I create bold, ingredient-driven experiences inspired by my travels—mixing classic technique with unexpected, indigenous twists.

Gabriel Piedra

I cook refined, creative menus built around fresh ingredients and freedom to explore flavor.

I’m a professional chef with more than 15 years of experience, and I’ve cooked in luxury hotels, international restaurants, cruise ships, and yachts. Every kitchen and every destination has shaped my palate, and I’m always learning new concepts and techniques from the people I meet along the way.

My style is rooted in strong fundamentals, but I love to bring in non-traditional combinations and a more indigenous twist—always aiming for dishes that feel vibrant, personal, and memorable.

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I always use the best-quality fresh ingredients and let them shine on their own.

What you can expect when I cook for you

Cooking is my creative escape

Cooking is what I enjoy most and what I do with love—an escape from the monotonous—especially when I have the freedom to create and share my vision through everything I’ve learned.

A career shaped by technique and travel

I studied culinary arts in Buenos Aires, Argentina, when I was 21, and I’ve continued building my craft in luxury hotels, international restaurants, cruise ships, and yachts—constantly learning from colleagues and drawing inspiration from the places I’ve traveled.

Freshness first, always

My philosophy is simple: I always use the best-quality fresh ingredients and let them shine on their own, so every dish feels honest, clean, and full of character.

Gabriel Piedra’s Menus

I offer curated menus designed as a complete experience—selecting one dish from each course to match your mood, your event, and the ingredients at their peak.

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Stories and Testimonials

Gabriel and his team did such a wonderful job for our group of 20 in La Fortuna! From the start, Gabriel is an effective and efficient communicator. He has excellent attention to detail and very responsive! The dishes were delicious and accommodated well for some of us that has food restrictions. There was a huge storm during dinner service, Gabriel and his team kept working to wash the dishes in the dark when there was a black out. We are so grateful for him and his team. It’s one of the best meals we had in Costa Rica!

Lisa

Incredible and delightful!! We had such a lovely time and the entire dining experience was outstanding! Thank you, Gabriel! 5*

Cecilien Dambon

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (10 Stars – If I Could Give More, I Would!) Our girls’ trip to Costa Rica was unforgettable — and Chef Gabriel Piedra was a HUGE reason why. From day one, he was professional, responsive, and incredibly patient. Planning a trip for eight women (with allergies and plenty of preferences!) can be a lot, but he asked thoughtful questions, accommodated every dietary need, and made the entire process seamless. By the time we arrived, everything was handled. I was able to fully relax. And the FOOD… absolutely spectacular. Every dish was rich in culture and flavor. The ingredients were fresh and intentional — nothing store-bought that could be handmade. Even the fruits for our nightly drinks were prepared from scratch. Each evening felt like a culinary experience. He shared stories behind his dishes, from authentic Argentine barbecue to the fresh catch of the day, to the most incredible sweet-glazed plantains that truly illuminated the senses. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner were consistently outstanding. Beautiful presentation. Incredible flavors. Generous portions. Always on time. Always smiling. Beyond the meals, he went above and beyond — purchasing snacks for us, providing detailed receipts, and operating with complete transparency and professionalism. By the end of the trip, we were so impressed that the entire group insisted on contributing extra to his tip. That says everything. Chef Gabriel Piedra isn’t just a chef — he’s an experience. If you’re traveling to Costa Rica and considering hiring a private chef: BOOK HIM. Without hesitation. I would hire him again in a heartbeat.

Samantha Joseph

We had a wonderful experience with Chef Gabriel for our new years dinner. From start to finish everything was thoughtful, professional and beautifully executed. Chef Gabriel worked to create a delicious menu with a focus on Costa Rican flavours and was extremely responsive and easy to communicate with. Each course was perfectly prepared and presented. It made our family celebration so very special. He was gracious, very friendly and engaging, organized and left the kitchen spotless. We couldn't have asked for a better way to ring in the New Year and would highly recommend this experience to anyone looking for something special.

Catherine Toste

Chef Gabriel was amazing. I would also say he went above and beyond, handling some additional requests by the guests. The food was impeccable and everything we could have imagined. Book Chef Gabriel, you won't regret it. We will use him again when in the

Monique Hill

We hired Chef Gabriel to cook for our 9 day Costa Rica vacation and our experience was nothing short of incredible! Working with him was seamless from the day that we hired him to the very last meal. His communication and attention to detail was great and every single meal was thoughtfully curated, presented beautifully and absolutely delicious! Our entire family, including our five year old just raved about how it was some of the best food we’ve ever had! Not only was the food amazing but we thoroughly enjoyed getting to know him over the course of our stay as well. He was easy to talk to, professional, organized and clean and even let our five year old help him prepare some sushi! If we come back to Costa Rica we will hire him again in an instant!

Cortney Lynch

Chef Gabriel provided an amazing dinner for our final evening in La Fortuna. We were a group of 5 people and we had some dietary restrictions to manage as well. This was no problem for Chef Gabriel and he prepared a delicious feast for everyone to enjoy. The meal he prepared was the perfect way to celebrate and end our trip. He was easy to communicate with and his service exceeded my expectations. We highly recommend Chef Gabriel if you are considering a chef prepared meal!

Katharina Wang

We had an excellent meal of Costa Rican / Latin American seafood dishes beginning with the ceviche and shrimp kebabs. The fish of the day (white marlin) cooked sous vide was also excellent.

Michael

Extraordinary experience!! The food, the display, the service and quality of everything was outstanding!! I felt like a celebrity with the treatment we received from Chef Gabriel!! He went above and beyond with personal touches to make my birthday breakfast special. He’s definitely a 10/10. Book him now!!

Kristian

We loved having Gabriel cook for us! The food was AMAZING. We booked the surf and turf menu, definitely recommend! One of my friends has a shellfish allergy and he accommodated accordingly. 10/10 ❤️

Tasia