A private chef is employed full-time by one individual or family, and is often “living in”. Private Chefs do 100% of the cooking—every meal, everyday. Private Chefs can be very expensive often costing $50,000-$80,000 a year. A Personal Chef serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are custom designed for the client’s particular requests and requirements. These meals are packaged and stored so that the client may enjoy them in the future. Personal Chefs are very affordable and is intended for busy couples and families who do not have time to eat healthy, wholesome food.
Do I Need a Personal Chef?
Not everyone does. But if you are fed up with fast food, commercial food loaded with sodium and preservatives, or take out, then the answer is yes.
If your busy life doesn’t give you the chance to shop for and cook healthy for your family you should seriously consider how a personal chef can help.
Busy, career minded individuals, dual income couples with limited time, new mothers, or those recuperating from illness or hospital stays-Simply Cooking can change the way you experience the dinner hour. No More rushing around, eating poorly and facing a kitchen to clean up. A Personal Chef will provide you with nutritious and wholesome home-cooked meals.
Can I Afford a Personal Chef?
Yes! Having your own personal chef is very affordable: especially when you consider how much your time is worth. We do all the shopping, cooking, and you heat the meals and enjoy fine dining in the comfort of your own home.
Do you cook in my kitchen?
Yes, your meals will be prepared in your kitchen. We are perfectly happy in any size kitchen. One of the reasons we visit your home before the first cook date is to assess the kitchen and to note how many burners are functional, etc. On our agreed upon cooking day we will bring the fresh ingredients for your meals along with pans and utensils and prepare your entrees on site. At the end of the day we leave your kitchen clean, and full of the aroma of home cooking!
How long will you be in my home?
Since everything is made from scratch it generally takes anywhere from five to eight hours to prepare your selected entrees and the accompanying side dishes. I cannot say exactly how many hours since each menu is different, but we are happy to any arrangements in advance so that our cooking fits into your schedule conveniently.
I’ll be home that day. Is it okay if I watch-or help?
This can be a delicate situation, as we will be preparing several different recipes simultaneously and cannot be distracted by conversations, etc. It would be too easy to forget an ingredient or forget about something in the oven. We would be happy to chat or answer any questions for a few minutes before or after. Also, we are always to answer any questions or take suggestions through email or by telephone.
How often will we need your services?
Our services are available as often as desired. We will be happy to help you determine how often you will want to schedule our Personal Chef Service best serve your needs. We’ll make sure it supports your busy lifestyle without putting any pressure on you.
How much refrigerator and freezer space do you need?
Needed fridge and freezer space depends on the number of meals you request and the sizes of the containers, but it does generally require a considerable amount of space. During the assessment, we will look at your fridge and freezer so we can show you what to expect based on the meal plan and container sizes you choose. Efficient storage is one of the reasons we prefer to use Pyrex containers with lids.
Do you provide the containers?
Having containers that are a uniform size means less storage space is used in the refrigerator and freezer. Simply Cooking will provide high quality containers for your meals. There is a one-time container fee. If there is a menu item that you would like cooked or stored in a personal casserole or baking dish that can be arranged. If you prefer throw away containers, for even less work on your meal clean up that can also be arranged.
Could you use the containers that we already own?
We would be happy to consider using your container collection, but uniform-sized containers are going to take up less space in your refrigerator and freezer.
How difficult is it to heat meals?
Heating meals is very easy and convenient. We will leave detailed heating instructions for each entrée and side dish. Any entrees that have been stored for you in your freezer should be thawed overnight in your refrigerator before heating.
Can you accommodate special diets and or picky eaters?
Yes, we are more than happy to prepare meals that support your diet plan and meals that will satisfy the pickiest of eaters.
What type of meals do you prepare? Can I choose the menu?
We will have an initial meeting where we come up with the first week’s menu based on your tastes. After you try the meals we will “fine tune”..how much spice, portion size, less meat more veggies or visa versa, etc. We are happy to make a family recipe if you give me the recipe at least a week in advance, so we can test it. Menu requests are emailed or phoned to us a week or so in advance to have time to go to any specialty shops for special ingredients, etc. With all that being said, most of our regular clients leave it up to us to choose the menu based on their likes and dislikes. That way we can purchase what looks the best at the market and take advantage of specials! We tend to try different recipes, so if you want something you liked a few weeks ago, please just let us know.
How long will the food last us?
Refrigerated (35degrees-38degrees) entrees should be consumed within 5 days of cooking depending on the food type (fish within 3 days to be safe). Frozen entrees contrary to popular opinion, do NOT have unlimited shelf life. Freezing does not stop spoiling it only slows it down. Most frozen entrees should be consumed within 2 months to ensure quality and freshness purposes. Simply Cooking uses no extra salt or preservatives.
How often will you come to my house to cook?
We will be happy to help you determine just how often you will want to schedule our Personal Chef Service to best serve your needs. We will make sure it supports your lifestyle without putting any undo pressure on you.
How do I pay for the service?
Payment for the groceries and the containers will be required in advance of each cooking date. Payment for the personal chef service will be required when we arrive at your home with the ingredients. I will either leave you with or mail you an invoice indicating the credit or debit balance for the groceries. Simply Cooking accepts checks.
What about dinner parties and special events?
You can arrange with Simply Cooking to provide a wonderful dinner perfect for your special occasion or event. Your Personal Chef will become your Private Chef for your event.
The cost seems to be about the same as I would pay for an entrée at a restaurant-Why is that?
The fee for personal chef service represents all the components that make up this customized plan. For example, it includes the assessment process where we determine what you like to eat, food allergies, etc. You are paying to have me plan, grocery shop and have your meals prepared exactly as you like with the freshest ingredients. There are no restaurant-type food stabilizers, etc. added. This is not food-industry type cooking in large quantities…It is personalized home cooking. It is also a convenience for you to know you have a refrigerator full of healthful meals that are made especially for you that you can enjoy anytime in your own home. Going out to eat in restaurants is great, but a personal chef service is one more option for healthful, convenient meals. Also consider…No time and gasoline driving to and from the restaurant, no rude servers, no tipping, and no temptations from the dessert tray and you can eat in the comfort of your p.j.’s if you would like.
Do I sign a contract?
The only “contract” to be signed is a Service Agreement that lists our agreed upon expectations, such as how many meals and how often we will cook, payment arrangements and our understanding of your dietary requirements. Either party may terminate the Personal Chef Service at any time within five days notice.
How do I contact Simply Cooking?
By phone: 317.417.8574
By email: SimplyCooking@personalchef.com
URL: www.simplycooking.us
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