The Best Private Chefs in Santa Barbara for Families Staying in Vacation Rentals


If you're planning an extended family vacation in Santa Barbara, you'll find an incredible selection of vacation rentals on Airbnb, Vrbo, Plum Guide, and other luxury rental websites that are perfect for large groups. Over the past few years, I've noticed more and more of the extended families I photograph are choosing to stay together in beautiful vacation homes rather than booking multiple hotel rooms.


Whether they're visiting from Texas, Florida, New York, or somewhere else across the country, many families come to Santa Barbara to celebrate milestone birthdays, anniversaries, family reunions, or simply spend quality time together.


As a fourth-generation Santa Barbaran and family photographer, I think staying together in one home is one of the best ways to experience our beautiful community.

Why Rent a Vacation Home Instead of a Hotel?


Santa Barbara has some incredible luxury hotels, but vacation rentals offer something hotels simply can't. Instead of splitting everyone across multiple rooms, the entire family can gather under one roof.


Morning coffee on the patio.


Kids playing in the pool.


Grandparents reading books before bedtime.


Cousins playing cards around the kitchen table.


Long dinners where nobody has to rush to finish because another reservation is waiting.


Those are often the moments families remember long after the vacation ends. Many families also discover that renting a large vacation home is surprisingly cost-effective compared to reserving several luxury hotel rooms.

One Trend I've Been Loving


One thing I've noticed becoming increasingly popular is hiring a private chef for one or two evenings during the trip. I absolutely love this idea!


Instead of spending your vacation grocery shopping, cooking dinner, and cleaning the kitchen afterward, everyone gets to simply relax while enjoying an incredible meal prepared right in your vacation home. It feels less like dinner and more like an experience.

My Favorite Night to Hire a Private Chef


If your family includes young children, I actually recommend hiring a private chef on the same evening as your photo session. Most of my extended family sessions begin about 90 minutes before sunset and finish as the sun goes down. The timing works beautifully. The younger children can enjoy a quick dinner before we meet, so they're happy and well-fed during the session. Afterward, everyone heads back to the house, the little ones can get ready for bed, and the adults can relax around the table with an incredible meal and a glass of wine.


If your family is mostly adults or older children, however, going out to dinner after your session can be a wonderful option too. Since everyone is already dressed up, it's a fun excuse to enjoy one of Santa Barbara's great restaurants together.


One thing to keep in mind is your session location. Many of my favorite extended family sessions take place at the beach, and it's not uncommon for everyone to end up with at least their feet wet. In those cases, it's nice to head back to your vacation rental, warm up, change into comfortable clothes, and have a delicious dinner waiting for you. It makes hiring a private chef the perfect way to end the evening!

Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Private Chef


Every chef offers something a little different, so here are a few questions worth asking before you book:


  • Do you shop for all the groceries?
  • Can you accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions?
  • Can you prepare a children's meal first?
  • Do you clean the kitchen afterward?
  • Do you offer wine pairings?
  • Can dinner be timed around our family photo session?
  • Is family-style or plated service a better fit for our group?

My Recommended Private Chefs in Santa Barbara


These are chefs I've either worked alongside personally or have been recommended by local families and trusted vacation resources. Whether you're planning an intimate dinner for 8 or a celebration with 20 guests, each offers a unique experience.


Private Chef Robin

I've had the pleasure of working alongside Chef Robin while photographing many families over the years. Chef Robin is available to create delicious, meals and custom menus for gatherings of up to 20 guests max. All ingredients are locally sourced, allowing for seasonal menus inspired by what’s freshest and available throughout Ojai, Ventura County, and the Santa Barbara area. Customized menus are thoughtfully designed to meet your specific needs, working closely with you to create selections that reflect your personal preferences. Chef Robin’s style is deeply rooted in Mediterranean cuisine, with a true focus on the food — you provide everything else.


