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VIEW PHOTOS
VIEW PHOTOS

Host: Stephen

Palm Springs, CA, United States

USD
$225-$250 per person

Palm Springs Private Chef Meal or Cooking Class in Your Home

Host offerings
  • House
  • Professional cook
  • Pets
  • Vegetarian
  • Alcohol
  • Transportation
  • Cooking class
  • Market visit
  • Food Tour

Meet Stephen

Chef Stephen is a professional private chef in the Palm Springs area with nearly 30 years of culinary experience. After initially studying audio engineering, his lifelong passion for food inspired him to pursue a degree in culinary arts and build a career working in fine-dining restaurants. Stephen and his wife, Jennifer, eventually moved to La Quinta, near Palm Springs, to be closer to family. Today, he works as a personal chef, creating seasonal menus and memorable dining experiences for his clients throughout the Coachella Valley. Warm, knowledgeable, and passionate about his craft, Stephen loves sharing the techniques, professional chef tips, and stories he has collected throughout his career. Whether he is preparing a private meal or leading a hands-on cooking class, he enjoys creating relaxed, personalized culinary experiences that bring people together over great food.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (6-12 guests) Enjoy a private chef experience in the comfort of your Palm Springs-area vacation rental, villa, or accommodation. Chef Stephen will come to you and prepare a personalized, seasonal meal for your group, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality dining experience without leaving your home away from home. Your private dining experience features a Southwestern-inspired, seasonal three-course menu prepared by Stephen, drawing on nearly 30 years of professional culinary experience. Relax with your group while your chef takes care of the cooking and shares stories and insights from his years working in fine dining and as a personal chef. Wine or beer is included to enjoy with your meal. Menus can be customized based on your group's preferences and dietary needs. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and kosher diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Perfect for vacationing families, groups of friends, celebrations, retreats, and special occasions, this private chef experience offers a memorable and personalized way to dine together in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

Cooking experience: (6-12 guests) Bring a private Palm Springs cooking class directly to your vacation rental, villa, or accommodation with Chef Stephen. During this relaxed, interactive culinary experience, Stephen will teach your group how to prepare a seasonal, Southwestern-inspired three-course meal while sharing techniques and professional chef tips from nearly 30 years in the culinary industry. Your approximately 1.5-hour cooking lesson combines hands-on participation with chef demonstrations. Depending on the menu, learn professional techniques for preparing ingredients, cooking and seasoning dishes, and beautifully plating your finished meal. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy the three-course meal you helped prepare accompanied by included wine or beer. The experience can be customized to your group's interests and skill level, making it equally enjoyable for enthusiastic home cooks and complete beginners. Ideal for families, friends, retreats, celebrations, and other private groups, this personalized cooking class is a fun and memorable way to experience Palm Springs through food without leaving your accommodation. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and kosher diets can be accommodated with advance notice.

Notes: Chef Stephen can travel to vacation rentals, villas, and accommodations in Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding areas. Please provide the full address when booking. For locations farther away, please contact us before booking. A suitable kitchen and cooking space are required for the cooking class or private chef experience. If you have questions about whether your accommodation is suitable, please contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com before booking.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Appetizer: Blue corn cake with carnitas or braised chicken with an avocado salsa and pickled red onions
  • Main: Grilled flank steak with roasted peppers and onions served with a pineapple and chili rice
  • Dessert: Peach crisp with oat and nut crumble served with vanilla bean ice cream

Traveler reviews

5.0 (13)
We had a wonderful experience with Stephen! He was very welcoming and informative. We learned a lot. He was so down-to-earth, which made us feel very comfortable. The food was excellent! We highly recommend!
- Tammy July 20, 2026
Chef Stephen is just amazingly talented and creative! This is my second time taking his cooking class and both times have been amazing!
- rachel May 07, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
We had a delicious meal with Chef Stephen and learned some new techniques food pairing. Chef has a lovely kitchen and is very personable. Would definitely recommend.
- obin January 04, 2026
Read More

Stephen

$225-$250 USD

per person
100% VETTED
Learn more
  • No waiting! Booking confirmed instantly
  • 100% satisfaction guarantee or your money back
  • Private experience
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 6+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $225
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 6+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $225
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm

