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April 2023 by Lee F.
As You Like It provides the fabulous personal chef services of Dianna Estes. She recently made a family dinner at our house for a special occasion, and she was a joy to work with from the beginning planning stages to the onsite preparation of a spectacularly wonderful dinner with complete clean-up afterwards. She offered an extensive menu of choices and we agreed on the menu well in advance. She shopped for all ingredients needed right before the event. We loved her appetizers, particularly the Ahi Tuna stuffed wontons with a touch of wasabi. Her Miso Glazed Salmon with Coconut Black Rice was perfect as an entree, and the pistachio-orange cake for dessert was super as the end to a completely delicious meal. We highly recommend her to anyone seeking a highly accomplished and easy-to-work-with personal chef.
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March 2023 by Jerry Parmer
We decided to splurge and have a birthday dinner party for three Scorpio friends. Everyone donned dressy attire, there was a nice house sound track in the background, and the fireplace was casting a glow.Dianna provided multiple Fall menu options a couple of weeks prior, and was easily able to adapt to a couple of minor dietary restrictions. Making a choice was the hardest part, there were so many amazing options. She stopped by to familiarize herself with the kitchen and do the final pregame planning one week prior to the event.She arrived about an hour before to set up, and all was ready & mis en place before guests arrived for cocktails.The food was wonderful. We had two rounds of appetizers, a shrimp and avocado stuffed endive, as well as a tomato confit mozzarella Crostini. We had trouble restraining ourselves. The salad with winter greens, fennel, apple, and toasted almonds was perfectly dressed. The braised duck legs fell off the bone, had a delicious marinated flavor crispy skin, and were served aux jus over a wild rice blend. Roasted parsnips and carrots gave it that final fantastic Fall touch.Desert was this simply amazing chocolate cake with three or four different layers involving mousse, ganache, shaved chocolate, and more chocolate! It's a miracle we all survived.Throughout Dianna kept everybody's champagne glass full, circulated the appetizers, and timed the courses to the pace of the crowd. She was charming, with a smile all evening that never stopped.And the best part, and I admit this is a little selfish, was I had to do a bunch of volunteer work all day long, and was able to just relax and get cleaned up in that hour before the party. You know that part when you are normally frantic, running around trying to tighten up all the loose ends.It really was a treat!
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November 2022 by Nancy A.
Dianna's food is simply remarkable! She provides a selection of choices for clients to pick from and bases. those choices on the answers provided when she speaks to her clients. This is the second time that we have used Dianna for a special event and again the food was impeccable. Her personality and her love for food shows in all that she does! We will definitely be using her services in the future because who doesn't like to have a beautiful meal and no clean up?! If you're looking for a personal chef, that listens, understands the clients, taste profile, provides food that will knock your socks off. Dianna is the only choice.
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November 2022 by Jerry P.
We decided to splurge and have a birthday dinner party for three Scorpio friends. Everyone donned dressy attire, there was a nice house sound track in the background, and the fireplace was casting a glow. Dianna provided multiple Fall menu options a couple of weeks prior, and was easily able to adapt to a couple of minor dietary restrictions. Making a choice was the hardest part, there were so many amazing options. She stopped by to familiarize herself with the kitchen and do the final pregame planning one week prior to the event. She arrived about an hour before to set up, and all was ready & mis en place before guests arrived for cocktails. The food was wonderful. We had two rounds of appetizers, a shrimp and avocado stuffed endive, as well as a tomato confit mozzarella Crostini. We had trouble restraining ourselves. The salad with winter greens, fennel, apple, and toasted almonds was perfectly dressed. The braised duck legs fell off the bone, had a delicious marinated flavor crispy skin, and were served aux jus over a wild rice blend. Roasted parsnips and carrots gave it that final fantastic Fall touch. Desert was this simply amazing chocolate cake with three or four different layers involving mousse, ganache, shaved chocolate, and more chocolate! It's a miracle we all survived. Throughout Dianna kept everybody's champagne glass full, circulated the appetizers, and timed the courses to the pace of the crowd. She was charming, with a smile all evening that never stopped. And the best part, and I admit this is a little selfish, was I had to do a bunch of volunteer work all day long, and was able to just relax and get cleaned up in that hour before the party. You know that part when you are normally frantic, running around trying to tighten up all the loose ends. It really was a treat!
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March 2022 by Melinda W.
We had a wonderful experience with Dianna recently. We used her services to make a group of us dinner for a friend's birthday. It was so nice to be able to hang out and enjoy each other's company while Dianna prepped, cooked and cleaned up our three course meal. We were able to spend quality time without having to worry about corkage, cake serving charges or paying for a private room! The food was delicious and well worth the price for everything she did for us. I hope to use her again in the future!
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January 2022 by Karen B.
For anyone looking for an amazing personal chef, we can't recommend Dianna/As You Like It enough. We have worked with Dianna for many years and send our friends and business clients to her. Whether you want meals cooked for you in your home or dropped off, to cater an event or to provide meals for an elder in their home, Dianna provides all. She is an extraordinary chef and has worked with Paula La Duc catering, one of the Bay Area's best caterers. She has a passion for what she does and not only prepares amazing food but she brings enthusiasm and kindness with her when cooking or dropping off. Even further, she is aware of many types of dietary restrictions and healthful cooking if that is something you're interested in. She will use whatever ingredients you prefer. I love discussing menus and menu adaptations with her and she always has great ideas for creating excellent meals. She has cooked for several of our elderly family friends, who really enjoy having her cook meals in their home, which provides additional social interaction and cooking aromas that bring pleasure and stimulate the appetite. They have thanked me repeatedly. You can also have her drop off several days worth of meals for the week or extra food to freeze. If you are a very busy person, she can take a load off of you by preparing food and freeing that time for you. She is just a fantastic resource.
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September 2021 by Lizzy R.
Diana is amazing! She has been a personal chef for my family for the last 2.5 years. She is excellent at her job ( the food is fabulous) and is very neat and tidy. She is always willing to accommodate to whatever meal we would like and does all the shopping for us. A true lifesaver! I would highly recommend her services.
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September 2021 by Grace R.
Dianna's miso glazed black cod is mouthwatering and memorable. Her attention to detail is inspiring. You will love her upbeat personality and flexibility.
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November 2015 by Catya D.
Dianna is a fabulous cook and a lovely person. We had her New Year's dinner. It was an imaginative menu but not too far out - it was easy to digest. Every bite was delightful. It was sort of like Babette's Feast in that it took the entire evening to savor and commune with. There were no weak spots. The palette was subtle and very satisfying. I felt cherished eating this meal. Dianna has great communication skills as well. She'd be happy to work with you to create what you want. More please!
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December 2012 by Ann S.
How wonderful, Diana comes to my house with fabulous food cooked for my family.
