FAQs

What is a personal chef?

A personal chef prepares meals for a client in the client’s home kitchen, based on the client’s needs, health goals and personal preferences. These meals are left packaged in containers and refrigerated or frozen for the client to enjoy later.

What is a NATURAL chef?

Natural Chefs are trained not only to prepare delicious gourmet meals that start with REAL and WHOLE foods, but they are also trained to place emphasis on the nutritional and therapeutic value of the ingredients themselves, focusing on organic foods whenever possible, and eliminating or minimizing artificial/processed ingredients.   For example, where a traditional culinary student will learn to thicken sauces with things like cornstarch and cream, a Natural Chef culinary student learns how to utilize healthier alternative thickeners, such as pureed beans, pureed vegetables, kudzu or arrowroot – all of which have therapeutic benefits.

Shari’s mission as a Natural Chef is to boost the vitality of her clients by cooking meals that are rich in nutrients, rich in plants, and definitely rich in TASTE!

Why are the terms “plant-based” and “plant strong” used to describe the meals rather than “vegetarian”?

Because there are exceptions to every rule.  While Chef Shari doesn’t cook entrées that include meat such as chicken, beef or pork, some of her recipes do include ingredients like fish sauce or Worcestershire to develop flavor.  So in cases like that the label of “vegetarian” isn’t accurate.  However, if you are fully vegetarian or vegan, Shari has no trouble working within those parameters.

Why are groceries separate from the chef’s fee?

The type of groceries often varies from one client to the next.  For example some clients may prefer eggs only from pastured hens, while others may be comfortable with organic supermarket eggs.  Chef Shari selects groceries based solely on your needs and menu plan, leaving any extras in your pantry for the next cook date.  This also begins to build your healthy pantry.   You pay for the exact cost of the groceries with no upcharge.  You know exactly what was purchased.  And in this way, you know that no corners were cut in the quality of the food being purchased.  Additionally you know the food is as fresh as possible because it was purchased specifically for your cookdate.

How often does a personal chef cook for me?

Depending on availability, FitFeat can offer weekly, bi-weekly and monthly cookdate service.  It can also be a one-time service, such as in the case of gift certificates.  Cookdates are offered Tuesday through Friday based on availability during normal business hours.

Do I need to be home on my cook date?

No.  In most cases, the client is not at home when Chef Shari is there.  You certainly can be; however, please be mindful of the fact that when the chef is in your kitchen for your scheduled cook date, it essentially becomes her “office” and is not meant for cooking instruction time or consultations.  She has a limited amount of time to get all of your meals prepared, packaged, labeled and then clean everything up afterward.  Separate consultation time is available for any questions you may have regarding cooking instruction, pantry makeovers, healthy eating, etc.

Why do you only offer the 5×4 Package for the Personal Chef Service?

Creating a menu and grocery list, shopping for the ingredients, driving to the client’s home, and cleaning takes about the same amount of time for 2 entrees as it does for 4 or 5.  The only difference is the amount of time actually spent on cooking, which is negligible compared to the prep work and clean up.  In order to provide the maximum amount of efficiency and value to her clients and still maintain a profitable endeavor, FitFeat provides only the 5×4 service.

Can I hire you to cook for a dinner party or event?

FitFeat does not offer any catering or event services.

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If you have a question that I haven’t answered here, don’t hesitate to contact me!