Meet Stephen

Chef Stephen is a professional private chef in the Palm Springs area with nearly 30 years of culinary experience. After initially studying audio engineering, his lifelong passion for food inspired him to pursue a degree in culinary arts and build a career working in fine-dining restaurants. Stephen and his wife, Jennifer, eventually moved to La Quinta, near Palm Springs, to be closer to family. Today, he works as a personal chef, creating seasonal menus and memorable dining experiences for his clients throughout the Coachella Valley. Warm, knowledgeable, and passionate about his craft, Stephen loves sharing the techniques, professional chef tips, and stories he has collected throughout his career. Whether he is preparing a private meal or leading a hands-on cooking class, he enjoys creating relaxed, personalized culinary experiences that bring people together over great food.

What to expect

Please note menu might vary. If there are particular dishes you are interested in trying, please include your request in the booking form.

In-home meal: (6-12 guests) Enjoy a private chef experience in the comfort of your Palm Springs-area vacation rental, villa, or accommodation. Chef Stephen will come to you and prepare a personalized, seasonal meal for your group, allowing you to enjoy a restaurant-quality dining experience without leaving your home away from home. Your private dining experience features a Southwestern-inspired, seasonal three-course menu prepared by Stephen, drawing on nearly 30 years of professional culinary experience. Relax with your group while your chef takes care of the cooking and shares stories and insights from his years working in fine dining and as a personal chef. Wine or beer is included to enjoy with your meal. Menus can be customized based on your group's preferences and dietary needs. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and kosher diets can be accommodated with advance notice. Perfect for vacationing families, groups of friends, celebrations, retreats, and special occasions, this private chef experience offers a memorable and personalized way to dine together in Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley.

Cooking experience: (6-12 guests) Bring a private Palm Springs cooking class directly to your vacation rental, villa, or accommodation with Chef Stephen. During this relaxed, interactive culinary experience, Stephen will teach your group how to prepare a seasonal, Southwestern-inspired three-course meal while sharing techniques and professional chef tips from nearly 30 years in the culinary industry. Your approximately 1.5-hour cooking lesson combines hands-on participation with chef demonstrations. Depending on the menu, learn professional techniques for preparing ingredients, cooking and seasoning dishes, and beautifully plating your finished meal. After cooking, sit down together to enjoy the three-course meal you helped prepare accompanied by included wine or beer. The experience can be customized to your group's interests and skill level, making it equally enjoyable for enthusiastic home cooks and complete beginners. Ideal for families, friends, retreats, celebrations, and other private groups, this personalized cooking class is a fun and memorable way to experience Palm Springs through food without leaving your accommodation. Vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, lactose-free, and kosher diets can be accommodated with advance notice.

Notes: Chef Stephen can travel to vacation rentals, villas, and accommodations in Palm Springs, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, Rancho Mirage, and surrounding areas. Please provide the full address when booking. For locations farther away, please contact us before booking. A suitable kitchen and cooking space are required for the cooking class or private chef experience. If you have questions about whether your accommodation is suitable, please contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com before booking.

Languages spoken: English

Sample menu

This is just a sample menu to give you an idea of the types of dishes the host cooks. Your menu will vary according to seasonal availability.
  • Appetizer: Blue corn cake with carnitas or braised chicken with an avocado salsa and pickled red onions
  • Main: Grilled flank steak with roasted peppers and onions served with a pineapple and chili rice
  • Dessert: Peach crisp with oat and nut crumble served with vanilla bean ice cream

