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A Peek Inside Celebrity Kitchens: Chef Reveals Lavish Amenities
Ever wondered what it’s like to cook for the elite? Private NYC chef Julia Chebotar recently disclosed some intriguing insights into preparing meals for the affluent, highlighting the most “life-changing” feature she’s encountered in a celebrity’s residence: advanced ice-making technology. The chef describes multiple ice machines producing various ice shapes placed throughout the property, a luxury she found particularly impressive. Her experiences shed light on the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous, and the unique demands placed on those who cater to them.
The Allure of Multiple Ice Machines
“Multiple ice machines with different shapes,” she revealed. “So you open one little one and they’re shaped like perfect circles. You open another little one and it’s like the shaved ice cubes. And they’re all spaced out throughout the house. I’m like, ‘This is the dream!’”
Behind the Scenes with Ryan Seacrest
Chebotar, a contestant on NBC’s new series “Yes, Chef!,” premiering on April 28, previously worked for Ryan Seacrest. However, she never utilized the luxurious equipment in his primary kitchen.
“Ryan Seacrest had an entirely different house for me to cook in, where someone would come and pick up the food and deliver it to him. A house on his property, but it wasn’t where he stayed.”
Dietary Demands of the Stars
She also navigated Seacrest’s specific dietary requirements.
“That was really interesting because he ate according to his blood type. So I had to cook his food for his blood type, the girlfriend’s food for her blood type,” she said, referencing the Blood Type Diet.
“For example, someone with Type O might thrive on high-protein meats with lean meats and vegetables, while a Type A might do better with a more plant-forward menu … The vitamins that I had to pack for him daily in his little lunchbox was insane. The things that he eats to look that good … it makes a difference.”
Celebrity Encounters and Confidentiality
Chebotar’s work involves signing NDAs to protect the privacy of her well-known clients, including actress Jennifer Lawrence.
“The assistant was like, ‘Jennifer is really excited to meet you.’ And in my head, I was like, ‘I’m going to meet J.Lo.’ And it ended up being Jennifer Lawrence, which is still cool, but I was ready for J.Lo.”
Another of her celebrity clients is actress Jenny Mollen, wife of “American Pie” star Jason Biggs.
“Sometimes Jenny would just call me and be like, ‘Hey, Laz [her son] wants to make a cake. Can you come over?’”
From Restaurant to Private Chef
After graduating from Temple University in 2011, Chef Chebotar managed her stepfather’s East Village restaurant, Organic Grill.
“I did that for about seven years until I gave myself shingles and I was like, ‘I never want to do this again.’”
Now, she focuses on her career as a private chef in Manhattan. Her services are sought after by clients with “some sort of dietary restriction or a busy schedule.”
“I have two little boys on the Upper East Side that I’ve cooked for for the past like six years and I make them dinner. I have a client on the Lower East Side three days a week that is allergic to raspberries, tomatoes, everything red,” she said.
“Last week, I cooked two back-to-back 30-person Passovers in the Hamptons.”
Her new favorite client is a 95-year-old woman on Central Park West who hosts dinner parties every other Tuesday.
“I basically create the menu, go shopping, prep everything, and then throw a dinner party for her and eight of her closest friends.”
She also travels for work, recalling a week-long job in Miami.
“Someone flew me down to work on their yacht. And all they wanted was rotisserie chicken pulled apart, doused in barbecue sauce, put on a tortilla and put on the George Foreman grill.”
Competing on “Yes, Chef!”
The series “Yes, Chef!” features contestants known for their strong personalities. The winner is judged not just on culinary skill, but on teamwork and personal growth, and will receive a $250,000 prize.
Chebotar’s classmate from the National Gourmet Institute nominated her for the show.
“It’s that I don’t work well with others. I’ve just been burned so many times by other chefs and their egos,” she said.
“I have been getting requests for larger events, and that’s when I do need to bring people in. So it’s hard letting that go.”
Admiration for Martha Stewart
Chebotar expressed admiration for Martha Stewart, who co-hosts “Yes, Chef!”
“I’ve never seen better hair or outfits on a woman who’s 83 years old. Every day we were like, ‘Martha brings it again.’”
She aspires to emulate Stewart, viewing her as an example of female empowerment.
“Look at everything that she’s accomplished,” she gushed.
“I mean, the goal has always been to be Martha Stewart in any situation, minus the jail time.”