Personal Chef Day

Personal Chef Day is twice every year on February 26th and July 16th

Calling all foodies. If you are super busy and need a helping hand, want more food recipes and ideas, or just want to implement better habits like healthy foods and meal prepping, then incorporating a personal chef into your life is the way to go!

What Personal Chefs Do

A personal chef is someone who is a trained cook who prepares at-home meals for their clients for a fee. Personal chefs are usually employed by a singular household or family. They customize meal plans according to the client's dietary needs and preferences, shop for and prepare the meal, and also clean up the kitchen after they're finished.

Responsibilities of a Personal Chef:

• Create a customized meal plan
• Shop for groceries (at markets, grocery stores, etc)
• Shop for specialty items (organic, gluten-free, nut-free, etc)
• Put all food away and proper storage
• Being diligent with food handling skills
• Providing easy-to-read preparation instructions for clients
• Cleaning up and sanitizing
• Keeping up with nutritional information
• Listening and understanding client needs
• Client and vendor relationships
• Improving culinary techniques
• Word-of-mouth marketing from satisfied clients
• Other duties include small dinner parties/events and educationally cooking classes

History of Personal Chefs

It is unknown when the first personal chef actually opened their doors; however, we have all seen or heard about most personal chefs being in homes of upper wealth classes, especially those of royalty and elite families, for hundreds of years. Personal Chef Service started in 1991, founded by the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA). Robert Lynch, the Vice President of USPCA, says there are an estimated 700 personal chefs within their trade group.

USPCA Code of Ethics

• Provide healthful, nutritious and delicious meals.
• Create menus based upon the client’s needs and preferences.
• Use only quality ingredients and the freshest meat, fish, vegetables and fruits available.
• Maintain a professional and positive image of their business and the USPCA. Always act in accordance with all State and Federal laws and regulations, particularly in matters of food preparation and health standards.
• Respect for the client’s home, property, belongings and privacy, always acting discreetly and as a member of his/her family.
• Keep confidential any information about the client, which a member may know as a result of work in his/her home.
• Prompt return of phone messages, email and social media contacts.
• Full disclosure of any/all information requested by the client in regards to the preparation of meals.
• Leave clear, concise storage and heating directions for meals prepared.
• Continue their education in culinary arts and stay abreast of changes within the industry.

Facts About Personal Chefs

American Personal Chef Association (APCA) has compiled the following:

• There are approximately 6,000 personal chefs in the U.S., 3,000 of which are active APCA members.
• The number of clients served is estimated at 72,000, generating $52 million per year.
• (2003) Within the next 5 years at the present rate of growth, there will be nearly 20,000 personal chefs in the U.S., serving nearly 300,000 clients and contributing $1 billion.