New Seasonal Menu Launch: Italian-Inspired Private Chef Cuisine in Houston

Bringing authentic Italian tradition and Texas seasonal ingredients to your home through bespoke private dining experiences

Introducing My New Seasonal Italian Menu

I'm excited to share my latest seasonal menu — a collection of Italian-inspired dishes that bring the warmth, soul, and timeless elegance of Italian cuisine directly to Houston homes. As a Cordon Bleu-trained private chef specializing in authentic global cuisines, I've crafted this menu to celebrate both traditional Italian techniques and the exceptional seasonal ingredients available right here in Texas.

Every dish honors the Italian philosophy of cooking: use the finest ingredients, treat them simply, and share them joyfully with the people you love.

Whether you're planning an intimate dinner party in River Oaks, hosting a special celebration in Memorial, or treating your family to an extraordinary meal in West University, this seasonal menu transforms your dining room into an authentic Italian trattoria.

What Makes This Italian Menu Special

Fresh, Seasonal, Local Ingredients

Italian cooking has always been about respecting ingredients and letting their natural flavors shine. For this Houston seasonal menu, I've partnered with local Texas farms and specialty purveyors to source:

• Heirloom tomatoes from Texas Hill Country farms

• Fresh herbs from Houston-area organic gardens

• Artisanal cheeses from regional creameries

• Gulf seafood for coastal Italian-inspired dishes

• Premium olive oils imported from Italy's finest producers

By combining authentic Italian techniques with the best Texas has to offer, each dish tells a story of place, tradition, and season.

The Menu: Course by Course

Antipasti — Italian Starters That Set the Tone

Every memorable Italian meal begins with antipasti — the "before the meal" course that awakens your palate and sets the stage for what's to come.

Seasonal Antipasti Selections:

• Burrata with Heirloom Tomatoes — Creamy burrata paired with locally-grown heirloom tomatoes, fresh basil, aged balsamic, and extra virgin olive oil

• Prosciutto e Melone — Paper-thin prosciutto di Parma wrapped around seasonal melon, finished with mint and cracked black pepper

• Arancini al Ragù — Crispy risotto balls filled with slow-cooked meat ragù and melted mozzarella

• Bruschetta Trio — Grilled artisan bread topped with seasonal vegetables, white beans, and fresh ricotta

Each starter showcases the Italian principle of semplicità — simplicity that lets quality ingredients speak for themselves.

Primi Piatti — Handmade Pasta & Risotto

The primi course is where Italian cooking truly shines. This is where technique, tradition, and love come together on a single plate.

Hand-Cut Fresh Pasta:

I prepare all pasta fresh in your kitchen using traditional Italian methods learned during my Cordon Bleu training. You'll taste the difference that hand-rolled, hand-cut pasta makes.

Seasonal Primi Options:

• Pappardelle al Ragù Bolognese — Wide ribbon pasta with slow-simmered meat sauce, the way Bologna intended

• Cacio e Pepe — The Roman classic featuring just three ingredients: pasta, Pecorino Romano, and black pepper — executed to perfection

• Pumpkin Ravioli with Sage Brown Butter — Delicate pasta pillows filled with roasted pumpkin and ricotta, finished with crispy sage and toasted pine nuts

• Risotto ai Funghi — Creamy Arborio rice slow-cooked with seasonal mushrooms, white wine, and Parmigiano-Reggiano

Secondi — Main Courses That Honor Italian Tradition

The secondi course features proteins prepared with Italian techniques but adapted to celebrate Texas ingredients.

Seasonal Main Course Selections:

• Osso Buco alla Milanese — Braised veal shanks with saffron risotto and gremolata

• Branzino al Forno — Whole roasted Mediterranean sea bass with lemon, herbs, and roasted vegetables

• Chicken Piccata — Pan-seared chicken breast with lemon-caper sauce, served with seasonal vegetables

• Bistecca alla Fiorentina — Grilled Texas ribeye with rosemary, garlic, and high-quality olive oil

Each main course demonstrates how Italian cooking elevates simple ingredients through proper technique, timing, and respect for tradition.

Contorni — Italian-Style Side Dishes

No Italian meal is complete without thoughtfully prepared vegetables and sides.

• Roasted Seasonal Vegetables with garlic and herbs

• Caprese Salad featuring heirloom tomatoes and fresh mozzarella

• Sautéed Greens with garlic and chili flakes

• Patate al Forno — Crispy roasted potatoes with rosemary

Dolci — Italian Desserts to Complete Your Journey

Finish your Italian culinary journey with classic desserts that bring sweetness and satisfaction.

Dessert Selections:

• Tiramisu Classico — Traditional coffee-soaked ladyfingers with mascarpone cream

• Panna Cotta — Silky vanilla cream topped with seasonal berry compote

• Affogato — Vanilla gelato "drowned" in hot espresso

• Seasonal Fruit Tart with Italian pastry cream

Perfect for Houston's Most Memorable Occasions

Intimate Dinner Parties

Transform your River Oaks, Memorial, or Tanglewood home into an authentic Italian trattoria. This menu is perfect for intimate gatherings of 4-8 guests who appreciate fine food, meaningful conversation, and the Italian tradition of la dolce vita — the sweet life.

