Community Highlights: Meet Chef Lisa Robinson of Private Chef Lisa Robinson
| Culinary Creative | Jam Maker
Founder, LuLu Belle CA – Seasonal Jams & Seasonal Cooking

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chef Lisa Robinson.

Chef Lisa , we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?

I’m a Ventura-based private chef, culinary stylist and jam maker with over 16 years of experience working along the coast from Santa Barbara County to Ventura County and beyond.
My roots have shaped everything about how I cook and how I live. I earned my BA at UC Berkeley, where I deepened my commitment to sustainability and social responsibility, then later in life went on to graduate from Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts, Pasadena, CA. Those two worlds—intellect and activism, instinct and artistry— have helped define my path.

In 2020, needing to channel my creative and physical energy I started making jams, jellies and marmalades from locally sourced fruits found in Ojai, Carpinteria, Ventura, and Oxnard. What began as an effort to repurpose unused fruits evolved into LuLu Belle CA, my small-batch jam brand. Still, at the heart of my work is the intimate, immersive experience of being a private chef—designing soulful meals and special moments.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely not smooth—and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Years in the entertainment industry, surrounded by passionate, high-performing creatives, gave me an innate understanding of how to design bespoke experiences—ones that feel effortless, intentional, and unforgettable. That background shaped the way I now show up as a private chef: with a producer’s eye for detail, a director’s instinct for tone, and a host’s heart for hospitality.

There have been seasons when sourcing fruit wasn’t easy, and days when juggling both LuLu Belle CA, my coastal lifestyle jam company, and Private Chef Lisa Robinson bookings pushed me to my limits. But I never did it alone—I’m fortunate to have a thoughtful, skilled team who help bring both brands to life behind the scenes.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I specialize in curated private chef services throughout Santa Barbara, Ventura and LA Counties including: 

* Small-scale celebrations and family-style dining. 
* Estate-based multi-day culinary experiences 
* Wellness-focused retreat menus 

My food is rooted in clean flavors, local sourcing, and elegant simplicity. What sets me apart is my ability to seamlessly integrate into a household or retreat setting, offering not just the meal—but the mood, and the hospitality.

As a trained pastry chef, I create custom event and wedding cakes for select clients—crafted with the same attention to seasonality, aesthetics, and ingredient quality that defines all of my work. From garden parties in Ojai to milestone celebrations in Montecito, I take pride in offering a full spectrum of culinary experiences that are both refined and deeply personal.

LuLu Belle CA, my small-batch coastal lifestyle jam line, is a love letter to California agriculture. It’s also a natural extension of my cooking: chef-made preserves designed to enhance cheese boards, brunch spreads, or everyday moments with bold, seasonal flavor. 

What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I believe chance favors motion. Challenges continue to shape my craft. And over time, I’ve learned that consistency, discretion, and attention to detail are just as essential as any intentionally plated dish.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.lulubelleca.com
• Instagram: @LuLuBelleCA
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-l-robinson

Image Credits
Private Chef Lisa Robinson