Top-Rated Private Chef
For Hire in The Greater Bay Area
Capitola Garden Feast stands at the intersection of refined hospitality and deeply personal dining. This is not a traditional service built around menus and logistics. It is a private chef experience shaped by intention, where every gathering reflects the people at the table and the story they want to tell.
Rooted in Silicon Valley and the greater San Francisco Bay Area, Capitola Garden Feast is known for creating immersive dining moments that engage more than taste alone. Texture, aroma, presentation, and atmosphere come together in a way that feels effortless yet precise. Guests do not simply sit down for a meal. They step into an environment where every detail has been considered, and nothing feels ordinary.
The philosophy is clear. Personalization is not an added touch. It is the foundation. Each experience is designed from the ground up, blending culinary craft with a sense of place and emotion that lingers long after the final course.
Martin Hoellrigl
Personal Chef
Chef Martin Hoellrigl brings a depth of experience that goes far beyond the kitchen. His journey through tourism management, a formal chef apprenticeship, and advanced training as a sommelier and vintner has shaped a perspective that is both technical and intuitive. Certifications from Cornell University further refined his understanding of hospitality at the highest level.
His curiosity for food and human connection continues to define his work. Every dish reflects discipline, yet carries a sense of fluid creativity. Years spent working alongside respected leaders in global hospitality have influenced his approach, but what sets him apart is how he translates that experience into something deeply personal.
Before founding Capitola Garden Feast in 2017, Chef Martin built a reputation for precision, creativity, and an ability to read the room. That instinct now defines each private dining experience he creates. He understands when to elevate a moment and when to let it unfold naturally, allowing guests to feel both cared for and completely at ease.
The result is not just a meal. It is a shared experience built on trust, presence, and quiet excellence.
Private Chef for Graduation Celebrations
Milestones deserve more than a standard gathering. A graduation celebration with Capitola Garden Feast is designed to reflect achievement, transition, and anticipation for what lies ahead.
Each course carries a sense of progression, creating a dining experience that mirrors the significance of the occasion. The atmosphere feels warm and intentional, allowing guests to celebrate in a way that feels both elevated and deeply personal.
A Taste That Stays With You
Intimate Wedding Dining Experiences
For couples who value presence over scale, this experience offers a refined alternative to traditional formats. Small gatherings become immersive, where every guest feels connected to the moment.
Chef Martin curates a dining experience that complements the setting, whether it is an outdoor celebration or a private residence. The focus remains on connection, atmosphere, and the subtle details that turn a wedding into something unforgettable.
Private Dining for Dinner Party-Style Gatherings
Hosting at home takes on a new meaning with a dedicated private chef experience. The environment remains familiar, yet everything within it feels elevated.
Guests are welcomed into a setting where conversation flows naturally, and each course adds depth to the evening. From the first impression to the final bite, the experience is cohesive, refined, and quietly impactful.
Whether at your residence or a private retreat such as a VRBO or Airbnb, the essence remains the same. Clients seeking a high-end personal chef experience in Aptos, CA, choose Capitola Garden Feast for its ability to deliver something that feels both exclusive and authentic.
In The Press
The Experience
Luxury Chef Experience
An evening with Capitola Garden Feast begins long before the first course is served. It starts with a conversation. Your preferences, your vision, and the tone you want to create shape the entire experience. From there, Chef Martin develops a menu that feels intentional and expressive, where each course builds on the next.
Flavors are layered with precision. Presentation feels natural yet striking. The pacing of the evening allows guests to settle in, connect, and fully engage with the moment. Nothing feels rushed. Nothing feels rehearsed.
This is where fine dining becomes personal, and where your space transforms into something truly memorable.
200+
PRIVATE DINNERS SERVED
Best Wedding Caterer for intimate and outdoor weddings
Whether you’re celebrating at your residence or planning an unforgettable evening at your VRBO or Airbnb, one thing remains the same: clients looking for a Top-Rated Personal Chef in Aptos, CA turn to Capitola Garden Feast for a reason.
