To say that Chef Robbie Held has been passionate about cooking for virtually his entire life is definitely an understatement.
The Chandler resident and personal chef was just 5 years old when he, his mom, and his Grandma—whom he fondly called Bummie—prepared authentic Italian meatballs in the family kitchen.
“While other kids were drawn to playing cards and comics, I was always drawn to cookbooks,” he says. “I would cook romantic date nights for friends all throughout my teens and young adulthood. I’d bring a candelabra, napkins, and napkin rings just to be fancy.”
Over the years, Held realized that while he definitely adores anything and everything associated with cooking, he prefers to do it his way, with no one else telling him what to prepare or how to prepare it.
This self-realization inspired him to launch his own personal chef business in late 2019.
Called Health Held in Hand, the Chandler-based business allows Held to pursue his main passion every day, but in a manner he is comfortable with.
“I’ve always loved cooking, but in my way, on my terms. So, this actually was an amazing fit for me,” he says. “I’ve worked in different restaurants in the past but always in service or bartending. I never wanted to cook someone else’s recipes and have no creative influence.”
Health Held in Hand offers numerous personal chef-related services that allow clients to enjoy Held’s delicious dishes in their homes or at another venue.
“Wherever you are, I and my team come to you and provide all of the shopping, prepping, cooking, service, cleaning, and we [then] leave. We also go shopping the same day of your event so you can receive the freshest handpicked products available,” Held says, adding that in addition to providing services for any dinner party occasion, he and his team also offer catering services. “I’m also looking to expand to the farmers’ markets to provide the public with some personal recipes that will consume you with flavor.”
While Held says he “has been blessed with many clients in Chandler,” he is happy to travel anywhere throughout the Valley, state, and even out-of-state to prepare delicious and memorable meals for his clients.
Embracing his Italian background, Held says he is always happy to prepare Italian dishes for his clients.
“But to be honest, I love preparing Steak Oscar for guests. So many people out there have no idea what it is. I enjoy watching them taste something they’ve never had before, and the pure enjoyment on their faces never gets old.”
In addition to his work as a personal chef, Held recently announced his partnership with Luxury Retreat Concierge and Destination AZ.
He is now their primary chef for guests staying at their 200 local vacation homes across the Valley, including multiple properties in Chandler.
“They’re just absolutely beautiful properties. I’m happy to be associated with them,” he says.
As for his decision to pursue a career as a personal chef?
Held calls the fusion of his outgoing and fun temperament and knowledge of cuisine “the perfect recipe for success.”
“Honestly, I get to actually be me. I have a comedic personality and it comes out, especially when I am in my element in the kitchen and when I am serving guests,” he says. “Being able to bring my personality into every aspect of the experience not only allows me and the guests to enjoy every moment, or crack a smile or two, but also creates a totally unique experience that my guests cannot get anywhere else—and I think that’s a major reason my business continues to grow.”
Held is also very proud of the amount of repeat business and customer referrals he receives on a regular basis.
“Not a single day goes by without new referrals. I’ve gotten to the point of having multiple sources of referrals,” he says.