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for the
Personal Chef Industry

Hi, I am planning on becoming a personal chef and am looking at APPCA as well as USPCA. I am very computer-oriented and would like to find out some more information on Personal Chef Office. For example, ow does it compare with USPCA's software (which, by the way, looks amazing)? Also, is it web-based or a stand-alone software? I like the idea of being able to take a lap-top to the client's house and having the ability to access the software. This wouldn't necessarily be possible if it's web-based, but obviously there are advantages to a web-based program also. USPCA has screen shots available on their website, and also a trial download. Is anything like this available for Personal Chef Office? Thanks very much.
Gillian in Sacramento

Hi Gillian, you certainly have done some homework regarding free-standing software & web based programs available for personal chefs to use. By now, I have already have spoken with you on the phone but thought I would go into some details for other forum readers.

There are other programs out there:

Mastercook: which is not exactly user-friendly, not MAC compatible, nor Vista (as far as I know). There are some other software out there that is like MC but Mac compatible. Is a free-standing software, so not accessible from any computer. (lap-top yes, only if you download it to it, constantly updating your program on your personal computer & lap-top)

ChefTec which actually is more geared for restaurants & not a personal or private chef. Costs can go much higher than $595 as ChefTec plus is $995 or if you want say your assistants etc to use it as well (all the way up to $5,195). I believe it is also a "free-standing" software.

Menu Magic: while has some good features, will not offer everything PC office does/will ($68 every 3 mths for the personal chef edition or $45/yr for the "light edition"). It looks like it is installed with useage of a cd, so free-standing software based. One can get this with a membership of another pc organization, but at a discount.

There is also another organization that offers their own solution to MAC users...but I'm not too familiar with it. I believe you have to download it to your computer, so again, it won't be accessible else where (the main components, but not what you personally entered in...similar to MC)

Personal Chef Office allows members to perform many tasks to operate their personal chef business. It has a fully functioning client contact and tracking module which includes client assessments, allergy assessments, labeling etc. Includes business plan module, and seemless importation of Mastercook recipes plus 1500 personal chef tested recipes and much more. The best thing is, is that it is very secure, but can be accessible from any computer. When my computer crashed, I just went to my laptop, when I was at the library, I could still access it. Similar to one accessing the forums itself. Anyway, no more will we have to spend countless hours on paperwork....and best of all, use of this online software is included in the APPCA's membership and training costs.

If anyone has other questions please feel free to call 800-644-8389, or simply post them here.

Oh yeah, forgot to mention. The chef won't have to worry about updates nor the cost of any updates.

Hello Gillian,

Here are some screen shots showing some of the main functions of Personal Chef Office Online web-based software for operating personal chef businesses. You will see why we believe there is nothing like this unique solution for our membership AND its included in our training and membership options.

Once a member logs in, this is what they will see...





I will post some more screen shots later.

Best wishes,

Dennis

Any update on when this software will become available?

Hi Kathleen, for all APPCA members the on-line PCO is available & has been since last year, and at no additional cost to use. Last year, it was limited functionality, but since then we have expanded. It is a total client management system & full business managment system for PCs. We have not release PCo to be sold to non-members as of yet, but the time is nearing for that as well. This may have been why you thought it wasn't available yet.
Jackie
PCO team

That explains my confusion. Thank you. Is it easy to incorporate my own recipe into the software?

As a matter of fact, yes, you can add your own recipes. I have also taken recipes from the APPCA recipes for success forum, and they have been added for ALL users. That is over 1500 recipes already there at your finger tips.

Jackie
PCO team

Thanks Jackie,

Looking forward to joining and getting to know all you nice folks.

You're welcome Kathleen. If you have anymore questions just fire away..that is what we are here for!
Jackie
PCO Team