Maryland Personal Chef

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The 7 Must Ask Questions, Before You Hire a Maryland Personal Chef.

How do you know if hiring a personal chef is right for you? First, think about the type of dinner party you are planning and the type of feel you want to have.  Or if you need a personal chef to prepare your weekly meals, think about what type of food you would like them to prepare and how much you spend on eating out.

If you want great food and the ability to spend quality time with your family, then you should consider a personal chef.

Choosing a md personal  chef can be a bit nerve wracking. You’re inviting a person into your home, and asking them to cook food for you and your family.  Here’s information on what to expect and questions you should ask prospective chefs.

When you find the right chef, the rewards are wonderful. You wont have to worry about dinner night after night because it will already be done.  All you have to do pick one of the entrees your personal chef had prepared for you and re-heat it according to their instructions.

How do I find a personal or private chef?  The American Personal and Private Chef Association (APPCA) is a comprehensive resource for people looking to hire a personal chef in their area. APPCA can help you find a qualified chef in your neighborhood.  If you are looking for a Maryland Personal Chef, consider hiring Cuisine Liberte Personal Chef Service.

Here are some Frequently Asked Questions about hiring a Maryland Personal Chef.

What is the difference between a personal chef and a private chef?

A private chef is employed by one individual or family full time, and often lives in, preparing up to three meals per day. A personal chef serves several clients, usually one per day, and provides multiple meals that are custom-designed for the clients’ particular requests and requirements. These meals are packaged and stored, so that the client may enjoy them at his or her leisure in the future.

Why should I hire a Maryland personal chef who is a member of the American Personal & Private Chef Association?

APPCA sets the professional bar high, so those seeking to hire a personal or private chef know that if they hire a member of APPCA, they’re hiring a trained professional. Our chefs have completed rigorous food-safety training.

Does the chef cook in my kitchen?

Yes, generally meals are prepared in the safety of your own kitchen, although some personal chefs are moving to licensed kitchens and delivery service. Normally, on the agreed upon cooking date, the personal chef will bring the fresh ingredients for your meals, along with their own pots, pans and utensils, and prepare your dishes on site. At the end of the day the chef will leave your kitchen clean and full of the aroma of good home cooking.

How long will the chef be here?

The chef will likely be cooking several different entrées and side dishes from scratch, so it will probably take several hours. However, your personal chef will typically be most willing to work with your schedule or situation, and make arrangements in advance, so that the cooking date fits into your schedule. If you are looking for a chef who is working from a licensed kitchen, this part doesn't really matter. They will usually deliver the meals at a convenient time for you so they will only be in your house for as long as it takes them to pack your refrigerator.

Do I heat the food?

Yes. Any entrées that have been stored for you in your freezer should be defrosted overnight in your refrigerator, and re-heated, to be enjoyed at the peak of their flavor. Your maryland personal chef will leave you with easy to follow heating instructions for each dish.

How much freezer space is needed?

It depends on the number of meals you request, and the sizes of the containers, but it does generally require a considerable amount of freezer space. You and your chef should take a look at your freezer to see just how much room you have available. Efficient storage is one of the reasons many md personal chefs prefer to select the storage containers for their clients.

How much is it going to cost?

Maryland personal chef fees vary. The fees actually represent all of the components that make up a professional personal-chef service. For example, the assessment process that a personal chef completes to determine your likes, needs, special dietary requirements and requests is used to customize your menu selections.

They modify their recipes to reflect your wants and needs; meal selections are submitted for your approval; all of the groceries needed for your meals are included; and your meals are all prepared in the safety of your own kitchen. Plus, packaging, labeling and storing your entrées are all features included in this price.  The fees that Cuisine Liberte charges, range between $200-$400 but could go up depending on the number of guests or menu desired.

If you were to compare a Maryland personalchef service to restaurant service you could think of it this way: For a restaurant, you must drive to get there, possibly wait for a table, take a chance that your server is having a good day, and if you have allergies or special requests, you don’t always have the guarantee that they will be honored. After eating your meal you must pay for it, tip the server, and get back in your vehicle to drive home.

If you have a Maryland personal chef service, you can heat a beautiful entrée that has been prepared specifically for your palate and requirements, and eat it in the comfort of your own home. 

Questions to Ask a Maryland Personal Chef before hiring them for Your Dinner Party.

Before inviting someone into your home to cook meals that will nourish your family, be sure to ask these questions:

What is your cooking background?

Knowing how the chef acquired his or her cooking skills will help you determine whether it’s a good match for your needs.  As the owner of Cuisine Liberte Maryland Personal Chef service, I have a degree in Culinary Arts from one of the top culinary schools in the country.

How does your service differ from other personal-chef services? Look for answers that illustrate a high quality of ingredients, sound food-safety practices and menu creativity.

I shop at the best grocery stores (Wegmans, Whole Foods, Harris Teeter) the day your food is prepared to make sure you receive the freshest produce and grocery items that are available.  I am constantly reviewing new trends and experimenting with new flavors and tastes for my clients.  Any good Maryland Personal Chef should try to use local ingredients whenever possible.

Do you have liability insurance?

You need to know that if the rare, but unfortunate accident happens while the chef is cooking in your kitchen, that the chef has proper insurance to reimburse you.  Cuisine Liberte is a fully  insured Maryland Personal Chef.

Are you affiliated with a professional organization?

This question will help you weed out the amateurs from the professionals. If the personal or private chef belongs to an organization such as APPCA, you know three things to be true about the chef:

1. He or she is a true professional, following high culinary standards as well as sound business practices
2. He or she is interested in continuing education, constantly evolving and growing to bring you better service
3. He or she is plugged into the latest trends, research and expertise that the industry has to offer.

Do you have any references?

Anyone you’re considering hiring should have testimonials from content clients. They should be eager to share them with you. Many chefs will post testimonial on their websites for prospective clients to read.  Cuisine Liberte has testimonials available for potential clients to review.  

May I view a sample menu?

A professional personal or private chef should jump at the chance to showcase his or her recipes. They should be a great source of pride for the chef. Not only can you measure the chef’s passion by how eagerly he or she responds to this question, reviewing the sample menus will give you a good measure of the chef’s style of cooking.

Providing clients with menu ideas is one of the main reason I started this website.  I want you to be able to get ideas for your own events and family meals even I am not able to personally cook them for you.

If the personal chefs time allows, he or she may be able to provide you with a sample of their cooking. Don't be surprised if there is a nominal fee for this service. Ask if the fee can be credited back to your first bill if you decide to hire them for your event or for your long term needs.
Cuisine Liberte does provide tastings at the clients request if time allows.  A nominal fee of $50 is charged for this.  The fee is credited back to your first week of service should you decide to move forward with the process.