Chef on Request | Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why does the chef have to meet with me to go over my food likes and dislikes? The chef schedules a consultation with you so that she can get an idea of the foods that you want to eat, foods that you want to avoid, and any allergies or food sensitivities that you may have.

2. Is there a charge for the consultation? No, the consultation is complimentary and can be a great way to get more information about having your own personal chef.

3. Why does the chef come to my home to make the food? According to state law, all food cooked by a personal chef must either be cooked at an approved food establishment or the client's home for health and safety reasons.

4. Do I need to be home when the chef comes to my house? You can be at home if you would like, but it is not mandatory. Rest assured, the chef is licensed, insured and would treat your home with the utmost respect.

5. Can I eat the food right after it is prepared or does it need to be packaged? That is up to you. If you are home at the time, you can eat the food right away; otherwise, it will be carefully packaged in quality containers with detailed heating instructions for you to enjoy at your leisure.

6. I do not have a good-quality set of pots and pans. Is that going to be a problem for the chef? No need to worry about your pots and pans. The chef brings all of her own equipment.

7. Is the prepared food put in the refrigerator or freezer? The food is carefully packaged and put in the refrigerator or freezer based on the type of food. If it cannot be frozen without compromising the quality of the food (i.e. salad) then it must remain in the refrigerator until it is consumed; however, the chef will let you know which foods can be frozen and which ones must be refrigerated.

8. None of the three services fits my needs. Are there any other services available? The great thing about having a personal chef is that each service is personalized for your individual needs. Discuss your needs with the chef so that she can create a service designed especially for you.

9. Do I have to sign a contract for your service? No, Chef Porta does not want you to sign a contract.

10. How often does the chef cook for me? It depends on the situation. It could be a one-time occurrence, weekly, bi-weekly, or even monthly.

11. Do you have any specialties? Of course, Chef Porta loves to prepare Italian food but she enjoys preparing all types of food. I guess you could say that she just loves food in general.

12. How many chefs are employed by Chef on Request? Chef Porta is the one and only chef and business-owner. Chef on Request does not subscribe to becoming a large organization because Chef Porta wants to preserve the impeccable quality of the food and service.

13. Do you have any references? Of course just contact the chef and she will be happy to provide them to you.

14. Do you cook the same things every week for every client? Absolutely not. Each client's menu is customized based on his or her specific dietary preferences.

15. I have a recipe that a family member used to make and I would love it if the chef could prepare it for me. Wonderful! The chef loves to prepare family favorites for her clients. Just discuss your request with Chef Porta and she will be happy to prepare it for you.

16. Do you offer any special occasion services? Of course. Chef Porta also prepares menus for dinner parties, cocktail parties, birthdays, anniversaries, new moms, and most other special occasions. Contact the chef to discuss your upcoming special occasion.

17. What form of payment do you take? Check, cash, and Debit/Credit cards are the current accepted methods of payment.

18. I have never used Paypal before. What is it? Paypal is a quick, convenient, and secure method of paying for your service via your checking account, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, Debit Card or Visa. It is becoming the preferred method of online payments, although it is not a requirement that you sign up for Paypal to pay via credit card.

19. Is it expensive to have a personal chef? Not compared to eating out or ordering take-out. With a personal chef, you do not have to pay for tax, tip, parking in some cases not to mention the time waiting for a table.

20. Do you cook for clients who have gluten-free diets? Absolutely. Although it is getting easier to find gluten-free products in the supermarket, it is still difficult for most people to find the time to cook gluten-free meals. Chef Porta finds it personally rewarding to cook for people who have food allergies or sensitivities because she knows how important it is to have healthy and delicious meals.

21. What is the difference between your food and prepared meals at the supermarket? Most foods at the supermarket are filled with preservatives and other chemicals, whereas Chef Porta uses only fresh and quality ingredients. Studies indicate that in the past thirty years, the occurrences of cancer have increased as the amounts of chemicals added to the food have increased. Rest assured, the food that Chef Porta prepares is healthy and delicous.