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FAQs
1. What is the difference between a personal chef and a private chef?
A private chef is employed full-time by one individual or family and is often living in their home and preparing up to three meals per day. A personal chef focuses on the weekly dinner meal, serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are custom designed for the clients' particular requests and dietary requirements. These meals are packaged and stored so that the clients may enjoy them at their leisure.
2. How does the personal chef service work?
First, we will schedule a complimentary, no-obligation consultation to determine your food likes, dislikes, preferences, any dietary restrictions, etc., and customize a general meal plan for you and your family. You will always find a list of some of the many meal options available on my website; including seasonally created dishes. If you don’t see your favorite, please let me know. We will work to determine a menu together. On the agreed-upon cook date, I shop for the freshest ingredients available and bring all the equipment required to thoughtfully and carefully prepare your selections. Then, I'll store your meals and leave simple heating instructions. Finally, I will leave your kitchen spotless and full of wonderful aromas.
3. Who can use a personal chef?
A personal chef service is for anyone who does not have the time, interest or skills to plan, grocery shop, and prepare daily meals. A typical client is someone who is tired of fast food or dining out and wants to enjoy healthy, nutritious meals in the comfort of their own home. Such as:
• Busy professionals
• Families with hectic schedules
• Expectant or new parents
• People recovering from illness
• Health-conscious retirees
4. What are the benefits of using a personal chef?
• Saving you time
• No more stopping off at the grocery store
• No more trying to answer "What's for dinner?"
• Makes meal time less of a hassle
• Nutritious meals suited to your needs
• Ingredients you can trust
• More free time
5. How long will you be in my home?
I prepare several different main and side dishes from scratch, so anticipate 5-7 hours.
6. Do I have to be there when you come to cook?
No, as long as appropriate arrangements are made in advance.
7. How often will you come to my house to cook?
It's entirely up to you. My standard plan provides enough dinners for 4 people for 5 days; the 20 servings can be divided up any way you would like. Clients may have me come out once a week, others twice a month, and some only occasionally. I will ask you to review and sign a Service Agreement which outlines the responsibilities and expectations of Cozinha to the client and the client to Cozinha.
8. Are side dishes included?
Yes, one side dish per entréee is included. I can offer suggestions for side dishes that compliment the entréees you have chosen, however, the final selection is always yours.
9. Can you prepare special diets?
Yes! Vegetarian, low-fat, low carbohydrate, gluten-free, etc.– provide me with your requirements, and I will customize a menu. There will be an additional meal planning and preparation fee for specialized diets such as wheat and gluten-free, and diabetes.
10. How do I reheat the food?
Any meals that have been stored for you in your freezer should be defrosted in your refrigerator overnight, to be enjoyed at the peak of their flavor. I will leave you with easy to follow reheating instructions for each meal. The use of a conventional oven best preserves the quality of your meals, but many meals can be reheated in a microwave oven within a matter of minutes.
11. The cost seems to be about what I would pay in a moderately priced restaurant. Why is that?
My prices represent all of the components that make up a professional personal chef service; the biggest being convenience! For example, the assessment process that I complete to determine your likes and needs is used to customize your personalized menus. I modify all of my recipes to reflect your wants and needs; menus are submitted for your approval; I shop for your ingredients and your meals are all prepared in the safety of your own kitchen. Packaging, labeling and reheating instructions for your meals are all features included in this price.
If you were to compare a personal chef service to restaurant service, you could think of it this way: for restaurant dining you must drive or take a taxi to get there, possibly wait for a table, take a chance that your server is having a good day, and if you have special dietary requests, you don't always have the guarantee that they will be honored, since most meals are assembly line ready in the kitchen. (My food is made from scratch using quality ingredients.) After eating your restaurant meal, you must pay for it, tip the server, and get back in your vehicle to drive home.
12. Do I pay you up front?
Yes. It is customary to pay for the personal chef service in advance to reserve your cook date and purchase groceries.
13. How long will the food last?
In terms of the shelf life of meals, each meal will last from 4-5 days in the refrigerator (fish and seafood will last up to 3 days). If you want to keep them longer, most meals can be stored in the freezer* for up to 2 months.
*Please note that not every dish can be frozen and reheated without the flavor and freshness being slightly compromised.
14. Is there anything that we need to do prior to your visit?
Yes, please have kitchen counters clean and free of clutter and leave space in the refrigerator and freezer.
15. I sometimes like to entertain, can you help with this?
Absolutely! Are you looking for specialty meats or new marinade ideas for chicken, fish and beef? I can shop for items and marinate them for your parties. I can also assist with general grocery shopping if you have little or no time to do this. There is a charge of $25 per hour for this service with a one-hour minimum plus the cost of groceries.