When it comes to entertaining, few occasions feel as exciting and luxurious as bringing a gourmet private chef to your home or event. Beyond crafting memorable menus, private chefs transform dining into an intimate and tailored experience, whether it’s a cozy dinner party, a milestone celebration, or an elegant catered affair. The benefits extend well beyond convenience: it’s an invitation to savor every bite with the knowledge that your meal has been carefully crafted just for you.
In the Hill Country, two names stand out. Martini & Company, led by Chef Raffaele Martini, is known for blending classic technique with contemporary flair, creating dishes that are as striking as they are flavorful. Chef Junction, founded by Chef Juan Cardona, celebrates bold, global flavors while offering a polished and approachable style of service.
Come along as we share a signature recipe from each—Cardona’s “Blazing Miso Cocktail Shrimp” and Martini’s “Saltimbocca”—so you can bring their culinary artistry home.
Blazing Miso Cocktail Shrimp
(Serves 6)
Ingredients
Miso cocktail sauce:
½ cup mayonnaise
5 tablespoons sweet chili sauce
3 tablespoons organic ketchup
¼ teaspoon smoked paprika
⅛ teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1 teaspoon safflower oil
⅛ teaspoon sesame oil (optional)
1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
1-2 tablespoons miso sauce (as desired)
2 ounces vermicelli pasta
Shrimp:
12 jumbo/colossal cocktail shrimp
Szechuan pepper seasoning (to taste)
Nori furikake seasoning (to taste)
Salt and pepper (to taste)
12 fresh cilantro leaves for garnish
Microgreens for garnish
Directions
- To make the sauce, mix all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl until you have a smooth, creamy consistency. Refrigerate until ready for serving.
- Shell and devein shrimp, but leave the tail attached.
- Poach shrimp by bringing a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cooking the shrimp for 4-6 minutes. Let cool.
- Cook pasta according to package directions.
- When ready to assemble, season shrimp to taste with salt and pepper, Szechuan pepper seasoning, and nori furikake seasoning.
- Fill hors d’oeuvres cups halfway with cocktail sauce and pasta.
- Place two seasoned shrimp on opposite corners of the cup with the tail ends facing out and down. Garnish each shrimp with a cilantro leaf.
- Top each cup with microgreens and a small hors d’oeuvres spoon and serve.
Saltimbocca
(Serves 2)
Ingredients
Scallopini:
½ pound veal scallopini
6 small slices of prosciutto
12 sage leaves
Salt and pepper
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ cup white wine
Salad:
3 ounces baby arugula
½ lemon, juiced and zested
Salt and pepper
Extra virgin olive oil
Directions
- To make the salad, combine ingredients in a bowl and toss to coat evenly.
- Flatten veal scallopini and slice to form 6 even pieces.
- Layer veal with prosciutto and sage leaves.
- Roll up slices and secure each roll with a toothpick. Season with cracked black pepper.
- Place the rolls into a heated skillet with melted butter. Allow both sides to brown.
- Add the white wine, lower the heat to medium-low, and cover.
- Flip rolls after 5 minutes per side.
- When the wine has reduced to a sauce, it's time to eat!
Martini & Company
martiniandcompany.com
Martini & Company offers immersive Italian culinary experiences in the Texas Hill Country. Led by Raffaele and Dahlia Martini, their services include four-course wine pairing dinners, hands-on pasta-making classes, “Pizzeria Al Fresco” events, wine education, and artisanal bread delivery. They also provide food and wine consulting and can even curate your next unforgettable culinary tour in Tuscany. Whether hosting a private dinner, planning a team-building event, or dreaming of Italy, Martini & Company blends Tuscan tradition with heartfelt hospitality.
Chef Junction
chefjunction.com
Chef Junction is a multi-disciplinary culinary company designed to connect our community with flavors from the world. Founded and directed by award-winning Chef Juan Cardona, he and his team celebrate dining as a communal experience, striving to make every meal a memorable one. By collaborating with established and emerging chefs, Cardona raises awareness of and appreciation for gastronomic artists from the region and around the world. You’ll taste and feel their love for service, quality, and creativity in every bite.