Discussion Forums
for the
Personal Chef Industry

Hello Chef's I was reading you forum,because I have just sent out for my kit,And wanted to read what other Chefs were saying.You all are so happy to be in your own business,and are so professional in these forums.I lost my job as a Divisional Chef and the opportunities facing me are little.AS I read about all your experiences It'Great!!Please write to me with some of your experiences.Thanks

Gary K

Have you been through the archives, yet? (If not, get a move on -- 'cause once you get inside the members forum that'll keep you busy enough.)

What kind of experiences were you looking for? The "time I blew the fuses on the oven, the client's cat knocked a cup of wine all over the labels, I forgot to bring the damn recipes with me" kind or the being at a party and having a complete stranger come up to and say "I hear your beef stew is out of this world"?

The "I'm taking a day off because my Mom's coming down and we want to play" or the "Aarrgh, my client's dumped me for the summer" kind?

The "omigod, my cookbook purchases are tax deductible!" or the "waddya mean I have to pay quarterly taxes" kind?

Hee, hee -- welcome to the club!

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Meredith
Whisk For Hire
Kensington, MD

Hi Meriedith,Thanks for writing me back.Those experiences are good.I wanted to know some of the things I should be in for.Also I wanted to ask do you do this as a full time career?I am having to work at a job until I get the business up and running and then do it full time.Is that possible?I am taking your advice and getting into the archives.Thanms again for writing.

Gary K

Welcome Gary! YES -it is possible to get a PC business up & running while working a full time job. It may not be so easy, but definately possible and actually most PC businesses initially start out as "part time" that is until you get the number of clients you'd like, working as much (or as little)as you'd like and making enough money to be finacially secure and satisfied. Definately take a look at your current financial situation and your financial goals to determine how many clients you'll need to serve and how much money you need to make to pay the bills. It is wise to have a nest egg to fall back on until you are really cooking! It is always helpful to have an understanding boss and some spare time to get your PC thing going but try and prepare/organize/plan now before you do quit and leave that job for your new career. Good luck to you and your business!

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Vunay Sawyer
Tastefully Yours, Personal Chef Service
vunaycooks@aol.com

Hey Vunay,Thanks for writing back,the Information you gave me is valuable.I am going to work at a place cooking at night and doing the personal chef business during the day.I get what you say about being hard for a while but I want to be able to make this a full time career.But for a start I will be doing both.I hope to build a client base quickly.but we shall see.Thanks agian for your impute.

Gary K.

Hello everyone,
I finally got to speak with Chef Candy the other day.As you all have said she is a wealth of information.I just sent out for the materials to start the ball rolling.I read that alot of people say to get yourself prepared ahead of time to really be successful.Can anyone give some tips on what they did in the early stages where I am right now?Thanks

Gary K

Hi Gary, Welcome.

The very first thing to do is to get yourself set up for the Members' Forum so you can spend WAY too much quality time with your computer.

There are about a bazillion posts there, including answers to questions like the one you've asked here. It's also a good place to get to know PCs in your area, find out about pitfalls to avoid, and ask the stupid questions in private (okay, well that's what I did - you may have more pride).

See you inside.

Cheers,

Gord

Chef Gord,
Thanks for replying.I have been reading some of the forum,and you have been all over the place with such great advice to everone.I live in South Florida and have found a handfull of chefs to contact.I will definately contact and spend some of that valuable computer time to be successful.

Gary K