About the Chefs
Chefs Joseph & Carol Taradyna and Jason Wood are proud to offer professional personal chef services in South Florida. All three chefs strive to offer their clients exceptional culinary delights by updating creative menus on a regular basis. They are especially well known for their popular Bourbon Bread Pudding, which sold for almost a decade at a local farmers market. Within only a few months, sales skyrocketed and bread pudding soon became a staple of the market. After receiving widespread recognition within the community, it frequently sold out early and market-goers would call ahead to reserve their orders. The chefs further delighted appreciative customers by developing additional unique flavors, including Fresh Blueberry, Banana Chocolate Chip, Tres Leches, & Coconut, to name a few. The market is now closed, but these delectable selections remain available on The Occasional Chefs’ dessert menu. Order from their extensive bread pudding menu for a fabulous ending to any meal. And be sure to check out the testimonial page for some very complimentary reviews!
Chef Carol Taradyna ~
A graduate of Centenary College, Carol is the former head chef of the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club, a renowned and historic private club located in northern New Jersey. She was also the club’s events planner/banquet caterer, bringing innovative ideas and fresh new menus to its many appreciative members. Prior to that, for over ten years Carol taught Kindergarten at an exclusive private school in NJ. In addition to teaching, she supervised upper school culinary arts and orchestrated catered events for many fundraisers in her community. Carol and her children were quite active with the Karen Ann Quinlan Center of Hope Hospice in Newton, NJ, volunteering for semi-annual fundraisers for two decades. After all those years of cooking for schools, LHYC, and countless local church & charity events, Carol decided to start her own business. The Occasional Chefs Personal Chef Company was thus established.
Carol subsequently spent several winters in Ft. Lauderdale, where she expanded her chef business. She soon relocated to Florida permanently, and her new demographics made for a smooth transition and successful beginning to what has now become a flourishing and rewarding personal chef business.
Joseph Taradyna
Carol’s husband, Joseph Taradyna, (featured below) shares her great love for menu planning, gourmet cooking & creative entertaining. They live in Broward County where they offer exclusive catering & personal chef services to local residents and vacationers. Carol’s grown children, Jason & Sarah Wood, are both very involved in the food industry and are wonderful assets to the team. Jason is invaluable to the company, especially when they book large parties. And as a manager of one of the finest restaurants in Ft. Lauderdale, Sarah is also quite accomplished in the hospitality industry. On those special occasions when all four work together, this dynamic family makes up a creative culinary team that is sure to bring accolades to any occasion!
Chef Joseph Taradyna ~
Upon receiving a Culinary Degree from Paul Smith’s College in NY in the early 80’s, Joseph worked in numerous high-end restaurants in NJ, quickly making his way up from sous chef to head chef. After many successful years, Joe was offered yet another great culinary opportunity as executive chef for an off-premise catering business, providing service to clients in and around Manhattan. Joe accepted and loved it! As executive chef, he developed great multi-tasking skills and managerial techniques, sometimes coordinating and cooking for up to four weddings in a weekend. Joe embraced the fast-paced challenges and many rewards his position offered. The business was sold after almost ten lucrative years, and it was time to move on. He has added great flare and creative culinary design to all of his endeavors.
Joseph’s successful New Jersey/New York Chef career spanned over 30 years. His many accomplishments and proficiency in the culinary world have proven to be the necessary ingredients for now co-managing a successful personal chef business in Florida with his wife, Carol. An expert chef in all areas of cuisine, Joe is especially known for his delicious sauces and fabulous pies. He is fondly known as “The Sauce King”! And his shrimp burgers are, without a doubt, the best thing you will ever taste!
Chef Jason Wood ~
Jason has been cooking up delicious concoctions since he was a young boy. Now a true culinary enthusiast, he is constantly coming up with innovative ways to prepare & serve new dishes. During his summer seasons in college, he ran the lunch snack bar and acted as assistant chef for porch dining at the Lake Hopatcong Yacht Club.
Jason graduated from Manhattanville College in Westchester, NY, where he majored in finance. Upon graduating, he worked for years on Wall Street as a financial advisor. Jason now resides in South Florida where he embraces a very busy schedule as a real estate broker. He can sell your house by day, and cook for you by night!
Besides being an excellent chef, Jason adds energy, fun, and charisma to The Occasional Chefs’ crew. The combined knowledge and skills of this enterprising family team is bound to make any event a “step above”.
