FAQ
  • What do I need to do to prepare the kitchen? It is important I can get in the house and work in a clean kitchen.  Please make sure the counter surfaces are clear for me to work and that there is ample fridge space.  If you have an extra fridge it might be of use.  Typically two clean fridge shelves will be enough space to store prepared food.  While I am in your home your kitchen is my work space, so please allow me to work without too many interruptions.  I have lots of yummy food to prepare!
  • How do we get started? You contact me at 864-643-9309 or heelswon@yahoo.com.  Then I make sure you have a food questionnaire which needs to be filled out before we meet in person to determine the kitchen layout, food preferences and menu ideas.  We go from there based on your needs. 
  • Who Needs Chef Gene?  Clients come in all types of packages and all different ages.  Prior clients have included retirees, singles, couples, families, aging parents. What they all have in common is a desire to eat well but cook less. It's buying time,  You are buying time to get work done, relax at home, spend time with family and friends and just do more of what you want to do.  Some seniors hire a personal chef because daily cooking is too difficult. Some clients are dual income families with children and busy schedules. Years ago every working couple longed to afford a housekeeper, one who came once a week, let herself in and left the house clean and smelling great! It is a busy world and not every client's situation is the same.  Some have or make the time to cut their own grass and clean their own house.  Some don't. I'm biased because I love and value quality food, but believe having a personal chef is one of the most important services you can outsource to make your life better!
  • How much does it cost?  The most affordable starting service is for 3 Entrees of 4 servings with 3 Sides of 4 servings, $300 plus the cost of groceries.
  • What if I want extra servings?  No problem just let me know, its $35 a serving.
  • Where do you do the cooking?  I prepare your food at your home in your kitchen using mostly your pots and pans.  I do bring some chef supplies, knives and skillets that I prefer to use.
  • What time do you arrive at my home? A typical day starts with me shopping for the groceries between 8:30 and 9:30 and arriving at your home between 9:30 and 10:30.  I unpack, cook several nights worth of meals and clean up after myself.  This typically takes 4-6 hours.  It can take less time than this but all the cooking is typically done by early to mid afternoon just depending on the client.
  • Do I have to be home while you cook? NO.  Most clients are home, but over the years many have given me a key or left the door unlocked for me to leave when the meals are finished.  It is up to the client, I just need easy access to a clean kitchen and little disturbance so I can prepare your amazing food in a timely manner.
  • Can I cancel the service at anytime?  YES. Please just keep in mind that this is my personal business, so if you no longer want service let me know so I can schedule another client on that cook day as soon as possible.
  • Can you cook the meals in your home Chef Gene?  NO. I am not a caterer. I cook the meals in your home in your kitchen.  I do on occasion cater a dinner party or special event. Again, all the cooking takes place in the clients kitchen.
  • What areas do you serve? Although I live in Lucas, Texas, I travels to where the clients are. As long as it’s within a thirty minute drive (Plano, Frisco, Richardson, McKinney, Murphy, Wylie) no problem! Mostly North of Dallas but give me a call and we can see if I can serve your area!
  • Do you do private dinner parties?  Not Often.  One major reason I got into the personal chef business is because of the many years spent in catering and restaurants working long weekends and holidays.  I love dinner parties and do make exceptions, so feel free to reach out and discuss your special day.  Pricing is $60 per person plus the cost of groceries.
  • How does a personal chef work? The most common misconception is it is catering or a meal delivery service. It is a Service, and all the cooking is performed in your home. First we agree to meet and review the food questionnaire and determine your individual food likes and needs. The questionnaire is on the website and basically we determine what you are looking for in the service, such as how many servings, what foods and how often you would like the service. If in that conversation we decide to schedule a day for me to come in and cook, I go home and customize a menu to meet your individual tastes. I shop for the groceries, come to your home and cook the groceries and leave homemade packaged meals for you and your family. Pricing and sample menu information is located on the website. While I do usually come up with the menus for each client, I cook the food the client wants to eat, not the food I want to cook. As the service continues we develop favorite menu items.
  • Are personal chefs for the rich? No.  The other misconception is that personal chefs are just for the rich. They aren’t! Private chefs cook for only one family while personal chefs cook for many families. They're becoming more common in many middle class homes because of affordability, convenience and high quality food.
  • What type of payment do you accept? Cash, check, Zelle, Venmo, Paypal, whatever is most convenient.
  • Are you licensed and insured?  Of course, this is not amateur night. I am a professional.
  • How often do you cook for a potential client? It depends on what the client wants and what dates I have open. It kind of takes whatever form the client wants it to; I have clients who want 5 meals with 4 portions each every week. I have others who want three meals every week or even every two weeks. Cooking can happen weekly, bi-monthly or monthly, it just depends on what the client wants. There are NO CONTRACTS!
  • Do you like what you do?  I love to cook! But I realize many people do not or are too busy! My slogan is “Let Me Save You Time” and that’s really what I’m out to do. Going to work, busy schedules, raising kids and having very little time to cook means that most people cut corners with a very important thing: Dinner! Takeout, dining out and grocery store prepared food replaces real hearty food. This service is a wonderful opportunity for me to do what I love to do and for you and your family to not do what they do not like to do or don’t have time to do! “I don't have time to cook. I don’t like to cook, I don't want to cook,” clients say. If you are like me you like to eat at home so you can enjoy the comfortable, quiet, peaceful nature of your home. Give me a call today and let me cook great meals and save you time!
  • How do we get started?  You contact me at 864-643-9309 or heelswon@yahoo.com.  Then I make sure you have a food questionnaire which needs to be filled out before we meet in person to determine the kitchen layout, food preferences and menu ideas.  We go from there based on your needs. 
  • Can you do special diets such as Vegan or Vegetarian?  I love to cook vegan and vegetarian meals, they are simply delicious!
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