How does meal preparation work?

As a personal chef, I cook inside the homes of my clients. All grocery shopping will be done by me prior to the day of meal preparation, and I will prepare all meals onsite in your home. Frequency of meal preparation and menus are customized in collaboration with my clients, and take into account taste, dietary preferences, allergies, and other food preferences. Meal preparation can be provided on a weekly, bi-weekly, or other customized schedule for your specific needs, whether that be only dinners, lunches, breakfasts, or a combination of all three.

Do I need to be home during meal preparation or pre-event preparation?

You are not required to stay in your home while meal preparation or pre-event preparation, but you will be required to be onsite to let me into your home, or provide another way for me to access your home to provide meal preparation services.

Who provides the equipment for meal preparation and events?

As a personal chef, I cook inside the homes of my clients. I will utilize the equipment you have onsite and bring my own equipment if I need additional tools. You must have a working stove, oven, refrigerator/freezer, and sink. For meal preparation, please have readily-available storage containers. I am also happy to purchase reusable containers and add a one-time fee for your first meal prep session.

What about cleaning up after cooking in my home?

I will leave your kitchen looking even cleaner after I cook in it than it was before! I will always clean up and wash borrowed utensils and equipment before departing. 

What precautions do you take for COVID-19?

I am fully vaccinated with a booster shot to be protected against COVID-19. I will wear a mask while cooking ub your home upon request, unless no one is home. I also always prepare food wearing disposal gloves. If I test positive for COVID-19, or fall ill with any other illness that impacts my ability to cook, clients will be made aware ahead of time and we will work together to make appropriate accommodations. The same protocol is expected of clients - if you test positive for COVID-19 or fall ill with any other illness that impacts your ability to host your event, you must provide that information to me ahead of time so that we can reschedule the event or make other apporiorite accommodations.

What types of events do you host? 

I provide private event services at the homes of my clients or at rented venues with kitchen access. I can cook for any type of event, whether that be a birthday celebration, an intimate anniversary dinner, a holiday party, a casual dinner party, a bridal or baby shower, a work or yoga retreat, and more. At this time, I can cook for events with up to 15 people.

Do you travel outside of Washington, DC?

I provide personal chef services for the Greater Washington DC area, including Northern Virginia and parts of Maryland. I am not able to accommodate private events outside of a radius of 20 miles from Washington, DC proper.

How do cooking classes work?

Cooking classes can be hosted in-person in your home or another venue with kitchen access or virtually. For in-person classes, I will provide all of the ingredients in addition to recipe cards for you and your guests to keep. I will bring my own equipment for teaching purposes, and you will use your own equipment for you and your guests. For virtual classes, I will provide the recipe cards and a list of equipment and tool requirements.

Grocery costs for cooking classes are the responsibility of the client. If desired, I can grocery shop in advance for in-person classes and clients will be invoiced the day before for the grocery costs.

How do you determine menus for events and meal preparation?

Menu creation is a collaborative process! Ultimately, menus are completely customizable to your taste, dietary preferences, and food allergies. You provide information to me about the types of food you enjoy eating and I create a menu that will be approved by you before working together.  

Are you insured? 

DCEatings LLC is an insured small business, and I am a ServSafe certified chef. 

How much do you charge for your services?

For events and meal prep services, costs vary depending on number of people and food costs, and in the case of events, event format (i.e. plated vs. buffet vs. family style). Please submit an inquiry form on my contact page to receive an accurate quote.

For in-person cooking classes, I charge a flat rate of $130 per person. For virtual cooking classes, I charge a flat rate of $100 per person. For virtual events, please note that the costs do not include food costs, which is the responsibility of the client.

Please note - for events, a deposit to hold the selected date is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount owed will be due the day of the event. For cooking classes, a flat rate is owed at the time of booking.

To inquire about my personal chef services and to receive a quote, please fill out our free consultation form via the contact page.

How does payment work? What about tipping?

Payment options include Venmo and check. Please note that there is a processing fee of 1.9% + $0.10 for Venmo payments. Tipping is not required for personal chef services, but if you feel inclined to show appreciation for my services in the form of a tip, you are welcome to do so via Venmo or cash. 

What if I have to cancel or reschedule my event?

You must provide at minimum five days notice of an event cancelation. This is the same for cooking classes. Deposits for events that are canceled after the cancelation window has closed will not be refunded. You do have the ability to reschedule your event, however.