Top Rated Bay Area Private Chef
Capitola Garden Feast turned our anniversary into something we still talk about. The menu felt considered from the first course to the last, and Chef Martin’s wine pairings elevated the entire evening.
Every dish told a story, from the appetizers straight through dessert. Our guests still ask about the meal months later. One of the best dining experiences any of us has had, and it happened in our own backyard.
“Capitola Garden Feast is so great and easy to work with. Their menus are really creative, and Chef Martin does a REMARKABLE job of creating thoughtful, innovative, and delicious experiences.”
“When we said we wanted a Michelin experience…We definitely got it!!…Chef Martin ensured we all not only had a great meal, but a great time as well!…10/10 stars, we cannot recommend Capitola Garden Feast enough!”
“Chef Martin and his team are hands down the best. They deliver the most exquisite dinner and presentation you can dream of! His presentations are creative and incredibly tasty! Additionally, he’s fun to work with and incredibly knowledgeable!”
“Capitola Garden Feast delivered an experience like no other…We felt like we were kings and queens. Please go ahead and book them for your special high-end event. You will not be disappointed!!”
“The food was truly delicious, but even better was their company and conversation both before, during, and after our meal. From the Dim Sum and Pork Tenderloin appetizers to the Pistachio, Raspberry Pannacotta dessert, one of the best meals I have ever had. ”
“This was the third time we have contracted Capitola Garden Feast’s help to make our night special…Chef Martin & his staff are highly recommended. And we surely will be contracting them again for future private dinner needs. Thanks Chef for another amazing dining experience!”
“We were lucky to be invited to a birthday dinner and experience Martin’s food…Martin is a joy to be around and listen to. His explanations of the dishes and drink pairings were as enjoyable is the cuisine itself. I will definitely be hiring him and recommending him in the future!!”
“How on earth can you get a Michelin-star chef to cater your event? Look no further! Perfect for a wedding or an event when you want the absolute best. Each item is as beautifully prepared and presented. All items were unique and mouth-watering.”
“Martin has catered many of my favorite events. His food is thoughtful, delightful and sourced from the best and freshest ingredients. The service and attention to detail it unmatched! I will continue to patronize his business for all the special events in our life!”
“Thank you to Chef Martin and his team for a simply outstanding experience at a garden luncheon celebration…The food and presentation was artistic, delicious, and outstanding…Chef Martin is very engaging, personable, and professional. I give him my highest recommendation.”
“The food was spectacular! Chef and his staff were not overbearing in explaining things to us; their table-side manners were so warm and professional. As opportunity affords, we will definitely take advantage of this amazing business again!”
“Martin and his team are consummate professionals that take their cuisine to an artistic level! Their pairings with our Burgundy wine tasting was spot on. I would highly recommend their services without reservation or hesitation.”
“Capitola Garden Feast is a unique and intimate experience to share with friends or a work team! Martin and his team are wonderful hosts, great teachers, and experienced chefs! Our work team enjoyed making dinner together and provided the perfect opportunity to bond outside of work.”
“This was an amazing experience. It was fun, educational, and a great team-building experience. Single-handedly one of the coolest events I have ever participated in with a company.”
“Had the pleasure of dining in Chef Martin’s lovely backyard…Everything was delicious and we enjoyed the fact that Martin took the time to explain every dish and drink and was very accommodating to any allergies or preferences…Highly recommend him for any events.”
“I can honestly say that out of the 54 Thanksgiving dinners I’ve had the pleasure to eat, Chef Martin’s was the best. If I ever happen to find myself on death row I’ll demand that my last meal be prepared by Chef Martin…Thank you Chef Martin!”
Book Chef Martin
Every experience begins with a simple step. A conversation that explores your vision and shapes it into something tangible.
Reach out to discuss your next private gathering. Together, you will refine the concept and create a curated dining experience designed to stay with your guests long after the evening ends.