Who needs a personal chef?
Personal chef clients include busy professionals, health conscious adults, dual income couples, and those on special diets or recuperating from surgery as well as those who don't like to cook or those who prefer spending the time it takes to plan, shop, cook and clean up doing other things. The service is a wonderful gift for new moms.

How does a personal chef service differ from those meal assembly places?

As a personal chef, I custom tailor the plan to your needs. I’ll meet with you to determine what plan will best serve your needs and I’ll assess your dietary needs as well as your food preferences. I’ll plan the menu, shop for ingredients, then cook and custom package your meals for you. I’ll leave your kitchen clean. All you need to do is finish your meals.

At a meal assembly location, you need to drive to the facility, chose from a pre-set menu, package your food, carry it home and place it in your freezer. Then, you still have to cook it and clean the pots and pans. Frequently the ingredients are shipped to the facility pre-prepped from a wholesale distributor

Do you cook in my kitchen?
Yes, your meals are prepared in the safety of your own kitchen, although some personal chefs are moving to licensed kitchens and delivery service. Normally, on the agreed upon cooking date, the Personal Chef will bring the fresh ingredients for your meals along with their own pots, pans and utensils, and prepare your entrees on-site.  At the end of the day the chef leaves your kitchen clean and full of the aroma of good home cooking!
 
How long will you be here?
The chef will likely be cooking several different entrees and side dishes from scratch, so it will probably take several hours. However, your personal chef will generally work with your schedule or situation, and make arrangements in advance so that the cooking date fits into your schedule.

Do I have to do anything to prepare for your visit?

I'll arrive with all the food and equipment needed to cook your meals on your cooking day.  Please have the kitchen clean with no dishes in the sink and the bottom shelf in the refrigerator emptied.  If you have pets, please keep them out of the kitchen during the cook date.

Do I heat the food?
Yes.  Any entrees that have been stored for you in your freezer should be defrosted overnight in your refrigerator then heated, to be enjoyed at the peak of their flavor.  Your Personal Chef will always leave you with easy to-follow heating instructions for each entree.

How much freezer space do you need?
It depends on the number of meals you request, and the sizes of the containers, but it does generally require a considerable amount of freezer space.  You and your chef should take a look at your freezer to see just how much room you have available.  Efficient storage is one of the reasons Personal Chefs prefer to select the appropriate size, uniform storage containers for their clients.
 
Can you use my containers?
Uniform size containers take less storage space in your freezer, and your Personal Chef will bring the appropriate containers for the entrees she is preparing each cooking date.  If there is an entree that would be better suited in your own casserole or baking dish we can arrange that.  If you will save the containers for me that held the entrees you have already enjoyed, I will take those back with me each cooking date, so I will actually be rotating containers in and out of your kitchen regularly.

The cost seems to be about what I would pay for an entree in a restaurant − why is that?
Personal Chef fees actually represent all of the components that make up a professional service.  For example, the assessment process that I complete to determine your likes, needs, special dietary requirements and requests is used to customize your menu selections. 

I modify all of my recipes to reflect your wants and needs; meal selections are submitted for your approval and your meals are all prepared in the safety of your own kitchen.  Plus, packaging, labeling and storing your entrees are all features included in this price.

If you were to compare a personal chef service to restaurant service you could think of it this way...For a restaurant, you must drive to get there, possibly wait for a table, take a chance that your server is having a good day, and if you have allergies or special requests you don’t always have the guarantee that they will be honored, since most entrees are “assembly line” ready in the kitchen.  After eating your meal you must pay for it, tip the server, and get back in your vehicle to drive home.

If you have a Personal Chef Service, you can heat a beautiful entree that has been prepared specifically for your palate and requirements, and eat it in the comfort of your own home.

Do I pay you ahead of each cooking date?
Yes, it is customary to pay for the service in advance of your cooking date.  If you like you may leave me a check for the upcoming cooking date on the day I am cooking.
 
How long will the food last us?
Depending on how many entrees you order, and how many evenings you eat at home we can determine approximately how long your meals will last.  If you travel for business, or entertain in restaurants during the week, or just enjoy eating out on occasion, the meals will take you further than if you eat one each night.

How often will we need your service?
I’ll be happy to help you determine just how often you will want to schedule my Personal Chef Service to best serve your needs.  I'll make sure it supports your busy lifestyle without putting any pressure on you. Some clients prefer weekly, bi-weekly or monthly service. Short term or one-time service is sometimes available depending on regular client schedules.