FAQ's
Why Have A Personal Chef?
Everyone’s so busy these days, there’s no time to shop or make a nice dinner. So many people just pick up something on the way home, call for pizza, or eat a frozen dinner. But what if you could come home, relax, heat a delicious meal that was made especially for you, and be eating in 5-10 minutes? You don’t have to think about what’s for dinner, shop, cook, or clean up—and you get tasty, healthy meals! Think of all the free time you’ll gain!
What Does A Personal Chef Do?
A personal chef plans and prepares meals especially for you, based on your unique likes and dislikes. Meals are prepared in your own kitchen with top-quality ingredients, packaged, labeled and left in your refrigerator to enjoy at your convenience. Some personal chefs, including me, also cook Romantic Dinners (up to 10 people) and cook for parties and receptions at your house.
What’s Your Specialty?
I don’t specialize because it limits what I can do for my clients. If I say I specialize in Thai or Italian food, people seem to think I don’t do other dishes as well. I prefer to do a little bit of everything to better meet your likes, needs, and interests.
Does having a Personal Chef really save people time?
My clients think so! And studies support that: The latest American Time Use Study (US Bureau of Labor Statistics) found that the average family spends 1.87 hours a day to make meals at home (planning meals, finding recipes, driving, shopping, unpacking groceries, preparing food, cooking, cleaning up and all the rest). Even if you cook just 5 days a week, that's 40 hours a month! What could you be doing with an extra week each month? Can you even put a price on it?
This sounds great! Can I afford this?
When you consider the cost of groceries, the time to plan a variety of healthy meals, shopping, cooking and clean-up time, you'll find the pricing to be quite affordable. If you were to add up the cost of all those groceries you buy with the intention of preparing and then end up throwing away each year, you may find you can pay for the service and then some!
If you were to compare the service to dining in a restaurant, you could think of it this way: For a restaurant you must drive to get there, possibly wait for a table and take the chance that your server is having a good day. If you have allergies or other special requests, you don't always have the guarantee that it will be honored since most entrees are done "assembly-line" style in the kitchen. You still have to pay for the meal, tip the server and drive back home. With a personal chef service, you can heat a beautiful entrée prepared specifically with you in mind and eat it in the comfort of your own home. No one needs to know that you are curled up on the sofa wearing your most comfortable pajamas.
How Does It Work?
I’ll meet with you and your family to learn your food likes and dislikes and any allergies or sensitivities. Then I’ll create weekly menus just for you, customize recipes to suit your tastes, buy the groceries for these meals, and come to your home to cook your dinners. I bring all my own tools and equipment to cook a week’s meals in one day. And you don’t even have to be there. I’ll leave you a sparkling clean kitchen and simple written instructions on how to heat the dishes I’ve prepared for you. It couldn’t be easier or faster! If you want, I’ll even recommend (or buy) wines to complement your meal selections.
Do you cook in my kitchen?
Yes, we prepare meals in the safety of your own kitchen. On the agreed upon date, we bring the fresh ingredients for your meals along with our own pots, pans, and utensils.
Can't you just deliver meals to me?
In order to ensure that your meals are prepared safely, we do our work in your kitchen. This allows for your meals to stay within the parameters of appropriate food temperatures and prevents cross-contamination.
How long will it take?
As we will be cooking several different entrees and side dishes from scratch, anywhere from 4-8 hours. Arrangements are made in advance so that the cooking date will be compatible with your schedule.
How much freezer space do I need?
It depends on the number of meals you request and the size of your chosen containers. It does, however, require a large amount of freezer space.. At the time of your assessment, the Chef will look at your freezer and discuss space needs with you.
How will the meals be packaged?
Your meals are packaged according to your preferences; family-style, couples, or individually. They will be packed in disposable plastic containers, re-usable plastic containers, FoodSaver bags, or any other type of appropriate container depending on your meal choices and preference for oven or microwave heating. Any way, clean-up is a breeze! You will be asked to pay a container fee prior to your service. The containers become yours and will be suitable for the refrigerator or freezer and in some cases can go directly to freezer to oven/microwave to table.
Can you use my containers?
Uniform containers take less storage space in your freezer. We will bring the appropriate containers for the entrees we are preparing for each cooking date and will collect the clean containers from your previous cooking date from you at that time so we will actually be rotating containers in and out of your kitchen on a regular basis.
How do I heat my meals?
Heating meals is easy and convenient. We will leave detailed heating instructions for each entrée and side dish. Any entrees that have been stored in your freezer should be defrosted overnight in the refrigerator prior to heating. In some cases, there are entrees and sides that can go directly from the freezer to microwave/oven. Generally, the chef will leave dinner on the cooking date in the refrigerator, oven, or even your crock-pot for enjoyment that evening.
