Food was delicious, our chef was totally responsive and cooperative and our meals were worth the money. I will definitely hire them again if we are in the same area.
ShamHouse Chefs Personal Chef Service
Great value
- 91 hires
- Based in Des Moines, IA
- 8 years in business
- 6 employees
- Background checked
About ShamHouse Chefs Personal Chef Service
Greetings, I’m Chef Nija of ShamHouse Chefs, your personal executive chef bringing over 25 years of culinary expertise to your table. My journey has taken me through the kitchens of world-renowned establishments including Disney, Starwood Hotels, Marriott, Hyatt, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation, and Olshan Properties. These experiences have shaped my approach to food: rooted in farm-to-table sensibility, rich in global technique, and guided by the principle that simplicity paired with bold flavor creates unforgettable moments. Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner, a birthday celebration, a bachelor/bachelorette party, or a casual gathering, I offer a full spectrum of culinary services—from elegant hors d’oeuvres and family-style buffets to multi-course plated meals. I take care of every detail so you can fully enjoy the occasion and your guests. 🥂 What You Can Expect: Custom Menu Design tailored to your preferences, dietary needs, and event theme Restaurant-Quality Dining in your home or chosen venue Professional Service with a focus on comfort, detail, and exceptional flavor Cooking Classes available for individuals, couples, or groups—perfect for team-building or a fun night with friends Locally Sourced Ingredients, prioritizing sustainability and freshness Whether you’re looking to elevate a small gathering or create a once-in-a-lifetime dinner, ShamHouse Chefs delivers a personalized, immersive, and delicious experience that your guests will remember long after the last bite. If this aligns with your vision, I invite you to connect for a consultation. Let’s collaborate to design a culinary adventure that exceeds expectations. Bon appétit, Chef Nija Lightfoot Owner, ShamHouse Chefs
Reviews
We hired Chef Nija to do a special Memorial Day Weekend with the adults in our family. I found Nija to be very easy to work with when it came to ironing out logistics and creating a menu. We have several allergies in the group and she was great at explaining how they could accommodate. Regarding the actual meal, it was absolutely incredible. The whole group was blown away with every bite and the service was fantastic. I can’t recommend Chef Nija and ShamHouse chefs enough!
Not reliable and unprofessional. I was coordinating a bachelorette party dinner with Nija for the past 3 weeks. She provided availability for Friday and Saturday June 2-3. We agreed that June 3rd would be a good option at the time, but she was flexible for June 2nd. I received the contract 2 weeks before the dinner party and she said she can't do June 2nd and dismissed me. After 3 weeks of planning and curating a specific menu for our party she completed just dropped me without any discussion. She didn't even ask if June 3rd would still work for me! Seriously!? I would not recommend her.
Nija was great! I would highly recommend her to anyone looking to try out having a chef for a party. She was extremely responsive and helpful throughout the planning process. Her menus were extensive and varied. She accommodated our dietary restrictions with no issues. Her food was not only delicious but it was presented beautifully. The kitchen looked like it was not even touched after she finished. Of all the activities we did during our bachelorette weekend, it was the highlight for everyone.
Chef Nija did a great job with our event at the nursing home! She provided residents with a sense of empowerment and connections. Nija has demonstrated professionalism, great leadership skills and a dependability. She went above and beyond to ensure that the residents got what they needed out of the event! Not only is she a great Chef, but she showed her passion to giving back to the community! The residents of the nursing home are forever grateful for this opportunity and experience! The company has applauded her for her efforts and skills for being such an inspiration to all!
For my mother’s 70th, we rented a house in Searsport for a week with our whole family! As a special celebratory event, we were lucky to have Chef Nija prepare a classic Maine lobster dinner. Communication was excellent, preparation so professional and the food was outstanding. We had a wonderful time!
We hired Chef Nija for a bachelorette dinner. She was great to work with from the beginning. She helped me to create a menu full of the guest of honor’s favorite foods, while working with the dietary restrictions of a few guests. In person she was just as awesome. Chef Nija was professional, friendly, and attentive as she served the food. She made enough to have leftovers and cleaned up the materials she used before she left. Her culinary creations were full of flavor and so fresh, a perfect meal. Thank you for the most memorable dinner Chef Nija! (Attached is a picture of our apps!)
ShamHouse Chefs did an incredible job with my brothers Bachelor party dinner! Chef Nija arrived on time, prepped the food and dessert, and cleaned up after herself within no time! The food was excellent and the sticky toffee pudding was mouth watering!
We decided to have a chef come to our home to cook a special dinner for our family. Chef Nija FAR EXCEEDED anything we could have imagined. She was extremely personable and easy to work with. Chef Nija has a great variety on her menu to choose from and each plate served was a work of art and absolutely amazing!
Our experience with Nija was absolutely wonderful! The food was excellent and a hit among all 7 guests. It was prepared beautifully and was a great way to try a variety of fresh, local foods. Would recommend to anyone looking for a fun and tasty experience in Maine!
Services
ShamHouse Chefs Personal Chef Service★ 4.7
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