About John
John Derlega, The District Chef, is originally from Norfolk, Virginia.
His earliest food memories include snacking through his mother’s small garden, eating all the strawberries and cherry tomatoes, and enjoying ’true’ Virginia peanuts.
After graduating from The College of William & Mary in Virginia, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in East Asian Studies and Japanese, John worked for 15 years in client services and consulting for a variety of Washington, DC, area organizations, including The Embassy of Japan, CEB (now Gartner), DCPS, and RARE Conservation.
He travelled for business to more than 30 countries and 40 U.S. states. While life on the road was often a blur, John clearly recalls many memorable meals during his travels.
Inspired by the amazing food he experienced, John decided to change careers and pursue a degree in the Culinary Arts.
Since graduating with honors from the Professional Culinary Arts Program at L’Academie de Cuisine in Gaithersburg, Maryland, John has honed his skills in a number of DC’s top restaurants, including Pineapple and Pearls, Rose’s Luxury, and BreadFurst. John is certified in food safety and handling.
Reviews
FIRST COMMUNION DINNER
“I can’t imagine a better partner for a special occasion meal and party.”
The District Chef designed and executed a flawless and extraordinary dinner party for our son’s First Communion. Leading up to the event was busy, and it was dreamy to know it was in great hands with The District Chef. He worked with us to design a kid-friendly and sophisticated meal that captured the spirit of the celebration. He arrived at our home after we left for the ceremony, and when we came home, there was a dinner party ready-to-go. The food and service were amazing. I can’t imagine a better partner for a special occasion meal and party. (Barnaby Woods, DC)
WEEKLY IN-HOME MEALS
“Creative, flavorful, healthy, yummy. He brings Michelin quality cuisine to your house every week.”
I introduced John to my parents, who need help eating heart-healthy yet still delicious food. John’s cooking is outstanding: creative, flavorful, healthy, yummy. John brings Michelin quality cuisine to your house every week. Highly recommended! (Arlington, VA)
BOOK PARTY
“The food was simply amazing.”
John catered a book party I hosted in my home for 50 guests. We collaborated on a theme and, once that was set, John presented me with several menu options, each more creative. He was engaged and involved while allowing me to make the decisions on what worked best with my vision for the party. The food was simply amazing. I got compliments all night and there was not a crumb left when we were done! I would not hesitate to hire John again. He is a real talent who makes it easy and and enjoyable to throw a great party. (Chevy Chase, DC)
CHARITY AUCTION WINNER DINNER
“Dinner was really more than we could have ever expected.”
Dinner was really more than we could have ever expected. You outdid yourself food wise. It was truly delicious. We are MORE than happy to recommend you as a personal chef and we look forward to having your talents at our own home in the future. (Blagden Alley Social Club, Washington, DC)
BIRTHDAY DINNER
“Not only was the food amazingly good, you were creative and inventive”
Not only was the food amazingly good, you were creative and inventive, it was well presented and you were so nice to let folks chat with you during service, which I'm sure was a busy time. Thank you so much! (Chevy Chase, MD)
KIDS BIRTHDAY PARTY: JR CHEF CHALLENGE
“The party was awesome and the impact on the kids was meaningful.”
Thanks again, John. The party was awesome and the impact on the kids was meaningful. We know that at least 3 of them have cooked meals for their families since the party and ‘the Birthday boy’ has recreated the dinner recipes. (Silver Spring, MD)
BIRTHDAY COOKING LESSON AND DINNER
“It was exactly what I wanted - a relaxing time to learn and eat with my friends.”
I had a fantastic birthday cooking lesson with John. It was exactly what I wanted - a relaxing time to learn and eat with my friends. John worked with me on designing a delicious Japanese Izakaya menu with all my favorite ingredients. With John's instruction we put together a delicious multi-course meal in two hours and had fun along the way. John even thoughtfully put together recipe packets for all my guests to take home with them (but I kept all the yummy leftovers for myself). Now I just have to do decide what cooking lesson I want to do next: Mediterranean? Pasta? (Adams Morgan, DC)
PRIVATE COOKING CLASS
“In the end we had delicious pasta for dinner and a fabulous memory of a special afternoon.”
John did a private session for my mother and me because we wanted to learn how to cook pasta. He helped me plan a menu of two traditional pastas, plus a salad and garlic bread. The nearly three hour session was fun, we poured some wine and got to work. Not only did we learn how to make the pastas, but John also took the time to teach other things, like knife skills, throughout the course, as well as answer any questions we had. In the end we had delicious pasta for dinner and a fabulous memory of a special afternoon. (Chevy Chase, DC)
WEDDING CELEBRATION EVENT
“John Derlega is not just a great chef who cooks delicious food, but a meticulous and careful planner. We could not recommend him more highly.”
John Derlega is not just a great chef who cooks delicious food, but a meticulous and careful planner. We gave a party for our newly married son and daughter-in-law, and everything he did for a party of 100 -- more guests than we had anticipated, which didn't faze him at all -- was beautifully planned and then executed at our house: the cooking, the food, and the thoughtful menu (our daughter-in-law is Japanese, so at our request he also prepared some Japanese hors d'oeuvres). We could not recommend him more highly. (Chevy Chase Village, MD)
Let's set the table.
Need help with weekly meal planning or a special dinner event? An initial consultation is free of charge. Reach out to The District Chef to learn more.
