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 combination of each.

Please note - I do not currently offer meal delivery services. All meal preparation is completed inside your home kitchen.

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 if you are not present (I.e. house key, lock box, or passcode).

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 at home and bring my own equipment if I need additional tools. You must have a working stove, oven, refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, and sink. For meal preparation, if you do not have readily-available storage containers, I am 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 or have me over for meal preparation, you must provide that information to me ahead of time so that we can reschedule or make other appropriate 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, a micro-wedding and more!

Do you travel outside of Washington, DC?

I provide personal chef services for the Greater Washington DC area, including Northern Virginia, Alexandria, and parts of Maryland including Bethesda, Friendship Heights, Silver Spring, Hyattsville, and Oxon Hill. For private events outside of a radius of 25 miles from Washington, DC proper, there is a travel fee. Right now, I cannot accommodate meal prep clients outside of the Greater Washington, DC area.

I also provide retreat personal chef services across the United States. To inquire about hiring me for a retreat or vacation, please fill out our free consultation form via the contact page.

How do you determine menus for events and meal preparation?

Menu creation is a collaborative process! 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?

Meal prep services vary depending on the number of people, number of meals, and portions of each meal. Additionally, meal prep service costs are exclusive of grocery costs.

Event catering is dependent on number of people and event format (i.e. plated vs. buffet vs. family style). 

Please note - for events, 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 ACH, credit card, and check. Please note that there is a 3% processing fee associated with credit card 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, 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. 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 without losing the deposit.