About the Chef

Chef Peggy Paul

Chef Peggy L. Paul owns and operates Bella Cucina. She is a proud member of the American Personal & Private Chef Association and has been trained in the art of becoming a Personal Chef. She is also an active member of the local Northern California Chapter, serving as the 'Historian/Librarian'. She was voted "Chef of the Year" in her chapter for 2004.

Inspired by her father, who was also a chef in upper state New York, Peggy has a passion for cooking! She has been developing her talents and abilities in the kitchen from the age of ten! She makes use of local produce stands and Farmer's Markets to provide the freshest seasonal Herbs and Produce. She also frequents Knolls Farm, the Brentwood 'Raley's' store where they now carry a nice selection of Organic Produce from Knoll Farms, and Brentwood's Fine Meats for the best meats available locally. "Being raised in an Italian family meant that food, family and friends always went together, and added to the enjoyment of life!" says Peggy. Being a Personal Chef allows her to enhance the joys of others through her culinary skills!

Peggy takes pleasure in "creating" meals that meld together flavors, colors, and textures to awaken the senses and please the palate! She uses only the freshest seasonal herbs, produce, meats and seafood available! Much care is taken to custom design menus that delight with tastes as well as focus on healthy, nutritionally balanced meals. No chemicals, preservatives or excessive use of saturated fats are ever used in her food preparations!

In the summer of 2002, Chef Peggy's Bella Cucina's prize-winning recipe for "Penne Pasta with Pesto, Artichokes & Sundried Tomatoes" was a feature item on the menu of the California Café Restaurant in Walnut Creek. “Guests have been complimenting the wonderful combinations of flavors!” said T.G., one of the restaurant servers, "Peggy's entree outsold all the other pasta entrées on both the lunch and dinner menus!" said the assistant manager. In 2005, Peggy's Personal Chef services were featured in Home & Design (May/June issue), as well as Black Diamond Living (Oct./Nov. issue) magazines. These articles include lovely photographs of a few of her beautifully prepared entrees and desserts!

Peggy holds a current California ServSafe Certificate for safe food handling. Bella Cucina is licensed & insured.

Let Bella Cucina help you cook the excellence and quality back into your time!

Accomplishments

  • East Contra Costa Times, "Discover the Delta" Insert, July, 2007
  • Black Diamond Living (October/November) 2005 Front Cover and Featured Article
  • Home & Design (May/June) 2005 Featured Article
  • Voted 2004 "Chef of the Year" for Northern California Chapter of the American Personal Chef Association
  • California Café Restaurant's best-selling pasta entrée for 2002