Personal direction
Chef Michael remains part of the culinary direction while the Amazen team carries the standard through the event.
Houston, Texas · Established 2010
Hospitality people remember.
From intimate dinners and wedding celebrations to business occasions and meaningful milestones, Amazen shapes the food, service and rhythm around the people you are bringing together.
- Established 2010
- Houston hospitality
- Chef-led
- Personal planning
- Multi-chef team
- One Amazen standard
Private events by AmazenA thoughtful first conversation
Enough information to begin well. Nothing unnecessary.
The inquiry takes only a few minutes. It gives Amazen a clean event brief for availability, culinary direction, staffing and service—without making you navigate kitchen language or a crowded catalogue.
The Amazen standard
What you can expect.
Personal attention, authentic work and a clear path into culinary review.
Authentic Amazen work
The food and team shown here are Amazen’s own—not stock photography standing in for the experience.
Clear planning
Your inquiry becomes one organized brief for availability, service, and culinary review before any promise is made.
Selected experiences
One culinary standard. Different ways to gather.
Private dining
Intimate, chef-led serviceA chef-led experience composed for your home, table and guests.Business occasions
Leadership dining and hosted gatheringsPolished hospitality for leadership dinners, clients and teams.Weddings
Thoughtful wedding hospitalityThoughtful culinary direction for a meaningful, beautifully served day.Milestones
Celebrations centered on the people in the roomGraduations, birthdays and gatherings shaped around the people in the room.
The work
Technique made personal.
Amazen’s catalogue moves from intimate plated dinners to abundant celebrations. Every event begins with the occasion, then Chef Michael shapes the food and service around it.
From preparation to presentation
Every plate belongs to a larger experience: timing, service and the feeling of the room.
Chef Michael Cortez, shown at right. Creativity, culinary excellence, and personal service.
The chef behind Amazen
Michael Cortez, C.C.C.
Certified Chef de Cuisine · Founder of Amazen Chef Creations
Chef Michael founded Amazen in 2010 after training at The Art Institute of Houston. His standard joins classical technique with artistic expression, distinctive flavor and hospitality designed around the people at the table.
His professional path includes American Culinary Federation leadership, competition work and years of guiding a culinary team that can serve an intimate dinner or a major Houston event.
2014ACF chapter president
2013People’s Choice · Gumbo Cookoff
2011Westside Chefs Throwdown
2009–10Culinary competition medals
The culinary team
One kitchen. One Amazen standard.
Chef Michael remains personally involved while an experienced chef team carries his standards through preparation, service and every detail of the event.
- Chef Michael Cortez, C.C.C.Founder · Certified Chef de Cuisine
- Chef Pablo YanezExecutive Sous Chef
- Chef James OverbyExecutive Sous Chef
- Chef Andrew CroftSous Chef
- Chef Andrew GirgisSous Chef
- Chef Anthony RosalesSous Chef
2025HTownBest
Top 5 Best Private Chefs in Houston
2018–2024Expertise.com
Recognized among Houston catering professionals
Since 2010Houston hospitality
Private dining, weddings and corporate events
Private event inquiry
Tell us what you are imagining.
No account is required. Your answers create one organized brief for Amazen’s review.
What happens next
A personal review—not an automated promise.
- Inquiry receivedYour brief enters Amazen’s review queue.
- Availability reviewedThe team considers timing, location and service.
- Conversation and proposalThe experience and culinary direction are refined.
- Event confirmedA contract and deposit make the booking official.