We Make It Better

Henry Rivera Multi - cuisine chef

My Culinary Journey

I am Chef Henry Rivera, recognized among the Top 5 New York Chefs of 2023. With decades of experience from Ecuador to New York and Dubai, I bring people together through fine dining. I founded 'Al Pastor NY' and lead Private Chef Rivera & Events Management to create unforgettable moments around food.

Cooking became my passion early on, inspired by the sounds and aromas of the kitchen. I craft diverse cuisines — Mexican, Italian, Japanese, and more — always aiming to surprise and delight.

Book Your Experience

Using simple ingredients with creativity is my secret

What I Offer

Global Experience

From New York to Dubai, I bring international expertise and a love for flavors without borders.

Multi-Cuisine Mastery

Mexican, Italian, Japanese, Mediterranean — I tailor each menu to create unique experiences.

Memorable Events

From weddings to private dinners, I craft moments that bring people together through food.

My Menus

Explore curated menus that span Mediterranean, Italian, Latin American, Japanese Hibachi, and French cuisine.

Book now

Client Reviews

Chef Rivera made the most amazing dinner for my party and every guest keeps telling me how delicious it was. Extremely clean and professional. Definitely recommend for a dinner party or any event!

Emma Spartachino

Experience was amazing!

Alison Auerbach

For my husband’s 50th birthday, I wanted to create a memorable evening with his closest friends—and Chef Henry Rivera helped make it truly unforgettable. From the start, he was warm, professional, and attentive to every detail. The menu was customized beautifully to suit our tastes, and the food itself was absolutely outstanding. Each course was flavorful, elegantly plated, and clearly prepared with care and creativity. Our guests couldn’t stop talking about the steak with creamy peppercorn sauce. What really stood out, beyond the delicious food, was the atmosphere Chef Henry helped create. It was intimate, relaxed, and filled with laughter—just the kind of evening we hoped for. They seamlessly managed everything behind the scenes and left our kitchen spotless afterward. Thanks to Chef Henry, my husband’s milestone birthday felt incredibly special and personal. I would recommend him in a heartbeat. Let me know if you want to include the chef’s specific name, a particular cuisine (e.g., Italian, French, fusion), or make it more casual or formal.

Rebecca Kortman

Chef Henry Rivera made our special night amazing! Can’t wait to plan another evening!

Candy Holand

Chef Henry was top notch! We had a terrific experience working with him, and the meal was delicious. He was a great communicator, and helped make a birthday celebration a huge success. Would highly recommend Chef Henry and Take a Chef.

Joseph Longthorne

Chef Henry was an absolute pleasure to work with for our office holiday dinner! He answered all of our questions, was incredibly accommodating, and so friendly throughout the process. The dinner was absolutely delicious, and our entire staff had a wonderful time. I would definitely recommend Chef Henry to anyone looking for a private chef for their event!

Tyler

We booked Chef Rivera for our Thanksgiving dinner and the meal was perfection! From his pre-dinner planning to execution, we could not have asked for a better experience. Planning the meal was easy and Chef was very collaborative. We had some specific requests, including food allergies, and Chef took them very seriously. Besides his food being outstanding, his warmth and generous personality made having him with us for the holiday a true delight!

Jennifer L.

Chef Rivera was very professional, personable and punctual. He has a great personality and explained the progession of dinner. The food was delicious, we all enjoyed the meal and the wine pairings were very nice. It was a great experience, they left the kitchen immaculate. It was such a relaxing evening. I loved the printed menus. The crab cakes were a big hit!!

Hillary Vogel

Loved having Chef Rivera in our home! He arrived on time, served up the entire meal and wine a pairing without a single hitch. His food was simple and delicious, and he took care to make any alterations we requested. He was very kind and positive the entire time, and we couldn't have been more pleased!

Jeremy Jordan

Chef Henry was awesome and made my wife’s birthday an amazing experience.

Charles Holt