Hola!

I'm Diego Cerdan, the chef behind Diego a la Carta—a Peruvian private chef, cooking instructor, culinary consultant, and event chef based in New York City, available for private events, cooking classes, and culinary collaborations worldwide.

My story begins in Lima, Peru, where I fell in love with the country's extraordinary culinary heritage. Growing up surrounded by fresh seafood, vibrant markets, and family meals taught me that food is much more than a recipe. It's culture, connection, and a way to bring people together.

Two men standing close together with their arms around each other, smiling at the camera, with a colorful background.

For me, ceviche is more than Peru's signature dish. It represents everything I love about cooking—respecting tradition while embracing the ingredients and stories of the place where you're cooking. Whether I'm preparing ceviche in New York, teaching it in London, or adapting it with beautiful local ingredients abroad, my goal is always the same: to share the spirit of Peru in an authentic and memorable way.

"Full belly, happy heart." More than just words, it's a philosophy.

That passion naturally led me to Peruvian cuisine, and especially to the dish that has become the heart of my career: Ceviche.

Chef Diego Cerdan and Peruvian Yellow chili (Aji amarillo Peruano)

For more than 15 years, I've built a career creating unique culinary experiences through private chef services, cooking classes, corporate team-building events, live cooking demonstrations, restaurant consulting, and luxury private dining.

Today, Diego a la Carta specializes in creating personalized food experiences for people who want something beyond a traditional dinner reservation. From intimate celebrations and rooftop dinners to corporate events, interactive cooking classes, paella parties, ceviche experiences, and luxury private dining, every event is designed around the people at the table.

A collage of three photos: The first shows a man shopping for vegetables at an outdoor market stall with hanging bags and a sign that says 'Northfield' and 'Lamb & Pork'; the second depicts a view of Tower Bridge in London by the river, with a bag and water bottle on the railing at the riverbank; the third features a man wearing a blue apron holding a fish by the tail, standing next to a tray with fish portions on a table.

My work has taken me beyond New York to bring my food and passion to London, France, and Perú, bringing Peruvian cuisine through private dinners, hands-on cooking classes, cultural experiences, and international culinary collaborations.

A man sitting at a dining table with a view of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France, visible through the window. The table has food and drinks, including a bottle of sparkling wine, glasses, bread, and condiments. The background includes kitchen shelves and green mailboxes.

Alongside my work as a private chef, I also help restaurants, chefs, and food entrepreneurs grow their businesses through restaurant consulting, menu development, food cost optimization, kitchen operations, and culinary business coaching. I believe great food deserves great systems behind it.

What matters most to me isn't simply serving beautiful food—it's creating moments people remember.

A conversation over fresh ceviche. A family learning to cook together. A traveler discovering Peruvian cuisine for the first time. A company connecting through a shared meal.

Those are the experiences that inspire me to keep cooking.

If you're looking for a Peruvian private chef in New York City, a chef for a private event, a cooking class instructor, a corporate culinary experience, or a restaurant consultant, I'd love to help create something unforgettable.

Let's bring people together through food.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. To everyone who has been part of my classes or tried my dishes, thank you for your support. Without you, none of this would be possible. This is just the beginning.

See you soon in the kitchen!