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Private dining, reimagined

Hire a Private Chef in San Diego

An elegant chef-led experience for intimate dinners, milestone occasions, and beautifully hosted evenings at home.

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Private Dinners

Anniversary Dinners

Birthdays

At-Home Hosting

Intimate hosting

A more private chef experience for anniversaries, proposals, and elevated dinners at home.

Celebrations

From birthdays to family gatherings, enjoy chef service without the kitchen stress.

Vacation homes

Book a private chef for Airbnb stays, retreats, and weekends away in San Diego.

Easy booking

Compare local chefs, cuisines, and minimums before you request your quote.

Meet private chefs in San Diego

Browse chefs serving homes, lake houses, and special occasions near you.

Mau
San Diego
American, Mexican, Middle Eastern & more...
Min. Order $0+

Mau

I’ve covered a lot of ground as a Chef, Food Writer and Photographer here in the OC, there is little left undone. It’s been a wild ride and I love to talk shop. My culinary experience is formed around the manifestation of being puro Californio, with indigenous ancestors going back before ....& more

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Kalifa
San Diego
American, French, Italian & more...
Min. Order $500+

Kalifa

I am a French chef and had the privilege of training and working with some of the greatest names in gastronomy, including Joël Robuchon and Alain Ducasse. I developed my foundation in some of the most prestigious palaces in Paris and Nice. I also competed on Top Chef, reaching the ....& more

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Kang
San Diego

Min. Order $0+

Kang

Chef is a culinary artisan with a passion for blending the elegance of French technique with the vibrant essence of Asian flavors, drawing inspiration from the bounty of seasonal ingredients. She has honed her skills at prestigious Michelin-starred establishments, including Addison, SingleThread, and Citrin, where discerning palates are the norm.

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Wu
San Diego
American, Chinese, French & more...
Min. Order $400+

Wu

My name is Wu. I am a chef based in San Diego specializing in modern fusion. I trained under Michelin chefs in Portugal, and I have a deep passion for creating new recipes that blend flavors from asian, mediterranean and french cuisines. I have 5+ years of experience in 8 ....& more

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Wagner
San Diego
American, Chinese, French & more...
Min. Order $500+

Wagner

I have been teaching cooking classes, catering, and executing Private Dinners, Retreats, Cacao Ceremonies, and Meal Preparation Services for over 15 years now and have gained some solid skills, experience and insight along the way.

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Malstrom
San Diego
American, French, Indian & more...
Min. Order $500+

Malstrom

Chris is a classically trained Chef, Bartender, and Hospitality professional with years of experience learning every facet of the Restaurant Industry. Now working as a private, travelling chef, he seeks to bring that Hospitality and special fine-dining touch to your next intimate dinner or special event with food and drink ....& more

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Get Started Browse Chefs

Verified chefs • Flexible pricing

Compare prices in San Diego

Pick a cuisine to compare menus and packages in San Diego without choosing the city again.

Cuisine

Chef Packages

From casual dining to luxury dining at home

Casual comfort dining at home

Elevated gourmet dining at home

Signature luxury dining at home

Private dining experience with a personal chef cooking a casual comfort meal at home

Private dining experience with a personal chef with an elevated dining at home

Private dining experience with a personal chef with a luxury dining at home

Need help in choosing the right Chef?

Local info

Private Chef Services in San Diego

Elevated dining at home — menu planning, cooking, plating & cleanup.

Enjoy elevated coastal dining with a private chef in San Diego. Whether you're hosting in La Jolla, entertaining guests in Del Mar, or planning a dinner in Coronado, our chefs bring restaurant-quality cuisine to your home. From sourcing fresh seafood to full kitchen cleanup, your entire evening is handled seamlessly.

San Diego Private Chef Pricing Get a Free Quote

Private Chef in San Diego

Luxury In-Home Dining in San Diego

All-inclusive from $80/person Groceries included Cooking + serving Cleanup after

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Serving all of San Diego

We proudly serve San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Coronado, Encinitas, and surrounding coastal communities. Whether you're hosting in a beachfront home, luxury estate, or private residence, our chefs deliver elevated in-home dining experiences across San Diego County.

San Diego La Jolla Del Mar Coronado Encinitas Carlsbad

Pricing that’s clear (and actually all-inclusive)

San Diego experiences start at $80 per person. Final pricing depends on the chef, menu, and guest count. Groceries are included — no surprise add-ons.

From

$80

per person

Includes

4

service steps

Best for

6–20

guests

Grocery shopping
Cooking & plating
Serving (when selected)
Cleanup after

How It Works

Book a private chef experience in three simple steps.

1

Choose a menu or request a quote

Start with a menu you love or tell us about your event.

2

Review chef recommendations

Compare menus and proposals from chefs.

3

Book your experience

Confirm your chef and enjoy a seamless celebration.

Planning an San Diego weekend? Local guide: Explore San Diego Dining Guide

Why It Matters

Hosting should feel effortless, intimate, and elevated.

Why should customers choose Platesfull

Why should customers choose Platesfull

Why should customers choose Platesfull

Why should customers choose Platesfull

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before booking your chef

For Dinner Parties, pricing includes groceries, cooking, serving, and cleanup. Some chefs may bring additional staff depending on the service. Travel-related charges (if applicable) are discussed upfront.

Absolutely! You can customize the menu and share preferences with the chef during the booking process.

Our chefs specialize in:In-home dinner parties, Birthday & anniversary celebrations, Brunches, Wine-paired dinners, Holiday gatherings, Corporate & team events, Private cooking classes

No problem! Just let the chef know during the booking process, and they will customize the menu to suit your guest’s dietary requirements.

Each chef's availability is displayed on their calendar. However, availability may occasionally change. If the chef becomes unavailable, they’ll suggest alternatives or help reschedule to a date that works for you.

Yes! You can chat with the chef after booking your event. If you haven’t booked yet, use the “Message Chef” option to ask questions or share event details.

Platesfull currently serves multiple cities across Texas, San Diego, New York, New Jersey, Ashburn and select other markets. Availability depends on chef coverage in your area. If we don’t have a local chef, some chefs may travel based on availability.

Tipping on Platesfull is completely optional. We believe chefs are skilled professionals and should charge what they deserve for their services. Our pricing is designed to be fair and transparent, so tipping is never expected—only appreciated if you feel the experience went above and beyond.

Chefs go through a vetting process that may include: • Experience review • Portfolio or menu samples • Background checks (where applicable) • Interview and quality assessment

We serve San Diego, La Jolla, Del Mar, Coronado, Encinitas, Carlsbad, and surrounding coastal communities.

Yes. Our chefs frequently serve private beachfront homes and luxury vacation rentals throughout San Diego County.

Groceries, cooking, plating, serving, and full cleanup are typically included.

Still have questions?

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What are you looking for?

Party

Meal Prep

Where?

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