Trying to Give Back the Night

Sometimes people don't always understand what I do for a living. The business of personal chef service is still relatively new, and often viewed as a luxury for only the most elite among us. (Given that I know my fees are roughly only 1/3 of the cost of similar services in other metropolitan areas, that is a definite misconception) In a nutshell, what I do is give back the night to over-stressed people who want to eat well. No, in fact, they need to eat well to keep up the break-neck pace they are expected to maintain.

Perhaps you can relate: you hit the back door half-starved and the simple act of even grilling a piece of chicken to put on top of a salad seems like too much. And then there's the matter of that clunky pan that will need washing. You have had enough. Dinner should have been 2 hours ago. You are tired and cranky and your stomach is making noises and you are definitely not in the mood for another chore. Nope. You are quite sure you had enough of those today already. You just don't have the heart to cook, even though Sunday night you swore yourself onto a health-kick regimen. So you microwave something that has an attractive, healthy-looking entree on the box and wolf it down. Although you've kicked your shoes off and you are technically fed, you are in no way satisfied. The dinner had about as much flavor as the cardboard box it came in. It certainly didn't taste as healthy as the picture looked...and what are these mystery items on the ingredients list? Evidently, the meal was rich in chemical compounds. You know you are full...but you still feel sort of empty. And you are still vaguely stressed.

I know that's a typical night for a lot of people and it shouldn't be. I can't control for all the elements that contribute to stress, but I can eliminate the need to worry about dinner, or (egads!) having to cook it. And I can make sure that what is in your refrigerator is additive-free and nutritionally designed to support the level of stress in your life. Oh, and I make sure that the flavor profiles will satisfy you (read: it will taste better than the cardboard-box-fare!). If you are satisfied, you can better unwind...which is of paramount importance.

If you have a family, you can sit down with them and enjoy yourself, and not grumble at them for being underfoot while you are trying to get something on the table after all you have to do all day long.

And isn't that how it should be? Shouldn't the night be yours for you and your family? Shouldn't your meals be healthful and satisfying? And if circumstances won't allow you enough hours to make that a regular occurrence, it should be a priority to find someone who will allow you to eat well and relax. And, of course, I'd love it if that person could be me!

It could simplify so much in your hectic schedule:

• I work with you to plan a menu.
• I pick up the groceries for your selected menu and put my catering and fine dining experience to work in your kitchen.
• I leave your refrigerator stocked with easy-to-heat specialties.
• I tidy up and disappear until you are ready for more!

I'm just trying to give back the night...one meal at a time.