What does a personal chef do?A Personal Chef helps people with busy lives and special diets eat balanced, healthy and delicious meals.  The chef plans your customized menu, does your grocery shopping and prepares your meals in your home saving you time and the hassle of preparation and clean-up.   Most personal chefs prepare multiple meals in one day providing you with a week or two week’s worth of meals -  you just heat and serve.

Who uses a personal chef?All kinds of people from all different backgrounds and socio-economic levels use personal chefs all around the country. A personal chef offers busy professionals, time-strapped families, active seniors, new parents, elite athletes, the culinary-challenged and others the extra help they need to get through their busy schedules – yet enjoy meals that are nutritious, delicious and relaxing.

How does the service work?A personal chef meets with you to survey your food likes/dislikes. A menu is planned and submitted for your approval. A cook date is set. The chef purchases all necessary groceries just prior to arriving at your home to cook your meals. The chef brings all necessary equipment (you provide sink, stove, oven, refrigerator). Your custom dinners are packaged, labeled and left in the refrigerator or freezer with complete instructions for heating and eating. The chef leaves your kitchen spotless and the house is filled with the aromas of home cooking.

How much does your service cost?Pricing varies depending on the number of entrees and servings being prepared. Traveling Pan offers several packages to help meet the needs and budgets of its clients. Please see the pricing page for examples. The chef can also work with you to tailor a plan thus cost can depend on a number of factors.

What does the price include?

• Initial consultation, food survey and kitchen assessment
• Customized menu research and planning
• Grocery list development and shopping
• Cooking, packaging, labeling and storing meals
• Staples/Pantry items utilized by the chef to make your meals such as spices, herbs, flour, sugar, extracts, rubs, etc.
• Kitchen clean-up
• PLEASE NOTE: Groceries are NOT included in the service fee. Client will reimburse the chef for the price of groceries in addition to paying the service fee.
  

Can I taste a sample of your food before signing up?Because Traveling Pan works out of the client’s home and not a commercial kitchen, the chef is unable to offer samples. Clients are encouraged to contact the references provided by Traveling Pan.

How long does it take the chef to cook the food?Length of the cook day depends on the menu that has been approved by the client. Typically, the service takes about 4-6 hours.

Do I have to be home while the chef is cooking?No, clients do not need to be home. Arrangements can be made in advance to give the chef access. Many clients greet the chef, then leave, returning later to a clean kitchen and a house filled with the aroma of home cooking. Client confidentiality and privacy is a priority, we value our clients’ trust.

How is the food packaged?A variety of containers are used depending on the food. For the client’s convenience we prefer microwavable, stackable, refrigerator-freezer friendly and re-usable. The chef will review this at the consultation.

Are all the meals frozen?No. Meals/Menus are customizable and a mix of fresh and frozen entrees is very popular. Fresh (refrigerator) meals must be consumed within 3 to 4 days. Frozen meals should be consumed within 30-days. This will be further discussed at the consultation.

Is there a satisfaction guarantee?Yes. Because your menu has been pre-approved by you, we do not anticipate a problem with your satisfaction. All refrigerated fresh food entrees and salads are guaranteed up to 4 days, frozen entrees and side dishes are guaranteed up to 30 days. If, after following proper refrigeration, freezer, thawing and cooking guidelines provided by the chef, you find an entree or side dish un-eatable, it will be replaced at no additional charge to you.

What is Traveling Pan’s service area?Traveling Pan, Inc. serves the greater Austin area: Austin, Round Rock, Georgetown, Cedar Park/Leander, Westlake, Lakeway, Steiner Ranch, and River Place. We do not service Pflugerville, Dripping Springs, Kyle, Buda, Manor or Elgin.