Tomatoes in Union Square
Lamb Bucco, Polenta, Minutina
Scallops, Beet Salad
Pork Chop, Apple Onion Relish
Chocolate Mousse
Flat Iron Steak, Pico de Gallo, Garlic Greens
Avocado Tomato and Raw Zucchini Salad
Granola
Me watching myself compete on Chopped!

Red Clog Kitchen/Chopped! Finalist

American
Gluten-Free

My Cooking Style

Clients hire me because my cooking is local, seasonal and when possible organic. My food tastes amazing and is good for you.

I shop at the union square farmer's market three days a week. I am in constant search of the best ingredients. Being a Chef is an adventure in constant learning and tasting! You can check out my Twitter @redclogchef, Instagram @redclogchef, Facebook Red Clog Kitchen, or vist my website www.redclogkitchen.com

My Culinary Experience

I have cooked for what feels like my entire life. My family had a garden and we shopped at the farmers market every Saturday. We also went to the fish market, butcher and my favorite—the bakery. We’d eat the middle out of the hot Italian bread before we even got home. Food is love and coming from an Italian family it is more than love—it’s life. Becoming a chef was a natural extension of who I am.

I have my bachelor’s in Culinary from Johnson and Wales University in Providence, RI. I also have my Master’s in Food Management from New York University. In 2011, I completed my certificate in Holistic Health Counseling at the Integrative Institute for Nutrition.

I’ve worked in kitchens in NYC, Boston and San Diego. In 2009, I made the shift to private cheffing, after working for the non-profit organization C-CAP. I have been teaching at ICE since June, 2011.

I started Red Clog Kitchen in June 2011. RCK is built around my passion for cooking, events, and teaching. I look forward to working with you and making your life more delicious.

My Three Favorite Ingredients

Local, Seasonal and Organic

A Menu I Once Served 4000 People

Each meal is so special, food brings us together; it celebrates a birthday, an engagement, a holiday. Each meal is unique and each menu is designed to celebrate that uniqueness. That being said, some of the most fun I have had in cooking for clients has been creating Mexican Feasts and the David Chang Bo Ssam dinner. The largest event I did when when I was the Banquet Sous Chef at the San Diego Marina Marriott, we did a Pirates of the Caribbean party for 4,000! For a sample menu please send me a message!

Pictures (9)

Tomatoes in Union Square
Pork Chop, Apple Onion Relish
Avocado Tomato and Raw Zucchini Salad

Lamb Bucco, Polenta, Minutina
Chocolate Mousse
Granola

Scallops, Beet Salad
Flat Iron Steak, Pico de Gallo, Garlic Greens
Me watching myself compete on Chopped!

Example Menus (5)

Learn Farm to Table Cooking

American, Cooking Lesson
Do you want to look good, feel good and eat even better? Learn how to cook seasonal and local food from the farmer's market. I will teach you how to shop and cook from the greenmarket. Class starts with a tour of the market, picking out the ingredients and then we cook them together. I write you a custom menu based on this week's market -- preferences and your food sensitivities. Cost depends on menu you choose and time commitment. Cost is $100 per hour plus the cost of food.

Roasted Kabocha Squash Soup w toasted pumpkin seeds. -

Raw Veggie Salad w Seasonal Fish and Avocado Cream -

Baked Apples with fresh ginger and agave syrup

from $250 / person for 1 (Max 3 People)

Learn how to Chef Yourself Healthy

American, Cooking Lesson
We all love to eat indulgent foods. But what if you could eat healthy and have it taste delicious? I have 'cheffed' one of my clients down 35 pounds. Two other clients have lost over 20 pounds. Look good, feel good and eat even better! I will prepare delicious ,healthy food for you that is calorie or point specific. And no, its not diet food -- its just food that happens to be good for you. I can teach you breakfast, lunch and dinner. Menus are completely customized. Listed menu is a sample. Price depends on the length of the cooking lesson and menu. Prices start at $100 per hour plus the cost of food.

Fresh Granola with Greek Yogurt -

Roasted Nuts and Quinoa Crunch -

Roasted Butternut Squash, Black Rice Soba Noodle Salad with Pepitas, Avocado and Ginger Vinaigrette -

Rosemary Roasted Chicken, Zucchini Ribbon 'pasta' with fresh pomodoro -

Gluten free Chocolate Chunk Cookies

from $200 / person for 1 (Max 3 People)

Cooking Lessons for the Family

American, Cooking Lesson
Do you want to involve your children more in food preparation? Do you have an aspiring mini chef? Or do you have a child that is so picky they won't eat anything except yogurt? I can help. Please see the sample menu below. Cooking Classes are custom written for you and your family and can range 1-3hrs. Prices will vary depending on the menu and time commitment. Average class is 3 hrs. $75 per hour plus the cost of food.

Sushi for the Whole Family -

Fresh Baked Bread Made Easy -

Food Allergies and Kids -

Fresh Pasta for the Family -

Healthy Simple Family Desserts

from $100 / person for 2 (Max 4 People)

Eating for Pregnancy, During and After Cooking Lesson

American, Cooking Lesson
Unsure of how to navigate eating for two? Want help with losing the baby weight? I have worked with clients both pregnant and postpartum. Let me help you discover all the delicious foods you can enjoy. Menus are written based on your preferences, food sensitives and goals. I can also teach you simple baby food recipes as your baby starts to eat food. Cost depends on menu you choose and time commitment. Cost is $100 per hour plus the cost of food.

Postpartum Sample Breakfast Breakfast: Greenmarket Veggie Scramble, Blueberry Quinoa Scones. Fresh Granola with Greek Yogurt.
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Postpartum Sample Lunch Veggie Miso Soup, Sesame Crusted Salmon over Vietnamese Salad.
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Postpartum Sample Dessert Dessert: Mini Gluten Free Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Coconut and Cranberry Chia Seed Pudding

from $200 / person for 1 (Max 2 People)

Date Night with Aphrodisiacs

American, Cooking Lesson
Learn to spice it up in the kitchen to spice up things in the bedroom (or on the kitchen counter). Learn how to make local, seasonal, and fresh foods to rev up your sex drive. Menus are completely customized. Listed menu is a sample. Price depends on the length of the cooking lesson and menu. Prices start at $100 per hour plus the cost of food.

Shrimp Ceviche with Avocado Cream Shrimp have more zinc than oysters!
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Spinach Salad with Honey Balsamic This is a client favorite sprinkled with pumpkin seeds. Spinach is a potent source of magnesium, which helps dilate blood vessels.
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Beef Short Ribs with Sweet Potato Puree High protein foods boost production of dopamine and norepinephrine, hormones that increase alertness and assertiveness.
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Coffee Chocolate Mousse With just chocolate, coffee and water learn how to create a creamy dessert to finish off the night.

from $200 / person for 1 (Max 4 People)

Reviews (1)

Josh

Carla cooked an amazing and healthy meal for my father, wife and I. Very delicious!! We will certainly have her again!

HOST

Carla Contreras

Send Request

Review

$75

Hourly rate

Fact Sheets

Languages Spoken	English
Min. booking	4 hours
Max. people	4000

Carla Contreras's Cities

New York, United States

Hampton Bays, United States