Ciao, sono Chef Valerio
Valerio Russo

Valerio cooked for us twice on our trip to Tuscany . On both occasions the food & presentation were truly outstanding . Those two meals were the highlight of our stay in Italy . He and Anna explained every dish and it was clear to see their passion and skill as it was evident in every dish. Wonderful !

Chef Valerio and Anna were wonderful. They prepared a beautiful menu that catered to gluten free, dairy free and shellfish allergy needs. The food was so delicious thanks in part to using the freshest products from their personal garden and local farmers. A fun fact is Chef Valerio was CDC for a Thomas Keller restaurant and worked for the king of Saudi Arabia - his expertise and professionalism shined brightly the whole night. We only wish we booked him for more dinners at our apartment! We hope our paths cross again soon.

Valerio and Anna cooked for our family of 16 on our second night at the villa. We were in Montalcino for my niece's wedding. It was the best meal of the week, which is saying something in Tuscany. They started us with a spread of mixed cold cuts and cheeses with jams and honey, alongside classic caprese tomatoes and mozzarella so good they didn't need much else. Then handmade ricotta-and-spinach ravioli in a fresh datterini tomato sauce with stracciatella, followed by chicken cacciatora for the main. Anna had told us the tiramisù was her specialty, and she was right. It's the best we've ever had, and honestly, reason enough on its own to go back. What stuck with us as much as the food was the two of them. Anna and Valerio stayed, talked with us, and made the night feel like dinner with friends rather than a vendor transaction. We exchanged contact info by the end and genuinely hope to see them again. If you're near Montalcino/Val d'Orcia and want one night worth building the trip around, book them. Cooking a full multi-course meal this good for 16 people is a different job than cooking for 4, and they made it look easy.

Incredible food, experience and we LOVED everything! It was PERFECT! Highlight of our trip!

We couldn’t have been happier with our experience. From the very beginning, Chef Valerio and Chef Anna were incredibly friendly, professional, and easy to work with. The menu proposal they created was so well thought out and perfectly aligned with our tastes that we didn’t need to make a single adjustment. They prepared more than enough delicious food for our group of 11, and every dish was a hit with our guests. What impressed us even more was their flexibility and responsiveness. When our original plans had to be canceled at short notice due to the weather forecast, they quickly stepped in and organized a live tiramisu and Aperol-making class, which turned out to be a wonderful addition to our wedding celebrations and was greatly appreciated by everyone. The entire experience felt warm, personal, and heartfelt. Despite not having had a tasting beforehand, the food matched our preferences perfectly. Our guests loved both the food and the atmosphere they created. Thank you so much Valerio and Anna for helping make our wedding so special. We would wholeheartedly recommend you to anyone looking for an exceptional chef and a truly memorable experience.

Valerio and Anna were absolutely amazing. They were so thoughtful from the set-up to the clean up and gave us a really special night. The food was beautiful and delicious and we were wowed the entire time. I’d recommend them to anyone looking for a really gorgeous and one-of-a-kind experience. We would book them again and again if we could!

We had the pleasure of arranging this private dining experience for one of our clients through Take a Chef, and the feedback we received was nothing short of exceptional. From our initial enquiry through to the event itself, Valerio was an absolute pleasure to work with. Communication was prompt, professional, and seamless throughout the planning process, giving us complete confidence that our client was in excellent hands. The dinner for 12 guests in Rome exceeded all expectations. Our client was delighted with the experience and spoke highly of the outstanding quality of the food, the beautiful presentation, and the impeccable service. Every detail was executed flawlessly, creating a truly memorable evening for all involved. We would have no hesitation in recommending Valerio and look forward to working with him again in the future. A fantastic experience from start to finish.

Valerio and his wife Anna took exceptional care of us from start to finish. Leading up to our dinner Valerio was in communication lining up every detail. The menu selections were perfectly balanced and beautifully presented. Anna surprised us with an unexpected starter that literally was a work of art. Most importantly the flavors were exceptional. Our dinner focused on Roman dishes and learning the history and details of each recipe was very informative and interesting. One important note is that my wife is Celiac so requires a gluten free experience. She was able to enjoy every dish all the way thru the exceptional gluten free chocolate cream cake. We would love to do another dinner with Valerio and Anna in the future.

There are meals you enjoy, and then there are meals that become part of the memory of a place forever. What Chef Valerio Russo and Chef Ana created for our family was one of the finest private dining experiences we have ever had anywhere in the world. The evening was a celebration for my parents’ 80th birthdays, and from the very beginning, Valerio and Ana made it feel deeply personal and special. They prepared and served an extraordinary four-course meal for 11 people with a level of grace, organization, and attention to detail that was truly impressive. The night started with a surprise Aperol Spritz served outside the monastery at sunset, immediately setting the tone for what became an unforgettable evening. Every course was executed with the level of care, creativity, and precision you would expect from a Michelin-starred restaurant. Their preparation, timing, presentation, and warmth were absolutely exceptional. The meal began with a beautifully reimagined panzanella salad paired with incredibly fresh mozzarella that had been made the very morning of our dinner. It was vibrant, elegant, and perfectly balanced. The handmade pappardelle with freshly foraged mushrooms, gathered by Ana herself, was extraordinary. Earthy, rich, and deeply comforting while still refined. The rosemary and fennel roasted chicken was perfectly cooked, fragrant, and accompanied by roasted potatoes that achieved that elusive perfect caramelization that great chefs make look effortless. Dessert was a stunning Italian chocolate layer cake served with fresh whipped cream and strawberries, which somehow managed to feel both decadent and celebratory without being overly heavy. What elevated the evening even further was Valerio and Ana themselves. They were engaging, warm, knowledgeable, and genuinely joyful to spend time with. It never felt transactional. It felt like being welcomed into the culinary world of two people who truly love what they do and care deeply about creating meaningful experiences for others. We have eaten at many exceptional restaurants over the years, including Michelin-starred establishments, and I can say without hesitation that this experience belonged in that company. It was thoughtful, soulful, technically flawless cooking presented with generosity and heart. Thank you, Valerio and Ana, for giving our family a memory we will cherish for the rest of our lives.

Chef Valerio and his wife Anna were fantastic. They prepared a dinner for my family of 9. They made the evening one of the highlights of our trip to Rome. I would recommend them to the most discriminating of clients.