What is the difference between a personal chef and a private chef?
A private chef is employed by one individual family full time. A personal chef serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are custom designed to suit each client's particular tastes. The meals are packaged and stored so the client may enjoy them at their leisure.
 
Aren’t personal chefs for the rich and famous?
That’s what many thought about housecleaning and landscape services just a few years ago. Now these services are considered affordable luxuries. When you consider the cost of groceries, the time involved with planning a variety of healthy meals, shopping, cooking and clean up time, you will find the price of a personal chef service to be quite affordable.

Do I need a personal chef?
Not everyone does. But busy, career minded individuals, dual income couples with limited time, new mothers, those recuperating from illness or hospital stays and senior homeowners who find it difficult to prepare the nutritious meals they need can all use a personal chef.

Why should I hire a personal chef when I can eat at a restaurant or order take-out?
Restaurants are a nice alternative some of the time, but a regular diet of commercially prepared food is not a healthy lifestyle. There is no substitute for the comfort of sitting down to dinner at your own table, in your own home. As your personal chef, I will prepare only those dishes that suit your personal tastes and dietary requirements. No restaurant can offer you that kind of service

What kinds of food can the chef prepare?
I am skilled in many cuisines as well as cooking food for various diet plans. The variety of recipes available is endless and I am able to create any dish you may desire, including your own family favorites. My focus is on nutritional balance, quality ingredients and proper portions.

Will you prepare meals from my recipes?
Absolutely! I love to prepare new dishes. If you have a favorite recipe or a special diet, I’ll cook it!

What type of side dishes do you prepare?
I prepare side dishes that compliment the entree you have selected, within the foods that you prefer. For example, for an Italian chicken dish, I may prepare a seasoned rice, whereas I might provide garlic smashed potatoes to accompany pistachio-crusted beef tenderloin.

Are groceries included in the cost?
No, my fee is my day rate plus the cost of the groceries. The cost of groceries varies on your selection of menu items. Obviously lobster or filet mignon will be more costly than some other menu items.

The cost seems to be about what I would pay for an entree in a restaurant - why is that?
My fees represent all of the components that make up a professional personal chef service. Those include assessing what you like to eat and whether you have medically specific requirements; customizing your menu and adapting the recipes to reflect your needs; submitting a menu for your approval; grocery shopping; coming to your home to prepare the food; and packaging, labeling and storing your entrees.

Why do you cook in my kitchen?
Cooking in your own kitchen serves a variety of purposes. First of all, your meals are stored when they are as fresh as possible (using proper cooling techniques); this ensures that they will be delicious when you are ready to eat them. If a Personal Chef cooked the food someplace else and then transported it to your home, that would classify the service as a caterer and would require a commercially certified kitchen. By cooking in your kitchen, transportation is eliminated and safe, healthy, personally customized gourmet meals become affordable.

How long will it take?
It usually takes approximately five to six hours to cook the meals, package them and clean up. I cannot say exactly how many hours since each menu is different, but I will be happy to make arrangements in advance so that our cooking fits into your schedule.

Do I have to be home while the chef is cooking?
You can be home or not. Either way is fine. Many of you are very busy and may be out of the house. Some of you will be at home. You are welcome to watch and ask questions if you like. Keep in mind that I have a lot to get done in a relatively short amount of time and I need to stay focused (I’ll be moving quickly!) but I will try to answer questions and explain what I’m doing as time permits.

What kind of containers are used to store cooked foods?
At the assessment, I will ask what your container preferences are. I generally recommend reusable containers such as Gladware or Ziplock. Uniform size containers take much less storage space in your freezer. For your first cookdate, I will purchase sufficient Gladware or Ziplock containers to package your meals. This amounts to approximately forty containers for twenty entrees plus side dishes. The containers cost around fifty cents each so the first time cost would be about $20.00. This cost would be reflected in your grocery bill. On later cook dates I will re-use your containers and purchase new ones for you as needed. Or, if you prefer, I can purchase permanent glass containers like Corningware at $60 - $100. These containers would then be your property. And, if there is a menu item that you would like cooked or stored in personal casserole or baking dish, that can certainly be arranged. All meals can be packaged according to your preferences; family-style, for two, or individually.

Can you use my containers?
Because containers of uniform size take up less storage space in your freezer, I prefer to bring the appropriate containers for the entrees I am preparing. If you save the containers for me that held the entrees you have already enjoyed, I will use them for the next entrees we prepare

How difficult is it to heat meals?
Heating meals is very easy and convenient. I will leave clear and easy-to-follow heating instructions for each entrée and side dish. Most dishes can be heated simply in a microwave.

How often will you come to my house to cook?
It's entirely up to you. My standard plan provides four servings each of five different entrees, for a total of twenty meals. Depending on how many evenings you eat at home, I can determine approximately how long your meals will last. If you travel for business or entertain in restaurants during the week, or just enjoy eating out on occasion, the meals will take you further than if you eat at home each night. Most clients have me come out twice a month, others once a month, and some only occasionally.

How much freezer and refrigerator space do you need?
This depends on the type of meals you request, and the sizes of the containers. When I arrive at your home for the assessment, I'll ask for permission to look into your refrigerator and freezer to see how much room you have available and advise you on how much space I'll need. Generally, I need a minimum of one refrigerator shelf and one crisper drawer (or size equivalent) to put away cold ingredients and 2 cubic feet of freezer space. Efficient storage is one of the reasons I prefer to select the appropriate size uniform storage containers for my clients.

How long can I store my meals?
Most frozen entrees should be consumed within 2 months to ensure quality and freshness purposes. Refrigerated (35º-38ºF) entrees should be consumed within 5 days of cooking, depending on the food type (fish within 3 days to be safe).

I am interested in trying a personal chef service, but it seems like a big commitment. Is that true?
After going over pricing and menu options, you can decide if this is the service for you. If so, I can tailor a menu specific to your needs. Then we can set up a convenient cook date upon which I can start preparing meals for you. There is no obligation for you to commit to this service long term. Because this service is so flexible we can reevaluate your needs as needed.

Do we have to sign a contract?
No, I do not require a contract or a commitment to a specific term of service. You pay for each cook date in advance. If you have to cancel a cook date, we will try to find an alternative cook date. You can cancel the service at any time.

Do I pay first?
Yes, it is customary to pay for the service in advance. A $100 fee is required to secure your cooking date. The balance, including the cost of the groceries will be due on the scheduled cooking day. You may pay with either a check or through PayPal.

What areas does Savory Kitchen serve?
I primarily serve Bucks, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery and Berks Counties in Pennsylvania, and Warren and Hunterdon Counties in New Jersey.

Can I give “The Savory Kitchen” as a gift?
Of course! Savory Kitchen gift certificates are available.

This sounds great! Now what?
Call or email Savory Kitchen to schedule a no obligation visit in your home to discuss your personal chef requirements.