Melanie Shurka

Enjoy the company of your guests while I create a unique culinary experience tailored specifically for you in the comfort of your own New York City home.

My food philosophy is simple: the best ingredients, local when possible and handled with respect.

I offer a variety of culinary experiences to suit your nourishment, pleasure, personal preferences and dietary requirements.  Warm hospitality, fine dining, tradition and elegant food presentation are provided with every meal.  I will work with you on:

private dinners
business luncheons
cocktail parties
special events
cooking lessons
locally sourced
vegetarian
vegan
gluten-free
kosher

The pricing depends on the style of service, the number of courses, ingredients utilized and party size.  

Email chefmelanieshurka@gmail.com for event inquiry and customized menu

Persian Farm-to-Table Shabbat Dinner
Plated Meal

• Local Harvest Salad •
shaved fennel,  melon, olive &  grapefruit

• Stuffed Kohlrabi •
cardamom spiced ground beef & leeks, finished in citrus broth with snap peas

• Celery Khoresh •
with turkey leg, mint & dried lime,
served with saffron basmati rice

• Roasted Chicken •
with sautéed green apple, dried apricot & lush prune, served with roasted potatoes, garlic & rosemary

• Dessert •
pistachio & rose cake 

•Artisanal Cocktail Party Bites
Hors D'oeuvres

• Bacon Wrapped Dates, Goat Cheese •
• Open Face Sabich Sandwiches •
• Mushroom, Chive & Pecorino Bruschetta •
• Chicken Albondigas, Apricots & Prunes •
• Tabbouleh Salad Bites • 
• Pistachio Date Biscotti •
 

Sample Menus

Middle Eastern Feast
Shared & Plated Dishes

• Plate-less Course •
fried cauliflower with parsley & sea salt
classic hummus with spicy cilantro
fava bean spread

• Mezes •
lentils, acorn squash & yogurt dressing
tabbouleh, pepper, pomegranate & herbs
fried kibbeh, mushroom & pine nuts
eggplant, herb salad & tahini

• Little Neck Clams •
steamed with tomato, fennel & arak
basmati rice, cranberries & mung beans

• Poached Pear •
white wine & cardamom with crème fraîche

•Persian Fusion
Family Style

• Deconstructed Baba Ghanoush • 
• Shirazi Salad of Tomato, Cucumber, Radish & Herbs •
• Lentil Salad, Charred Scallions, Acorn Squash & Yogurt • 
• Pomegranate Walnut Fesenjan with Chicken •
• Braised Lamb, Prunes & Apricots •
• Tilapia, Tomato, Cilantro & Fava Beans • 
• Jujeh Chicken Kabab •
• Basmati Rice, Sautéed Carrots, Beans & Cinnamon •
• Tahdiq - "Bottom of the Pan" Crunchy Rice •

Forbidden Drunken Roast
Plated Meal

• Cocktail •
arak, grapefruit & sage

• Market Fresh Salad •
red quinoa, avocado, radish, cucumber,
scallion & spiced chickpeas

• Appetizer •
eggplant stuffed with ground lamb,
pine nuts, herbs & tamarind

• Main Course •
roast chicken infused in arak with fennel & tangerine, served with basmati rice with sautéed onions & chickpeas 

• Dessert •
turkish coffee ice cream & kanafeh

Green Eggs & Ha-llou-m-i Brunch
Family Style

• Kuku Sabzi •
Persian herb fritters, labneh yogurt
• Green Shakshuka •
baked eggs, celery, cilantro & merguez
• Pan-Fried Halloumi Cheese •
zucchini & tomato
• Pomegranate Walnut Pancakes •
watermelon, mint & lemon zest