Private chef comparison · Coachella Valley & beyond
Comparing Chef Kristin Michaels and Tien’s Table for a private chef anywhere from Palm Springs and Palm Desert to La Quinta, Indio and Joshua Tree? Both cook for you at home. Here is how they differ, side by side.
| Chef Kristin Michaels | Tien’s Table | |
|---|---|---|
| Chef | Kristin Michaels | Chef Tien Tran |
| Based in | Maui, Palm Desert (seasonal), Denver | Palm Springs |
| Cuisine | Broad: Vietnamese, Thai, Korean, Hawaii Regional, plant-based | Modern California with Vietnamese roots, plus many global cuisines: farm-to-table, Mediterranean and Spanish, French, Italian and Latin American. See sample menus |
| Services | Private in-home cooking classes in the desert | In-home private dining, celebrations and weddings, corporate and team meals at your business, cook-together classes, retreats, festival-weekend chef service |
| Service area | Palm Springs, Palm Desert (seasonal) | From Thermal, CA to the coast: the Coachella Valley, High Desert, Inland Empire, Los Angeles and Orange County |
| Pricing | Contact to discuss | Custom proposal based on guest count, menu and service style. No platform fees when you book direct |
| Background | Le Cordon Bleu, California Culinary Academy | Banquet Chef at ACE Hotel & Swim Club, Palm Springs (2018); years in multi-unit restaurant operations, from dishwasher to district manager |
| Reviews | No aggregate rating found | Take a Chef: 4.9 rating across 289 services (Oct 2026) |
| Booking | Website | Call or text 916-479-0287, or the inquiry form. Book 3–4 weeks ahead |
…you want a seasonal cooking class in Palm Desert.
…you want a year-round local private chef for dinners, events and classes. Tien grew up cooking Vietnamese food at his family’s table.
It depends on the menu and format you want. Use the table above, then call Tien at 916-479-0287 to talk through your date. If he isn’t the right fit, he’ll tell you.
Tien serves Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Indio, Joshua Tree, the Inland Empire and LA & Orange County.
Want to see what Tien would cook for you? Tell us your date, city and guest count and you will get a custom menu back.
Sources for Chef Kristin Michaels: chefkristin.com (checked October 2026). See all private chef comparisons.
Tien’s Table is not affiliated with any business named on this page. Competitor details come from their public websites and booking profiles as of October 2026 and may have changed; ratings are snapshots. If anything here is out of date, email [email protected] and we will correct it.
From Thermal, CA to the coast, we cook with passion. A private chef who comes to you for in-home dinners, celebrations, team meals and cooking experiences across the Coachella Valley, the High Desert and Southern California.
Error: Contact form not found.
Copyright © 2026 Tien's Table. All rights reserved.