The Chefpreneur Podcast

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

Thank you so much for tuning in! This podcast episode starts off with a question from Emily of the Chefpreneur Movement group. Her question is: 

“Does anyone here in the group offer mostly pastry related services such as in-home baking classes or pop-ups?”.

I personally believe that there is a good opportunity with in-home baking classes! Even more so now because of the rise of social media, and that many people love doing and making “DIY” projects. Another idea, aside from doing in-house classes, would be to connect with caterers in your area and create a dessert tasting menu. You can price this on a per head basis, plus the cost of groceries. Another plus for this is that desserts usually has low grocery cost which will make it very attractive to clients. 

When starting a business, it is important that you first identify your niche, as this will also define the messaging, branding, content, etc that you want to put out there for your future clients. Identifying your niche will narrow the scope, which can lead you to the RIGHT clients. Emphasis on the word “right” because many prospect clients may come and inquire, but the ones who appreciate the service you provide would be the “right” client for you. 

I’ve come across many chefs who are ranting and frustrated with their business, as they keep on doing or serving clients that are not within their niche. Ultimately, they end up losing the business.

Remember that your messaging has to resonate with the clients. Your services should be clear and create an impact on those looking for YOUR services. Your niche is what you are passionate about, so it is important to make it clear on all your platforms (website or social media). Aside from the right messaging, you need to have a sufficient process immediately; this starts with booking up to the event proper. 

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a stand for their Personal Freedom by breaking the Chains of a Kitchen Job and building their own Empire!

The future is yours… put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

If you want to start, grow, or run a Personal Chef business of your own, then you’re in the right place. This is where like-minded chefs come to learn, and listen to all the “in’s and out’s” of the Personal Chef Business. This episode starts with a question from one of our Masterclass students, Michelle Hallet. She said that she would love “to hear a play by play on how I personally do a plated dinner service.”

For a plated dinner service, I usually arrive 3 to 4hours ahead of the scheduled dinner time. It is always good to have more time for the preparation of the dish and services, just in case. I also have either an event head or a server with me when I do plated meals, as they are the ones who help me in preparing the table and the flatware. While doing the setup, I make sure to put the dishes in a plate warmer prior to serving to make sure that the food will arrive to the client warm. I always try to plan and time things out ahead of time. For example, while I am plating the salad, I will start to prepare the entrée. I pace the cooking based completely on my clients. I never want to rush them, since we are catering to them, unlike in the restaurant business.

The 3 Softwares that I recommend using for your Personal Chef Business are based on my own experience. Please remember that all managing styles are different and you may need more programs, or different programs dependent on you. 

First, you will need a software to design your menus, website, and general graphics. We want this to be easy to use and budget-friendly so I highly suggest Canva.com! Canva is extremely affordable, but also comes with free templates and versions to make it simple and user-friendly.

Second, everyone needs a GSuite (by google)! Google has their own cloud, known as the Google Drive, where you can save all your files, access it both from your laptop and mobile phone, and allow others to edit and access from anywhere in the world with wifi. It has Docs (similar to Word), Sheets (similar to Excel), Slides (similar to PowerPoint), and other functions that are similar to Microsoft. The Google Suite is amazing and very affordable too!

Lastly, I recommend either a CRM (Customer Relations Management) tool such as Infusionsoft, or an Invoicing tool such as Quickbooks online. I personally use Infusionsoft! One of my favorite features is that it’s linkable to my website! Whenever there are inquiries, all information will go straight to my Infusionsoft, and I can search the client by their name and attach any necessary documents needed, such as a menu, their food restrictions, allergies, etc. Infusionsoft also has an e-mail marketing feature which I use for my monthly e-mail campaign. The downfall is that it’s pretty robust and expensive. So if you are still a starting business and you think that you still won’t be needing this, a tool for Invoicing will be the best next option. An automated invoicing tool can ease out your financial transactions and will ensure that everything on your business is visible.

