Do you cook in my kitchen?

Yes, I prepare your meals in your kitchen. On the agreed-upon cooking date, I bring the fresh ingredients, and prepare your entrees on site. At the end of the day I leave your kitchen clean, and full of the aroma of good cooking!

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, or entertain in restaurants during the week, or just enjoy eating out on occasion, the meals will take you further than if you eat in 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. We'll make sure it supports your busy lifestyle without putting any pressure on you.

Can I order half of the regular service?

Most people find that a week's worth of meals (5) is adequate. You decide how long those 5 meals will last you. Each week is different, of course, because your schedule varies from week to week. We can work out a communication system that meets your needs.

The cost seems to be about what I would pay for an entree in a restaurant - why is that?

Although my fees are expressed on a per entree or per serving fee, they actually represent all of the components that make up a professional personal chef service. For example, the assessment process that I complete to determine what you like to eat, and how you like to eat, and whether or not you have allergies, sensitivities or medically specific requirements I will take into account when preparing your entrees is one of the features - that, along with customizing my recipes to reflect your wants and requests, submitting meal selections for your approval, the grocery shopping, coming to your home to prepare your entrees in your kitchen, plus packaging, and storing your entrees, are more features.

If you were to compare a personal chef service to restaurant service you could think or it this way: For a restaurant, you must drive to get there, possibly wait for a table, take a chance that your server is having a good day, and if you have allergies or special requests you don't always have the guarantee that they will be honored, since most entrees are "assembly line" ready in the kitchen. After eating your meal you must pay for it, tip the server, and get back in your vehicle to drive home.

If you have a Personal Chef Service, you can heat a beautiful entree that has been prepared specifically for your palate and requirements, and eat it in the comfort of your own home.

Do I pay you ahead of each cooking date?

Yes, that is customary to pay for the service in advance of your cooking date. If you like you may leave me a check for the upcoming cooking date on the day I am cooking.

How does this work?

After an initial consultation of which some of the following items are discussed: favorites, allergies, special dietary needs, frequency of dinner preparations (weekly, bi-monthly etc.), we will decide on your first week's meals and create a menu. Usually 5 entrees are chosen, four servings for each entree for a family of four, Monday through Friday, for example. This is flexible depending on family size or preferences. No family is too big or too small. Singles are definitely welcome! You may email me with your choices for the following week. I will shop, prepare the meals in your home, package (for freezer or fridge), and clean up your kitchen.

What is the difference between a Personal Chef and a Private Chef?

A private chef is employed by one individual or family full time, and most likely lives in your home preparing up to 3 meals per day.

A Personal Chef serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are custom designed for the clients' particular requests and requirements. These meals are packaged and stored so that the client may enjoy them at their leisure.

How long will you be here?

I'll be cooking several different entrees from scratch, so it will take several hours. I cannot say exactly how many hours, however I am most willing to work with your schedule or situation, and we can make arrangements in advance so that my cooking date fits into your schedule compatibly. Cooking for one person may take less time than cooking two weeks worth of meals for a family of four.

Do I heat the food?

I will be happy to leave you easy to follow heating instructions for each entree.

How much freezer space do you need?

It depends on the number of meals you request, and the sizes of the containers, but it does generally require a considerable amount of freezer space. Efficient storage is helpful and will be assessed in the initial consultation.

Can you use my containers?

Once again, uniform size containers take less storage space in your freezer, and I will bring the appropriate containers for the entrees I am preparing each cooking date. If you will save the containers for me that held the entrees you have already enjoyed, I will take those back each cooking date, so I will actually be rotating containers in and out of your kitchen regularly.

What type side dishes do you prepare?

If an entree selection does not come with a side dish, you may select one from a list provided to you. Some people prefer the chef to decide what sides go best with the entree, and some people prefer to choose themselves.

What if I want you to prepare additional side dishes as well?

I'd be happy to provide that service for you, however, it will entail an additional fee.