For those social distancing, I'm now offering drop off/delivery services. Due to the continued warnings from the CDC advising people to social distance, I'm now offering drop-off delivery options. If you still would like that restaurant experience without having to go to a restaurant, you can still book me to come to your home.
Chef Craig designs personalized culinary experiences for you and your guests. Whatever the occasion, from a wedding or a milestone birthday celebration, a cocktail party, a special anniversary, graduation party, casual office gatherings to large-scale VIP event, Chef Craig will design a custom menu just for you.
Chef Craig designs personalized culinary experiences for you and your guests. Whatever the occasion, from a wedding or a milestone birthday celebration, a cocktail party, a special anniversary, graduation party, casual office gatherings to large-scale VIP event, Chef Craig will design a custom menu just for you.
Services
The Practical Chef was founded in 2007 by Craig Nassar. After more than 2 decades of long hours and intense work in New York City, Chef Craig headed west to Tucson Arizona and there he launched The Practical Chef - personal chef services & catering. Chef Craig has been in the industry for more than 25 years.
A graduate from the Culinary Institute of America and Certified Executive Chef, Chef Craig brings over 20+ years of experience to the art of cooking. We have no pre-set menus because there are no pre-set tastes. Chef Craig will work with you to plan the perfect even and have ideas for a variety of budgets and tastes.
Chef Craig offers Tucson's highest quality, individualized catering services for business, organizational or personal events. We will work with you to create a catered event unlike any other. It will reflect your desires and preferences, not ours. We have no pre-set menus because there are no pre-set tastes.
Chef Craig will assist you in planning and organizing your party or event and will prepare and serve an elegant menu tailored to your specifications. A pre-event meeting with you for menu planning and getting acquainted with your kitchen, your serving pieces and dinnerware. Dinner preparation in your kitchen on the day of the event using your pots, pans and large and small appliances.
The Practical chef has cooked for and supported individuals seeking to improve their health, lose weight, manage special diets or health conditions. Services can accommodate any special dietary need or health condition, including diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, weight management, weight loss, or special diets such as non-iodine, gluten-free or wheat-free.
Reviews (9)
Heather W.
Jan 02, 2020
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Craig is fantastic. Incredibly versatile - we worked together on some fairly high pressure corporate events with some high maintenance, perfectionist and picky executives. He never flinched, not even once, even though I tossed him some wacky curveballs from time to time.
He never even showed that he was stressed - a consummate professional and one of my favorite vendors to work with.
Everything Craig has ever done for me has come out fantastic and gets rave reviews.
Highly, highly recommend.
He never even showed that he was stressed - a consummate professional and one of my favorite vendors to work with.
Everything Craig has ever done for me has come out fantastic and gets rave reviews.
Highly, highly recommend.
Leasa C.
Jul 10, 2016
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Rv A.
Mar 08, 2016
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I googled "personal chef tucson" to find someone as a Christmas gift for my Mom and her boyfriend and found Chef Craig. We emailed, got it set up. You never know what you're going to get on the internet... Craig & Sous Chef Mike did the dinner for mom & 6 guests. When she called the next day she couldn't stop gushing. "Unbelievable" she said. The food was better than she's had in the top restaurants in Tucson, Craig and Mike were both friendly and professional at the same time, the whole experience was, as she put it, "just tops". By
Cynthia P.
Dec 18, 2015
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Chef Craig is outstanding! I recently had the pleasure of being a weekend guest at a ranch with 7 couples where Chef Craig cooked all of the food. Every meal was spectacular. He is a really nice congenial guy - and catered to a lot of specific requests in a charming fashion. He was in the kitchen all day everyday - never took a break. He made homemade soups for lunch which were to die for. For the most part the menu was what I would call southwestern gourmet - but that is what was selected. I am sure he could cook anything well. I wish he lived in Chicago!
Bonnie S.
Sep 15, 2015
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Awesome Experience!! Can't wait to do it again!
