Following a personal interview, we’ll discuss menu options to suit your tastes and needs.
On your scheduled cookdate I will do the grocery shopping for the selected menu.
I will arrive at your home and prepare the selected entrées and sides.
I will store your meals in the refrigerator or freezer, complete with heating instructions.
I will leave your kitchen in the same condition as when I arrived.
Who needs a personal chef service?
Busy families, couples, and singles who enjoy home-cooked meals but have little time to prepare them
People who love good food but don’t like to cook or are unable to cook
Expectant and new mothers
Someone recuperating from an injury or a stay in the hospital
Someone who would like to show their appreciation to a family member, friend, colleague, co-worker, or client with a Gift Certificate
Someone wishing to or needing to change their dietary habits
Is a personal chef service affordable?
By putting the menu planning, grocery shopping, meal preparation, and clean-up into the hands of your personal chef, you’ll save several hours a week that can be used for spending time with family, running important errands, and having fun! And by dining in, you’ll not only save money but you’ll also be able to eat what you’d like prepared the way you like it. In essence, you’re buying time to do what’s most important to you and control over your meal preparation, making a personal chef service very worthwhile and affordable.
Can you cook the meals in your home and deliver them to mine?
Health Department regulations do not allow me to prepare your meals in my home. All prep work and cooking must be done in your home. In addition, all perishable items are purchased on the way to your home so that you can be assured of the freshest quality and safe handling in the preparation of your meals.
Do I need to be home on the cook date?
It isn’t necessary for you to be at home on the cook date. If you will be away, I will need to make arrangements with you to have access to your home. If you do plan to be home, please enable me to give you my very best service by allowing me to work with little distraction.
How long will you be in my home?
Depending upon the complexity of the menu, please plan on my being in your home for 6-8 hours.
Who selects the menu?
Following a personal interview, I’ll have a general knowledge of your food preferences. We can then plan a menu together, or, if you prefer, I can design one for you for each cook date and submit it to you for your approval.
Will you be willing to prepare some of our family favorites?
Absolutely! If you will provide me with a copy of the recipe, I’ll be happy to include it in your menu. Or, if you prefer, I can prepare one of your favorites using one of my own recipes.
Can you accommodate special diets?
I will happy to help you follow a special diet for a small additional charge to cover time spent in research and menu planning.
How are meals stored?
Vacuum packaging is the best method for storing and heating most of your meals, but you also have the option of using freezer/refrigerator/microwavable plastic food storage containers or glass (Pyrex, Corning Ware, etc.) containers, depending upon whether you want your meals stored in the freezer, the refrigerator, or a combination. The container fee is based upon the method chosen. Containers remain with the client for re-use and are replaced as needed for an additional fee.
How does payment work?
At the time our first cook date is arranged, I will ask for a grocery deposit. Any money left over after the first shopping trip will be left for you on the cook date. Grocery bills exceeding the deposit should be paid within the following week by mailing payment to me in a stamped addressed envelope which I will provide. The chef’s fee, container fee (if applicable), and grocery deposit for the next cook date should be left for me at the beginning of the cook date. A detailed invoice will be left for you.
Can I share a service with another family?
You certainly can, but please note that I am not able to deliver meals to the other family. I will prepare the meals in one home and collect one payment for all the meals. You are then welcome to make arrangements with the other family for receiving their portion of the meals.
Do I need to have equipment and utensils on hand for your use?
I will bring everything I need to prepare your meals, including some small appliances. If you have some small appliances you would like me to use, we can discuss those in more detail during the personal interview. All that I require of your kitchen is a clutter-free work area and sink.
How do we begin?
Simply contact me to set up a personal interview in your home. I look forward to working with you!