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 ahead of the cook date, 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 for dinners, lunches, breakfasts, snacks, or a customized combination of each.

Right now, I am only offering weekly meal preparation services. I do not have a minimum amount of weeks or months you are required to utilize my services, but I do require at minimum 2 weeks notice of termination of services or if you need to skip services due to travel or other circumstances. 

My availability is on a first-come, first-served basis, so I cannot hold or guarantee a cook date for any prospective client.

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 and other illnesses?

I am fully vaccinated with a booster shot to be protected against COVID-19. I will wear a mask while cooking in 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 or vacation rentals 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 16 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 40 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 grocery shop as well as 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, tools, and groceries.

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 plus grocery costs. For virtual cooking classes, I charge a flat rate of $115 per person.

Please note - for events and classes, a 50% deposit to hold the selected date is required at the time of booking. The remaining amount owed within 24 hours of the day of the event.

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 Zelle, Venmo and check. Please note that there is a processing fee of 1.9% + $0.10 for Venmo payments.

All private event catering is subject to 10% DC sales tax.

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, it is always welcomed. 

What if I have to cancel or reschedule my event?

You must provide at minimum seven 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 be refunded at a rate of 50%. You do have the ability to reschedule your event, however.