Chef Josh has been in the culinary world as a professional chef for more than 20 years. After seeing it all while working through the professional kitchen circuit in Chicago, he's ready to focus on his own creative integrity while making more time to raise a healthy family at home. Chef Josh specializes in Paleo cooking & other health focused wellness routines. “Food and dining means so much more to me than just ingredients put together by methods in order to make ourselves feel satiated until the next meal. There is so much opportunity to teach and to learn about what we're doing in the kitchen, or where our food is coming from, as well as the company we're surrounding ourselves with. Meal-time is nourishment for our souls as much as it is for our bodies.”
All prices are an estimation and vary based on guest count, event location, and menu. You will get a better estimate during the booking process.
I hail from Northeastern Pennsylvania, but I've been in Chicago for about 15 years now.
When I get asked this question, my mind immediately goes to a family, Italian style restaurant, but I think that's just because that's where I learned to cook. It's hard to say, but my favorite restaurant is one with a good atmosphere and a small menu with decent variety that includes a good burger on it.
Anything from the sea, especially if someone is enjoying it with me.
My focus is primarily on a paleo-style diet. Most of my meals are free of gluten, dairy, refined-sugars, soy, corn, and peanuts. This style of cooking provides so many health benefits to clients - I love this part of cooking.
I was working in the kitchen as a dishwasher (isn't that how we all start?) and Chef saw my interest and natural talent for cooking in the kitchen. He took me under his wing and trained me with a set of basic skills I still use on a regular basis today. Since then, I've thrived on running high-volume, fast-paced kitchens, but the ever-evolving methods and ideas are what keep my interest in cooking piqued.
I love to be outdoors; hiking or canoeing. When inside, you'll catch me building LEGO or playing video games with my kids.
I love the freedom that comes with being able to develop my own menu and being able to build a relationship with my clients. I also feel like I have learned a lot more and have been able to push myself further than I was able to when working in a restaurant for someone else.
Easily, the work/life balance. I'm a father of two young children, and I am constantly grateful for the opportunity to spend so much time with them. The Private Chef lifestyle allows me to grow professionally and as well as really be present with my family.
