he was nice, even helping me open a can I needed desperately to open, without the use of a can opener. The service came with sugarcane plates, forks, knives, and paper napkins, and a luau-themed table covering to put under the buffet. All things we didn't have to think about. We grilled the other night of camp and this was more cost effective, but proportionately more laborious. The food was good and covered a lot of bases, so everyone had something to eat. There were dinner rolls with one thousand pats of butter, many of which I now have in my fridge, and a giant catering tray of three cheese macaroni and cheese. My children were covered with these two offerings, as were, I suspect, many others. We got two meat entrées, which were both very satisfying: traditional Hawaiian kalua pork and grilled teriyaki chicken breast with grilled Maui pineapple. An island garden salad made for a nice side, with mandarin oranges, toasted almonds, crispy wonton strips, and ginger soy vinaigrette. Kind of like Chinese chicken salad without the chicken, and therefore well matched to the chicken teriyaki. There was steamed jasmine rice too, and a tropical fruit salad. Everyone had a great time at the family luau, even if most of the kids were too excited to sit down and eat proper dinner. DJ's California Catering took care of everything (well, except childcare) so we parents could just sit back and enjoy.

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    Mattias Blom

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    Mattias was integral in making our evening exceptional. From initial email through payment,…read moreMattias was communicative and thoughtful. We had six people for a small birthday get together and everything from the food, decor, timing of courses,etc was spot on. He accommodated our requests including making special items for my youngest daughter. He brings everything - decor, place setting, glassware. We needed nothing as he covered it all. I couldn't recommend him more highly.

    10/10, amazing, fantastic!…read more We had gotten an Airbnb at a secluded beach house and booked Mattias to cook our parent's 30th anniversary dinner. Communication went smoothly from start to finish. When he arrived, he took safety precautions and kept his distance and mask on (something that I really appreciated). He brought the dinnerware, table decor, and even printed out a nice menu at our request. Food was amazing and I loved that we were able to mix and match from his Farm Table menus. We had the butter lettuce salad (could eat this everyday!), the sweet corn soup (amazing flavors- sweetness of the corn was complemented with a kick of chili oil), the petit filet, and raspberry torte (with a sparkler to make it celebratory!). Every thing was amazing and perfectly portioned. At the end of dinner, he cleaned up which is such an added plus! Mattias is very personable and made the occasion so special. Will definitely look forward to working with him again :)

    Catering Connection - A smorgasbord of treats!

    Catering Connection

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    We are so extremely grateful for finding Catering Connection!! Casey was so helpful, knowledgable,…read moreprofessional, and kind throughout the entire planning process and we simply could not have done this without her. She helped us understand what we needed, answered all of our millions of questions promptly, and worked with us so we could stay within our budget. It was such a joy to work with her and everyone at Catering Connection!! Most importantly of all, the food was EXCELLENT! Many of our picky eaters or those with high food standards came to us during and after the wedding to tell us how incredible the entrees were! Unlike what happens at many weddings or events, everything from Catering Connection was still warm when we were eating it and it was truly delicious. And we still have people coming to us with compliments about the mini desserts! Catering Connection also worked with Amigos Rentals and they worked with us to assemble our vision for our ceremony and reception! Everything was what we imagined and more!

    I hired Catering Connection before their acquisition by a larger company. My event occurred after…read moretheir merge, and I feel like the quality of the services degraded sharply during that transition, maybe just a coincidence, idk. I have already talked to the company about the sour taste left in my mouth with a few things that went wrong on our wedding day, but I am still feeling the need to alert others that this place doesn't have the 100% perfect track record that it has on here. A majority of our event went well. However my husband and I really regretted the small details (warm food, bride and groom saved apps, drink garnishes, certain rentals quality) that were supposed to happen, that were talked about in a phone call and documented on paper, but just didn't. I don't think they understood that I was deeply upset about all these things, maybe I phrased my email poorly, but regardless they refunded my husband and I's meal. Overall I am most upset by the service post emailed complaint. I felt like all of my issues were retorted and rebuffed. And it made me feel like I was wrong about my interpretation of my own wedding. Sure it's a business and they don't specialize in emotions, but it's a wedding..it's a high emotion experience. It just feels like a very overpriced for what you get situation. And I do regret using them :-( I wish we used a resturant instead.

    Mark Nargi - catering - Updated May 2026

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