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Personal Chef Industry

Sorry it's taken time to respond. Yes this info has been so very helpful. I have been writting a business plan for my business bt Im sort of lost because Im sure a Personal Chef Service is unique. Im not able to afford the joining fee at this time so Im going at it on my own and once a have a couple of clients I want to join a organization. I looked into one other and I joined their forum and they were very kind and helpful but. I need to feel professional in my business, I need some big names behind the organization that I join and I like the fact that ACF has joined with APPCA, I simply like the fact APPCA seems to be more professional and raises the bar. On the other orgs forum I asked if it was appropriate to become a certified Chef? I had some one get somewhat offended by the question. I get a phone call to my home and was grilled on how clients dont care about that stuff. Well, my type of client does. Im also in the fitness industry. Im a Personal Trainer,Clinical Sports Massage Therapist and Fitness Athlete myself.My business is geared toward Trainig Athletes and cooking what the fitness industry calls Clean Foods, thats my specialty. They want to see my Trainer cert. And others I want to be able to present the cert as a Chef also. I have made up my mind that APPCA is the Org for me I just cannot afford it,at this time. But I will keep posting as Im drafting out my busienss plan. Thanks Everyone.

Hey Angela...look forward to you joining APPCA. One suggestion to get membership quicker. It is Christmas...tell family & friends you want cold hard cash to put towards the home study package...you can always get DVD's & seminars later if you desire (just paying the difference). Of course, you can get a few clients first, as you stated. Just remember to have insurance & serve safe in hand.

We have a few personal chefs that went thru the ACF certification which of course, to become certified, one has to follow the ACF's criteria for that certification naturally. A few of our members got achieved PCC certification ( Personal Certifed Chef ) and I believe at least 2 of our members achieved the PCEC certification ( Personal Certified Executive Chef ).

As you probably already know, APPCA partnered with ACF for this certification, which Chef Candy worked very hard & diligently to achieve this goal. It wasn't something that happened overnight, and quite frankly, any personal chef can get certified regardless of what association they are affiliated with, if any. It goes without saying that a few folks just may be jealous of what she achieved. (& I am not just referring to the partnership with ACF), and maybe that's why the other group was offended by your question on professionalism by being certified.

It is correct to say that one doesn't have to have a formal culinary education to become a personal chef, nor does one have to be certified once they become a personal chef. It is also true that the majority of our clients never ask if we have formal culinary education, much less about certification. That being said, many of our members show their certifications/degrees, and I am sure it only helps them in getting the client to sign on the dotted line.

I am a firm believer that if one can afford to pursue a better education, then by all means, they should go for it. Viewing that it will only help one succeed even more is not far fetched, nor should one be put down for thinking so.

On the flip side of the coin, I also believe that knowledge & expertise can be attained simply by working hard, paying attention while learning under a mentor, working the job (whatever field it is)...basically attending the School of Hard Knocks.

There are many infamous chefs that do not have a formal culinary education...it didn't stop them, that being said, 99% of them has voiced that they wished they would've had the opportunity to have done so. I know I wished I could've had the opportunity to get a formal culinary education. That being said, I take classes (wine pairings, knife skills, etc) to step up what knowledge I already possess. Never to old to learn, and besides, they are fun for me.

With your background, I am sure you can get a good clientele going. What better way to improve someone's lifestyle...than with fitness & healthy eating, right?

Go with your gut Angela. You won't be sorry.

Angela:

Jackie has some great insight---as usual

In the posts you have put on this visitor's forum it is so clear that your standards are very high and that your intended clientele wants those standards--you will be a great fit here.

We look forward to having you as a member and please let us all know how things are progressing--

Christine & Dennis