Is a Personal Chef really affordable?
Definitely! With my personal chef service, you can enjoy delicious, healthy, restaurant quality meals in a matter of minutes. You have to buy groceries in any case, and very often food and produce gets thrown away, because it is not used in time. Many frozen convenience foods taste like nothing and the portions are kinda skimpy with more sauce than anything else. Their fat and sodium content are also extremely high – so in other words they are not healthy or good for you. How much money do you spend on take-out or eating-out at restaurants, or even on Doctor’s fees or medical bills, because of health problems resulting from poor eating habits? If you add it all up, using the services of a Personal Chef will save you time and money. Don’t think of this as an extra expense but rather something that you need for your health! My professional personal chef service may even help you to control your food costs, as you will be less likely to impulse-buy in the grocery store or resort to low-quality fast food, convenience food or restaurant food.
How often will we need your service?
I’ll be happy to help you determine just how often you will want to schedule my Personal Chef Service to best serve your needs. Subject to availability, you may want to use my service once a week or have me cook for you every second week or perhaps you just want to use my services once a month to have meals on hand for those nights when you are just tired!
I have a medical condition or allergies. Can you accommodate this?
Sure! I have experience cooking for clients with strict diets such as High Protein, Vegetarian, Low Sodium, Low-Calorie, Low Carb even Keto Diets. If you have a nutritionist or dietician or a food coach, I will work with them so that you can enjoy food that fits with your specific needs and lifestyle.
Which containers do you use and how will my meals be packaged?
I use recyclable or compostable containers that can be reused. The containers with the clear lids and black bases are both dishwasher safe and microwave safe! Meals can be packaged individually, for 2 or for a family. If you would like for me to use glass containers there is a one-time start-up fee for the purchase of quality re-useable food storage containers, such as Pyrex, Corning, Rubbermaid, etc. The cost of these containers will be determined by the number of meals that you receive weekly.
What is on the Menu?
Menus are created weekly based upon your food preferences and dietary needs. Because I have hundreds of recipes, you will never get bored with your meals!
How do I heat my meals?
- Though all meals are packed in convenient microwaveable containers, we recommend that, when possible, you remove your meal from the container and place it on a microwave-safe dish or plate before heating in the microwave so that the meal may heat more evenly.
- Whether heating your meal in the provided microwave-safe container or in your own dish, be sure to loosely cover the food to help retain moisture and allow for ventilation. If you do choose to heat your meal in the container please be sure to take off the plastic cover and remove items that do not require heating, such as condiment packets, breads, fruits, yogurt, cold salads or any other food items you do not wish to heat.
- Fish and seafood or breaded poultry generally heat up better in a conventional or toaster oven than in a microwave.
- Remove breads, leafy greens, cold salads or sides before heating.
- Sprinkle a small amount of water on rice before heating to help retain moisture.
MICROWAVE:Every microwave varies in power, so you will likely have to experiment to find the optimum time to cook each meal. We recommend heating meals from 1 to 3 minutes. The minimum temperature you will want the food to reach is 165°F or “steaming” hot. Try setting your microwave to 30 second increments. This will give you the opportunity to test the cooking time of different food items to make sure they are not being over-cooked.
CONVENTIONAL OVEN: Preheat oven to 350°. Remove food items you want to heat from the container and place in an oven-safe dish. Depending on the quantity and density of the food, heat for 5 to 15 minutes or until your meal has reached the desired temperature.
How do I pay for the service?
Payments are processed in a simple and secure manner through the Square card processing. Payments are also accepted through Venmo or cash. For meal prep services, every Wednesday an invoice will be sent out via email that must be paid upon receipt to receive meals the following week.
What is your cancellation policy?
For Personal Chef Services, if delivery date is cancelled five (5) days or less from scheduled cooking day, cooking fee is not refundable.
For Meal Prep Services, if you would like to cancel your order for any reason, you must submit your cancellation request by email to chefelizabethreese@gmail.com no later than 48 hours after invoices have been sent out to receive a full refund. After 48 hours you will receive a credit towards your next order.
What other services do you offer?
In addition to the traditional personal chef service, I will do in-home dinner parties, corporate luncheons, cooking classes, holiday prep, romantic dinners, birthday parties, baby showers etc.
Disclaimer
I hold a certification as a ServSafe Food Safety Manager and have been educated and trained in the proper handling of foods and storage. I utilize those practices to ensure that your food will be an enjoyable safe product. However, once I have properly completed service, you are responsible for continuing proper food storage and handling techniques to prevent any food-borne illness. If you have any questions concerning proper techniques used, I will be happy to discuss them with you. I am not liable for operational failure of or subsequent repairs to stove tops, ovens, microwaves, refrigerators, freezers, disposals, vacuum sealers, plumbing or any other client property used that is necessary for the completion of cooking duties resulting from normal use and/or accumulative wear and tear.
Should you have questions or comments on cook day, I will be happy to answer any questions. Please feel free to contact me at any time with any questions or concerns you may have regarding my Personal Chef Services.
