What It's Like to Have a Personal Chef

Picture this:

You're on your way home, perhaps with kids in tow. They're starving. You're starving. You're already thinking about what you can pull together for dinner. If you're missing any ingredients, you might have to swing by the grocery store. By the time you walk in your front door, you're exhausted, but the night is only just beginning. There's homework, baths, a workout, laundry, and ... oh yeah, dinner.

But what if you could take back that hour or so every day for yourself? And let's be honest, it's probably more than an hour once you factor in the planning, the grocery shopping, the cooking, and the cleaning.

That's where a personal chef can help. It's a luxury, but an accessible one for many people.

At approximately $25 per person per meal, you can forget all about meal planning, fast-food runs, expensive dinners out, unhealthy and calorie-laden foods, cooking, grocery shopping, and yes - even post-dinner cleanup.

Your new normal looks more like this:

Arrive home. Choose from a menu of five pre-prepared dinners. Maybe turn on the oven, or maybe just the microwave. Heat, and serve.

You've just gained at least an extra hour for yourself when all is said and done.

But there's more: your meals are cooked for your preferences. Hate cilantro? You'll never see it. Love broccoli? Let's add it to a few dishes. Oil-free? No problem for a personal chef, but much harder to find at a restaurant. You get the idea.

How it works to have a Personal Chef:

Once a week, I'll present you with a menu tailored to your preferences for the week ahead. It will include five dinners (or four dinners & a snack), each of which generously serves four people.

Once the menu is approved, I'll do the grocery shopping before heading to your place to cook. I'll prepare the meals in your kitchen, package them up individually or family style in your containers or containers I can provide, and leave reheating instructions. Then, I'll clean the kitchen and be on my way!

Avocado tikka, a delicious and rich vegan dish made with curried cashew cream, roasted chickpeas, crisp radishes and thick slices of avocado, all sopped up with naan!

How long does it take for a personal chef to prepare my meals?

In all, expect me to take over your kitchen for about five hours, once a week. The first session could take a little longer as I get to know your kitchen.

What does a personal chef cost?

My fee is $350 + groceries, which typically total $100-$150, depending on ingredients. I have clients who prefer an entirely organic grocery shop, and their groceries run closer to $250.

You'll pay when I complete the cooking, either via Venmo, Zelle, or cash.

What does a weekly menu look like?

Here's an example of a custom menu for one of my clients. This client prefers all organic ingredients and antioxidant-rich foods with absolutely zero white starches (potatoes, white flour, white rice, etc.) or dairy. Specifically, this client also wants to steer clear of soy foods, use only olive oil and in very small amounts, and refrain from eating too many nuts. This client also wants to work more omega-3s into their diet and doesn't mind eating fish like sardines and salmon every once in a while as long as it's wild. So, here's what a weekly menu might look like:

1. Salmon Bisque (freezer-friendly)

2. Creamy Avocado Kale Zoodles (freezer-friendly)

1. Marinated Sardines with Crisp Radish Salad (eat within 2-3 days)

2. Roasted Kabocha with Kale Cranberry Stuffing (freezer-friendly)

1. Three Sisters Salad, corn + black bean + squash + forbidden rice (freezer-friendly)

2. Beat Hummus with Crudite and Ezekial bread for snacking (eat within 2-3 days)

3. Crunchy Hemp Topping for any dish (Sprinkle on any foods for added seasoning, protein, essential amino acids, b-vitamins, and omega 3s)

As you can see, we've checked a lot of boxes, here! Each of these menu items is modified specifically for this client, precisely to their nutrition requirements and preferences.

Past menu items for other clients have included meals like:

Raw lasagna, made with thick slices of heirloom tomato, fresh zuchinni, and layered with roasted red pepper & sun-dried tomato sauce, pistachio pesto, and macadamia nut "ricotta"

• Broccoli pesto protein pasta with cashew cream and seed "parmesan"

• Creamy polenta with spicy tomato sauce

• Tempeh cobb salad

• Lentil Bolognese

• Vegetable flatbreads

• Raw lasagna with pistachio pesto and macadamia "ricotta"

• Miso-ginger farro bowls

• Burnt greens with cashew cream

• Roasted harissa potatoes with coconut yogurt

• Avocado tikka with roasted chickpeas

• Fresh rainbow spring rolls with peanut sauce

• Super greens fried rice

• BBQ tofu with parsnip puree and collard greens

• Sticky apricot seitan with cucumber salad and udon

• Three-bean chili and cornbread

And so much more! The possibilities are endless.

What areas of Houston do you service?

My primary service area is in Houston, within the boundary of Beltway 8. Services can be provided outside this area with an additional travel fee.

How often will you cook for me?

I'll prepare meals once a week for regularly scheduled clients. Clients also have the option of bi-weekly meal preparation or once-monthly plans. We can discuss your needs.

In Conclusion

So, is a personal chef right for you? If you're looking to squeeze more time out of your day, eat healthier home-cooked meals, or just hate cooking altogether, a personal chef is a great option. Let's discuss your needs and see what kind of tailored solution we can come up with together! Email me at veganchefhouston@outlook.com. I look forward to hearing from you!