What’s the difference between a Personal Chef and a Private Chef?

A Private Chef is employed by a single client full time.  They will usually prepare three meals daily every day and might even live in a client-provided room in their home.

A Personal Chef has many clients and provides multiple meals custom designed for each client.  Typically a Personal Chef will cook for one client each day.  The meals prepared are packaged and stored so that the client can enjoy them at their leisure.

What are your credentials?
I have cooked for nearly my entire life as well and also have experience cooking in corporate kitchens.  During a 20 year span in the Navy, I have literally eaten my way around the world and experienced a very wide range of cuisines in their native lands.  Professionally, I hold degrees in Culinary Arts and Culinary Management.  Couch Potatoes is fully licensed and insured to in the State of California.  I am a member in good standing of the American Culinary Federation, The American Personal and Private Chef Association.  I am also certified through the ServSafe Food Sanitation Program.

I have food allergies and/or sensitivities.  Can you still prepare meals for me?
As part of our introduction getting to know each other, I’ll conduct a thorough survey with you of your dietary needs, wants, and restrictions.  We’ll discuss any allergies and sensitivities your household might have.  I will use this to prepare appropriate menu items to any level of need or discriminating taste. Increasingly, I'm preparing FODMAP menus for clients. 

So my family eats whatever you feel like preparing?
No, not exactly!  Each week I publish the following week’s menu on the “Weekly Menu” page.  The menus are set seasonally on a four or five week cycle.   Go here to for an archive of menus Couch Potatoes’ clients have enjoyed.  In selecting the items, I take into account the various likes, dislikes, food sensitivities, and favorites of my clients.  You’ll typically find beef, pork, chicken, fish, and vegetarian/vegan options.  You select what you’d like and I receive those choices by email.  Because there’s a wide variation in my clients, I give you the opportunity to make modifications to fit your desires and needs. For instance, don’t like bacon?  If the dish has bacon, you’ll see a box to check to leave it out—and there’s a comment section in case you need to let me know something.

Each week, you’ll have the chance to give me feedback on the previous week.  I take this feedback to heart and use it to make my service better to you. 

I also offer a Secret Menu.  It’s on the “Weekly Menu” page very cleverly hidden behind the “Secret Menu” picture.  These are menu items that you can always order…maybe you need a few extra something-somethings on hand, or want to substitute out for something on that week’s menu. 

Oh-and have a favorite dish?  Let me know and I’ll put it on the menu!

Will I get side dishes with my entrees?
You bet! I’ll prepare appropriate side dishes for each entrée, along with their final preparation instructions.

What if I desire additional side dishes?
No problem. Contact me ahead of time and we’ll figure it out. Please understand that it will entail an additional fee.

Where do you cook? In your kitchen or mine?  Do I need to be home?
I cook in two places-your kitchen and a County of San Diego approved commercial kitchen. Sometimes I might prepare the entire session in your kitchen, other times I might drop off fully prepared foods made in a commercial kitchen. Either way the highest quality is the same-and you can look forward to coming home to a clean kitchen and enticing aromas of food prepared to your preferences. You don't need to be home while I'm cooking. Many clients are at work during my cooking sessions.  Others run errands.  This allows them to use their time efficiently and allows me to focus on preparing your meals.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between a Personal Chef and a Private Chef?

A Private Chef is employed by a single client full time.  They will usually prepare three meals daily every day and might even live in a client-provided room in their home.

A Personal Chef has many clients and provides multiple meals custom designed for each client.  Typically a Personal Chef will cook for one client each day.  The meals prepared are packaged and stored so that the client can enjoy them at their leisure.

What are your credentials?
I have cooked for nearly my entire life as well and also have experience cooking in corporate kitchens.  During a 20 year span in the Navy, I have literally eaten my way around the world and experienced a very wide range of cuisines in their native lands.  Professionally, I hold degrees in Culinary Arts and Culinary Management.  Couch Potatoes is fully licensed and insured to in the State of California.  I am a member in good standing of the American Culinary Federation, The American Personal and Private Chef Association.  I am also certified through the ServSafe Food Sanitation Program.

I have food allergies and/or sensitivities.  Can you still prepare meals for me?
As part of our introduction getting to know each other, I’ll conduct a thorough survey with you of your dietary needs, wants, and restrictions.  We’ll discuss any allergies and sensitivities your household might have.  I will use this to prepare appropriate menu items to any level of need or discriminating taste. 

Couch Potatoes

It's easy.  It's comfort.

It's ready.

Meeting your in-home catering needs in the GREATER San Diego Area