the Chef

With over 40 years of culinary experience, Chef John DiLeo offers unforgettable private dinners, hands-on cooking classes, and vacation chef services for families visiting the Charleston area. My passion for cooking began at a young age, standing beside my Great Aunt in our family's Long Island kitchen. I started my professional journey as a dishwasher in a local restaurant and worked my way up to line cook before attending The Culinary Institute of America. After graduating from the CIA, I apprenticed under the renowned Chef Christian Delouvrier at Restaurant Maurice, where our team earned a coveted three-star review from The New York Times. As the founding chef of Zoe in SoHo, I learned to master the art of fire—creating menus centered around a wood-burning oven, grill, and rotisserie. At Lafayette in the Drake Swissotel, I refined my fine dining technique as Executive Chef. Later, I brought that experience to The Grand Tier at the Metropolitan Opera, where I orchestrated nightly dining experiences to complement the drama and elegance of the opera. Now living in the Charleston area, I enjoy blending my Italian heritage and classical French training with the rich, soulful flavors of the Lowcountry.