Chefhelen's Blog

Personal Chefs are More Affordable Than You May Think!

chefhelen — Fri, 25 May 2012 18:06:55 +0000

After a meeting this morning, someone told me that I have not been including my pricing for my Personal Chef Services in my description of what I do.

First of all, pricing is dependent on the amount of time and challenge involved. The most requested way I have done my cheffing is called a “five by four” . This includes five main dishes, four portions each with appropriate side dishes. I can price these as inclusive of groceries for $395.00 (additional if you need some exotic ingredients or specialty items). As part of my service, I do all of the shopping for the ingredients, after we choose the menu together.

I have also been running an introductory special for new clients to get them to appreciate my service. for just $219.00 I can preparew three main dishes with sides, for $225.00 inclusive.

This special will continue until June 29,2012

Also, I do food demos, cooking lessons in your home (for 1 to 8 or so people) at $40 to $50 an hour (depending on the dishes involved) plus groceries with a 3 hour minimum.

I have partnered with a wonderful local Massage therapist, Fabien on a Dinner and Massage for two. Fabien will give each of you a massage while I prepare your exquisite, delicious dinner and have your wine bottle ready. Everything will be served by your own Personal chef . You will be relaxed, with a clean kitchen and dessert when I leave.

For more information, call 561-676-2078 , email helen@helenshomecooking.com or take a look at my website, www.helenshomecooking.com .

Personal Chef per Wikipedia

chefhelen — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:09:50 +0000

Personal chef

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The examples and perspective in this article deal primarily with USA and do not represent a worldwide view of the subject. Please improve this article and discuss the issue on the talk page. (December 2010)

A personal chef is a chef who is hired by different clients and prepares meals in the clients’ home kitchens, based on their needs and preferences. In most cases the chef leaves the meals he had cooked packaged in containers and refrigerated or frozen for the client to enjoy later. Some personal chefs focus on preparing dinner parties and other special events, which means they are responsible for shopping, preparing the meal, serving the guests and cleaning up afterward. The menu is preplanned and discussed with the client, then prepared in their home. According to health-department guidelines, all food must either be prepared in the home of the client or in a kitchen that has passed an official health inspection.

Note that a personal chef is distinct from a private chef, which refers to a chef who is employed exclusively by one client, and in some cases lives in the client’s home.

When hiring a personal chef^[1] to provide either a packaged meal service or to cook for a dinner party, a menu and a budget are submitted for the client’s approval. Typically, the chef is given approval, a deposit, or (if familiar with the guest/frequent client) an expense account for the menu. The client pays for this in addition to the cost of the chef’s services and gratuity.

Some personal chefs also provide meal planning and budget planning for homeowners and second homeowners who are busy with their own lives, but insist on nutritious and tasty meals for their families.In Europe it is still not a concept that has caught on as countries such as Spain and France it is an important part of the day to spend time with the family. Very few companies offer this convenience food service. One company that offers a full range of services including yacht provisions is Bravura chefs. Many personal chefs also offer personalized cooking instruction in the privacy of the client’s home, either one-on-one or in groups.

In terms of experience, personal chefs tend to be chefs who have worked in restaurants, hotels, catering or all three. It is not uncommon for some personal chefs—particularly those who cook for dinner parties and special occasions—to be employed in a restaurant or catering job full time and work as a personal chef in their spare time for extra income. Potential clients can either research personal chefs in their area via online membership registries such as Hire A Chef^[2], or they may choose the services of a personal chef staffing agency such as Big City Chefs^[3] to match them with a pre-screened professional chef.

FNI Palm Beach is now FQNI

chefhelen — Sun, 20 May 2012 03:45:58 +0000

FNI is now First Quality Networking International. We have changed our meeting location back to TooJays at the Boynton beach MallI, 801 Congress Ave in Boynton Beach. Meeting are Friday mornings at 8:15am. For more information call Robert Gottesman at robertgottesman2001@yahoo.com or call him at 561-676-2075

Chef Helen in the South Florida Fun Times

chefhelen — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 00:58:44 +0000

Captain Cartoon revamped my info to present it in his on line magazine the South Florida fun times. What do you think? http://www.southfloridafuntimes.com/chef-helen.html

Chicken Soup with Matzoh Balls..Traditional!!

chefhelen — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 22:34:44 +0000

matzo ball soup (Photo credit: derek7272)

Fill a small stock pot with water and add a bit of salt. While this comes to a boil add chicken necks and backs (if you like not wasting the chicken) or some chicken thighs, Once it comes to a boil, add 3 to 4 peeled and roughly chopped carrots, 2 turnips and 2 parssnips (also peeled and roughly chopped along with 2 ribs of celery. a large onion and few cloves of garlic. allow to simmer for at lest two hours (covered or not).

The recipe on the package of matzoh meal lists 3 eggs, e/4 cup of matzoh meal and 1/4 tsp salt, my rercipe is just a bit different. Beat up the eggs in a small bowl, add the salt, water (1/2 an eggshell full for every 2 eggs) and some fresh chopped dill and or parsly. Then add the matzoh meal. When it is mixed, chill it in the fridge for an hour or more and the matzoh meal wuill have a chance to absorb the liquids. At that time, with wet hands, make mrble walnut sized matzoh balls in your hands and drop them into the slowly boiling soup. (If the soup is not boiling, the matzoh balls fall apart in the soup….yuck) Cover the soup and let it cook for another hour . then serve with matzoh balls…

Tov Ta’am…yummy

For more details. call Chef Helen at 561-676-2078 or http://www.helenshomecooking.com helen@helenshomecooking.com

As my friend Jeff Popper answered when asked what a Matzoh Ball was, he answered, the only edible part of the matzoh

A Headache Free Passover

chefhelen — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:31:45 +0000

A Headache Free Passover.

another idea for tzimmes? Maybe next time?

Don’t Make a Tzimmes Out Of It! Making Tzimmes is easy!!

chefhelen — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 14:39:40 +0000

The Jewish expression of “making a Tzimmes out of something” means making a mountain out of a molehill. Making this dish is not as big a deal as most people think it is. In fact i made it twice already during Pesach/Passover.

The best part of a dish like this is that it is adaptable. aliitle more of this, a little less of that and it will be fine,

2 Medium Sweet Potatoes, peeled and chopped

2 -3 carrots, peeled and chopped

2 apples, peeled and chopped (any type)

handful of dried fruit such as prunes, apricots, apples)

water to cover in saucepan

pich of salt

1 to 2 Tbsp honey

potato starch as needed

2 tsp cinnamon.

Place potatoes etc in saucepan and simmer for about 45 minutes. Aas it simmers, add a tsp or two of potato starch to thicken. Taste for sweetness and add more honey as necessary. Since the dish is pareve/vegetarian it can be served with any meal. It is traditionally served with brisket or other holiday meal. This serves about 4 people. It can be made for many more, just multiply the amounts of ingredients for many more.

Need more info? call Chef Helen at 561-676-2078 or email at helen@helenshomecooking.com

Charoses without nuts!

chefhelen — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:51:31 +0000

Charoses without nuts!.

Try something different!! Deicious with the dates and no nuts

Skillet Dinner Recipe

chefhelen — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:40:29 +0000

Skillet Dinner Recipe.

How to use up your leftovers before Passover!!

Gluten Free Passover Foods

chefhelen — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 16:37:39 +0000

Gluten Free Passover Foods.