The Full Story
About Chef Stella Giraldella
Welcome to my About Page. I'm Chef Stella Giraldella — a passionate chef, culinary curator, and founder of Basil Personal Chef. With a love for global flavors and a deep respect for fresh, ethical ingredients, I create elevated dining experiences that nourish both body and soul. Here, you'll discover my journey, my services, and the inspiration behind everything I bring to the table.
From Brazil with Love: The Roots of a Chef
Chef Stella Giraldella, founder of Basil Personal.
Born in Botucatu, Brazil, and raised by her grandmother Andradina,
Chef Stella Giraldella’s culinary journey began at home—rooted in real food, rich traditions, and love. Her grandmother taught her to cook everything from scratch, grow her own produce, and avoid anything processed—planting the seed for a lifelong devotion to honest, wholesome cooking.
At 16, Stella moved to São Paulo to study Nutrition at Anhembi Morumbi University. While pursuing her education, she also launched a modeling career, which took her around the world—both on runways and humanitarian missions helping communities recover from natural disasters.
In Brazil, Stella combined her love for food and hospitality with real-world experience, managing operations at renowned venues like Na Mata Café and Donna Night Club.
She later worked with global fashion and fitness brands like Lenny Niemeyer, Miss Sixty, Bodytech Gym, and Sandpiper, always incorporating wellness and culinary excellence into her roles.
Basil Personal Chef: A Culinary Vision Comes to Life
In 2006, Stella moved to the United States and began a new chapter in Miami. She studied Hospitality Management with tracks in Culinary and Event Management at Florida International University, while also attending the Miami Culinary Institute. Her volunteer work with the South Beach Wine & Food Festival allowed her to assist celebrity chefs like Bobby Flay, Giada De Laurentiis, and Michael Symon—paving the way for what would become a standout career.
In 2013, Stella launched Basil Personal Chef, offering private dining, luxury event catering, and culinary consulting. That same year, she began working as a personal chef and assistant to international footballer Paul Pogba, supporting him during his rehabilitation periods and summer training—an exclusive partnership that continues today.
In 2017, she also began a five-year collaboration with Romelu Lukaku, serving as his chef and personal assistant during summer vacations in the U.S., across cities like Miami and Los Angeles.
Global Experience, Local Soul: Stella’s Culinary Journey
Her work has been featured at events for luxury appliance brands like Gaggenau, Thermador, Bosch, Sub-Zero Wolf, Monogram, Liebherr, and Samsung.
She’s led live demos at major industry events including KBIS, The Real Deal, SOBE Wine & Food Festival, Iron Fork Miami, Coconut Grove Arts Festival, and Home Design and Remodeling Show.
She has catered for elite clientele at luxury residences including Fisher Island, One Thousand Museum, Jade Sunny Isles, Aqualina, Ritz-Carlton Residences, St. Regis Bal Harbour, and more.
In 2019, she launched Basil Delivery, a health focused gourmet meal service for private homes, yachts, and professionals across Miami-Dade and Broward counties.
In 2022, she joined La Cuisine Kitchen Appliances as their official chef and sales consultant.
Since 2023, Stella has proudly served as a Corporate Chef for BSH Home Appliances, representing Gaggenau, Thermador, and Bosch in culinary experiences, live demos, and brand events in Miami and Washington DC.
Today, Chef Stella Giraldella continues to innovate, inspire, and serve with heart—bringing the soulful flavors of her heritage and global experience to every table she touches.
