James Menendez
Private Chef & Culinary Consultant
With over a decade of culinary experience, including seven years of Michelin-level training in some of the world’s most acclaimed restaurants, Chef James brings fine-dining excellence into the comfort of your home. Having worked in prestigious kitchens such as Grace (Three Stars), Saison (Two Stars), Moody Tongue (Two Stars), and The Inn at Little Washington (Three Stars), James combines technical mastery with creativity to craft memorable dining experiences tailored to each guest.
Whether it’s an intimate family dinner, a multi-course tasting menu, weekly meal prep, or a special celebration, Chef James curates menus that balance seasonality, health, and flavor. With expertise extending beyond cooking—he specializes in food costing, menu development, and kitchen organization; ensuring every experience is seamless from planning to execution.
Fluent in both English and Spanish, James connects effortlessly with clients from diverse backgrounds and takes pride in creating personalized meals that reflect individual tastes, dietary needs, and cultural influences. From Mediterranean and Japanese-inspired wellness menus to indulgent haute cuisine tasting experiences, Chef James transforms everyday dining into something extraordinary.
Why Éter?
In Spanish literature, “Éter” is often used to describe something ethereal, otherworldy, and delicate- something of rare beauty or a transcendent experience. For food, it conveys that what you create is light, refined, and unforgettable. That’s what Éter by James Menendez is all about.
With Éter, Chef James takes that Michelin style elegance and brings it straight to your home, to provide an experience you’ll never forget. His ability to collaborate while contributing a unique perspective fosters comfort, elevates quality, and inspires others.