Our Promise
We’re more than just chefs, servers, and event planners—we’re dedicated to bringing people together through food and thoughtfully designed events. Our diverse team draws from Italian roots and global flavors, creating dishes that go beyond exceptional meals to foster connection and community. Each menu is crafted with the freshest ingredients and personalized to reflect the occasion and our clients' unique tastes. We prioritize inclusivity, catering to all dietary needs so that every guest feels welcome. For us, it’s about more than just food. Whether for intimate dinners or grand celebrations, we aim to create experiences that build lasting bonds.
Marcelo Reyes
Founder & Head Chef
Meet Chef Marcelo, owner & founder of The Chef Book… Growing up between Chile & Italy, his journey began at just 15 when he stepped into a culinary school in Milan. There, he worked under the guidance of Michelin-starred chefs at Da Vittorio, setting the stage for a career that would take him across continents.
In London, Marcelo found his culinary voice—mentored by Chef Jean-Luc Mongodin and later immersed in the world of diverse flavors at The Arts Club, where he and his team crafted menus that resonated globally. Those years were more than work; they were a turning point, where he found the heart of his craft.
Now in Los Angeles, Marcelo continues to push boundaries, blending his South American & Italian roots with California’s vibrant food scene. Marcelo’s vision extends beyond his own story—it’s about unlocking the potential of the chefs he’s worked alongside for years. After years of witnessing the talents of his colleagues be overlooked in kitchens, following the orders of someone else’s menu rather than their own passions, Marcelo imagined something different.
He dreamed up The Chef Book, a place where chefs could showcase their true skills and clients could experience tailored, unforgettable meals. Whether it’s an intimate in-home dinner, weekly meal prep, or large-scale events, Marcelo’s goal with The Chef Book is to fuse the vast, unique talents of top-tier chefs into an experience that’s as diverse as the clients they serve. For Marcelo, this isn’t just business—it’s about giving chefs a platform to express their creativity and honor their roots while delivering the dining experiences people didn’t realize they could have.
Tim Klumper
Culinary Director ~ COO
Meet Chef Tim, a seasoned culinary artist whose journey began in Orange County, California. With over a decade of experience both in professional kitchens and at home, Tim's culinary story started with formal training in Cypress, California. From the very beginning, his passion has always been about more than just cooking—it’s about forging meaningful connections, nourishing those he serves, and letting his creativity shine through each dish.
Tim’s early career was shaped at Mead’s Green Door in Orange, California, where he refined his expertise in vegetarian and vegan cuisine, gaining deep insight into dietary restrictions. This foundation set the stage for his next chapter at Cucina Enoteca in Newport Beach, where he not only mastered the art of Italian cooking but rose to the rank of Junior Sous Chef, honing his leadership and culinary skills along the way.
A move to Los Angeles marked a new chapter, where Tim took on the role of Kitchen Manager at Wolfgang Puck’s WP24 at the Ritz-Carlton, L.A. Live. Immersed in the vibrant food scene, Tim expanded his repertoire to include Japanese, Chinese, and Korean cuisines, with a deepened appreciation for authenticity after living in Little Tokyo and even journeying to Japan for a culinary adventure.
Tim’s journey continued as part of the opening team at the Edition Hotel’s Ardor by Neal Fraser, where his focus on making seasonal vegetables the star of the show set him apart. His innovative approach to simple, fresh ingredients showcased his ability to elevate everyday dining experiences into something unforgettable.
Now, as an Executive Private Chef in Beverly Hills, Tim curates personalized meals for families, special events, and intimate gatherings, offering a culinary experience that goes beyond the plate. He thrives on creating memorable, tailored dining experiences that bring people together, blending his expertise with a personal touch that leaves a lasting impression.
Christina Smith
Bar Director
With over two decades of experience behind the bar, Christina, creator of Maison Cru, brings a refined, intuitive approach to hospitality that blends technical skill, leadership, and a deep understanding of guest experience. Her background spans high-profile private venues, Michelin-starred restaurants, luxury hospitality spaces, and exclusive client environments across Los Angeles, New Orleans, Nashville, and beyond, where discretion and precision are paramount.
Christina has held leadership roles at Soho House in both Downtown Los Angeles and West Hollywood, where she managed bar operations and cultivated elevated beverage programs. She is Court of Master Sommelier–trained, with a strong foundation in wine knowledge and pairing that continues to inform her cocktail philosophy and service style. She has also contributed her expertise within notable hospitality destinations such as The Line Hotel and Palihouse Hotel.
In addition to her work in established venues, she founded and operates Maison Cru, providing bespoke beverage services for private clients, production companies, and high-profile events. Her clientele includes celebrity and NDA-protected clients, where professionalism, confidentiality, and adaptability are essential.
She has collaborated with creative teams and major film production companies on premieres and private events, contributing to curated experiences that merge storytelling with exceptional service. Whether leading a team, designing a cocktail program, or working one-on-one with clients, Christina is committed to delivering memorable, seamless experiences rooted in craftsmanship and hospitality.
Sebastian ‘‘Bash’’ Johnson
Private Chef, Choreographer,
Experience Creator
Meet Bash—a chef who cooks like an artist, dances like he’s in the kitchen, and believes every meal should be an event. From luxury estates in LA to yachts abroad, Bash has wowed celebrities and food lovers alike with dishes that are as bold and unforgettable as his dance moves.
