Hiring A Personal Chef

Getting into a rut about what to cook for supper is common.  After all, we spend so much time preparing meals and eating that it's no wonder the imagination runs out and we groan at the thought of having to think of something for yet another supper.  Sure, takeout is a great option for those nights you don't feel like cooking, but have you explored an even better way of avoiding the supper rush?  Hiring a personal chef may be the answer to gaining back some free time to yourself - and a personal chef isn't the pricey affair it used to be!

There are great benefits to hiring a personal chef.  Instead of having to constantly be preparing new meals every day, a personal chef can save you the trouble of menu and effort by coming to your home to prepare meals that you can freeze.  Most times, you'll have a supply of meals for two weeks, and each of them will be customized to preferences and nutritional requirements or allergies.  The best thing is that personal chefs clean up after themselves!

There is a factor of money. Although a personal chef is not extremely pricey (definitely cheaper than eating out every night), you doing the legwork yourself will always be the more frugal choice to outsourcing. There is a wide range in pricing depending on where you live and the services that are offered. Generally, a chef will charge approximately $350 for twenty meals or $25 an hour. Sometimes you will find a chef that is just starting out, or is in between jobs, but their prices are usually close to the same. Prices are more for families ($450 for ten meals 2 adults and 2 children under 12 years old), and there is a container fee of $15 with groceries normally totaling 20% of the bill. You have to remember that you are paying for a service, but it is a service that will allow you to spend more time doing other things.

A thorough Internet search is the best way to find a cooking service. Most places have individuals that advertise their expertise in some way. However, if you want to save even more time by cutting through the screening process, hireachef.com is your best bet. Hireachef.com is the largest database for personal chefs. There is a map where you click on your state, then city, and it spits out a list of chefs for you. All of the chefs that are listed on the site are registered with a professional organization like United States Personal Chefs Organization.

Regardless of how you do your hiring, there are certain questions that must be asked to a potential chef before handing over your family's health to his or her cutting board. You should know where they went to culinary school or what their background is that makes them qualified to cook in your home. They should have personal insurance in order to be freelancing. They should be registered with some sort of professional organization, which will verify their credentials. They should be able to supply you with references, and also with sample menus of what they can do.

Letting someone into your home, whether it is to provide a useful service or not, should be taken with precaution and inquiry. Make sure to ask all of the questions that you feel are important to you. Try not to be persuaded by appearance or charm. When dealing with food, everyone's health and sanitation is on the line, and you need to take the decision to hire a personal chef seriously.