Imagine coming home to a freshly cooked, Michelin-star quality meal for dinner every night of the week, prepared and served to you by one of the country’s very finest chefs. Whilst having your own private staff seem like nothing more than a foodie’s daydream, it’s fast becoming a reality for many of those with busy working lives, and hiring your own full-time, personal home chef is easier than you think.
The luxury of a regular fine dining experience and truly inspired cuisine is now more attainable than ever – and could even soon become your daily norm. Paloma Irving, managing director of boutique domestic staffing agency, Irving Scott, says that although personal chefs are traditionally viewed as an extravagance, more and more people are starting to see them as an essential part of their lives.
“In today’s fast-paced world, home cooking can often fall by the wayside, with eating out becoming an almost nightly occurrence for many – and ready meals and takeaways also creeping in more often than they should thanks to the quick and convenient solution they provide.
“If you’re struggling to find the time to cook after a busy day at work, inviting a skilled and experienced chef into your home has the potential to transform your mealtimes – freeing up your evenings so that you can spend quality time dining with family and get some much-needed rest and relaxation. Not only that, but it’s a great way to make sure that your diet is on point, too – and that you’re consuming only the freshest and highest quality ingredients available for a great nutritional boost.
One thing is for certain – a personal chef can open an exciting world of new tastes, flavours and food experiences in the comfort of your own home.
Interested? Then take a look at these top tips from Irving Scott for finding your perfect match.
Look for a chef who specialises in dealing with dietary requirements
Private chefs come in many shapes and sizes, and whatever your dietary requirements, you can find one who can cater to your specific needs. Whether you’re gluten free or vegan, investing in your own personal chef can make eating your way easy – and while you might currently find yourself limited in your daily choices, a specialised and experienced chef, a bit of creative flair and some impeccable culinary skill can soon have you eating like royalty on a daily basis.
For those transitioning to a new diet, a personal chef can be instrumental in your success, ensuring that you don’t cut corners where you otherwise might – and can cater for all tastes and preferences within the family so that everyone is happy and well fed.
As well as providing you with incredible, fresh meals, your chef can also act as a diet or health coach – developing meal plans, working with calorie control if required and filling your fridge with wholesome, guilt-free treats, juices and smoothies. Not only that, but they can also ensure that your children are eating a well-balanced diet, too – so do your research, ask the right questions during interviews and make sure that you’re getting a chef that is well-suited to your dietary needs, and life could soon become a whole lot easier.
Find a chef who can complement your lifestyle
If you’ve decided to take the plunge and invest in a full-time chef, it’s worth taking your time to think about exactly how you can get the most out of their presence. Whether you travel regularly or thrive on daily routine, your chef can take steps to facilitate and compliment your lifestyle – from filling the fridge or freezer with freshly prepared lunches you can grab and go, to having dinner on the table when you return from the gym.
Put some thought into the role you’d like your chef to fulfil in your household, and the rest will fall into place. With a clear idea of how you’ll use them and an overview of your weekly routine, realistic schedules can be planned out together from the off to ensure that your expectations are met – and exceeded.
Make the most of your chef for dinner parties and event
If there’s one time when you’ll be extra grateful to have your own private staff, it’s the night you decide to throw a dinner party. Skilled in the art of preparing the very finest cuisine, a good chef will be armed and ready to create a show-stopping menu that promises to impress guests. It’s a godsend if you regularly play host and can take all of the stress out of the occasion, leaving you free to relax and join in with the conversation.
A private chef can elevate your dinner parties and events to new heights, and without the need to hire temporary domestic staff or catering for your special events anymore, your personal chef will be on hand weeks or months in advance to help you through the planning process. Not only can they whip up some example dishes for you to sample beforehand, but they can also help to create special themes and menus to ensure your dinner party is one to remember.
