Lesa & Violette are San Diego natives, professional chefs, and longtime partners who share two things: an obsession for good food and a commitment to helping people feel their best through what they eat.

 

Lesa brings 17 years of culinary experience, beginning her career after graduating from SDCI in 2007 and cooking at some of San Diego's most respected kitchens, including Mister A's, The Wild Thyme Co., Compass Group, and FOX Restaurant Group. 

 

Violette has spent more than 21 years in the industry. A graduate of the Art Institute of California, she has cooked across the city with teams at the Cohn Restaurant Group, Marriot Hotels, Festivities Catering, Compass Group, and The Wild Thyme Co.

In 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, they took a leap and launched their own private chef business. Demand for intimate dinners, events, and custom meal prep took off quickly--and so did requests for ongoing support with gut health, inflammation, dietary restrictions, and simply eating clean without sacrificing flavor. 

 

When they could no longer keep up with the growing need one household at a time, Lesa and Violette decided to open a dedicated, chef-driven meal prep storefront. Today, The Handmade Chef Meal Prep Co. exists to bring that same private-chef level of care, customization, and San Diego restaurant expertise to a broader community of people who want to eat well, feel better, and have one less thing to worry about during a busy week.