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Personal Chef Industry

I was looking at MasterCook 9.0 and I discovered that it can only be used on a Windows-based PC. I have a Mac, so it won't be compatible, and I wasn't able to find a Mac-compatible version.

The closest thing I found for Macs is MacGourmet. Has anyone had any experience with this software?

Or, what do Mac-using Personal Chefs do in terms of an organizational software?

Thanks!

Many MAC users run Mastercook using a virtual Windows program on their MAC.

I'm not aware of any MAC software that matches the capabilities of Mastercook.

There isn't. I use Recipe Manager for my Apple and while it suits my needs, it is fairly low tech.

Will never give up Apple though.

Karen

Good Question!

Great timing!

APPCA's Personal Chef Office is being introduced shortly.
We spent the day today with the Beta team here in Las Vegas at the Summit, and no worries - MAC users will be very pleased!
candy

Thanks, everyone!

I've downloaded MacGourmet and it seems like it might have similar capabilities to MasterCook, except that I don't think it can scale recipes. It even has an optional nutritional information calculator that you can add on.

Please stay tuned for more info on Personal Chef Office. It will be compatible with all computers. PCO will prove to be most valuable and not just from a recipe management stand point. You may be asking "why"? right now...well, b/c it will allow the personal chef to have a total client management. Recipe section similar to MC..you can scale, import, export, create shopping list, cost analysis, equipment list...but especially in emailing menus to your clients along with heating instructions, create labels, (even with your logo/business info), and invoicing your clients! By using PCO, you will be able to have your clients assessment info, & all other pertinent client info at your fingertips. No longer will the chef need to use Mastercook or some other recipe software, go to word for labels, go to quickbooks or other accounting software, or even a day planner, as these are some of the many features of PCO. Think of it as going to one store for all your needs....PCO will be a "one stop" area. What's better, is that you will be able to access it anywhere, from any computer, and securely, so that your info you enter, is for your eyes only.

APPCA is the leader of the personal chef industry...and PCO will be your greatest portal to total client management. Stay tuned, and we will give even more info, along with price, etc. Anticipation can be tough...so this is why I listed only a few things PCO will allow each personal chef to do.

Am I understanding this correctly - the new version of PC Office in beta testing is a combined version of PC Office and MasterCook, as well as being Mac compatible? Or is PC Office receiving an upgrade, and MasterCook will still be part of the training package? Also, when will the new Mac compatible version be available? I've been weighing the pros and cons of which PC association to join (hopefully soon), and APPCA has more pros than the others, and Mac compatible software will really make you the winner. And I will need to wait for the new version for the Mac.

Hi there, PCO is Mac compatible as it is not a software cd like MC. PCO can be retrieved from any computer as long as the user has their username & password. We will be phasing out MC from the training materials, as it is not all that user-friendly, and mainly b/c it is not a total client managment program. For all the perks of PCO, please see my post above. If you have other questions, by all means, ask away.

Is there a release date on this new and wonderful PC Office yet, or do we just need to keep our eyes open when checking the site?

Or maybe I'm confused, and the current version is compatible on Macs, and we'll just have access to the new version when it comes out?

Here is to clarify about PCO desktop which will be available to the public soon:

APPCA's personal chef office desktop is a total client management system that is web based. Don't have to worry if it's compatible with Macs or not. You don't have to worry about upgrades, b/c they get done automatically while not chancing your important data to be compromised or lost. Anyone accessing the internet from any computer will not have a problem b/c there is no downloads, which is why it will not be a problem for Mac users. That being said, we do have a lighter version of the PCO desktop, which is simply called Personal Chef Office and is for APPCA members only, which of course is included in their membership. This is a basic managment system only, and will not offer everything the desktop version will have. It is also web based, so it will be Mac compatible. Both are very secured systems, so you don't have to worry with vital information being compromised as well. They both (PCO & PCO desktop) have an online tutorial.


This is the features of personal chef office desktop version:

Recipe & menu management, client management, and business management making it easier for personal chefs to run & operate their business effectively.

To elaborate on each, I have broken them down in groups.


Recipe and menu management:

*Over 1500 personal chef tested recipes and some with heating instructions are included. You can add your own recipes, and if desired, can share them with other personal chefs using PCO.

*Scale recipes

*Categorize recipes

*Menu manager (create menus for regular cookdates, dinner parties, and catered events)

*Imports recipes and cookbooks from Mastercook software

*Assists in creating shopping lists for client cook dates, dinner parties, catered events or cooking classes

*Prints recipes, menus in several formats including PDF that includes your company info and logo.

*Nutritional analysis in accordance with USDA guidelines.


Client Management:

*Add, edit, print and track your potential, current, & even past clients

*Tracks your client's allergies, likes & dislikes, preferences, cook dates, menus. Will flag you if a client's menu consist of allergies or disliked ingredients, so you don't have to try to remember.

*Electronic templates for assessment forms, service agreements, allergy assessments. Will be able to modify to "tweak" to your business preference

*Add, edit, print and track your client's complete assessment forms, allergy assessment form, client service agreements, and menus with or without heating instructions. These can be emailed directly from PCO instead of using another email system

*Allows to print container labels with your company contact info, recipe name, storage and heating instructions. I believe you can also upload your logo on the labels as well. So no more useage of another system such as microsoft word labels.

*Create invoices to your clients, and can opt to email directly from PCO desktop instead of using separate email system.


Business Management:

*Electronic template for generating a start up business plan and update that plan.

*Bookkeeping and accounting for all aspects of a personal chef business by generating cash flow, income statements and a balance sheet. It can be exported to an excel compatible spreadsheet.

*Can log in what purchases you have made on equipment, food, office supplies, uniforms, etc. If you have an accountant, you will be their favorite client, as it will make their work much easier, resulting in them possibly charging less for their services.

*An interactive day planner...showing what you have logged in for that day, meetings, cook dates, events & other.

Miscellaneous:

*Has a "favorites" section just like the home page of your internet. This way you don't have so many bookmarks on your home page for as many of the sites you want to remember for your business.


Please note that the email system will allow you to enter in the email address you want to use for yourself, and not a "default".

There are so many more features that we will be creating, as we want this to be the most valuable tool for the working personal chef. Consider it a "one-stop shopping" kind of scenario....one software program instead of 10 different ones.

I too am having trouble imagining how many places I will have to go to each morning before setting my day up but from what I have heard the PC Office will be sold for about $475 dollars which for starters is a little steep I would think? Any advice for those who cannot purchase it as soon as it is released?

From experience what have most of you found to be helpful to time manage your day when it comes to planning, printing, labeling, etc.

quote:

from what I have heard the PC Office will be sold for about $475 dollars

I'm sorry, but I am confused. Where did you hear this yet? $475 is news to me...and I am very involved with PCO desktop. As far as I know, a price has NOT actually been set yet...at least not in stone, b/c we are not ready to roll it out yet. Please let us know about this rumor...curiosity is very much there.

I am sorry that you are misinformed about the selling price of Personal Chef Office Desktop. Since I am the project director for this software, I can assure you that no selling price has been agreed on. What you have heard is incorrect. $475 will not be the cost of this software.

Personal Chef Office online version is operational and performing well for our APPCA membership for client mgmt, planning, scheduling, sales invoice tracking, printing and labeling, recipe and menu mgmt.

We expect PC Office Desktop to be offered early this summer. The selling price is not determined, but my guess is that it will be very competitive.

If you have further questions, please feel free to contact me via phone at 800-644-8389.