Gourmet Organic Dinners
In the beginning
About Me
I grew up in Boston, Massachusetts. My fondest memories are of sharing homemade dinners—lovingly prepared and enjoyed with family over meaningful conversations.
My love for cooking and baking, my appreciation for the bounty of God’s harvests throughout the year, and my desire to learn and earn helped guide my decision after completing secondary school.
I explored various cooking schools but ultimately chose to gain real-world experience first—wanting to be sure the culinary arts were right for me before investing time and money.
A path is choosen
A Culinary Journey Begins
I started out as a dishwasher and worked my way up. Over the next ten years, I gained experience in a wide range of kitchens—Italian, American, French, Asian, Thai—as well as in bakeries where I learned to make American breads and European pastries.
I was fortunate to work with talented chefs in Boston and on Cape Cod. They were willing to share their knowledge, as long as I was willing to show up and work hard.
Learning the fundamentals—dressing professionally, using knives properly, understanding kitchen roles, and mastering evolving techniques—has been invaluable throughout my career.
When it clicked
A Personal Turning Point
In my 30s, my father was diagnosed with cancer—first prostate, then colon. His life changed drastically, and his diet became a daily concern. Our whole family wanted to help.
I’ve always loved research and reading—spending hours at the library and Barnes & Noble, pouring over cookbooks. I became fascinated by the connection between food and well-being. I wanted to create meals that not only looked and tasted great, but that supported healing and health.
That curiosity—and witnessing my father’s health journey—led me to New York City in the early 1990s, where I studied at the Natural Gourmet Institute for Health & Culinary Arts. It was a game-changer.
I learned how to make healthy food exciting, flavorful, and anything but boring. I explored vegetarian and vegan cuisine, cooking for cancer patients, expectant mothers, and people with gluten and dairy intolerance. I also learned to bake without refined sugars and flours.
Age of enlightenment
Gourmet Organic Dinners is Born
After graduating, I combined my classical kitchen training with the whole-food, health-supportive approach I had learned—and launched Gourmet Organic Dinners LLC.
For the past 35 years, I’ve been creating meals that nourish both body and soul. I’ve had the privilege of cooking for individuals with cancer and other health challenges, bringing joy and comfort through food.
I’ve also faced my own health scares, which deepened my commitment to living—and cooking—with intention. With God, family, and community as my foundation, I embraced new foods and ideas, and let go of habits and beliefs that no longer served me.
Good food choices are a good investment.
Food as Healing
For me, and for many of the people I work with, there’s a direct relationship between what we eat and how we feel. Our choices around food and drink can influence our energy, our clarity, and our sense of wellness.
I give thanks—to my Higher Power, to the daily commitment to self-care, and to the love and support of family and community.
Every meal I create reflects this journey: rooted in tradition, inspired by healing, and prepared with heart.
I’m Chef David O’Brien. I grew up in Boston and now live in Virginia Beach with my wife, our son and a Kerry Blue Terrier. I have worked in a variety of classical and mainstream restaurants where I learned my techniques. I have always been interested in the relationship between what we eat and how we feel — with a vision of creating beautiful menus without sacrificing flavor. I moved to New York in the early ’90s and attended The Natural Gourmet Institute For Health & Culinary Arts. After graduation, I took the skills I learned and weaved them in with my classical cooking background (putting a healthy spin on them as well) — then I created Gourmet Organic Dinners. For over 20 years, my passion has been cooking a variety of cuisines for anyone who is looking for healthy and delicious meals.
Gourmet Organic Dinners is a premier personal chef service dedicated to crafting delicious, health-conscious meals using only the finest organic ingredients. Perfect for busy professionals, families, or anyone seeking a more nourishing lifestyle, the service offers customized menus tailored to individual tastes, dietary needs, and wellness goals. Each meal is thoughtfully prepared by an experienced personal chef who brings restaurant-quality cuisine straight to your table—without the hassle of shopping, prepping, or cleanup. Whether you’re hosting an intimate dinner party or simply want to eat better every day, Gourmet Organic Dinners transforms your kitchen into a haven of flavor, health, and convenience.
We make your dinner time enjoyable, healthy and convenient.