Nicholas BarkerPrivate Chef in Ojai, CA

New to HELMManresa & Roberta's alum, now private chef in Ojai

The Chef

The Story

My path started at London's Kensington Place, then took shape at Manresa under David Kinch, where I fell in love with refined, ingredient-driven cooking. A stint at Attica in Melbourne deepened that focus on foraging and local produce, before I returned to open Central Kitchen in San Francisco and later ran Roberta's in Brooklyn as Chef de Cuisine, earning praise from Bon Appetit and Eater for light, California-inspired fare. Since 2016 I've traded commercial kitchens for private dining - cooking for families in New York and Southampton, designing menus for a luxury hotel project in Mexico, and now working from Ojai. Expect thoughtful, farm-to-table cooking shaped by fine-dining discipline, tailored to your table, your event, your life.

The Table

Gallery

Coverage

Where Nicholas Barker serves

Ojai, CA 93023 · 55 mi

The Menu

Services & Pricing

$150.00 / guestGenerous shared platters served to the table — relaxed, abundant, and tailored to your group. · Grocery & ingredients from $0.00 / guest · 4–20 guestsReserve Nicholas Barker →

$150.00 / guestA bright, seasonal lunch cooked in your kitchen — plated or family style, paced to your afternoon. · Grocery & ingredients from $0.00 / guest · 2–20 guestsReserve Nicholas Barker →

$200.00 / guestA multi-course plated dinner cooked in your home — menu, shopping, service, and a spotless kitchen all handled. · Grocery & ingredients from $0.00 / guest · 2–10 guestsReserve Nicholas Barker →

20 guests maximum · Books up to 6 months in advance

Work History

February 2017 - December 2019, 2021 - Present

Private Chef · Nicholas Acquavella · New York / Southampton, NY

Handle family dining, frequent dinner parties, and summer events at the client's beach home.

January 2020 - December 2020

Executive Chef · MUSA group · Guerrero, Mexico

Designed menus and dining experiences for multiple restaurants as part of a luxury hotel development project.

May 2016 - September 2016

Private Chef (Summer Season) · Donny Deutsch · Bridgehampton, NY

Responsible for all client meals, dinner parties, and large private event menus.

February 2013 - May 2016

Chef de Cuisine · Roberta's · Brooklyn, NY

Led menu development, costing, and management of kitchen staff across multiple spaces.

April 2012 - January 2013

Chef de Cuisine · Central Kitchen · San Francisco, CA

Served as Chef de Cuisine under Chef Thomas McNaughton.

October 2008 - January 2011

Chef de Partie · Manresa Restaurant · Los Gatos, CA

Worked the line under Chef David Kinch at the 3 Michelin star restaurant.

Skills

Fine DiningPrivate DiningFarm-to-Table

Every HELM Vendor Meets High Standards

We carefully evaluate chefs based on their culinary expertise, menu creativity, and proven track record for excellence.

Private dining with

Reserve Nicholas Barker

from $150.00 / guest

2–20 guests · Books up to 6 months ahead

No charge now — Nicholas Barker reviews your request first.

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