Discussion Forums
for the
Personal Chef Industry

Hi-
I was just wondering about anybody thinks about Gladware or Ziplock plastic containers. Eventhough they can be rather expensive, they do come is a nice assortment of sizes. I haven't checked out any other containers yet because I'm so new & my first & only client had no problem with purchasing them on her own. THanks for any information or feedback you may have.
Thanks,
Karen

I use Gladware, ziploc bags and occasionally aluminum pans. It's suggested that personal chefs purchase the containers for the client so that we have more control over the final product. No matter how well you cook, if the food gets freezerburned then it's all downhill from there.
Controlling the containers also allows you to control the space in the freezer more efficiently.

Thank you Wolfmeis for your prompt reply. I did look at the Hubert web site & their containers look so nice & professional. Presentation is important to me & it's hard to do that in gladware or zip locks but hey, whatever works I always say!
KarenN

Hi Karen. The new Pyrex containers are wonderful, as are the Corningware uniform size containers. They present well, and can be used each time you prepare food for your client. I'm not real keen on disposable containers made from chemical compounds - You cannot convince me that they're not releasing "something" in a hot oven or microwave...I'm just an old hippie who likes things Natural. Anyway, check to see if there is a Corningware Outlet store near you - they're great! Candy

Karen - I too am an old, (even really old) hippy - and I wouldn't use glass or ceramic (Corning) if you paid me! When I sign up a client I charge them a $40. Container fee. The I buy 1 box of Anchor Hocking Assorted Plastic Freezer containers for about $20 from WalMart. I will use those containers, plus fill in with Glad and Siplock containers. Then really use the hell out of Ziplock Bags - Always the freezer ones, not the food storage ones. You will find that they save tremendous room in the freezer that that everything stays good until at least the next camping trip.

I never mention Corning or Pyrex or any other glass container because I don't want to mess with them. And I don't like Tupperware.

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Jim Davis
The Really Good Food Co.
A Personal Chef Service

I'm not sure where in the hell Camping trip came from - should be cooking trip. Oh well - must be senior moment.

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Jim Davis
The Really Good Food Co.
A Personal Chef Service

Believe it or not, the full freezer is enough of a presentation. Most of my clients don't eat from the containers, they just heat in them and then plate them on their own china.

They even do that with the beautiful corningware that I have purchased before. So at that point, it didn't make much sense to waste my time and their money.

I would really love affordable, freezable, ovenable and microwavable containers, but I really don't think they exist! There's always one element of that description MISSING grossly, and it's usually affordability.

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Lory French
Charleston SC
Thyme Well Spent Personal Chef Service

There are some containers that go from freezer to microwave or from freezer to oven. I believe personal chef makes some & so does Tupperware....but talking about some dough! Maybe one of us can come up with something?
I have noticed that the heft & gladware do fine for a lot of foods...while the ziplock
bags let a little bit of air in them.

I'm seriously thinking about investing in a Foodsaver machine. Costco has them for around $180. Has anyone used or even considered using one? I know they're costly but I would get a tremendous amount of use myself being from "salmon country" & copper river salmon is running as we speak & I plan on stocking up big time! Anyway just another thought. Thanks for your input everybody!
KarenN
Incredible Edibles
Washington State

Karen - we have been discussing a vacumn packing machine for some time. Everytime I look at paying 180 bucks, and then having to carry it and the bags around I remember how light a box of ziplocks are. I remove as much air as possible from the ziplock and they are perfectly good for the 2 weeks or so they are going to be in the freezer. If I were going ask a client to store for several weeks or months that would be something different, but I'm not.

I know others have had great luck with the Tillia Foodsaver but I also keep reading that you can't pack anything with a liquid in it without a real problem...but someone should be able to answer yuour question that has some experience with it.

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Jim Davis
The Really Good Food Co.
A Personal Chef Service

I have the Tilia foodsaver, paid $149 for it at Sams. I find that it comes in handy. Great, especially for veggies. I also supplement with ziplocks, glad wear, and pyrex(only if they insist on glass). To freeze liquids the item needs to be frozen first then freeze, thats the only way I'll mess with the foodsaver with liquids, but I only do this for my family. It would take too long at a clients, to freeze then vacuum seal.
Ruby

I have this idea to offer marinated meats for grilling purposes this summer. I can marinate, then drain the marinade (?) then freeze? THis was my main objective for purchasing this machine. Maybe zip locks would be a better choice?
Karen

Karen, I know that there are pc's that are making things for the grill, maybe you should ask how they do it! Myself I would personally put the food item in the marinade and ziplock, freeze, defrost in fridge overnight, then cook like I normally do - but be careful with fish, if it's a acidic marinade, it will overcook the fish!
Ruby

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Ruby Price
Savour the Thyme
Personal Chef Service
Duncanville, Texas
savourthethyme@aol.com
www.mcbeeweb.com/savourthethyme

Rubs on steaks then wrapped in freezer wrap & sealed in ziplock bags are great! You can also marinate foods, then before freezing discard marinate, drain slightly then wrap in freezer wrap & seal in ziplock bag. Like Ruby said, no fish unless it is a dry marinade (rub).

quote:

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Originally posted by KarenN:
I have this idea to offer marinated meats for grilling purposes this summer. I can marinate, then drain the marinade (?) then freeze? THis was my main objective for purchasing this machine. Maybe zip locks would be a better choice?
Karen

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I do that, offer marinated meats for my clients to grill, but I leave them in the marinade and they can freeze the food in the marinade. Just put it all in a freezer ziplock bag and fold it up until as much as the air as you can get out of it is out. After defrosting and grilling, the meat will be fork tender.

Gladware is much less expensive than the other ones (blue lids). They come in at about 50 cents each or less if you buy them at a warehouse club. Ask your client to recycle them back to you, the labels will peel right off.

quote:

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Originally posted by KarenN:
Hi-
I was just wondering about anybody thinks about Gladware or Ziplock plastic containers. Eventhough they can be rather expensive, they do come is a nice assortment of sizes. I haven't checked out any other containers yet because I'm so new & my first & only client had no problem with purchasing them on her own. THanks for any information or feedback you may have.
Thanks,
Karen

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quote:

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Originally posted by KarenN:
Hi-
I was just wondering about anybody thinks about Gladware or Ziplock plastic containers. Eventhough they can be rather expensive, they do come is a nice assortment of sizes. I haven't checked out any other containers yet because I'm so new & my first & only client had no problem with purchasing them on her own. THanks for any information or feedback you may have.
Thanks,
Karen

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Does the apca have containers that have been tested for freezer burn and porportion size? I have used the food saver for personal use and if they are used correctly they work great.



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Debi Hunt
McAllen, Texas