Personal Chef Information
Personal chefs offer personalized chef services for individuals and families in their own homes. A personal chef will help plan daily, weekly and monthly meals, shop for meals and prepare them in the client's own kitchen. Personal chefs may also offer cooking classes, teach their clients kitchen essentials and plan menus for parties. Most clients hire a personal chef to gain more quality time, get different ideas for food choices and avoid having the burden of cooking every day. According to Fine Living, personal chef services for 20 meals will average $300-$400.
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Personal Chef's First Steps
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Most personal chefs started working in the kitchen of restaurants and caterers before becoming a personal chef. While most chefs are flexible in accommodating their clients' suggestions, the personal chef should develop sample menus that highlight their best dishes and appeal to a broad audience. A pricing plan needs to be determined based on their services, though it may change based on dishes selected. Lastly, a business name, either the chef's name or something creative is chosen.
Personal Chef's Equipment
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Every personal chef needs his own set of knives, pots and pans and other kitchen utensils. She cannot rely on her clients to have these items in their homes and should purchase a quality portable set. Also, private chefs should have the standard uniform of chef coat and pants to create a professional appearance.
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Legal
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Most personal chefs work for themselves and have taken the appropriate steps to set up their businesses as an LLC or corporation. They have obtained an Employee Identification Number for tax purposes and obtained any licensure and insurance as required by their state's regulations. Some states, such as Maryland, do not require licensure and insurance, but they do have regulations about where personal chefs can prepare meals.
Marketing
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To gain clients, personal chefs must rely on marketing techniques such as developing a website, listing in telephone and online business directories and passing out and posting business cards in strategic locations such as food stores. The best source of new clients for the personal chef is referrals. According to Entreprenueur, word-of-mouth referrals will lead to repeat clients and the opportunity for a profitable company.
Professional Associations
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Professional associations such as United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA) and American Personal & Private Chef Association (APPCA) offer memberships to personal chefs and online search tools to the public to find a personal chef. According to their websites, membership costs are approximately $350 per year, and membership offers benefits such as online search listings, training, peer-to-peer forums, liability insurance plans and other tools and discounts to enhance the personal chef's business.
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References
- Photo Credit preparation of food image by Francois du Plessis from Fotolia.com
