Inside Circle/ChefMarian.com
About
I help take you from where you are to where you want to be. So if you want me to change out recipes to get healthier, if you need some basic understanding about food, what spices combine well, how to chop, understanding pairing wine with food, then I can be your wingman/wingwoman and watch you create, offering tips every step of the way. I offer a free 20 minute consultation to see if I can actually offer something of value to you and then we go from there. From healthy to comfort food. There's always something new to learn. Gotta Instant Pot? Now THAT'S fun! lol
I am the face behind a brand and a blog, a speaker on stage, with videos for decades. I love empowering people in the kitchen.
If you have limited experience, I would like to teach you some skills and basics so that you can be more confident and get excited about what you can create. If you have allergies, you still want to cook and eat flavorful food. Right? If you do meatless mondays, or want to head towards a plant based lifestyle? That's me too. Last year I taught a firefighter how to cook on a budget and still serve healthy flavorful meals.
If you are looking to cook meat, count me out. No beef for me, but I can show you how to make an amazing Hamburger and French Fries (vegan or not)! There are tricks to that, you know...
I do have lessons for Chicken Cordon Bleu, and Fish 'En Pappiotte' (in paper) with vegetables. Go see my blog https://chefmarian.com and look at recipes, to see what's yummy and you might like to learn to cook.
I am patient, will tell you things that make sense but you would never know, unless you met with a chef that has a background in nutrition. Before covid I would come to your home. Right now we're on phone (facetime) and zoom. It's good to have an accountibility partner that plans menus for a couple of days, or every day and then helps you through the cooking process.
As someone who has traveled the globe, eaten Michelin Star Food, worked in kitchens with Michelin Star Chefs, have certifications from The Blue Elephant (Michelin Star in Bangkok), certified by renowned Chateau Lynch-Bages, Pauillac France and had fun cooking in Firenze and in Bordeaux with just every day people, showing me their grandmother's recipes, I have decades of experience. I have 3 cookbooks, in the process of developing one that is totally plant based.
Food is about fun and learning how to create great food will change your life forever. Find Chef Marian on Facebook,Twitter, and Instagram.
Photos and videos
No reviews (yet)
Frequently asked questions
What is your typical process for working with a new student?
I offer a 20 minute free consultation. We get to discuss what you are looking to accomplish and we see how much time it's going to take. If you are starting with a budget, that's always the best way to figure out whether you are a 'one class' person or a 13 week series.
I have been paid $200/hour for years now, to help people get healthier and help newlyweds start their marriage right, with both people cooking. I am willing to consider what you have to spend, and work with you giving you options based on that dollar amount. Working with you on facetime or zoom, we can pick appetizers, main dishes and sides you want to learn and see how we can help you into a more comfortable you, in your kitchen. Special student discounts. Call to discuss.
What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
I did a class for doctors in training at UCSD, including a power point presentation and demo of how to cook and present nutrition to patients.
It was great to travel the globe taking cooking classes, eating michelin star food, working with chefs at their restaurants as well as local people, in their homes, training to get my flavor profiles down to a science.
Do you have a standard pricing system for your lessons? If so, please share the details here.
$200 per hour, 2 hour minimum.
$200 Half hour Wine Tasting/Pairing class
$200 One hour long conversation about recipes, making changes in recipes you like to suit your needs for a healthier you with education about Foods that pair well to release the right nutrition, how to blend and use spices, how to pick the right wine, and an introduction and recipes that the new you can make!
How did you get started teaching?
I started as a sous chef for a cooking webinar in Studio City, CA. I eventually became the lead chef, and when I moved back to San Diego, I started teaching a meetup group I create called San Diego Foodies. I added Euro Lovers & Friends, to incorporate people from Europe into cooking classes. We started videoing classes. I also interviewed a nutritionist for over a year, which gave me an understanding of how food processes.
What types of students have you worked with?
I have worked with kids learning simple things like how to make breakfast for the family, young adults learning to cook for their friends and family, adults hiring me to throw Saturday Night Cooking Parties in their kitchens and more. When I am on stage at for example, the fairgrounds, I love to inspire a passion for cooking in young adults.
Describe a recent event you are fond of.
I really enjoyed teaching a just out of high school young adult, who was trying to prove his worth to the firefighters he wanted to become close with, by finding ways to cook for 8-10 men, healthy, inexpensive and wonderful meals, without breaking their budget of $7 - $10 per person.
What advice would you give a student looking to hire a teacher in your area of expertise?
Make sure you pick someone who has experience, that you really get along with. Use your instincts. If you are comfortable talking with them, then that's what you want. Look for someone who is positive, that can encourage not discourage you. Start where you are, be comfortable with that then grow your field of expertise, with classes.
What questions should students think through before talking to teachers about their needs?
Make a list of foods you love, what you want to learn to cook, and figure out if you are interested in eating healthier, or eating plant based. Figure out why you want to take the class, whether it's something you really want to do long term, or are just looking to create a fun class or two that will teach you something about meal making. Decide if it's a meal you are after or desserts. Always hire a specialist. If you are after desserts hire someone who makes desserts for a living at a restaurant. If you are looking to cook at home, pick someone with a variety of experiences at teaching, as well as their own passion for understanding what foods pair well together and how to combine ingredients for the best flavors and best digestion!