At St. John Catering, we believe food is more than nourishment, it connects us, sparks memories, and brings people together in the most meaningful way. For Chef Mathayom, that belief has guided him from his earliest days in the kitchen to his work today as one of St. John’s most sought-after private chefs.

Chef Mathayom’s culinary journey began in a Thai-American household where the kitchen was the heart of family life. His father, raised in Thailand, cherished the flavors of home. His mother, an adventurous cook, dove into Thai recipes from cookbooks to recreate the tastes her husband loved.

Watching this blend of cultures inspired young Mathayom to get involved. At just eight years old, he began taking charge of Sunday dinners. Every other week, he would flip through his mom’s well-worn cookbooks, pick out dishes that sparked his curiosity, and carefully write out a shopping list. Friday nights were for menu planning, Saturdays for gathering fresh ingredients, and Sundays for bringing it all to life in the family kitchen.

This early ritual taught him more than recipes. It showed him how food can gather people around a table, ignite conversation, and create memories that last for years.

One of his proudest early dishes was braised spare ribs, inspired by a recipe in a classic Betty Crocker cookbook. At age nine, he learned how to sear the ribs, coat them with mustard, tomato paste, and brown sugar, then slow-bake them with fresh vegetables. The result was a dish so good it became a family favorite, requested three or four times every year.

Of course, not every experiment was gourmet. He still laughs about his very first solo meal: fish sticks and creamed spinach. Ironically, he hated spinach at the time, but cooking it himself made him curious. It taught him that food can surprise you, and even change the way you see something you thought you’d never like.

Today, that same curiosity and belief in the power of food shape every dish he creates at St. John Catering. For more than twenty years, Chef Mathayom has crafted unforgettable dining experiences across the US Virgin Islands. From intimate villa dinners to grand island weddings, he brings people together through flavors that honor both his Thai roots and the bounty of the Caribbean. Living in St. John, a place he has proudly called home now, for over 20 years.

Each menu is thoughtfully designed to highlight fresh, local ingredients; seafood caught the same day, seasonal island produce, and vibrant flavors that blend Caribbean and Asian influences. Just like his childhood dinners, every detail is carefully planned so that the final meal feels personal, memorable, and deeply connected to the moment.

When you hire St. John Catering, you’re not just booking a private chef. You’re inviting a story, one that started with a boy in his family’s kitchen, dreaming up Sunday dinners that made his loved ones smile.

Whether you’re celebrating a wedding, a milestone birthday, or just gathering friends for a special meal under the stars, Chef Mathayom and St. John Catering are here to make sure it’s an experience you’ll remember for years to come.

Ready to bring your next event to life with unforgettable island cuisine?

Call Chef Mathayom at St. John Catering: +1 (340) 690-3868

Let’s make food that connects us, and memories that last forever.