Meet Danielle Bruno | Private Chef/ Restauranteur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle Bruno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’ve always been business minded from a young age, watching my parents go outside their comfort zone with several businesses and take risks, I just remember it always being exciting. The energy of starting something new and committing to a project and sort of “winging it” was something I found great interest in. I always strive to keep learning and growing mentally, so pushing myself beyond my area of expertise while not having to answer to anyone has been my greatest motivation. Freedom and creative control are what keeps me engaged and open minded.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I express myself through my food, I always test boundaries and try new things. I want my dishes to have that “wow” factor, so I spend my time creating custom menus and pairings specific to each client. I want it to be more than just dining, I want to provide an experience, I want you to feel something. Wether I create a sense of nostalgia for some or that I excite your palette with something new that you wouldnt have otherwise tried, its all about fun, flavor and the greatest universal language love, to be able to create and share a part of myself with my cooking, you can definitely feel it.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am blessed to live in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and having quick access to any beach in southern California my first stop is always somewhere with a water view. Having a great love for the ocean and all of its creatures a boat ride is a must for me and my friends, taking a trip to Catalina island seeing whales and dolphins along the way, or just a cruise in Newport harbor on our boat. There are so many fun places to eat and experience, some of my favorites are in Huntington Beach, a sushi place that I frequent with my family called Matsu, you’re transported to this traditional Japanese style restaurant that has some of the most creative rolls and freshest fish you can find, it never disappoints, Pacific City has one of my favorite hidden gems, LSXO its a speakeasy with a Vietnamese style menu located behind a secret door in the back of Bluegold restaurant. The view breathtaking, the food is incredible and really outside the box, located across from the Huntington Beach pier dinner and a stroll on the pier is a great time. One of my favorite places to get some exercise and just get outside is salt creek beach, with enormous green lawn (perfect for a picnic or sunset wine and cheese) leading you down to one of my favorite beaches to relax and take dip in the ocean. I personally love live music so Keys on Main in Costa Mesa is such a fun exciting place to go, they have dueling pianos that play songs by request, the crowd is always engaged the atmosphere is fun and the drinks are delicious you cant go wrong.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would dedicate my shoutout to my family, they keep me grounded and help me remember just how far I have come in my life and career. My sweet daughter Dior, knowing that I was put here to always show her anything is possible if you do it with love and from your heart and always jump in with both feet.

Website: theedibleimprov.com

Instagram: @chefdaniellebruno