a personal chef service
by Chef Jan
These are a few of our most frequently asked questions...
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Do You Cater?
No. I do not cook food and bring it in to your location. There are many fine caterers in the area who provide this type of service. I bring fresh ingredients into your kitchen and prepare them on-site. For some folks, part of the fun of hiring me is the option to watch and learn…minus the shopping and dishwashing chores, of course.
How Much Does it Cost?
The cost of my service depends largely on the cost of the food you would like to serve. I like to tell people that costs are comparable to going out to a restaurant serving similar foods, except my food is freshly prepared to your taste each time. In addition, you aren't drving there, waiting in line, disappointed that they are out of your favorite food that night, trying to find something the kids will like and/or worried about drive home after you've had a celebration cocktail or two.
I charge you back directly for the cost of groceries (no markup) and supplies and then charge a professional service fee based on the time and skill your meals require.
What’s the Next Step?
Please give us a call or drop me a quick email to tell me what you’re considering. If you’re not sure about using my services, I’d be glad to explain in further detail what we can do for you and/or discuss options.
Sometimes, all folks want is a few ideas and a little bit of help the first time. We'd be glad to discuss that too.
How Many People Can You Serve?
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We are a small business. It is possible for us to hire in for serving duties, but I prefer to do all the cooking myself to ensure you get the best quality food and exactly what you "ordered". Given that, the max number of people we can serve for a Sit-Down (plated or family style) event is about 30. Most people's home don't seat more than this number at any given time, so its usually not an issue.
For a Buffet-Style or Passed-Appetizers event, we are able to accomodate much larger numbers of people only limited by the space available in your kitchen.
Do You Teach or Give Classes?
Yes, I enjoy teaching others how to cook their favorites. I am sometimes called in to help people menu plan and learn to cook new things for health reasons, for themselves or a loved one, too.
The most frequent item I am asked about teaching is bread. For some reason, working with yeast is difficult for a lot of people. We can also teach you a new cuisine, how to pair foods together or with beverages, as well as some culinary school basics - no need for you to go to culinary school I already did and can share with you what I learned.
In the past, I have worked with the local Community Ed program to do a number of classes. Stay tuned to the website for more information about this as I work locally to find the appropriate venuee for these classes.
What is a Personal Chef?
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A personal chef is a trained professional who prepares customized restaurant quality meals for you, your family and guests in your home. Even if it’s your home for just a week or two while you are on vacation. Services are often used for special events and we also cook for folks such as those who are disabled or elderly -- or frankly, simply too busy -- on a regular basis.
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What Can I Expect?
As a professional chef, I am also trained and certified in food safety and sanitation. I also ensure that we discuss any potential food allergies or intolerances as a part of the menu planning process. All of my services are designed to be customized to your needs, tastes and budget.
One of my early clients once exclaimed that she had had what she called the "Jan Ellis Personal Chef Experience". She was hosting a Thank You event for volunteers and enlisted my help for the event. In addition to the menu planning, shopping, cooking, set up and cleanup being taken care of, I picked up the paper goods, flowers, balloons, beverages, ice...you name it. When she walked in to the event, everything was ready to go and all she had to do was play hostess.
Why Use a Personal Chef?
Sometimes…you just want to sit back and enjoy a great meal and the company of your guests.
The use of a Personal Chef's service isn't just for the rich and famous. Although, if you happen to be either or both...make sure you call me ASAP. In all seriousness, a personal chef is more than someone who cooks for you. We can consult on nutrition, special dietary needs, event planning and the like.
We would love to hear from you . . .
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No Really...How Much Does it Cost?
This is very often the first question that we are asked. And, to be honest, it's very hard to answer without first understanding what the service is that you are looking for, how many people we will be cooking for, and without a thorough understanding of the menu, difficulty of sourcing and/or preparing ingredients, etc.
The "standard daily rate" is $325 for my services as your chef. This fee is generally only charged for the date of the event, so, for many events, that will be the cost over and above the cost of food and supplies that your event requires. Additional help, out-of-area travel expenses, and other expenses may be incurred and will be added to the invoice.
We provide an estimate of the total invoice, including our professional service fees upon request. Full payment for services is expected on the date of the event, unless prior arrangements have been made. A deposit may be requested to reserve your date.