Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is a Personal Chef?

A: A personal chef serves several clients-usually one per day, and provides multiples meals that are custom-designed for the client’s particular tastes, dietary and food allergy requirements. These meals are packaged and stored to the client’s needs to be enjoyed at their leisure.

Q: Where are the meals prepared?

A: All the meals are prepared in the safety of your own kitchen, according to required food safety guidelines. On our agreed upon cooking date, I will bring all the ingredients, utensils and equipment required to prepare your selections. At the end of the day, your kitchen will be left clean with nothing left behind except your delicious meals and the aroma of good home cooking.

Q: Why can’t you just cook everything at your home and deliver to me?

A: Health department and zoning laws prohibit it. If I were to cook your meals in a licensed, health department approved commercial kitchen then I have to pass on the rental charge of the kitchen to you. Cooking everything in your home as opposed to offsite and delivering it provides you with the freshest, safest food possible. The Red Ladle will make each service date as low key and as unobtrusive as possible.

Q: What will you store the food in?

A: I offer several options and the cost will be determined by what you prefer-disposable or something more permanent. Pyrex containers are very popular because of their versatility. Plastic containers are less expensive, but you will need to transfer the meals to an oven safe dish if heating in a conventional oven. The specific containers can be decided at the initial meeting. The containers will belong to you and after each usage simply wash them and leave them in a predetermined location.

Q: The cost seems to be about the same as what I would pay for an entrée in a restaurant. . .  why is that?

A: The fee represents all components that make up the professional personal chef service. This includes a detailed assessment of your needs and dietary requirements, special diet research, menu planning, shopping for ingredients, meal preparation, and packaging and storing your selections. The cost of groceries is over and above the fee as this allows you to make premium menu selections such as veal, lamb or seafood if you desire. Think of it this was…you would buy groceries anyway, you are having me to cook them in a thoughtful and highly personalized way tailored to your specific taste and dietary requirements.

When you go to a restaurant, you must drive there, possibly wait for a table, take a chance your server is having a good day, hope that your special requests are honored, pay for it, tip the server and drive home. If you have a personal chef, you can have a beautiful entrée that has been thoughtfully and carefully prepared to you palate and dietary requirements, and enjoy it in your most comfortable clothes, in the comfort of your home.

Q: Is it possible to order only one or two entrees?

A: Yes it is, but my fee is the same, as it takes as much time to produce the full package or a smaller packages. It is a better value to you to get the full package for the same price.

Q: How long can I store my meals?

A: Most frozen entrees should be consumed with in 2 months to ensure quality and freshness. Refrigerated (35 degrees - 38 degrees) should be consumed within 5 days of cooking, depending on the food type (fish within 3 days to be safe).

Q: Do we have to sign a contract?

A: No, I do not require a contract or a commitment to a specific term of service. You pay for each cook date in advance. If you have to cancel a cook date, we will try to find an alternative cook date. You can cancel the service at anytime.

Q: Can I give your personal chef services as a gift?

A: Of course! Gift certificates are available for personal chef services, dinner parties, romantic dinners, showers, birthday parties, and wine tasting parties.