So you're considering hiring a personal chef! That's great news. The process is pretty straightforward, and the work you have to do is as follows:

Contact and Initial Meeting

The first step is to contact me! I'll answer the phone or email and explain any specifics, get your contact information, and arrange a day to visit in-person, meet you, perform a client intake form, and figure out what will work best for you.

Before the home visit, I will request that you have in mind what kinds of meals you enjoy. No need to treat it like an assignment! Just take note of what you're eating, remember any meals you've enjoyed in the past, jot down some of your staples, think of something you've considered wanting to try - anything food-related is fair game to help us think of a personal menu.

The goal of the home visit is two-fold: I will be able to see your kitchen - which I will be cooking in, so it's helpful for me to be able to take note of the layout and appliances and figure out what I will need to bring in myself, and we'll also be able to come up with a plan. I'll take an extensive survey of food you like, food you dislike, food you've never tried but might want to try, and ways to prepare all of it.

Cooking 

On a date and time we agree on, I will start my day. I'll run to the grocery store to pick up ingredients, go to your house, and prepare the meals. If I'm doing a weekly meal prep, I'll store the food in ready-to-reheat containers (frozen or refrigerated, whichever we agree on), clean after myself, and leave reheating instructions for you to use at will. If the meal is a dinner service, I will prepare and plate the meal and stick around to take care of cleanup as well. I'll leave your kitchen as clean as I found it aside from the meals now ready to be eaten at your leisure!

All food will be prepared and chilled according to food safety regulations and with attention to dietary restrictions. Regular hand washing will be followed, and I will use my sanitizing cleaners and supplies to keep your kitchen free from any health risk.

Serving: Dinner Party Service

I can do Dinner Parties for groups up to 14 people. These will be in your own home, at a date and time decided prior, and by default include one appetizer plus entree and sides. Additional courses can be worked out as well, such as a salad course or dessert. I am not a pastry chef, but I can help plan and purchase a special dessert from a bakery or shop of your choosing.

For a dinner party service, I will plate the meals unless you request a special setup. I can use dishware you own and wish to use or bring my own supply. Group appetizers will be served as the entrees finish cooking. I will serve the meal and stick around until everyone is finished eating, then take the plates and handle cleanup of the kitchen so you can simply enjoy the meal. You will have to provide and serve your own beverages, specifically any alcoholic beverages, or get in touch with a bar tending service. During the meal, I will remain in the kitchen to clean up from cooking.

Charging and Payment

I use a service plus cost of food charging system. This means I will charge a service fee and grocery budget before the job. I will send you an invoice reconciling the difference of grocery costs, which can either be charged back or used as credit for the next time. You can see my costs and charges page here.