Meet Our Phoenix Private Chefs

Book a private chef

In Greater Phoenix

Instead of booking a table at a restaurant, book a private chef in your own home. We deliver exceptional in-home dining experiences across Scottsdale and Greater Phoenix.

Meet our

Phoenix Chefs

With a diverse range of backgrounds, our chefs create well-presented dishes that taste as good as they look…and we have fun doing it!

Owner & Executive Chef

Michael Denton

Growing up in an Italian family in the South, Chef Michael learned at an early age that delicious, healthy food is an essential ingredient to a good life. As a child, he watched his mom and “nonnie” prepare culinary masterpieces from scratch. Over time, he was able to pick up many tips and tricks from helping them in the kitchen, so the culinary industry was a natural fit when it came time to think about his career.

Working in the restaurant industry from the age of 16, Chef Michael attended culinary school at the University of Tennessee Culinary Institute and spent his early chef career in both fine dining and casual American restaurants.

After moving from Tennessee to Arizona, Chef Michael launched his private chef business in 2014 and has been serving dinner parties around the Valley ever since. As Privato’s Founder and Executive Chef of the Phoenix market, Chef Michael has served thousands of happy clients around the Valley. He was also named the #1 private chef in Phoenix by Thumbtack, based on client reviews.

When he’s not working, Chef Michael enjoys traveling the country with his wife Nicole and their two rescued dogs.

Chef

Rob Rigsby

Chef Rob’s passion for cooking began when his kids were young. They looked forward to their special Sunday brunch each week, where Chef Rob would prepare custom meals for his family of six, made to order and often picked fresh from their home garden. He discovered how much he loved the creative process of cooking and took great pleasure in the act of helping to feed souls with a home cooked, freshly prepared farm-to-table meal.

Born and raised near the ocean in Virginia, Chef Rob enjoys experimenting with unique flavors and combining the tastes of the South with an Arizona flair. His experience has taught him that preparing a meal is a powerful opportunity for families and friends to sit down, enjoy meaningful conversations and celebrate the blessings of life while enjoying a flavorful meal.

Chef Rob joined the Privato Phoenix team in early 2019 and has been delivering new and fulfilling experiences for each and every one of our clients ever since!

Chef

Ben Brignola

Chef Ben may be the newest member of the Privato team, but he’s no stranger to the kitchen. Since 2006, Chef Ben has served in executive and sous chef roles at various high-end restaurants in the Northeast, as well as the kitchen manager for Facebook’s in-office kitchen in Texas. Prior to joining Privato, he served as a private estate chef in California.

A Pennsylvania native, Chef Ben holds a degree in culinary arts from the Art Institute of Philadelphia and is highly experienced with Italian, French, Asian, Paleo, Mexican and Moroccan cuisine.

When he’s not cooking, Chef Ben also enjoys photography.

What our clients

Are saying

Some of the best food and hospitality we’ve ever experienced! Right from the start, Michael exceeded expectations and provided a world-class experience for our anniversary. He was masterful in putting together a four-course menu based on our preferences. On the day of our dinner, Michael arrived on time and everything went super smoothly. Each of the four courses blew us away in both their taste and presentation. After dinner, Michael left the kitchen even cleaner than he found it. Five star experience I’d definitely recommend!!!

Yakov S.

I booked a dinner for four at my home in Gilbert for my husband’s birthday, and everything was absolutely outstanding from beginning to end. The first course was served exactly on time, and a beautiful dinner unfolded from there. Every course Chef Ben brought out was beyond delicious – all made with such precision and pride in his work. It was such a treat for us to book an in-home chef, and the evening was flawless. We highly recommend Chef Ben and Privato!

Shanna P.

On Valentine’s Day I surprised my fiancé with a private chef, and I was lucky enough to get Chef Rob and the waitress Vicky to come to our home and cook for us. I was blown away with not only their friendliness but the professionalism and the overall experience I had with this duo! I highly recommend this team; they are so sincere and they truly want you to have the best time. I will absolutely use this company again because they just took such good care of us.

Mary M.

Chef Michael is absolutely fantastic. We hired him for a dinner party while we were visiting Scottsdale, AZ with friends. Chef Michael was prompt the night of the event, and he was very professional, engaging and entertaining. We had VERY high expectations and Chef Michael crushed those expectations! The food was perfect, even though the kitchen he was provided was very challenging. Kim assisted Chef Michael and she was very pleasant and engaged, and really made the evening fun. This meal was the highlight of our vacation! The evening was perfect and we would definitely recommend and hire Chef Michael again!!!

Mike F.

Chef Michael of Privato was amazing! We hired him to prepare a dinner to celebrate my dad’s 90th birthday, and my mom’s 80th. From my initial booking email to Chef Michael to the end of the birthday dinner, he was professional, prompt, kind, and an exquisite chef. Near the end of the meal, my mom actually said, “I think this is the best meal I’ve ever had.” That’s a pretty strong statement coming from an 80 year-old!

Kristin K.

We work

in Greater Phoenix

Serving clients in Carefree, Cave Creek, Chandler, Fountain Hills, Gilbert, Mesa, Paradise Valley, Phoenix, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Tempe and other parts of the East/South Valley.

Ready

to book?

Ready to wow your guests with a one-of-a-kind in-home dining experience? Get in touch with us today to reserve your date.

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