What is the difference between A Chef For you and a personal chef?
In-home gourmet experiences are what make A Chef For You unique: single-evening private dinners and cooking classes executed and delivered in the comfort of your home. That’s my specialty.
How much cooking will you be doing in my kitchen?
I usually plan to do the majority of preparation in my commercial kitchen, just before I arrive. I then finalize the dishes in your home. You get the sounds, excitement and aromas … and the clean-up stays at my place!
However, many clients enjoy seeing the whole meal prepared right in front of them. If you request, I can arrange to create as much of the meal as you’d like in your kitchen, where you and your guests will have the chance to talk about the preparations, ingredients and menu … and to hear some stories of global gourmet along the way. This is a great way to raise the energy level of your gathering.
Remember: no matter how much or how little of the meal I prepare in your home, I will leave your kitchen as clean as I found it– or cleaner!
How long will you be at my home?
The short answer is, I'll be with you on-site for the right amount of time to make your event perfect -- and then I won't overstay my welcome!
Our typical contract includes three hours of chef time on location, which in my experience is a comfortable timeframe for enjoying a gourmet dinner from start to finish, with plenty of conversation between courses. If you're planning an in-home gourmet event for longer than three hours, just let me know -- we'll book the amount of time that best supports your gathering. (Note that this contracted time does not include setup, which is usually minimal; if special circumstances require extensive setup, we will talk about contracting additional time).
I want your event to be spectacular, and that means I will never leave at the conclusion of my time without first checking with you and offering you the opportunity to extend the contracted time. As you might expect, if you ask me to stay beyond what we've scheduled, that time will be billed separately.
What utensils would you need?
Don’t worry: in my 30-plus years, I’ve built quite a collection of utensils. I’ll bring all my own, unless you and I have made some specific prior arrangements.
What role do I play in the event?
Aside from having a terrific time and enjoying the company of your guests, I only ask you to do the things most hosts prefer to do themselves. Your checklist includes: setting up the dinning table, putting out a center piece if you like, and having the appropriate plates and silverware based on number of guests to be served. I’ll remind you of this during our booking conversation, so don’t worry about remembering now.
Do I provide any of the food?
When it comes to the meal, no – my exacting standards and I do all the shopping, which ensures the best possible quality for you and your guests.
Who will provide the service?
I will always be there as the central service provider. Depending on the size of your function, I may sometimes require help preparing, plating or serving. If I do, I’ll share that with you during our booking conversation.
What about gratuity? Is one included in the fees?
No – no gratuity is included in your fees. If your experience is an exceptional one, characterized by superior food quality and service, gratuity to reinforce what we did right is welcome and appreciated.
What if I will need additional equipment or servers, dishwashers and/or butlers?
A Chef For You has strategic partnerships with rental businesses that can supply your event with any equipment you may need, and through my personal work in the industry, I have a network of trustworthy professionals we can engage to provide additional services. We’ll plan for everything.
What if my party runs longer than planned?
I will always keep you discreetly advised of how we’re doing on time, particularly if we’re nearing the end of our contracted schedule. And I will always support you in your decision, whether it’s to extend our time with an additional fee or not.
What about special diet or vegetarian dishes?
A Chef For You can accommodate any menu, given notice. I’ll ask you about special requirements when we have our booking conversation. Be sure to tell me then so we can cover every need.
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