Signature plated dish
Private Chef

Manuel
Arriaga

Bespoke dining experiences crafted around your table — for private residences in Chelsea, Kensington and Mayfair, villas in Ibiza and Marbella, and destination events across Europe.

Spain · United Kingdom · Destination Events
Chef plating a dish
About

Sixteen years in the pursuit of honest cooking.

I am a professional chef with more than sixteen years of experience working in restaurants, luxury hospitality, private dining and events across Spain and the United Kingdom — including twelve years honing my craft in Scotland.

"Exceptional ingredients, honest cooking and genuine hospitality."

I create personalised dining experiences for clients looking for something unique — in a private home, villa, holiday property or special event venue. Every menu is designed around the client, the occasion and the season.

16+Years experience
12Years in Scotland
Several countries
The Journey

From a young apprentice to private dining

A career built from the ground up — through demanding kitchens, leadership roles and a constant pursuit of excellence.

Early Career

A vocation that began young

Started in professional kitchens as a teenager — drawn to the discipline, the craft and the intensity of fine dining. The foundations were built early, scrubbing pans and learning every section before earning the next one.

Fine Dining

Years inside Scotland's leading restaurants

Twelve years honing technique across some of Scotland's most respected kitchens — fine dining, luxury hospitality and Michelin-influenced houses. A formative chapter where precision, seasonality and respect for the produce became second nature.

Head Chef

Leading a kitchen of my own

Promoted to Head Chef — running the pass, building menus from scratch, mentoring brigades and earning consistent recognition for the cooking. The discipline of leading a team in service is what shapes the calm and precision I bring to a private table today.

Today

Private Chef

Running a curated selection of private dining engagements across the United Kingdom, Spain and destination events. Every booking is treated as a single occasion, designed and cooked personally from the first conversation to the final petit four.

16+
Years in kitchens
12
Years in Scotland
Fine dining background
UK & Spain
Private dining
Services

A table set for every occasion

Private Dining
01

Private Dining

Restaurant-quality dining in the comfort of your own home.

  • Anniversaries
  • Birthdays
  • Family celebrations
  • Special occasions
  • Intimate gatherings
Chef's Table Experience
02

Chef's Table Experience

A bespoke tasting menu designed around your preferences — an interactive experience where guests enjoy the story and inspiration behind each dish.

  • Tasting menus
  • Wine pairings
  • Live interaction
  • Personalised narrative
Luxury Dinner Parties
03

Luxury Dinner Parties

Professional fine dining experiences for groups from 6 to 20 guests. Perfect for entertaining friends, family or business guests.

  • 6 to 20 guests
  • Full service
  • Sommelier on request
  • Bespoke menus
Villa & Holiday Chef
04

Villa & Holiday Chef

Private chef services for villas, holiday homes, country houses, luxury rentals and exclusive retreats.

  • Villas
  • Holiday homes
  • Country houses
  • Luxury rentals
  • Exclusive retreats
Signature Style

Mediterranean roots,
modern European hand.

Mediterranean Cuisine
Modern European Techniques
Seasonal Produce
Spanish Heritage
Bespoke Dining

Your table, your rules

Every menu is designed from scratch around you. I adapt ingredients, techniques and presentation to match your preferences, dietary needs and the spirit of the occasion — nothing is fixed until it suits you perfectly.

Dietary Requirements

Vegetarian, vegan, pescatarian, gluten-free, dairy-free, keto, low-FODMAP and any specific regime.

Allergies & Intolerances

Full allergen control with separate prep and cross-contamination protocols. Detailed ingredient tracking.

Cultural & Religious

Halal, kosher-friendly, Jain, and culturally sensitive menus prepared with respect and precision.

Children & Family

Child-friendly adaptations, simpler plates for younger guests, and inclusive family dining experiences.

"Tell me what you need — and I will build a menu around it."

Pricing

Private dining experiences

From
£120 / €120
per guest
Minimum booking
£800 / €800

Final pricing depends on number of guests, menu selection, location and service requirements.

Locations

Where I cook

London
Chelsea · Kensington · Mayfair · Notting Hill
United Kingdom
Cotswolds · Surrey · Country estates
Spain
Ibiza · Mallorca · Marbella · Madrid
Destination Events
Available for selected international bookings
Why work with me
  • More than 16 years of professional experience
  • Restaurant and luxury hospitality background
  • Personalised, season-led menus
  • Professional, discreet service
  • Flexible locations
  • Bespoke experiences from the first conversation
Guest Words

What guests say

"
An unforgettable evening. Manuel cooked for ten of us at our home in Chelsea — every course was extraordinary and the service felt completely effortless. We have already booked him again.
Charlotte H.
Private Dinner · Chelsea, London
"
We hired Manuel for a week at our villa in Ibiza. The man is a craftsman. The Spanish tasting menu on our last night had every guest speechless. Discreet, professional and genuinely talented.
Alexander P.
Villa Stay · Ibiza
"
Manuel cooked an intimate anniversary dinner for us in Kensington. The level of detail — from the canapés to the petits fours — was on par with the very best restaurants in London.
Sophie & James L.
Anniversary · Kensington, London
"
I have worked with many chefs over the years. Manuel stands out for his calm under pressure, his palate and his respect for the produce. A true professional.
David M.
Head Chef · Former Colleague
"
Sixteen guests, a complicated mix of dietary requirements and a tight kitchen. Manuel handled all of it with grace. The food was outstanding — our guests are still talking about it.
Isabella R.
Birthday Celebration · Marbella
"
Restaurant-quality dining in our own home, without any of the formality. Manuel made the evening feel personal and special from start to finish. We could not recommend him more highly.
The Whitmore Family
Family Celebration · Cotswolds
Contact

Let's design your evening.

Available for private dining, celebrations, luxury holidays and special occasions. Get in touch directly to discuss dates, guest numbers and the experience you have in mind.

Manuel Arriaga
Private Chef