Chef Craig and his Sous Chef, Mike were amazing!! We had a party of 11 and everyone was blown away! Chef Craig came in and took care of everything, the service and food was impeccable! Plus the the kitchen was even cleaner at the end than when they started! Chef Craig is very knowledgeable, personable and the food was delicious! Highly Recommend! I can't wait to not only do it again, but to do some in home cooking lessons with a group of friends.. how fun!
Thank you Chef Craig for making our party such a great experience!!
Chef Craig and his Sous Chef, Mike were amazing!! We had a party of 11 and everyone was blown away! Chef Craig came in and took care of everything, the service and food was impeccable! Plus the the kitchen was even cleaner at the end than when they started! Chef Craig is very knowledgeable, personable and the food was delicious! Highly Recommend! I can't wait to not only do it again, but to do some in home cooking lessons with a group of friends.. how fun!
Thank you Chef Craig for making our party such a great experience!!
Dawn J.
Mar 25, 2015
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We just had the best party of the century all thanks to Craig and his team! I had met Craig at a friend's party that he was catering and the food was awesome, but I loved how the friends we went to visit were hanging out with us rather than worrying what was going on the kitchen. I decided to throw a party 4 times the size with a whopping 90 people, and Craig and his team pulled it off impeccably! He helped me organize an ice carving as well which was a real showstopper. He's got connections all over the city so can get you anything and everything. I gave Craig my menu and we met
Jeremy H.
Oct 25, 2010
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Chef Craig is AWESOME...I just got back from a 3 day retreat in which I must have gained 5+ pounds - I simply couldn't stop eating the Food (it was that good).
Normally I'm a REALLY picky eater - but Chef Craig customized almost everything when requested, his talent and ability to delight the taste buds is superb. From southwestern gourmet quesadillas or fresh crab salad appetizers, to homemade burger sliders or pulled pork sammies, or my FAV the SW Ceasar Salad :)...can't forget dessert, like the chocolate ganache cookie + homemade mini chilled milkshake shots - THE FOOD IS SIMPLY
Normally I'm a REALLY picky eater - but Chef Craig customized almost everything when requested, his talent and ability to delight the taste buds is superb. From southwestern gourmet quesadillas or fresh crab salad appetizers, to homemade burger sliders or pulled pork sammies, or my FAV the SW Ceasar Salad :)...can't forget dessert, like the chocolate ganache cookie + homemade mini chilled milkshake shots - THE FOOD IS SIMPLY
Mitchel H.
Oct 21, 2010
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Craig was our private chef for a 3-day business retreat for 15 people. He served us breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus everything in between.
Summary: AWESOME
The food was just great. Thoroughly enjoyed (and devoured) by all guests. Highlights included a fantastic Mexican chicken salad, incredible homemade potato chips, and some great hearty sandwiches that even the biggest eaters couldn't finish. He is a magician with fish!
Where Craig probably best excelled was reading the mood of the crowd. Everyone always congregates in the kitchen, and he was great at adding to the conversation
Summary: AWESOME
The food was just great. Thoroughly enjoyed (and devoured) by all guests. Highlights included a fantastic Mexican chicken salad, incredible homemade potato chips, and some great hearty sandwiches that even the biggest eaters couldn't finish. He is a magician with fish!
Where Craig probably best excelled was reading the mood of the crowd. Everyone always congregates in the kitchen, and he was great at adding to the conversation
Andrea C.
Sep 29, 2009
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Chef Craig creates the most beautiful cheese boards and party platters ever! His in-home cooking classes are also fun for parties and get togethers.
I was just thinking about the holidays the other day. Chef Craig will go to your home and teach "how to cook the best holiday dinner ever". It'd be a fun at-home class/pre-holiday party with friends who also want to learn how to wow their friends and families. Or, I could always get a private lesson and take the credit for myself ; ).
I was just thinking about the holidays the other day. Chef Craig will go to your home and teach "how to cook the best holiday dinner ever". It'd be a fun at-home class/pre-holiday party with friends who also want to learn how to wow their friends and families. Or, I could always get a private lesson and take the credit for myself ; ).
