Personal Chef Life: Expectations vs Reality
When entering the personal chef space, you may have a perception of what life will be like.
Let's plot that against what personal chef life really is...
You imagine a life of meal prep and dinner parties.
Reality is that you'll spend just as much time going to and from the grocery store and your client's home than actual cooking. You'll also spend a lot of time at your desk planning before the actual execution of an event or meal prep. There's also bookkeeping and marketing tasks that are always needing your attention.
If you're not organized and have a good judgment of time, your business could get chaotic quickly.
You may factor in 15 to 30 minutes for cleanup at the END of your cook session.
Truth is that whatever time you've estimated for cleanup...double that and that's how long it takes. Oh yes and what about when you arrive in a client's kitchen and they left chaotically that morning so the remnants of dinner last night and breakfast this morning are all over the place.
Time management is a skill you'll perfect as you progress in your personal chef business.
You imagine elaborate dinners using unusual ingredients.
The reality is that meal prep families often order the same items month over month. One family could end with a seasonal menu they rotate through year over year.
Also, unusual ingredients are often difficult to obtain. If you have to go to a specialty store or farmer's market to pick up one item, that's just more time you have to spend driving to and from the grocery store instead of actually cooking.
Don't get the wrong impression here. Being personal chef is amazing! You have the opportunity to cook in so many different homes that are often well equipped with modern appliances and amazing kitchen window views.
They're just like us!
What those not yet in the personal chef industry may be thinking is that clients hiring you are "on a different level" because of their ability to afford your services on a regular basis. The truth is that they're no different from you or me.
- They have their favorite comfort foods.
- They have the same anxiety we have before having guests over for a dinner party.
- They also worry about their kids.
- They're just like us!
Best Wishes & Much Success to You, Virginia Stockwell
Interested in a comprehensive Personal Chef Business Course >>
10 Things to Do Before Starting Your Personal Chef Business
Ten-Step Actionable Checklist of things to do before investing in this new business so you're prepared when your first paying client comes along.
for Free
Personal Chef Mentor
Virginia Stockwell
Virginia Stockwell is a personal chef business mentor from California, now living in Austin, TX. She's had careers as a chiropractor and Realtor, then finally found her calling as a personal chef. Starting in catering in 2005, she began her personal chef business in 2012, quickly growing to a waiting list of clients thanks to her local marketing expertise. She now empowers home cooks and professional chefs to start their own meal prep and dinner party businesses, creating a life of hours and income they control. She lives the life of a minimalist both personally and professionally, reads cookbooks like novels, and is locally famous for her taco and margarita parties (check out "A Taco Walks into a Bar" on Amazon).
How to Price Your Personal Chef Services
Personal Chefs do not charge by the hour. They also do not calculate food costs like restaurant chefs.
This is a self-paced course you can begin immediately.
$94 >>
Business Plan for Personal Chef Services
Design a custom plan with the help of prompts so that you know where you’re going and what you need to do next...
Because a goal without a plan is just a wish.
Lead Generating Website
How-To
How-To
Anyone can create a website, but it takes know-how to design a lead generating website. You'll learn how to capture leads while you sleep, what to include on each web page, and common mistakes personal chefs make on their websites. Give potential clients a five-star first impression of your company by showing off your culinary skills in a benefit-driven style.
This course is included when purchasing the all-inclusive personal chef business program above.
Bookkeeping
for Personal Chefs
for Personal Chefs
Lesson 1 - Bookkeeping 101
Lesson 2 - The IRS & You
Lesson 3 - What's Tax Deductible
Lesson 4 - Record Keeping
This course is included when purchasing the all-inclusive personal chef business program above.
Chef-Client Contract
Customized to Your Business
Customized to Your Business
Without this important document, there are too many "what ifs" that could lead to lost money. You'll walk away with customized contracts for both meal prep and events to fit your personal chef business model.
This course is included when purchasing the all-inclusive personal chef business program above.
101 Marketing Tactics to Attract New Clients
You know all there is about cooking and pricing your services. The only struggle you have now is bringing new leads into your business. You'll receive 101 action oriented marketing tactics that you can begin implementing today. Find what's working best for you and do more of it. Marketing tactics for both introverts and outgoing personalities are included. Start implementing the tactics today.
All-Inclusive Program
PERSONAL CHEF
BUSINESS PROGRAM
All-Inclusive Program
BUSINESS PROGRAM
Go from "I don't know where to begin" to running a profitable personal chef business so you have control over your own hours and income.
Modules Included:
1 - Define Your Competitive Advantage
2 - Determine Pricing
3 - Meal Prep 101
4 - Dinner Party 101
5 - Become Legal & Insured
6 - Create a Lead Generating Website
7 - Craft a Marketing Plan
8 - Test Various Marketing Strategies
9 - Bookkeeping
10 - Social Media
10 Things to Do Before Starting Your Personal Chef Business
Ten-Step Actionable Checklist of things to do before investing in this new business so you're prepared when your first paying client comes along.
for Free