Simon Zatyrka

Short bio

Chef Simon Zatyrka is a Private Chef Seattle with over three decades of hands-on culinary leadership. He empowers chefs and operators to build kitchens that run smoothly—with or without superheroes.

Bio

With 33 years of experience in the culinary world, Chef Simon Zatyrka has become a leading voice in transforming kitchen culture. As a Personal Chef Seattle, he’s no stranger to high-pressure environments, having managed everything from high-volume restaurants to boutique operations across Washington and beyond.

Rooted in Mexican and Ukrainian traditions, Simon’s culinary journey began at sixteen when he cycled to his first kitchen job in Albuquerque. From that moment on, the kitchen became his lifelong calling. His early passion for food led to a thriving career where he worked his way from grill cook to culinary leader, shaping teams and mentoring talent at every step.

Simon’s ethos is simple yet powerful: culture eats talent for breakfast. As a Private Chef Washington and hospitality consultant, he helps restaurant owners install systems that sustain performance—especially when they’re not on-site. His unique approach focuses on leadership, communication, and building operations that don’t collapse when one person is absent.

Beyond the plate, Simon hosts the acclaimed Culinary Mechanic podcast, where he interviews trailblazers in food service, leadership, and hospitality innovation. This platform amplifies his mission: to help Personal Chefs Seattle and restaurant teams adapt, evolve, and thrive in a rapidly changing industry.

His methodology is pragmatic and proven. One of his clients reduced staff turnover by 60% and increased profitability by 15% in just 90 days. Simon doesn’t just offer ideas—he delivers results. As a Personal Chef Washington, he coaches others with the same focus and precision he’s honed across decades of service.

Chef Simon Zatyrka now dedicates his time to culinary consulting, back-of-house system design, and one-on-one coaching for chefs and restaurant operators. Whether leading a pop-up dinner or fine-tuning a multi-site kitchen group, this Private Chef Seattle helps culinary professionals create stability, sustainability, and long-term success.