Traveler reviews

5.0 (13)
We had a wonderful experience with Stephen! He was very welcoming and informative. We learned a lot. He was so down-to-earth, which made us feel very comfortable. The food was excellent! We highly recommend!
- Tammy July 20, 2026
Chef Stephen is just amazingly talented and creative! This is my second time taking his cooking class and both times have been amazing!
- rachel May 07, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
Chef Stephen was so personable, knowledgeable and fun. Our Southwestern lunch time cooking class was really enjoyable. We watched him make 3 delicious dishes as we sipped on our margaritas as he gave us good tips and tricks every step of the way. I am already planning when I am going to make Carolita’s margarita ice box cake for my friends when I get home. Chef Stephen’s passion and cooking skills made for a memorable birthday activity.
- chris March 06, 2026
We had a delicious meal with Chef Stephen and learned some new techniques food pairing. Chef has a lovely kitchen and is very personable. Would definitely recommend.
- obin January 04, 2026
Read More
Pricing (per person)*
1 person 2-4 ppl 6+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $225
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
1 person 2-4 ppl 6+ people
In-Home Meal
 Not offered Not offered $225
Cooking Experience + Meal
 Not offered Not offered $250
Alcohol
 $0 per person
*Does not include 4% payment processing fee applied at checkout.
Experience Timings
 Lunch Dinner
In-Home Meal
 12:00pm-2:00pm 6:00pm-8:00pm
Cooking Experience+ Meal
 11:00am-2:00pm 5:00pm-8:00pm
ABOUT TRAVELING SPOON

Traveling Spoon connects you with meaningful culinary experiences, from private cooking lessons to homecooked meals in people's homes. Enjoy an immersive cultural experience that gives you a glimpse into the local way of life.

FAQ

    You can cancel your reservation up until 14 days before your experience for a full refund minus a 4% processing fee. Experiences within 14 days are not refundable.

    If you have a question for your host, you can include a note in the field "Write a note to your host" during the booking process. Once your booking is confirmed, you will be emailed your host's direct contact information and you will also be able to message the host through your profile. You can always cancel your booking and receive a full refund 14 days or more before your experience. If you have other questions you can also email us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Most of our hosts are able to accommodate dietary restrictions and allergies, including vegetarian and gluten free options. For vegetarian travelers, we have an icon on each host profile to indicate whether that host can also offer a fully vegetarian menu. There is a section in the booking form to note any allergies or dietary restrictions which will be sent directly to your host.

    Some hosts offer alcohol as an optional add-on for travelers who are of legal drinking age. Pricing for alcohol is visible on the host profile page and includes one to two glasses of wine, beer or local alcohol.

    Have a flight or other tour planned and can't make the timing provided? If the timing listed on the host's profile doesn't work for you, our hosts can often accommodate timing changes. Because all of our experiences are private our hosts are happy to tailor experiences to meet your travel needs. Simply note your request in the booking process.

    Your card will not be charged until your host accepts your booking. Typically hosts respond to bookings within 72 hours. In the event your host is unavailable on your selected date and your host rejects your booking your credit card will not be charged.

    Your host's detailed contact information, including their phone number, address, and direction notes, will all be provided immediately upon successful confirmation of your experience (after your hosts accepts your booking and your credit card is successfully processed). This information will be emailed to you to the email address you used to sign up, and will also be visible on your Traveling Spoon profile.

    All prices are noted per person prices unless otherwise specified. Transportation is typically charged on a per car basis. Children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free. Hosts set their own prices and Traveling Spoon marks up the experiences; on average hosts receive over 70% of the price paid by the traveler.

    100% of Traveling Spoon experiences are private! Just you and your host and host's family.

    Hosts typically respond to booking inquiries within 72 hours. If for some reason you have not heard from your host or if you have any questions you can always contact us at reservations@travelingspoon.com.

    Your safety and security are our top priority. To ensure this, Traveling Spoon personally vets 100% of all hosts, including an in-person host visit, to ensure each host and experience meets our strict quality requirements.

    Some hosts offer transportation as an optional add-on for travelers. Typically this is round trip transportation with pick up and drop off at your hotel. Pricing is quoted per car. Specific instructions for transportation will be provided in your confirmation details when your booking is confirmed.

    Many of our hosts accommodate solo travelers. You can see if a host accepts solo travelers by looking at the traveler range found next to the experience descriptions on the host profile (indicated by the numbers in parentheses next to "In-home meal", "Cooking experience" and "Market visit").

    Most of our Traveling Spoon experiences are incredibly family friendly and can accommodate infants and children. If a host is unable to accommodate children that will be noted in the "Notes" section of their profile. Our child pricing policy is children aged 5-11 are 50% off, and infants aged 0-4 are free.