My name is Vavine Te Waimirirangi Tahapehi, but you can call me Chef V. I’m an indigenous Māori and Motu woman, born in New Zealand, raised there in Aotearoa as well as in Papua New Guinea and Australia. I found my way to Los Angeles at 30 years old and spent fourteen years in Venice Beach before moving to the Mojave Desert, California and settling in Flamingo Heights with my family.

Why is this important? Because to my table I bring the sum of my heritage, my ancestors, my tribe(s), my travels, my childhood, my observations, my experiences, a little of everyone I’ve ever met and a lot of everything I’ve ever eaten. My creativity is born of all the stories that made me, my skills born of a decade and a half of professional experience in the kitchen.

As a Polynesian woman, I can tell you, hospitality is a deeply ingrained cultural practice that embodies generosity, the sharing of resources, and a desire for our visitors to experience a feeling of warmth and belonging. My heritage prepared me for life as a private chef. Unlike restaurant chefs, private chefs are not only out back preparing food, but also up front, engaging with guests. We curate complete experiences.

After a successful career of on-staff private cheffing in Los Angeles, for some very notable A-List celebrities, I brought the Private Chef V experience to the highly trafficked tourist areas of Joshua Tree and Palm Springs, California. Here I have built an excellent reputation as the consummate professional who delivers top notch nourishment, and a warm host who creates unforgettable memories. Every year, business has continued to grow and overflow, and I find myself here, with an exciting new menu in hand.

“Kuki” is a Te Reo Māori, loaner word for “cook” and “Ania” means “eat” in Hiri Motu, words in the languages of both my parents. Kuki + Ania was created out of a need to match more chefs with a wait list of visitors looking for delicious and tailored experiences for their special gatherings. It was also established very intentionally to help my fellow chefs find more work and work in a more meaningful way, while we take care of the myriad of behind-the-scenes details.

Although they can and do, our chefs are not caterers, per se, but were hand selected for their care in creating custom, luxe, intimate, dining experiences. In their work, they also present characteristics that align with the spirit of Kuki + Ania.

Kuki + Ania can elevate your gatherings. We are a facilitator of art and artful experiences, from the food to tablescapes, and one day, in the not-too-distant future, the very tables themselves. We hope you’ll reach out and see what we can bring to your next occasion.