FAQs

What is a Personal Chef?
A Personal Chef helps people with busy lives eat healthier, more delicious food with ease and convenience. You can think of a Personal Chef as professional home cook — preparing exactly the kind of wholesome, home-cooked meals that you would love to prepare for yourself, or for your friends, family and loved ones.

Which geographic areas do you serve?
I provide Weekly Personal Chef Services in New York City. For special events, I am ready, willing, and able to travel reasonable distances to surrounding areas in New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania.

Do you cook in my kitchen?
Yes, all meals are prepared in the safety of the client’s kitchen and I leave the kitchen spotless when I am finished.

Do I have to be home when you come to cook?
No, you do not have to be home on your scheduled cook date as long as appropriate arrangements are made in advance for me to gain access to your home.

Where do you shop?
Generally, I shop from a combination of Fresh Direct and local markets, including Whole Foods Markets, Kalustyan’s, Fairway, and Citarella, among other specialty shops in your neighborhood. I shop with your preferences in mind, so if you want only local produce, I can purchase produce from Green Markets around the city. If you belong to a CSA, I can use your CSA produce.

How is the food packaged?
We will discuss packaging options at the initial consultation. You may want to use tempered-glass containers (my personal preference) that can go straight from the fridge to the oven or you may prefer to use re-usable plastic containers that you can easily take with you to work. Container choices accommodate the following: microwavable, stackable, refrigerator/freezer friendly, leak-resistant, durable and economical.

What kitchen equipment do you need?
When we meet for your consultation, I will bring a list of useful kitchen equipment, and I will go through your kitchen for a full assessment. If you need to supplement any of your current equipment, I will purchase these in consultation with you, taking advantage of professional discounts when possible.

How long do meals last?
In the refrigerator, entrées should be consumed within 7 days of cooking, depending on the type of food. Cooked fish dishes should always be consumed within 2 days. Many meals can be frozen for longer retention.

How do you determine cost of service?
My cost of service is based on an hourly rate, starting at $350 daily minimum. The cost of groceries and packaging is not included in the basic personal chef fee and will depend on your personal preferences. Please contact me for pricing.

What does the cost of service include?
The cost of the service includes:

  • Client consultation and kitchen review
  • Personalized menu planning
  • Grocery shopping
  • Cooking, packaging, labeling and storing
  • Kitchen clean-up

The cost of groceries is not included in the service price.

Can I purchase a gift certificate?
Yes! Email me for details.