I craft soulful, chef’s-table dining experiences that blend global flavors, seasonal ingredients, and warm hospitality into unforgettable moments of connection.

Juan Velilla

I turn your home into a private chef’s table—where global flavor, seasonal ingredients, and artistry meet.

I bring passion, creativity, and precision to every table I serve. My journey has taken me from the Caribbean to Maui and now to Florida’s Panhandle, shaping the way I blend global flavors with seasonal ingredients to create food that feels vibrant, personal, and memorable.

For me, every experience is more than a meal—it’s a story of flavor, connection, and light. With meticulous attention to detail, natural plating artistry, and a warm, inviting presence, I create a dining sanctuary where you can relax, celebrate, and savor every moment.

Let’s plan your dinner

My secret ingredients are music, love, joy, and freshness.

What you can expect when you dine with me

Cooking is how I share love

For me, cooking is passion and love made tangible. I treat every dish as art—something that connects people, creates memories, and fills each moment with joy.

A journey shaped by great mentors

I learned my craft at Le Cordón Bleu and in Hawaii under some epic chefs. Those experiences taught me discipline, creativity, and how to bring restaurant-level precision into an intimate, at-home setting.

A philosophy rooted in joy and freshness

I cook with music in the background and love at the center. I focus on joy and freshness so every gathering feels uplifting, vibrant, and fully present.

Juan’s Menus

I offer curated, full-course menus inspired by my travels and the flavors I love most—from tropical and Latin American dishes to French, Italian, and Japanese-inspired experiences. I bring the ingredients, the flow, and the hospitality so you can simply enjoy the moment.

Request a menu

Stories and Testimonials

Juan is amazing, he made everything wonderful! Food was great and we were so happy with the service he provided. Thank you!

Chris Chiv

My party and I are glad we booked Chef Juan! His personality, life story, and technique all added to what was already incredible tasting food. I’ve always been a huge proponent of this type of experience- when Chef Juan left, we all agreed we wouldn’t have had a better meal out on the town! Thank you, Chef Juan!

Brandon Loschiavo

Chef Juan far surpassed our expectations for our joint birthday party for my husband and myself. He was not only super kind, warm and engaging but also an incredibly talented chef. All of my guests were delighted in what he served. ‘Never had such a great chef at one of our parties’ was one of the comments a guest shared with me. He’s incredible and top notch.

Melissa J Simpson

Hiring Chef Juan proved to be a fantastic choice for our birthday dinner party. His exceptional communication skills shone throughout the entire process, from collaborating on the menu weeks in advance to handling the grocery shopping on the day. Chef Juan consistently demonstrated professionalism, courtesy, and prompt responsiveness. On the day of the event, he arrived on time and well-prepared. His friendly demeanor endeared him to everyone, including our two little dogs. During dinner, his expertly crafted flavor combinations delighted our taste buds with their exquisite textures and tastes. Chef Juan's impeccable presentation and dish introductions elevated the entire evening. After impressing us and our guests, he left everything spotless, gaining a whole new set of fans in the process. We wholeheartedly endorse Chef Juan for all your personal chef requirements.

Jenna Lynn

Every year at our family trip we hire a chef from Take a Chef and this year was the best. Chef Juan was great. He was engaging with the family and told us all about his background and family. The food was delicious and with each serving the Chef told us about the dish and how he made it. I would recommend Chef Juan to anyone. Thanks for a great experience.

Lori Atkins

Great!

Lenny Fodemski

Wonderful experience, made our anniversary very special. Each dish was crafted to hit multiple flavor profiles, delicious to the last bite. I even finished every bite of the salad, something I normally don't even touch at restaurants. Would highly recommend for a special dinner!

Zachary Kessler

Enjoy the service!

Giselle McCall

Chef Juan was extremely polite and talented and gave us the exact experience we were looking for our in our home with delicious food.

Patrick Floeck

Follow along on Instagram for my latest chef’s tables, menus, and behind-the-scenes moments.

@juanvelilla

I’d love to cook for you—reach out and let’s create something unforgettable together.

[email protected]
+1 8083445872

Tampa, FL

Chef Juan Velilla

I craft soulful, chef’s-table dining experiences that blend global flavors, seasonal ingredients, and warm hospitality into unforgettable moments of connection.

I turn your home into a private chef’s table—where global flavor, seasonal ingredients, and artistry meet.

What you can expect when you dine with me

Cooking is how I share love

A journey shaped by great mentors

A philosophy rooted in joy and freshness

Juan’s Menus

JUANPACIFICO EXPERIENCE

Viva la France

La bella Vita

Oishi

Sabroso!

Stories and Testimonials

Follow along on Instagram for my latest chef’s tables, menus, and behind-the-scenes moments.