With a personal or private chef, you’ll be dining in decadence before you know it. Here are the questions to ask yourself when you’re ready to hire one:
Would you prefer private or personal?
Yes, there is a difference between the two. A private chef will cook exclusively for your family, and may even live in your home or travel with you. Alternatively, a personal chef often works for multiple clients, and may only prepare five or six meals a week for each one. People typically hire a personal chef if they only want services for specific events.
Do you have any specific dietary restrictions?
Many chefs specialize in different cuisine, so it’s important to find one who can cater to your dietary needs and preferences. If you follow a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free or Kosher diet, you’ll want to make sure your chef has experience cooking those types of meals. You may also narrow down your options by background. If you’re partial to Italian flavors or your family is of Mexican descent, you may want a chef who is from that particular region and able to cook authentic dishes.
Are you looking for additional services?
Many chefs offer services such as menu planning, food shopping, serving and catering for special events and parties. Others even double as nutritionists and can help you follow a healthy diet. When you determine what’s important for your family, you may only want to consider private or personal chefs who have the specific skills to develop personal, well-rounded diets, offer grocery shopping advice or help you host fabulous gatherings.
Do they fit your family?
With all the time they’re going to spending in your kitchen, you’ll want make sure their personality is a good fit for your family. If they made you laugh during the interview, that’s a promising sign. However, if they’re allergic to the dog, then you may need to consider a different chef. Some chefs prefer to work alone, so if you think you’ll ever want to be involved in the cooking process, make sure they’re comfortable with that.
Do you still need help?
If you’re still overwhelmed by finding the best candidate, Colonial Domestic Agency can help you hire the perfect private or personal chef. We can match you with a chef who has the right expertise and experience to fit your needs. Plus, we offer a six-month trial period so you can be sure they’re the right chef for your family – and your taste buds!