Frequently Asked Questions
Click on the questions below to read the answers.
- 01. What does a Personal Chef do?
- A Personal Chef is one who plans and provides freshly prepared meals in the privacy and comfort of your home based on a menu customized specifically for their tastes. We prepare, package and label all menu items then leave your kitchen sparkling clean. We save you the time, effort and aggravation of planning and preparing meals nightly. Come home to a freshly prepared gourmet meal AND a clean kitchen.
- 02. Who needs a Personal Chef?
- More people than you would think. Families, busy professionals, active adults, start the day with busy schedules and continue until after 5pm. People are taking time management tips and using them at home. Some people find that it is more efficient to hire housekeeping services to manage a home. We outsource our laundry our gardening and housekeeping….why not quality meals that are not fast, fried, wrapped in paper and ordered via a drive thru? People that are on special diets or want to eat healthier (New Year’s Resolution anyone?). New parents or people that are recovering from an illness, surgery or injury. Not to mention those that do not like to cook or do not know how. In a nutshell, just about anyone.
- 03. Is a Personal Chef Expensive?
- No, typically service is about what you pay for dining out at a mid level restaurant with a finite menu. Think about the time and gas (that's skyrocketed in price lately) spent going to a restaurant, the cost of the meal, then the time and gas spent to get home. What price would you pay to have a little more free time and a little less stress? Not to mention having meals that are customized to you. Meals that are healthy, but do not necessarily have to follow rules.
- 04. How does this service work?
- A client consultation is conducted to understand food preferences and dietary needs via a food questionnaire. From this information I research and develop a menu created for your approval. Then, based on that menu, I do all of the grocery shopping and meal preparation in your home. Your gourmet dinners are packaged, labeled and left in the refrigerator or freezer with complete instructions on how to enjoy. When I leave, your kitchen is spotless your refrigerator is filled with sumptuous gourmet meals.
- 05. What does the service cost typically?
- Personal chefs do not cost as much as you might think. Fees can be based on a standard contract fee (please see the pricing page) or based on the type of meals. Fees generally (begin at $295) for 20 individual meals suited to your dietary needs and tastes. If you take into account the client consultation, personalized menu planning time, grocery shopping, preparation, packaging and cleaning, it is a bargain.
- 06. Do you cook in my kitchen?
- Yes, all meals are cooked in the safety of the client's kitchen. I bring my own tools and equipment and leave the kitchen spotless when I have prepared and packaged your menu items.
- 07. How long will you be in my kitchen?
- The time will vary. It will depend on how many meals and the menu that has been selected for the cook date. Typically, the service takes about 4-6 hours from start to finish.
- 08. Do I have to be home when you come to cook?
- No, you do not have to be home on your scheduled cook date as long as appropriate arrangements are made in advance for me to gain access to your house.
- 09. How is the food packaged?
- A variety of containers are used depending on the food. Packaging is covered during the client consultation. Containers can range from pressed paperboard, aluminum or plastic. All containers are microwavable, stackable, refrigerator-freezer friendly, leak-resistant and durable.
- 10. How often do I receive service?
- Typical service is weekly or biweekly, we also do monthly service. Frequency of service is determined by how quickly you consume your meals or how often you need service.
- 11. What if I have special dietary needs?
- I can prepare foods that cater to your dietary needs -- low fat, low sodium, diabetic, vegetarian and vegan. I can also purchase organic food and prepare them for you.
