Discussion Forums
for the
Personal Chef Industry

Hi Everyone!

I need some help. I want to get started doing my own personal chef business, but I am having trouble figuring out where it is I need to start. I was thinking of taking the ServSafe first of all to get started and hopefully then I will have the money to purchase the APPC's home study course. At this point, I am unable to buy that now due to personal finances, & unforseen expenses that is going to set me back for awhile.
I am new to the whole idea of starting a small business, and wanted to know what other steps I should take before I purchase the kit. Who do I need to contact as far as a business license? How much does it cost? Do I need to have formal training in the culinary field? Basic questions like that.
I really hope someone is able to help me. I have tried posting on other forums as well, but nobody seems to have any answers for me and I'm getting a little frustrated.

Thanks for looking & for any and all advice that I can get.

-Lissa

Lissa,

See if there is a Women's Business Development Center www.wbdc.org in your area. Otherwise, try the Small Business Administration www.sba.gov. They can help you with all the legalities. The cost of licenses, etc. will vary depending on where you live, etc.

As far as this business, no, you don't need formal training. I'm not sure what the split is within our group here...maybe 50/50. Someone who's been a member longer than I may know better.

With regard to ServSafe, I guess it depends on when you would be able to afford the study course. If you think it might be more than 3 months out, perhaps you'd rather apply that money to the study course FIRST, and then take ServSafe afterward. There is a lot of prep work and learning before hand. Plus, I think I paid @$70 for the ServSafe and $110 for the book. Just a thought.

Good luck to you and let us know of your progress.

Lissa,

Welcome to APPCA. My suggestion would be to take the money you would spend on the ServSafe course and put it toward the materials first. If you're really strapped right now, you could get Chef Candy Wallace's book on The Business of Doing Business as a Personal Chef which is only about $50.

Business of Doing Business as a Personal Chef

While the book will answer many of your questions, do start setting some money aside for the full materials and membership. This is THE MOST professional personal chef organization and the quality of education, mentorship, support and internet referrals is second to none. We're here to help, but to lay everything out for you in a forum posting is impossible--that's why there is an entire book on the subject!

Also, this forum is jam-packed with information--read on. No, you don't need formal culinary education; I don't and I'm in my sixth year of business. (Golly...time flies!!)

Good luck to you and hope to see you as a member soon.

I have been browsing around the website and I still can't seem to find how much the membership is.
Anyone know where I can go to find this information?

Yes, Lissa...

see http://www.personalchef.com/personal_chef_training_comparision_chart.php

or Associate Membership for those personal chefs who have been operating a successful biz for a minimum of 6 months. For more details see
https://www.personalchefmall.com/product.php?id=29

Best wishes,

Dennis

Hi Lissa!

Thanks for your message. I just got back from teaching at the ACF Western Regional conference in Salt Lake City, and am leaving in just a few hours for Chicago to teach for several days at Lexington College. I know your note asks if you can speak with me, and you sure can, but I won't be back in the office until Tuesday morning (and my voice will probably sound a lot like a barking seal by then). Please do give me a call on tuesday, I'd be happy to answer your questions, but I have read some good responses to you here in the forums.

You should definitely spend some time here in the Visitors Forum - we've stored messages for over 10 years with specific answers to questions just like yours, and you are welcome to spend as little or as much time here as you like, and as Carol B mentioned, you can also buy the text book at amazon.com and walk through each of the chapters and interviews with personal chefs that were designed to help you start and operate a legitimate successful personal chef business.

When you are ready for the "whole enchilada" training program, we'll be here - don't worry - timing is everything, and when you are ready to get started we'll ge happy to assist you.

Have a great weekend, and we'll have a good chat on Tuesday, OK?

candy