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What is the difference between a Personal Chef and a Private Chef?
A private chef is employed
by one individual or family full-time, is often a “live in” and prepares up to three meals per day. A Personal
Chef serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are custom designed for each client’s
particular tastes and requirements. These meals are packaged and stored so that the client may enjoy them at their leisure
in the future.
Who needs a personal chef?
Personal chef clients
include busy professionals, health conscious adults, dual career 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?
A personal chef custom tailors the plan to your needs. A
personal chef will meet with you to determine what plan will best serve your needs and assess your dietary needs as
well as your food preferences. Your personal chef will plan the menu, shop for ingredients, then cook and custom package your
meals for you and then clean up your kitchen. 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.
What types of dishes do you prepare?
During your assessment, we'll discuss your tastes
including your likes and dislikes. Several days before the cook date, you'll receive a menu for your approval. A Matter of
Thyme Personal Chef Service specializes in comfort foods with a contemporary twist. You'll find comfort food dishes that use
fresh seasonal ingredients and fresh herbs to bring out the flavor of the ingredients you love and, in some cases, to bring
a global flavor to classic dishes.
If requested, many of these dishes can be prepared
to meet dietary needs such as low calorie and low carb meals. If you prefer a wider range of menu choices you may opt for
the Comfort Foods Plus menu.
I read that you like to use herbs to
season your food. Does that mean your food is spicy?
Only if you want it that way. During the assessment
process you will be asked about your preferences so your meals can be prepared to your specifications. That's the
"personal" in personal chef!
Will I get the same menu items each time?
No, you will receive a new menu each cook date. Unless
you specifically request to repeat a dish ("we loved the apple meatloaf please make it again") you will not get the same
meal again for several months.
Are side dishes included?
Generally, one appropriate side dish per entrée is provided unless a starch or vegetable
is included as part of the dish, such as a stew or a pasta dish. Additional side dishes are available at additional cost.
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, I will bring the fresh ingredients for your meals along with his/her own
pots, pans and utensils, and prepare your entrees on-site. At the end of the day I'll leave your kitchen clean and full
of the aroma of good home cooking!
How long will you be here?
I'll be
cooking several different entrees and side dishes from scratch, so it will probably take several hours. However, I'll 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. I'll 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. During your assesment
we'll 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
I'll bring the appropriate containers for the entrees I'll be preparing each cooking date.
Some clients prefer disposable containers; others want reusable. All the container
options will be discussed at your assessment and you can decide which option will work best for you.
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 to determine your likes, needs, special dietary requirements
and requests is used to customize your menu selections.
All recipes are modifiedto 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. Shopping
for all ingredients is done the day of your cookdate. 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 whenever
you're ready.
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 a check for the upcoming cooking
date on the current cook day.
How long will the food last us?
How many
entrees you order, and how many evenings you eat at home 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 a cooking date to best serve your needs. A schedule
that supports your busy lifestyle and budget will be determined prior to beginning service. Some clients prefer weekly, bi-weekly
or monthly service. Short term or one-time service is sometimes available depending on regular client schedules.
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