What is a personal chef?
A personal chef is a small business owner who serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are customized for each client's requests and requirements. These meals are packaged and stored so that clients may enjoy them at their leisure.
Who hires a personal chef?
Many people hire personal chefs—those who are tired of eating in restaurants or ordering unhealthy take-out food, those trying to improve their diets, busy professionals who work long hours, families with children and little time to make nutritious meals, and people who have specific dietary needs but don't know how to prepare food that fits into their nutritional requirements. A personal chef can help you regain hours each week that you would normally spend preparing food for yourself and your family and provide you with delicious, well-balanced meals that fit your specific needs and tastes.
Where will you cook the food?
All of the food will be cooked in your own kitchen. You don't have to have a big kitchen or new appliances for me to prepare wonderful meals for you. I will bring my own equipment and leave your kitchen as clean as (or cleaner than!) it was when I got there.
Do I have to be home while you are cooking?
As long as I can get into the house, you don't have to be home while I am cooking.
How long will you be at my house?
I will be cooking several entrées and side dishes, so it will take several hours. I am happy to work around your schedule as much as possible. We can make arrangements in advance so that my cooking date is compatible with your schedule.
Do I have to sign a long-term contract?
No—you can hire me to cook for you based on your own needs, whether that means once a week, every other week, once a month, or just once. A long-term commitment is not required.
How do you package the meals?
During the consultation we can decide together which food packaging option will be best for you and your family. If desired, I can use containers you already own if you have a sufficient number and variety. Alternately, for a one-time container fee ($30–60), I can purchase a set of plastic or glass (Pyrex) reusable containers to use for your meals, and these containers would be considered your property. They would need to be clean and available on each cook date. If you prefer disposable containers, a small container fee ($10–15) will be added on to the cost of each cook date.
What is the best way to reheat the meals?
It depends on the meal. With each meal I will leave you detailed reheating instructions. Sometimes the meal is best reheated in the oven, and sometimes the microwave is the best option. Please let me know during our consultation if you have a specific preference.
How long will the meals last me?
The meals will last for 3 to 4 days in the refrigerator and up to 3 weeks in the freezer. How long the food from each cook date will last depends on how many days per week you expect to eat at home.
Where do you shop?
During the summer months, some of your produce may come from the wonderful Chicago Farmers Markets. I also shop at more traditional places like Jewel, Dominick's, Trader Joe's and Whole Foods, depending on the dishes I am preparing for you.
Can you accommodate special dietary needs?
Yes! Because all of our services are customized we can provide food that accommodates many special needs including diabetic meals, low-fat and/or low-cholesterol diets, kosher, vegetarian, and vegan. We would be happy to speak with you about your specific needs.
Can I watch, or help, during the cook date?
I am happy to answer questions for a few minutes at the beginning or end of the cook date. However, it is my goal to provide you the highest quality food possible, and to do that I need to concentrate on the many dishes that I have going at once. So, I would request that you allow me to cook for you with minimal distractions.
What does the price include?
The average family of four spends at least $250 per week on groceries. When you consider the groceries that you buy each week (and those that you throw away) along with the restaurant meals when you don't feel like cooking, a Personal Chef can be a cost effective option! The flat price that we charge includes meal planning, grocery shopping (our flat fee includes the price of the groceries), meal preparation in your home, and we'll even leave you a nice clean kitchen.
When is payment due?
It is customary to pay for the service in advance. If you like, you can leave me a check for the upcoming cook date on the day I am cooking.
What if I have a question that hasn't been covered?
For more information or to schedule a meeting you can
To get in touch by phone, call 773.290.3617