A recent study showed that over 90,000 consumers across the country used personal chefs in 2005. There are 5,000 personal chef businesses in North America, a number that has been growing by about 200 every year. Personal chefs plan and prepare a set number of meals for a number of clients based on their likes and needs. Some personal chefs prepare food in the client's home while others cook in their own kitchens and bring the food to their clients. The meals can then be refrigerated or frozen to be used later whenever the client wants. Private chef services on the other hand prepare meals on a daily basis for an individual family.

Why Hire A Personal Chef?

A personal chef will bring the food, create a nutritious and balanced meal, figure out the servings needed (so you don't need to deal with leftovers) and most of all give you the freedom to focus on other aspects of entertaining while still providing the best food for your guests.

Are you hosting a business lunch? An intimate wedding reception? Or even an intimate dinner for two that just has to be the best? A personal chef can handle any order. You can usually choose from a selection of courses they provide or arrange for a customized menu.

Prices will vary but you can expect a weeks worth of meals (containers, food and cooking included) to be about $350 for a family of 4 (20 meals of entrees and side dishes) or $175 for a couple (10 meals of entrees and side dishes).

Take Home Chef FAQ

1. Does a personal chef come in every day to cook?

Typically, take home chefs come into your home one day a week to cook, although in some instances you can book a chef in who will come into your home several times each week. It's a more common practice to find a chef who will come in and cook, and leave a variety of meals stored in the refrigerator or freezer for upcoming days.

2. Do I have to do all of the grocery shopping?

One of the beautiful things about personal chefs is that they do all of the shopping for the meals they prepare. This not only ensures that the chefs will have the ingredients they need, but that the meals they create are made with the freshest meats, poultry, fish, and produce.

3. Do I have to have professional kitchen tools?

When you hire a take home chef, she or he will have everything needed to prepare your meals. You don't need to have any special appliances or tools in order for the chef to work in your kitchen.