| What
is the difference between a Private Chef and a Personal
Chef? |
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| A Private
Chef is employed by one individual or family full-time
to prepare three meals a day. A personal Chef serves several
clients, usually one per day while providing multiple
meals that are custom designed for the client’s
individual preferences and requirements. These do—ahead
meals are packaged and stored for the client’s convenience. |
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| Do you
cook in my Kitchen? |
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| Yes, I
prepare your meals in the safety of your home kitchen.
On our agreed upon cook date, I bring the fresh ingredients
for your meals along with my own equipment, including
pots and utensils, and prepare your entrees on site. At
the end of the day, I leave you with a clean kitchen and
I remove the trash. Upon my arrival on cook day, I require
that your kitchen be clean and organized. I also require
that you provide a working space in the kitchen so that
I may place my equipment and cutting boards to prepare
your meals. |
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| How long
will I be there? |
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| I prepare
from 3 to 5 different entrees and side dishes from scratch,
so it takes several hours, usually 5 to 7. I will work
with you to ensure that my cook date is compatible with
your schedule. On occasion depending on the complexity
of the meals, an additional half day may be required to
complete all the meals you purchased. |
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| Do I
heat the Food? |
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| Yes. Food
will be stored in your freezer and/or refrigerator. Any
entrees stored in the freezer should be defrosted overnight
in your fridge, heated the next day, and consumed at the
peak of flavor. You will be provided with easy to follow
heating instructions for each entrée. |
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| How much
Freezer space do you need? |
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| It depends,
of course, on the number of meals you request and the
size of the containers, but it does generally require
a considerable amount of freezer space. Efficient storage
is the primary reason I prefer to select the appropriate
uniform-sized storage containers for my clients. |
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| Can you
use my containers? |
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| Once again,
uniform-sized containers take less storage space in your
refrigerator or freezer. If you purchase glass containers,
such as Corningware® or Pyrex®, I can purchase
those at wholesale price. Whether you choose durable plastic
containers, such as Rubbermaid® or Tupperware®,
or glass containers, the product is yours to keep. |
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| What
if I want you to prepare additional side dishes? |
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| I will
gladly provide extra side dishes for an additional fee. |
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| Why is
there an additional fee for side dishes? |
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Although
my fees are expressed as a “per entrée”
or “per serving” fee, they represent all
of the components that make up a professional chef service.
I’ll meet with you to determine your food preferences
and any allergies, sensitivities or medically-mandated
dietary requirements you may have. Customized menu planning
is based on this preliminary information.
I will then submit meal selections for your approval,
grocery shop, bring my equipment to your home to prepare
the meals, package, label, date and store the food with
heating instructions, then clean up and remove the trash
made from the day’s cooking. If you compare the
convenience of my personal chef service to restaurant
service, you could think of it this way.
When you go out to eat, you drive to get there, usually
wait for a table, since relatively few of today’s
restaurants accept reservations, and then wait for service.
Special requests based on dietary needs may or may not
be honored. After eating the meal, you tip the server,
pay the bill, and once again, must drive home.
People who have personal chef service can go home, change
clothes, and simply follow heating instructions for
the entrée and side dish which they have taken
out of the freezer and thawed overnight in the fridge.
Those who choose Fresh service versus Full Service take
the prepared food out of the fridge and heat it. |
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| Do Fees
include the cost of food? |
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No.
I charge a basic fee plus food cost rather than an all-inclusive
fee. It is easy and it takes the guess work out of the
process. Clients who require certain food products to
meet dietary needs or those who prefer premium items
do not have to have those products added to an all inclusive
fee. |
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| Do I
pay you ahead of each cook date? |
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| Yes. I
require payment for the service in advance of your cook
date. You may leave a check for the amount of your chosen
service plus a $80.00 food deposit for the upcoming cook
date on the day I am cooking. |
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| Can I
order half of the regular service? |
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I
wish I could make that option available to my clients.
But the truth of the matter is that to be a profitable
business, I cannot take the same amount of cooking time
and produce half the amount of food. It will take me
the same amount of planning, shopping and preparation
time to cook 8 portions of food as it does for 16 portions
of food. |
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| What
other services do you offer? |
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I
prepare food for in-home special events and celebrations
for up to 50 people. Additionally, you can give a gift
of health with a “Casa
Lisette Catering” gift certificate. For
special events and celebrations, I can plan the meal,
do the shopping, cook the meal, clean the kitchen and
take out the trash and leave before your guest arrive,
or for an additional fee, I could convert your dinning
room into a gourmet restaurant with full service of
formal settings, waiter, recorded dinner music to impress
your guest.
The following services are included in my overall pricing
plan for the exception of full service restaurant style
presentations. I will:
• Conduct initial
assessment of food preferences and dietary needs.
• Design customized menu.
• Shop for groceries.
• Bring my own equipment to your home and
prepare meals.
• Package, label, date, and store food with
easy to follow heating instructions.
• Clean up kitchen and remove the trash.
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