Meet Don Estacio | Private Chef

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

Hi Don, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
As cliche as it sounds, I wanted to work a job that I loved. Owning a business is a job and I happen to be my own boss. It’s bittersweet sometimes.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
72Grapes started as a food prep home business and evolved to a private chef service. We started during the pandemic cooking for families in the midst of the quarantine. We were going to clients homes and preparing restaurant quality meals when restaurants were forced to close their doors or could not stay in business. It was a very odd time and a lot of uncertainty but we were focused on feeding the people. We were focused on preparing a quality meal for families who needed to get away but yet still be in the comfort of their own home. That’s when I knew I had a service that people would enjoy.

It wasn’t an easy start. Starting a business during a pandemic sounded crazy at the time, but to look back now it was a silver lining. There’s a lot I’ve learned with starting a business, the most important to me and has been a constant focus of mine are nurturing the relationships I’ve created along the way. My clients are everything to me. I believe that word of mouth is the best marketing tool and each event will lead to another.
I am still in contact with my first client and I’ve grown alongside with them. Bachelorette party, wedding, house warming’s, promotions and baby showers. It’s amazing!

Our service is pretty straight forward. Make restaurant quality food in your home and bring the best customer service. However our quality and standards are always evolving to be better.

We do our best to source the best quality product and use seasonal ingredients all while maintaining an approachable image. We cater to everyone!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I consider myself a pretty laid back person but I do like to entertain people and make sure they’re having a great time. It’s part of my job right?

Monday- definitely starting the week off with a round of golf at Brookside Golf Course. Working in the food industry our days off are typically Sunday & Monday. So a round golf then post round lunch at one of my favorite sushi spots, Sugarfish in Pasadena. After sushi and a few beers, we’re heading home to rest up. After a few hours of chilling . Going to stay in and order pizzas and salad for the Monday night football game. Then calling it a night.

Tuesday- we are starting the day with a hot yoga session. Im usually a little sore after playing golf so yoga is a must. It also gets me ready for the next round. After yoga, we can grab bagels and coffee from 42nd street bagels in Claremont. After breakfast, we head home to catch up on emails or do a little reading. Something to pass time before lunch. Once we get hungry for a late lunch, I’m taking my friend to grab hearty salad at Eureka in downtown Claremont. After lunch, we either go to the range or play a pick up game of pickleball. After a few of hours of activity, we’re heading home to shower up. For dinner we’re making a hearty lentil soup.

Wednesday- we start the day with another round of golf at Sierra lakes golf course. After golf we head to In N Out for post round lunch. After lunch we head home to rest up. After a few hours we head to Costco to fill up the yeti xl for our trip to Paso Robles. After our Costco trip we go back home to make homemade sandwiches with chips and Zevia Soda. Classic combo.
After lunch we head home to start packing for our trip- clean our golf clubs, drop my dog off at my moms house, and get my car detailed. After packing/errands we get ready for the night. We head down to magnolia house in Pasadena to meet with friends for drinks and snacks. If we get the munchies we can go to Pie n Birger around the corner. Then we call it a night.

Thursday- we hit the road first thing in the morning. No breakfast. Maybe coffee and snacks. Saving our appetite until we get to Paso Robles. Once we arrive, we check in our hotel at Allegretto hotel. After checking in, the hotel has a great patio and menu for lunch. After lunch we head up to our rooms and decided where we’re going for dinner.
For dinner we head to Les Petite Canailles for an amazing French dinner and great wine list. We call it a night after dinner.

Friday- we start with an early tee time at Hunter Ranch GC with friends from high school who are joining our wine trip. After golf, we all end up at the clubhouse for lunch. After lunch we go checkout our friends Airbnb and catch up more before dinner. We head back to the hotel and get ready for dinner.
For dinner we head to Hatch restaurant for southern style cuisine and awesome whiskey selections. We call it a night after dinner.

Saturday- we sleep in after last nights debacle and try to gather ourselves for a wine tour. Once we get situated we all meet up and head to Justin Winery in Paso. We all get wine flights and eat their amazing restaurant for lunch. After lunch we head to Austin hope winery for more tastings. After we head to Daou Vineyards for more wine. We then fuel up with food at their outdoor restaurant while enjoying the amazing views. After Daou, we head to our hotel for power naps. For dinner we go to Goshi Japanese restaurant for the best sushi in Paso. After dinner we call it.

Sunday- we’re up by 9am for coffee and breakfast. After breakfast we hangout in the hotel bar to watch the morning football games. Once halftime hits we decided to head to our rooms and start packing to head home. We make our trek back home. Once we make it home I grill up steaks with a loaded baked potato paired with a Cabernet from Daou vineyards. We watch the end of the Sunday night football game then call it a night.

Monday- drop my best friend off at the airport and say our goodbyes.

The end.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate this to my Mom and sister Nadia! We all know how challenging being an entrepreneur can be but we enjoy it. It’s the most gratifying job I’ve ever had. Love!

Website: privatechefd.com

Instagram: @private_ChefD