Mortar Pestle Cooking is a Lake Tahoe personal chef service that creates seasonal & organic meals
from scratch and by hand.
We cook for people just like you
who need a little help with meals during their stay in Lake Tahoe.
Our specialities are dinner parties, intimate wedding and rehearsal dinners, private cooking classes, and feeding corporate groups and families- all from the convenience of your home or rental kitchen.
HOW IT WORKS
After an initial consultation, we’ll send you a seasonal menu (including full pricing) that was created especially for your group.
Once you agree to a menu, a 50% deposit is due to secure the date.
On your event date, our team will arrive at your house a few hours before dinner to cook, set the table, serve, and then clean-up.
All you have to do is show up and enjoy!
WHAT KIND OF FOOD WE COOK
Our cooking is classically “California”
Vibrant, fresh, colorful,
and heavy on the fruit and veggies!
Think Napa Valley
(where Andreya earned her cooking chops).
We love a handmade pasta and sourdough,
veggies and meats grilled over fire,
spicy herbaceous olive oil sauces,
slow braised meats perched unctuously on the tip of your fork dripping its sauce into a puddle on top of some creamy starchy thing like polenta,
simple cakes bathed in honey & juicy summer fruit
or deep sensuous chocolate adored with
fluffy dollops of handmade whipp.
Hungry yet? Us too, Always!
xo
Andreya
Personal Chef Services
Gather with your family and friends to celebrate the joys of the Tahoe table. Everything we cook is seasonal, organic, and made from scratch. Dietary restrictions are always happily accommodated.
FAMILY STYLE MEAL
Comprised of Salad, Homemade Sourdough Bread, Starch Side, Veg Side, Main Protein, and a Simple Dessert.
Pricing starts at $135 per person + tax and chef fees
$1,500 minimum
Browse some of our SAMPLE MENUS
FOUR COURSE MEAL
Each seasonally-inspired 4 Course Menus is created specifically for the group’s tastes, the occasion, and/ or the wine.
Pricing starts at $150 per person + tax and chef fees
$1,500 minimum
Browse some of our SAMPLE MENUS
Cooking Classes
Savor the pleasures of cooking with friends in a hands-on, private cooking class in the comfort of your own kitchen.
SEASONAL COOKING
Your group will prepare a simple menu inspired by the season’s most beautiful ingredients, whilst developing your intuitive cooking skills. Then, you will gather together at the table to enjoy your family-style meal while we take care of the clean-up.
Starts at $135 per person + tax and chef fees
$1,500 minimum
WINE & FOOD PAIRING
Same format as Cooking with the Seasons, but add wine! In this class we’ll focus on wine tasting for food pairings with 2-4 wines.
Starts at $225 per person + tax and chef fees
$1,500 minimum
“Andreya is one in a million, she’s the kind of gal that makes you hesitant to share with others because you want to keep her all to yourself! With the kind of talent that can’t be taught or learned, her culinary skills are very obviously inherent. She will surprise and delight you and your guests, in an unfussy and beautiful way. Her specialty is creating delicious, approachable menus that bring nature’s beauty to the forefront. Give her the reins and let her dream up your special day, she will not disappoint!”
Hi, I’m Andreya!
An enthusiastic advocate for seasonal cooking and letting the ingredients shine. My favorite moment is when the group starts to eat and slowly goes completely quiet because they’re completely consumed with the joy of the moment.
Our menus are inspired by the season’s most beautiful ingredients and the many places I’ve lived and traveled: from South Lake Tahoe, to Belgium, Seattle, Atlanta, Guadeloupe, Napa, France, Italy, Oaxaca, and back to Tahoe.
I’ve learned from cooks in all these places, plus a little bit more. I’m a CIA-Grad (culinary school, not spy agency), Michelin Starred kitchen veteran, Artisanal Sourdough baker, Certified Sommelier, & Chef with 20 years experience in the food, beverage and luxury hospitality industry.
I also run a small cottage bakery for artisan sourdough out of my home kitchen in South Lake Tahoe, Brot Blume
I can’t wait to cook for you!