Bash’s culinary passport is stamped with flavors from California, the Mediterranean, Soul Food, Creole, Italian, Asian, and more. He’s a master at making healthy, organic, and globally inspired food—think vegan feasts, Paleo plates, gluten-free goodness, and desserts that are as beautiful as they are delicious. No matter your dietary needs, Bash will make you feel like a VIP.
His love for food started in the family kitchen, where every meal meant love, laughter, and a little bit of magic. Inspired by TV chefs and guided by his grandmother’s soulful cooking, Bash believes food isn’t just fuel—it’s a way to connect, celebrate, and tell a story.
When he’s not creating magic in the kitchen, Bash is lighting up the stage as a professional dancer and choreographer. He’s performed with legends like Mariah Carey, Kanye West, and Daddy Yankee, and brought his creative spark to shows like The Ellen Show and America’s Got Talent. Whether he’s choreographing a show or plating a masterpiece, Bash lives to inspire and bring people together.
For Bash, food and dance are all about joy, artistry, and making memories. Book him, and get ready for an experience you’ll never forget.
Claudia Conrad
Private Chef & Health Specialist
Chef Claudia’s journey in the kitchen started at fifteen, in a small restaurant in Pennsylvania, where she quickly learned that great food begins with heart, hustle, and respect for the little details. After formal training in classical French techniques at the Culinary Arts program in Punxsutawney and a formative chapter at the five-star, five-diamond Broadmoor Hotel in Colorado Springs, she followed her curiosity west, chasing new flavors, sunshine, and inspiration.
Now based in Southern California, Claudia is growing with The Chef Book LA as one of our newest chefs. She’s still learning our systems and style, but she shows up to every event with the best attitude in the room—eager to improve, open to feedback, and genuinely excited to take care of our clients. Her plant-forward, lectin-conscious approach and love for vibrant, nourishing food make her a natural fit for our health-focused, flavor-first experiences.
In the kitchen, Claudia blends her classical French foundation with modern California sensibilities: colorful produce, thoughtful textures, and dishes that feel both refined and comforting. From elegant gluten-free baking to bright, nutrient-rich plates, her goal is always the same—to make guests feel cared for.
What we love most about Claudia is her mindset. She treats every service as an opportunity to learn, support the team, and elevate the guest experience. Whether she’s assisting on a private dinner or helping prep for a larger event, she brings calm focus, warmth, and a quiet dedication that our clients can feel.
We’re proud to have Chef Claudia as part of The Chef Book LA family as she continues to grow her craft with us—one menu, one event, and one beautifully thoughtful plate at a time.
Mateo Birts is an accomplished Private Chef with 9 years of experience serving high-profile clients and luxury households in Los Angeles and internationally. He specializes in creating personalized, nutritionally balanced menus tailored to client preferences, dietary needs, and lifestyle goals, including vegan and specialty diets. Mateo brings a strong background in fine dining, pastry arts, farm-to-table cuisine, and private event execution.
Known for discretion, organization, and excellence, he excels in household provisioning, budgeting, kitchen management, and seamless collaboration with estate staff. His training in culinary arts and business management, combined with a deep commitment to food safety and elevated presentation, allows him to consistently deliver exceptional, high-touch culinary experiences.
Mateo Birts
Private Chef
Tamara Madjerian
Private Chef
Meet Chef Tamara. A Los Angeles–based private chef with Armenian roots, known for bringing vibrant flavor, cultural depth, and a fresh, health-conscious approach to every dish. Blending influences from global cuisines, Chef Tamara aims at turning ordinary into extraordinary.
With a variety of experience in the culinary industry Chef Tamara is eager to assist you in your next culinary adventure.
As a food instructor, teaching others how to cook with confidence and reducing food waste is a top priority. As a private chef or caterer, her focus is on making sure your event has a personal touch down to the last detail.
Driven by culture, creativity, and community, Chef Tamara continues to inspire a more intentional way of cooking—one that celebrates flavor, sustainability, and the joy of sharing good food.
Jazzy Harvey
Private Chef
At the beginning of quarantine in LA, Chef Jazzy started Anjahles by
Jazzy, a Cali-Caribbean plant-based food pop-up to create extra
income. Starting with $10 jerk plates at a park near her home, business exploded and Anjahles landed in the LA Times & Infatuation “The Best Pop-Ups in LA Right Now”. Soon after, Chef Jazzy appeared on a number of competition shows and became a finalist on Food Network’s “It’s Compliplated”.
Most recently, Chef Jazzy was featured in Food & Wine Magazine as part of the “New Generation of Caribbean Restaurants Revamping the Food Scene in Los Angeles”.
Today, she retains an impressive rolodex of clients including: Disney,
Amazon Music, Spotify, Reddit, Roku, Playboy and a number of A-
list celebrities & professional athletes in the NBA & NFL.
New to the game, but a force to be reckoned with, when not private cheffing or catering to LA’s popular crowd or hosting popups, Chef Jazzy loves to explore the future of hospitality & the connections between diverse foodways. As a chef with a background in anthropology, documentary filmmaking, and culinary arts, Chef Jazzy’s work is driven by the belief that food is a vessel for storytelling & connection.
“Great tasting meals.. definitely would recommend”
Neechi S.
“The best experience I’ve ever had...”
Charles K.
“Working with The Chef Book has been a great and fun experience. From pool parties to cocktail parties we have used The Chef Book multiple times and each time Marcelo made everything easy.”
Alannah H.
If you’re looking for an unforgettable at home dining experience for a holiday or special occasion, Chef Book LA is a no brainer. We would absolutely book them again.
Big City
“We have used Chef Book LA for several events, and each of them have been a huge success.”
James H.