How does this work?
The terms "private chef" and "personal chef" are often interchanged. While very similar, they also have several key distinctions which are important to understand so a complete explanation for each is provided in the FAQ section..
As a private chef, I prepare multiple meals for my client and their family each day. We collaborate on the menu for each week, then I perform all the tasks necessary to ensure the meals are prepared and served as required by the client. Each client has different needs so the specific details about this will be discussed during the in-depth client assessment. Generally, I am responsible for all things related to food preparation and meal service, including: Grocery shopping, safe and sanitary food handling practices, kitchen cleanliness and sanitation, maintaining kitchen inventories, wine pairings, and beverage service.
My process is fairly straightforward for PRIVATE chef services:
STEP 1: INITIAL CONTACT
You make initial contact with me to discuss what you're looking for in private chef services. This can be conducted over the phone, via email, or in person at a local coffee house. My contact information is listed on the Contact Info page. During this initial discussion, I will ask you several brief and preliminary questions. This will help you determine if this service is right for you. From there, we can schedule a complimentary, in-home or in-person consultation.
STEP 2: COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION:
I meet with you on the scheduled day and time to conduct a complimentary consultation where we discuss your general requirements and expectations of your private chef, food and cuisine preferences, general meal frequency, major dietary considerations or challenges, etc. This also gives you the opportunity to interview me in person and to find out whether my services, skills, fee requirements, and temperament are a good fit for you and your family. The consultation is a relatively "high level" discussion and takes about 30 minutes - it is usually conducted in person at a local, mutually-convenient location or even at the client's house. From there, both parties should be able to decide whether to proceed to the next step.
Key note: some clients may ask the prospective chef to prepare a simple, quick "sample" meal for them (at the client's cost) right after the complementary consultation. This often proves to be the most accurate and valuable method in helping you ascertain whether the chef can actually cook and is kitchen-capable. I will ask if you're interested in the introductory meal presentation during the initial contact (when we schedule the complementary consultation). This service will take about one hour. Payment for chef's fees and cost of groceries for the introductory presentation will be due before I begin cooking the sample meal.
You make initial contact with me to discuss what you're looking for in private chef services. This can be conducted over the phone, via email, or in person at a local coffee house. My contact information is listed on the Contact Info page. During this initial discussion, I will ask you several brief and preliminary questions. This will help you determine if this service is right for you. From there, we can schedule a complimentary, in-home or in-person consultation.
STEP 2: COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION:
I meet with you on the scheduled day and time to conduct a complimentary consultation where we discuss your general requirements and expectations of your private chef, food and cuisine preferences, general meal frequency, major dietary considerations or challenges, etc. This also gives you the opportunity to interview me in person and to find out whether my services, skills, fee requirements, and temperament are a good fit for you and your family. The consultation is a relatively "high level" discussion and takes about 30 minutes - it is usually conducted in person at a local, mutually-convenient location or even at the client's house. From there, both parties should be able to decide whether to proceed to the next step.
Key note: some clients may ask the prospective chef to prepare a simple, quick "sample" meal for them (at the client's cost) right after the complementary consultation. This often proves to be the most accurate and valuable method in helping you ascertain whether the chef can actually cook and is kitchen-capable. I will ask if you're interested in the introductory meal presentation during the initial contact (when we schedule the complementary consultation). This service will take about one hour. Payment for chef's fees and cost of groceries for the introductory presentation will be due before I begin cooking the sample meal.
STEP 3: IN-DEPTH CLIENT ASSESSMENT
Once you have decided to employ my services, you contact me to schedule time for a detailed, in-home kitchen and services assessment with you. This assessment goes well beyond the initial consultation and will cover such topics as: Meal scheduling and frequency, additional service needs (eg: specialty events, catering coordination), food and cuisine preferences, chef availability and living location (eg: on or off site), background check, dress code, compensation details, payment schedule, performance feedback and communication methods, expensing methods, official start date, etc. I will also need to evaluate your kitchen facilities and existing equipment and cooking implements to determine what items I might need to bring with me. There are many details we will need to discuss to ensure I meet all your expectations as your private chef so please be prepared to spend approximately 90 minutes during this in-depth assessment. This discussion will help facilitate contract development and give you the information necessary to conduct a background check. Please note: this is billable time and there are several compensation options we can discuss.
STEP 4: EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT DEVELOPMENT
We will co-develop a contract by starting with a basic contract template covering many of the items discussed in the client assessment as well as any other key points that arise. Once we come to an agreement on the contract details (usually happens pretty quickly), both parties sign the contract, which places me in your employment as your private chef. At that time, you can elect to provide me with access to your home (key codes, keys, etc) or wait until my first service day.
STEP 5: SERVICE STARTS
I will arrive at your home prepared with my uniforms and any other relevant materials to ensure a successful first meal presentation. Once there, I will begin the processes necessary to fulfill my responsibilities, beginning by collaborating with you to determine the meals for the week. I will develop a groceries and supplies list and prepare for the shopping.
Click here for the PERSONAL CHEF process