What Is A Personal Chef?
What are the differences between a Personal Chef and a Private Chef?
A private chef is employed by an individual or family, full time, often living in the home and preparing up to three meals per day. A Personal Chef generally serves several clients, usually one per day, providing multiple meals that are custom designed to satisfy a client’s particular requests and requirements. Personal chef prepared meals, are packaged and stored so the client may enjoy them at a later time.
Do you cook in my kitchen?
Yes, meals are prepared in the safety of your own kitchen. At the agreed upon cooking date, I will bring the fresh ingredients for your meals; providing her own pots, pans and utensils, in order to prepare your entrees on site. At the end of the day, I will leave your kitchen clean and filled with the comforting aroma of delicious home cooking!
How long will you be here?
More than likely, I will be cooking several different entrees and side dishes from scratch; and this may take several hours. However, I typically will be willing to work with your schedule or situation, and make arrangements in advance so that the cooking date is compatible with your schedule.
Do I heat the entrees?
Entrees that have been stored in your freezer should be defrosted overnight in your refrigerator; heated and enjoyed at the peak of their flavor. For each meal, I will always leave you with easy-to-follow preparation instructions.
How much freezer space will you need?
The answer depends on the number of meals you request and the size of the containers. It is better to anticipate utilizing a considerable amount of freezer space to store your meals. I will evaluate your freezer to see how much space you have available. Efficient storage is one of the reasons personal chefs prefer to select the appropriately sized and uniform storage containers for their clients.
Can you use my containers?
Once again, uniform size containers take less storage space in your freezer. If there is an entree that would be better suited in your own casserole or baking dish we can arrange that. Custom Meals prefers to use disposable containers.
The cost seems to be about what I would pay for an entree in a restaurant; why is that?
Although the fees are expressed per entree or per serving, they accurately represent all of the components that constitutes a professional personal chef service. For example, the assessment process to determine your likes, needs, special dietary requirements or requests, is used to customize your menu selections. I will modify all of the recipes to reflect your wants and needs. Meal selections are submitted for your approval prior to grocery shopping and your meals are all prepared in your own kitchen. Additionally, packaging, labeling and storing your entrees are all included in the pricing.
If you were to compare a personal chef service and eating out at a restaurant, you could think of it this way; to eat at a restaurant, you must drive to get there, possibly wait for a table, take a chance that your server is having a good day. If you have allergies or special requests it is not always guarantee that they will be honored, since most entrees are “assembly line” ready in the kitchen. After your meal you must pay for it, tip the server, get back in your vehicle and drive home. With a Personal Chef Service, you can heat up a beautiful entree, prepared exactly to your specific requirements and eat it in the comfort of your own home.
Do I pay you ahead of each cooking date?
Yes, payment is required before the first cook date. After each cook date, you may leave me a check for the upcoming cooking date.
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, entertain in restaurants during the week, or just enjoy eating out on occasion; the meals will last you longer than if you enjoy 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 will make sure it supports your busy lifestyle without putting any pressure on you.
Can I order half of the regular service?
I wish I could make that available to you, but the service doesn’t work that way. From an economic standpoint, it is not viable for me to spend the same amount of time cooking and produce half the amount of food. As a rule it takes the same amount of planning, shopping and preparation time to cook 10 portions of food as it does for 20 portions of food.