Phone: (805) 284-4264

Email: privatechefrobin@gmail.com

Website: www.privatechefrobin.com


CHEF COCO LAFORGE & Santa Barbara Chef Collective

With experience as a private yacht chef and a passion for fresh California cuisine, Chef Coco creates memorable dining experiences that feel both elegant and welcoming. Not sure which chef is right for your family? The Santa Barbara Chef Collective connects visitors with talented local chefs based on your group's size, preferred cuisine, and dining style, making it an excellent place to begin your search.


Email: chefcocolaforge@gmail.com

Website: cocolaforge.com


Email: book@sbchefcollective.com

Website: www.sbchefcollective.com


Chef Isa | SANTA BARBARA BITE CLUB

If your family is looking for healthy, ready-made meals during your stay, Santa Barbara Bite Club is a wonderful local resource. Chef Isa has worked as a private chef in Santa Barbara for more than 15 years and specializes in fresh, seasonal comfort food made with locally sourced ingredients. In addition to meal delivery, she is also available for private chef experiences for families looking to gather around the table.


Phone: (805) 403-3601

Email: biteclubsb@gmail.com

Website: www.biteclubsb.com


Chef Amanda Pilkington

Chef Amanda creates beautiful farm-to-table meals featuring fresh, seasonal ingredients sourced from California's Central Coast. Her relaxed yet elevated approach is perfect for gathering everyone around one table.


Phone: (435) 200-3150

Website: www.chefamandapilkington.com


MATTIAS BLOM PRIVATE CHEF

Mattias specializes in restaurant-quality dining experiences in private homes throughout Santa Barbara and Montecito. His seasonal California menus and personalized service make him a fantastic choice for vacationing families.


Phone: (805) 699-5798

Website: santabarbaraprivatechef.com


CHEF JAKE

Chef Jake creates personalized farm-to-table dining experiences using the freshest locally sourced ingredients from California's Central Coast. I especially love his philosophy of letting the best seasonal ingredients inspire each menu, making every meal unique to your family's visit. 


Email: info@chefjake.org

Website: www.chefjake.org

Planning an Extended Family Vacation in Santa Barbara?


One of my favorite parts of being a Santa Barbara family photographer is helping visiting families discover the local businesses and experiences that make this place so special.


Whether it's recommending the perfect beach for your family photo session, suggesting my favorite restaurants, or helping you find an incredible private chef, my goal is to help your family spend less time planning and more time enjoying one another.


If you're planning an extended family vacation in Santa Barbara or Montecito and would like natural, relaxed photographs that celebrate this special season of life, I'd love to help.

A newlywed couple shares a kiss at a farm wedding while a curious donkey photobombs behind a wooden fence at sunset.
Outdoor wedding reception table with wine bottle, stacked plates, floral arrangements, and decorative wooden boxes.
Colorful mixed flower bouquet with pink chrysanthemums, red blooms, white wildflowers, and purple flowers in a glass vase.
Rustic kitchen counter with a cast iron pot, herb bouquet, decorative bowl, and wine glasses in the background.
Elegant outdoor dining table set for a dinner party on a stone patio with floral centerpieces and black chairs.
Elegant outdoor dining table set with floral centerpieces, glassware, and place settings for a formal event.
Elegant outdoor dining table set with colorful floral centerpieces, crystal glassware, and neatly folded napkins on decorative plates.
Elegant wedding table setting with floral centerpieces, gold-rimmed plates, crystal glasses, and peach napkins on a wooden table.
Elegant rustic wedding reception table set with floral centerpieces, fine china, crystal glasses, and linen napkins on a wooden farm table.
Elegant wedding place setting with a floral charger plate, peach napkin, gold ring, menu card, and name card reading Lindsay.
Two wooden serving boards with crispy fried appetizers and fresh basil leaves displayed on a table at a catered event.
People serving seafood paella with mussels and shrimp from a large pan at a rustic dining table.
Overhead view of a rustic wooden table with Mediterranean dishes including paella, hummus, roasted asparagus, and fresh salads.
Black and white photo of guests dining at a rustic wooden table with wine glasses and a bottle of red wine.
Elegant table setting with decorative plates, glassware, candles, and colorful floral arrangements on a rustic wooden table.