What is a Personal Chef?
A personal chef is someone who has a passion for cooking and brings that love of cooking to your home and to your dinner table. A Personal Chef is NOT a private chef. Private chefs cook for one family and prepare meals as needed. A Personal Chef has several clients, usually one per day, and prepares and packages multiple meals in the client's home.
Who needs a Personal Chef?
Busy parents, active singles, new parents, people on special diets, people with food allergies, recuperating patients, seniors, anyone who is unable or unwilling to cook for any reason - in fact, anyone who needs more time, more energy or a healthier lifestyle!
Can I afford it?
Absolutely! When you add up the time and money spent on planning, shopping, cooking and clean up, the price can be quite affordable- not to mention the other benefits you may experience when you begin to devote that time and energy to other pursuits! The cost per meal is comparable to eating at a nice restaurant. However, with our services, you will be getting individually customized meals with your specific dietary requests in mind. You will eat in the comfort of your own home, at your convenience, and will have all the extra time saved to enjoy doing the things you love!
How often will you come?
Clients use our service on a variety of schedules. Services can be scheduled regularly every week, every two weeks, monthly, or as needed. The meals can be used as the majority of your dinners, or can be used to supplement your own meals on busy nights or weeks. A customized schedule to meet your particular needs will be worked out at your complimentary consultation.
Can you deliver prepared food to me?
Not a problem! Depending on your distance from our commercial kitchens, we can usually arrange delivery service. In this case your food will arrive refrigerated or frozen. Delivery service is usually arranged for one time a week or twice a month.
What if my kitchen is not well-equipped?
Not to worry! In preparation for your cook date we prestock our "moblie kitchen" and bring all necessary equipment with us. Unless, of course, you prefer for us to use your pots and pans. In this case, during our initial consultation, a kitchen inventory will be conducted and whatever you don't have we'll purchase for you or bring with us!
How long will you be in my home?
We will be cooking for several hours, but strive to complete the whole process in a four hour block. Please recognize that the time will vary depending on the menu and the type of service. We will discuss the schedule at your initial interview and agree on the best time for both of us.
Will I need to be home while you cook?
Absolutely not! Most clients are busy and 'starved for time'. We will discuss and agree on entry arrangements at our initial interview.
How will the food be packaged and stored?
All food will packed in the containers of your choice. Some cliets decide to use glassware that can be put in the freezer, fridge, over or microwave. Some decide to use disposables. Each type have different benefits, and we can decide upon what will work best for your during our first meeting.
Your prepared meals will be left in your refrigerator or freezer, and hot meals can be left in your crockpot, ready to eat when you get home. Food can also be prepared and left for you to grill.
How will I heat the food?
Your ready to eat dinners vary in the best way to reheat to maintain the high quality of the food. Most items may need to be heated in the oven after thawing to preserve texture. Detailed heating instructions will be provided for each dish. We will discuss both the packaging and the heating process during our interview, and we will be sure that you are comfortable with the process before your first cheffing date.
Can you prepare meals for special diets?
Absolutely! We have a nutritionist on staff and can use information from your doctor, or personal trainer to design a menu to fit your food goals or dietary restrictions.
What's the difference between your service and those new dinner services that are cropping up everywhere?
At most of the dinner services, you will simply assemble and package your uncooked meals with the provided ingredients during a 1 or 2 hour time slot. There is very little customization available and you will select your meals from a limited menu. The meals are to be taken home and cooked or frozen for later cooking. At some services, you will need to provide the appropriate packaging, and most are geared towards a full family size package of 4 servings.
Our meals are fully cooked, so they can be quickly heated, and are customized to your tastes and nutritional needs. You determine the menu, and we can prepare virtually any dish you desire. The only time required by you is the time to review your menu before each cheffing date, and a few minutes to heat your healthy, home-cooked meal at the end of a long day!