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a stand for their Personal Freedom by breaking the Chains of a Kitchen Job and building their own Empire!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

Why Many of You Won’t Make it in the Personal Chef Business

Chef Andres begins this podcast episode by answering a question from one of the members of The Chefpreneur Movement Facebook Group, Angela. The question is:

“Can a Personal Chef Service compete with boxed meal services such as Blue Apron, Purple Carrot, etc?”

A Personal Chef Business is way different from Boxed meal services. The difference is with time. I had clients in my personal chef business who tried the boxed meal service and for them, the difference and probably the downfall for this business is that the clients still have to cook or re-heat the foods which require effort. Aside from this, it creates tons of waste due to the packaging materials and in the end, the consumers may feel environmental guilt. Wherein a Personal Chef Business, all the client has to do is to sit back, relax and wait for the food to served to them; which saves them time, effort, and provides more options for meal choices and decisions.

So, why many of you won’t make it in the Personal Chef Business? The answer is simple: It’s because you truly believe you can’t make it! Simply put, this is due to lack of confidence, lack of experience, and too much insecurity.

Another explanation may be that probably you’re thinking that starting up a Personal Chef Business costs a lot of money. We’ve discussed this on a past podcast episode that you can start the business with just $500 or less which covers the necessary permits and insurance. 

Second, one may also think you don’t have enough experience and probably due tolack of confidence with your dishes.

BUT, if you are passionate about food, cooking and you deliver a good service, you can be successful in this business! Remember, food is only 30% of the services but you NEED to be able to solve your clients' problems

The solution is simple: build your confidence so you can over deliver to your clients! You can build your confidence up by:

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a stand for their Personal Freedom by breaking the Chains of a Kitchen Job and building their own Empire!

The future is yours… put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

Thanks for tuning in! This weeks podcast episode starts off with a question from Matt of the Chepreneur Movement Facebook Group. His question was:

“Do you take your own plates, flatware, pots, and pans to the client’s house?”

The beauty and the advantage of having a Personal Chef Business is that you won’t need to shell out much overhead cost for equipment in making and presenting high-quality food. Let me share with you what I do in my own Personal Chef Business. What I personally do is that I don’t bring my own flatware, silverware, pots, pans, etc. to a Client’s house. I use as much as what is available at the clienteles’ house as possible. Why? It makes it easier and gives a better experience to the clients and so I could focus more on the task at hand which is to give them high-quality service and food. It is also better as we don’t want to leave or forget any equipment behind at the client’s place. But, if you need an equipment to pull off your dish, you can definitely do so.  

In a Personal Chef Business, there are three points which have to be your foundation in getting clients:

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a stand for their Personal Freedom by breaking the Chains of a Kitchen Job and building their own Empire!

The future is yours… put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

This podcast episode is all about the testimony of Chef Lena Buggs, a member and student of the Chefpreneur Movement. We discuss how she has started her own Personal Chef business. Five questions were answered by Chef Lena:

Aside from these questions, Chef Lena also shares her breakthroughs and realization from being a culinary slave to someone who has built her own empire in her business!

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a stand for their Personal Freedom by breaking the Chains of a Kitchen Job and building their own Empire!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

Thanks for tuning in! This weeks podcast episode starts off with a question from Natasha of the Chepreneur Movement Facebook Group. Her question was:

“I was asked to cater a retreat’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner. What is the best way to charge it?”

The idea of pricing has been a question that is common not only with personal chefs, but to all business owners. Three-pointers that I can give to you is that first: Pass the grocery cost to the clients because it is really hard to quote a price as the market cost fluxuates. Second: it is okay to charge a daily rate based on how many people you are going to serve. Charge a flat rate for your services plus the groceries. And lastly third: the service cost you tell your client should include the cost for additional help, such as your assistant or another chef and waiter. You do not want to give your client an option to choose a cost with or without help. It would also be a good upsell when you tell your client that “yes, it’s me and my assistant” or “it's me and my chef” because it gives the client assurance that you will get the job done.

