Meet The Chef
Carlos
Serrano
Chef. Food Lover. Storyteller.
Hey, I'm Carlos. A Southern California native now proudly rooted in Kansas City, where I cook for busy families and professionals who want to eat well without the stress.
I'm self-taught, a lifelong student of flavor, and I believe good food can change more than your health. It changes your home, your relationships, the way your week feels.
At the heart of what I do is one simple idea: make food personal again, one meal at a time.
5.0 rating from 11 Google reviews
★★★★★
bring people together,
not stress them out.
01
THE ORIGIN
WHERE IT all began
No culinary school. No silver spoon. Just soulful meals and powerful stories around the dinner table growing up. Every dish had history. Every bite carried meaning.
The Makeshift Chef started with a simple idea: good food doesn't have to be fancy, it just has to be thoughtful. I began experimenting with whatever I had in my fridge, makeshift ingredients, humble beginnings, and a deep love for creating meals that actually nourish.
What started as passion became a calling. Friends became clients. Clients became family. And The Makeshift Chef grew into what it is today, a personal chef service helping Kansas City families reclaim time, health, and joy through food.
02
THE MEANING
What makeshift really means
The name isn't about doing less. It's about doing more with what you have. Flexibility, creativity, and a whole lot of heart. That's what shows up in every meal I cook.
FOOD IS CELEBRATION
Meals aren't just fuel. They're moments. Connection. Memory in the making.
SIMPLE IS POWERFUL
Cooking doesn't need to be complicated to be nourishing or unforgettable.
YOUR LIFE LEADS
Your meals should fit your lifestyle, not ask you to rearrange it.
Whether it's weekly prep for a family of four, a private dinner, or a custom menu built around your schedule, it's all the same mission: help people live fuller, healthier lives through food.
03
THE KITCHEN
My Style in the kitchen
Ask my clients and they'll tell you I'm part chef, part coach, part food therapist. I cook with warmth, intention, and the belief that every plate should feel like something made just for you.
Think grilled salmon over arugula with lemon and olive oil. Cauliflower gnocchi with fresh herbs. Quinoa bowls with roasted sweet potato. Bold flavors, nutrient dense, and zero compromise on taste.
Every plan is fully custom. Your preferences, your pace, your lifestyle. That's the advantage of having meal prep designed around you, not a meal service box.
04
THE WHY
Why I show up every week
Cooking is how I serve people.
It's how I support parents running on empty, professionals drowning in meetings, and people trying to feel like themselves again. When I show up, I bring real food and leave behind peace of mind.
That's the whole thing. Meal after meal, getting to bring joy, comfort, and nourishment into people's lives. That's what keeps me going.
05
THE PEOPLE
Who I cook for
Not everyone fits one mold, and that's the point.
→ Families who want healthier meals everyone will eat
→ Clients with specific dietary needs
→ New parents in survival mode
→ Busy professionals tired of thinking about dinner
→ Couples eating better together
→ Athletes fueling their training
No matter who you are, you'll get creative meals, clean ingredients, and a whole lot of heart on every plate.
06
THE DREAM
A bigger dream on the horizon
My wife and I dream of one day living abroad. Maybe Spain, the Netherlands, or Greece. Places where family and food are a way of life, not an afterthought.
Until then, I'm grounded here in Kansas City, building a life we're proud of through The Makeshift Chef. And honestly? I wouldn't trade it for anything.
5.0★
Google Rating
11
5-Star Reviews
6
KC Neighborhoods
100+
Meals Prepped
Something delecious
Weekly meal prep, a private dinner, or a custom menu, I'm ready when you are. Book a free 15 minute call and we'll figure out what fits your week best.
