David Makeri

Chef de Cuisine
Chef David Makeri Profile Photo

Short bio

Chef David Makeri is a Private Chef Charlotte renowned for his heartfelt approach to cuisine. As a Modern American Personal Chef, he blends tradition with creativity, striving to create meaningful dining experiences.

  • Experience rating 5
  • Talkativeness 2
  • Location: United States of America, Charlotte, North Carolina
  • Events done:
  • ID verification:
  • Recommendation score: 90
  • Insurance:
  • Member since: Nov-2025
  • Food safety certificate:

Photos

Bio

David’s culinary journey began not in the kitchen but at the family dining table. Growing up, meals were not just sustenance; they were emotional touchstones where arguments faded and life’s burdens lightened.

Though he didn’t initially aspire to become a chef, his instincts guided him toward the culinary arts. He honed his craft in Michelin star environments, where he learned that cooking transcends technique—it’s a tapestry of emotion, connection, and timing.

Despite facing challenges such as burnout and self-doubt, David’s passion for food always drew him back to the kitchen. His work as a Private Chef Charlotte emphasizes intimacy over anonymity, allowing him to truly connect with those he serves. He believes that food should evoke feelings—celebration, comfort, and remembrance.

Each dish he creates is a fusion of his cultural heritage and a reflection of his personal journey. Besides his technical skills, David nurtures a philosophy that food is a communal experience meant to be shared.

He approaches each culinary endeavor with curiosity and a hint of madness, spending countless hours perfecting flavors and presentations. His cooking is also guided by his adventurous spirit, influenced by his experiences in Dubai and his love for fine dining.

For Chef David, serving food is not merely about the meal itself; it’s about the moments created around the table, where stories unfold and connections form. Whether he’s cooking for a small gathering or an intimate dinner, his mission remains clear: to nourish the body and spirit through food.

Favourites

Chef David’s favorite dish is his reinterpretation of choux farci, crafted with blanched savoy cabbage and a savory filling rich in flavor. This dish encapsulates his approach as a Modern American Personal Chef, where he honors his classical training while infusing it with personal heritage. It stands as a testament to his culinary philosophy that celebrates the artistry of food.

Cusines

  • African
  • French
  • Modern American

Chef David Makeri

Menu

Canapés

  • Lamb Croquettes with 6-hour braised lamb croquette, confit garlic & basil aioli, pickled apple slices
  • Chicken Suya with stuffed chicken wings, warm spice & honey glaze, chilli crisp, pickled onions, and radish balls
  • Beancakes & Prawns with black-eye pea Fritter, roasted tomato & pepper sabayon, poached prawns, fresh herbs
  • Chicken Cutlet with crispy chicken cutlet, pickled onions, salsa verde, herb salad, smokey jollof rice
  • Tigernut & coffee with tugernut cracker, tigernute & coffee semifreddo, coffee caramel sauce

3-Course Menu

Starters

  • Salmon & Ricotta Toast Bites with smoked salmon, whipped ricotta with dill & lemon zest, baby cucumber topped on toasted milk bread rounds
  • Gilda Pintxo with skewers of green olivies, anchovies, and guindille peppers
  • Pan Con Tomate Y Jamon with grated tomatoes, Iberico ham on toasted garlic crostini

Mains

  • Pomme Pave & Prawns with bite sized layered potaotes or cobblestone potatoes, tomato & roasted pepper relish, garlic & herb olive oil poached prawns
  • Beetroot & Goat Cheese with beetroot rounds, goat cheese, honey pistachios

Dessert

  • Mini Cheesecakes Bites with citrus-vanilla cheesecake filling, shortbread crust, lemon curd

Shared Family-Style Menu

Mains

  • Perri Perri Chicken & Roasted Habanero Honey Sauce with grilled half-chicken marinated in garlic & red pepper paste, roasted habanero and honey sauce, guindilla peppers & charred lemon
  • Roasted Lamb Shoulder with 3-hour roasted lamb shoulder seasoned with zataar, cumin & roasted garlic, mind, & lamb jus

Salads

  • Fennel & Apple Salad with thinly slice fennel & Green apple sticks tossed in lemon & champagne vinegratte, almonds & chopped herbs
  • Couscous Salad with steamed couscous, red wine vinegar, tomatoes, pickled onions, cucumbers & olive oil

Sides

  • Rice Pilaf with rice cooked in chicken stock, caramelized onions & saffron
  • Roasted Zucchini & Sweet Potato Puree with scored & pan roasted zucchini on top, silky sweet potato puree whipped with ricotta, mint & lemon zest, toasted pine nuts & dill fronds

Dessert

  • Date Cake & Salted Caramel with vanilla infused creme fraiche, salted caramel