Brazilian Soul  ·  French Technique  ·  Miami

The kind of
night you'll
never forget.

Private dining experiences your guests will still be talking about weeks later. In your home. On your schedule. With every detail handled.

Chef Lucy Mello
Private Chef
Intimate Dinners
Brand Events
Multi-Course Tastings
Founder, The Basic Host
Chef Lucy Mello plating
About

A Brazilian at heart.
Fine dining technique.

Born and raised in Brazil, I fell in love with cooking the same way I fell in love with hosting. Through the people, the memories, and the moments made around a table. I trained in professional kitchens and became obsessed with mastering the fundamentals. Knife work. Technique. Timing. Balance. Once I understood the basics, I found the freedom to create something entirely my own.

Philosophy

Every dish
tells a story.

Some carry the memory of my grandmother's kitchen. Others draw from a market in a city I visited last spring, or a technique I fell in love with while staging in Michelin-starred kitchens. My Brazilian soul lives in everything I create. Not always in the ingredients, but in the warmth, the intention, and the way I want people to feel at my table.

Brazilian cuisine has long been underrepresented in the fine dining world. My mission is to change that. One plate at a time.

My foundation is classical French technique.
My soul is Brazilian.
My purpose is bringing people together.

Candlelit dinner service
Experiences

However you gather,
I'll build around it.

i.
Private
Dining
Any meal, any occasion, fully staged in your home.
ii.
Dinner
Clubs
Curated supper club evenings and story-driven tastings.
iii.
Weekly Chef
Service
In-home meal preparation for families who want more than takeout.
iv.
Brand
Events
Culinary activations, launches, and press dinners designed to be remembered.
v.
Vacation
Homes
Full-service private chef for stays in Miami, the Keys, and beyond.
vi.
Corporate
Experiences
Elevated hospitality for retreats, board dinners, and executive gatherings.
The Process

Four steps to an
evening they'll never forget.

From the first message to the last dish cleared, every detail is handled. Your only job is to enjoy your guests.

01.
Consultation

A conversation about your occasion, your guests, and how you want the night to feel.

02.
Menu Design

A bespoke tasting menu built around your table, your palate, and any dietary needs.

03.
Sourcing & Preparation

High quality sourcing and preparation completed in advance, before service begins.

04.
Service & Close-Down

Final cooking finished in your home. Each course plated with precision. Kitchen fully cleaned before I leave.

05.
Dietary Accommodations

Low carb, anti-inflammatory, allergies, and special requests.

06.
Sourcing

Fresh, organic ingredients. Farm to table. No seed oils, ever.

07.
Proteins

Sourced from Miami's best local markets for freshness and quality.

Also Founded

The Basic Host.

A digital hosting platform helping home hosts create memorable evenings with the same intention I bring to every private dinner. Smart menu builder. Curated menus. Grocery lists. Hosting guides.

Visit thebasic.host →
The Basic Table dinner setting with candlelight
Guests gathered around a candlelit private dinner

This is what an evening feels like.

Reserve

Every evening begins
with a conversation.

Tell me about your night. I'll take care of the rest.