Special Celebrations

Mark anniversaries, birthdays, engagements, or family reunions with a multi-course Italian feast. Every dish can be customized to honor your celebration while maintaining authentic Italian character.

Wine Pairing Experiences

Elevate your Italian dining experience with curated wine pairings. I work with Houston's finest wine purveyors to source Italian wines that complement each course — from Prosecco with antipasti to Barolo with your main course and Vin Santo with dessert.

Private Cooking Classes

Want to learn the secrets of authentic Italian cooking? I offer hands-on cooking classes where you'll master techniques like:

• Fresh pasta making from scratch

• Perfecting risotto texture and timing

• Creating authentic Italian sauces

• Mastering the art of simple, ingredient-focused cooking

Beyond the Menu: Custom Italian Experiences

While this seasonal menu showcases my current Italian offerings, I love designing completely custom menus for my Houston clients.

Regional Italian Inspirations

Italy's twenty regions each offer distinct culinary traditions. I can create menus inspired by:

• Tuscany — Rustic, hearty dishes with beans, olive oil, and grilled meats

• Sicily — Bold flavors with Arabic and Greek influences, featuring seafood and citrus

• Emilia-Romagna — Italy's food heartland, home of Parmigiano, prosciutto, and balsamic vinegar

• Piemonte — Elegant, refined dishes featuring truffles, wine, and hazelnuts

Your Story, Your Menu

Every custom menu begins with a conversation about:

• Your favorite Italian regions or dishes you've loved while traveling

• Dietary preferences and restrictions

• Seasonal ingredients you'd like highlighted

• The story you want your meal to tell

The Full Private Chef Experience

What's Included

When you book this Italian seasonal menu experience, you receive:

Menu Consultation — We'll discuss your preferences, guest count, and occasion to customize the perfect menu

Ingredient Sourcing — I personally select and shop for every ingredient from Houston's best specialty markets and local farms

In-Home Preparation — I arrive at your home with all equipment and ingredients, transforming your kitchen into an Italian restaurant kitchen

Professional Service — Each course is plated with care and presented beautifully

Complete Cleanup — When the evening ends, your kitchen will be spotless

You Simply Enjoy — Relax, entertain your guests, and savor every moment

Multi-Course Tasting Menu Experience

For food enthusiasts who want the complete Italian culinary journey, I offer multi-course tasting menus featuring:

• 5-course experience — Antipasti, primi, secondi, contorni, and dolci

• 7-course tasting — An extended journey through Italy's regional specialties

• Custom course count — Tailored to your preferences and occasion

Each course is thoughtfully paced, allowing time for conversation, wine enjoyment, and appreciation of the culinary story unfolding before you.

Serving Houston's Premier Neighborhoods

I bring this Italian seasonal menu experience to clients throughout Greater Houston, including:

• River Oaks — Houston's most prestigious neighborhood deserves exceptional private dining

• Memorial — Where elegant entertaining meets Italian tradition

• The Heights — Bringing Italian soul food to Houston's creative heart

• West University Place — Perfect for sophisticated family-friendly Italian feasts

• Tanglewood — Classic Italian elegance for timeless Houston entertaining

• Galleria — Upscale Italian dining in Houston's premier district

• Sugar Land — Suburban sophistication meets Italian tradition

• The Woodlands — Bringing authentic Italian cuisine north of Houston

Why Choose Chef Iliana Stone for Italian Cuisine

Cordon Bleu Training Meets Italian Tradition

My Cordon Bleu training provided the classical techniques that form the foundation of great cooking. Combined with my passion for Italian cuisine and respect for tradition, I bring both technical precision and authentic soul to every Italian dish I create.

Fresh, Never Frozen, Always Authentic

I never use pre-made sauces, frozen pasta, or shortcuts. Every component — from pasta dough to stocks to desserts — is prepared fresh in your kitchen using authentic methods.

Customized to Your Tastes

While I honor Italian tradition, I also customize every menu to your preferences. Don't like seafood? Prefer vegetarian options? Have dietary restrictions? Every menu is tailored to ensure all your guests enjoy an exceptional experience.

Book Your Italian Private Dining Experience

Ready to bring the warmth, tradition, and exceptional flavors of Italy to your Houston home? Whether you're planning an intimate dinner for two or a celebration for twenty, this seasonal Italian menu creates an unforgettable experience.

Contact Chef Iliana Stone:

📞 Phone: (281) 740-7753
🌐 Website: www.chefilianastone.com
📧 Email: chefilianastone@outlook.com

Booking Recommendations:

• Book 2-4 weeks in advance for best availability

• Holiday season books quickly — reserve early

• Last-minute requests sometimes available

Let Me Bring Italy to Your Table

Italian cooking is about more than food — it's about family, tradition, hospitality, and the joy of sharing a beautiful meal with people you love. Every dish I prepare carries this spirit.

From hand-rolled pasta to slow-simmered sauces, from carefully selected ingredients to thoughtfully plated presentations, I pour passion and expertise into every element of your Italian dining experience.

Let me transform your next gathering into an authentic Italian celebration — one dish, one story, one unforgettable evening at a time.

Buon appetito!

Chef Iliana Stone is a Cordon Bleu-trained private chef serving Houston and surrounding areas. Specializing in authentic Mexican and global cuisines, Chef Iliana creates bespoke in-home dining experiences for intimate gatherings, special celebrations, and memorable occasions.