Chef Sam - New Jersey's Best Personal Chefs

Southern roots. Global inspiration. Food made to make people smile.

I grew up in Burlington, North Carolina, where Southern comfort food isn’t just a style of cooking — it’s a love language. Food has always been how I connect with people, and that passion really took hold in my high school years after spending more time than I’d like to admit watching the Food Network. From there, culinary school was a no-brainer.

In culinary school, I trained in classical French techniques and discovered a deep appreciation for international cuisine, with Italian and Mexican quickly becoming personal favorites. Since then, I’ve worked in restaurants, country clubs, and bakeries, serving all kinds of people — and nothing beats the feeling of watching someone smile after the first bite.

I recently relocated to New Jersey with my wife Lauren, our daughter Leona, and our two dogs, Wallie and Berkley. While it’s a different pace than the South, I’ve absolutely loved the change and am always excited to take on a new challenge in the kitchen.

Travel is a huge priority for me and my family, and every trip starts the same way: finding the best places to eat. From hole-in-the-wall local favorites to Michelin-starred legends, I’m a food tourist at heart. Italy, Spain, and Norway are at the top of my culinary bucket list — places I hope to experience, learn from, and be inspired by.

What I Can Do for You

Create custom weekly meals that fit your life and your tastes
Cook family-friendly comfort food with elevated technique
Design special menus for date nights, celebrations, and small gatherings
Bring international inspiration into everyday meals
Make food that feels thoughtful, personal, and genuinely enjoyable

I believe food should be something you look forward to — not another thing on your to-do list. My goal is to make your meals feel comforting, exciting, and stress-free.

My Cooking Style

Italian-inspired comfort
Mexican flavors with balance and brightness
Southern comfort food, elevated
Bakery-informed technique and attention to detail

Why I Love Being a Personal Chef

Cooking for others is what fuels me. Getting to know your preferences, your routines, and the kinds of meals that make your life easier (and tastier) is the best part of what I do. I cook with care, curiosity, and intention — always focused on creating food that brings people together.

Our focus is weekly meal service for you and your family.

At Tiny Spoon, we spend a lot of time talking about relationships because we think that’s where the “special sauce” is. To us, there’s nothing better than pulling up a stool in the kitchen, steeping in solid conversation with someone fab and grabbing a bite of that perfect thing you didn’t know you wanted mingling with your taste buds.