How to Become a Personal Chef in Florida

Infuse your food with native goodies from the tropics.

A personal chef prepares meals for an individual, family or corporation at a home or office. Some clients hire a personal chef because they have special dietary requirements, whereas others use a personal chef because they are too busy to prepare food. Infuse native ingredients such as mangos, lemons or coconut into your recipes to provide your clients with a true Floridian experience. The path to becoming a personal chef in Florida should be paved with experience, education and networking.

Things You'll Need

• Internet access

Instructions

1. Land a restaurant job. Before you jump into the food preparation business, discover whether you have a talent and an interest in the culinary arts. Inquire about a prep cook or even a dish washing job at a local restaurant to get your feet wet in the business. A prep cook prepares the food to be cooked later that night, and uses many cutting and preparation techniques. Many restaurants will train on the job, so typically no experience is necessary.

   While at work, ask the chef plenty of questions regarding job satisfaction, opinion of the best culinary schools and favorite type of cuisine.

2. Graduate from culinary school. Pursue a degree in the culinary arts while you continue to work at a restaurant. Le Cordon Bleu and the Art Institute of Ft. Lauderdale (see resources) offer world class culinary programs. Another option is the Culinary Business Academy in Rio Rancho, New Mexico (see resources). This school is the only personal chef program in the nation that is licensed by an educational board.

   Apply techniques you learn at culinary school to your work at the restaurant in order to practice and hone your skills. As you get closer to graduation, ask the restaurant manager about catering or personal chef opportunities. The manager may have connections or clients who have asked about retaining a personal chef.

3. Launch a catering and personal chef business. Develop a business plan that details what kind of personal chef services you will offer, how much money you need to start, how much money you want to make, special equipment you'll need to buy, a marketing plan and an exit plan.

   Print business cards and a menu along with a list of specific services you offer. Create a specific pricing structure for meals and a la carte items.

4. Promote your services at restaurant or business functions. Your food is your calling card, so the best way to build a personal chef business is to prepare high quality dishes for current clients and receive referrals as a result. Always listen to your client's needs and dietary requirements.

5. Join personal chef networks. Online networks such as Hire a Chef (see resources), list your name, contact information and expertise for clients interested in hiring a personal chef throughout the state of Florida.

Tips & Warnings

• Like any business, building clientele takes time. Have patience and continue to create an extraordinary product to generate positive word of mouth.

• Although no specific licensing or permits are required to become a personal chef, follow the same health guidelines as you would in a restaurant to prevent food borne illness.

References

• The American Personal and Private Chef Association
• United States Personal Chef Association

Resources

• Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Miami
• The Art Institute Culinary School
• Culinary Business Academy
• Hire A Chef