Private Chef Curaçao | Meet Chef Octavio

Take your stay at Villa Grandi to the next level with an unforgettable culinary experience.

At Villa Grandi we proudly offer the private chef services of Octavio Verhelst, founder of Taste Sensesation Curaçao. With bold flavors, a love of storytelling through food, and an eye for refined presentation, Chef Octavio transforms every dinner in your villa into an unforgettable culinary journey.

About the chef: From Curacao to Crete and back

With over 20 years of experience, Chef Octavio – also known as Chef O – is the creative force behind Taste Sensesation. His cooking style is a harmonious blend of Mediterranean refinement and Caribbean authenticity.
He studied Hospitality Management and took culinary courses in London and The Hague, and perfected his craft for years across borders.

“Mise en place: everything in its place.”
“A messy kitchen is a messy mind.”

Caribbean-Mediterranean fusion with a soul

Chef O doesn’t follow trends – he celebrates ingredients, culture, and creativity. Where others speak of “fusion,” he describes his style as reinventing familiar flavors in a poetic way.
His love for Caribbean herbs and Mediterranean textures comes to life on every plate.

From vibrant vegan dishes to rich fish creations and traditional island stews, everything is rooted in Curaçaoan traditions, shaped by his time on Crete, and inspired by nature.

Taste Sensesation at Villa Grandi

Whether you are celebrating a birthday, organizing a romantic dinner or want a relaxed family meal: Chef Octavio effortlessly adapts to the atmosphere of your group. His private chef services include:

• Shared-style family meals

• Fine dining dinners from 3 to 8 courses

• Seasonal menus with local ingredients

• Romantic dinners or theme nights (min. 4 guests or $400)

• Optional wine pairings, decor and party cakes

• Customized menus for diets or allergies

He also helps with purchasing, staff, styling and even local travel tips – because for him this is more than just cooking: it is hospitality with heart.

“I see myself not just as a chef, but as an ambassador of Curaçao.”

A tasteful reminder of Curaçao

One of his favorite moments? A boat trip where guests caught their own fish. Chef O turned it into an interactive dining experience with sashimi, grilled fish, gumbo stew, and even souvenirs made from the fish bones.
That’s Taste Sensesation: intimate, creative and always unforgettable.

See Chef Octavio in action

Visit the Taste Sensesation website to view sample menus, see photos of past dinners, and learn more about Chef Octavio’s capabilities.

Book your private chef in Curacao

Whether it’s a luxurious tasting menu or a cozy Caribbean breakfast – Chef Octavio of Taste Sensesation brings top-class dining right to your villa. Book at least one week in advance to ensure availability.

👉 When booking your villa, please mention that you are interested in the private chef package.