Frequently Asked Questions
What is a personal chef?
A personal chef serves several clients. He/she provides multiple meals that are custom-designed for the client’s particular tastes, and dietary and food allergy requirements. These meals are packaged and stored with heating instructions for the clients’ enjoyment at their leisure.
Where are the meals prepared?
All the meals are prepared in your own kitchen, according to required food safety guidelines. We bring all utensils and equipment as well as all the ingredients required to prepare your meals. At the end of the day, your kitchen will be left clean with only the aroma of good home cooking as a sign of our service!
Why can’t you just cook somewhere else and deliver it to me?
The Department of Health requires that delivered food be prepared in a Health Department-approved commercial kitchen. Preparing food at your home provides you with the freshest and safest alternative.
How long will you be in my kitchen? Do I have to be at home?
Because all your meals are prepared from scratch with great care, it will generally take 5-8 hours depending upon the number of entrées. For private dinners and parties, the time varies depending on the menu and the number of attendees.
Most clients prefer to be at work or away on personal matters during the cooking process. This helps the chef to remain focused on the job and to operate safely and efficiently.
How will you store the food?
We highly recommend permanent, re-usable glass containers such as Pyrex. They are suitable for freezing, microwaving and oven-heating without the need of food transferal and they are dishwasher safe. Cost of these containers range from $100-120, and are yours to keep. If you choose to have disposable plastic containers, meals will need to be transferred to an oven-safe dish if heating in a conventional oven. We are happy to supply such containers with an additional fee of $15 per cookdate.
What do I have to do in preparation for your cookdate?
Simply have a clean kitchen work area, an empty sink, one shelf space each in the refrigerator and freezer. Also, it is important that you have your containers thoroughly cleaned and ready if re-usable containers are used.
The cost seems to be about the same as what I would pay for an entrée in a restaurant... why is that?
The fee represents all components that make up the professional personal chef service. This includes a detailed assessment of your dietary needs, special diet research, menu planning, shopping, meal preparation, packaging and safe storage of your meals. Takeout and restaurant dining are not always the most healthful ways of dining. If you have a personal chef, you can just heat a beautiful, healthy entrée, and enjoy it anytime in your own home.
How often will the food last and how often will we need your service?
This will depend on how many nights you would like to have home cooked dinners at home, and the number of entrées and servings ordered. We typically offer bi-weekly or monthly services but will make sure the scheduled service supports your needs.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes, Chef Celine is fully licensed and insured.
Are you certified as a food handler?
Food safety is always of primary importance. Chef Celine is “ServSafe” certified in food safety and sanitation by the most widely and nationally accepted food safety program.