In a Personal Chef Business, there are three stages in the selling process. First is Messaging which plays an important role on your website to attract clients. It is important to know the right messaging that you should put on your website. Second is having a good procedure, system, and interface on your website for the clients to easily navigate and make a transaction with you. This is an important piece in your Personal Chef Business. Remember, sure buys are better than having many website visitors but no sells. Lastly, having a good selling process. This is where the client actually buys your services. Your target here is not being pushy BUT assuring your clients that what you offer to them can make their lives better or else, easier. Lose the perception that selling is bad. It is important that you believe in your product, which is your service so that you can sincerely deliver that to your clients. Remember to give your clients an awesome journey of doing business with you.

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a stand for their Personal Freedom by breaking the Chains of a Kitchen Job and building their own Empire!

The future is yours… put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

Thank you so much for tuning in! This podcasts episode starts off with a question from Erron, one of the webinar’s students. His question is:

“I want to learn about personal equipment setup and packaging meals for reheating and what does a client expects with that?”.

Okay, when it comes to Weekly Meal Preparation Services, proper packaging plays a major role in how you can deliver your products; ensuring that your clients will be satisfied and happy with your services. Pick a packaging material that is conducive for cold storage and can withstand reheating either via oven or microwave. A good example of this is Pyrex Glass dishes or containers. You can pop it directly into the freezer then into the oven or even the microwave for reheating without fear of ruining it. Labeling your products and reheating instructions are also necessary for this kind of business to ensure that the quality of your products is well preserved.

Confidence and Arrogance can be quickly mistaken in the culinary industry. Some chefs indeed tend to be Arrogant due to their skill set. But the difference between the two is very important. By definition, Confidence is a feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something. While Arrogance is the quality of being arrogant, too much self-importance or putting yourself on a pedestal above others. These two may reflect on the way you talk to your clients. Being confident is being able to answer the what’s and why’s of your business. This also gives assurance to your clients that you can justify your pricing and really can deliver the service that you promised. Meanwhile, Arrogance is just talking about yourself, your background, your skill set and what you can do out of that skill set. You see, a great background is a plus but what’s important to the client is that you assure him that every penny that he will spend on your service should be worth it. This is accomplished by simply asking your client what can you do for them and what are their expectations of you.

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a stand for their Personal Freedom by breaking the Chains of a Kitchen Job and building their own Empire!

The future is yours… put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

Chef Andres Hinojosa starts this week’s podcast by answering a question e-mailed by Tiffany, one of the members of the Chefpreneur Movement Facebook Group. The question is: “Where and how do I find clients consistently? And how do I find good or right clients?” Upon starting up a business, it is important that you know your vision specifically along with your niche to know exactly where you want to be headed and what kind of client you want to target. Once these are set and determined, the easiest and fastest way to get clients is that go to the services that they use the most. Making these Strategic Partnerships will help you get the ”right” clients who are willing to pay you what you are worth without sacrificing your brand. Listen to this week’s podcast to learn more.

In having a Personal Chef business, giving 110% of your efforts and service to each and every client is very important. Each of your client serves as your steps in reaching success in your business. In doing so, that serves as part of your marketing strategy. This can be an opportunity for referrals and returning clients. Having and knowing your vision for the brand is also important to ensure that you won’t get lost in committing to your upcoming clients.

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a leap of faith, start their own business, and create experiences they want to create with nothing holding them back!

The future is yours … put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

This podcast episode starts with a question from Jennifer, a member of the Chefpreneur Movement Facebook group. Her question is related to the last podcast episode topic: Pricing. She asks, “How do you price kids?”. For kids, it is important that you price on an age range basis because not all kids eat the same. A series of age range which Chef Andres uses in his personal chef business is to be discussed. Listen to this week’s podcast to learn more.

The culinary industry is comprised of various professionals who are successful and have had their own business. There are also many that are overworked and underpaid as employees. This is where the vision of the Chefpreneur Movement started. To help and guide those who are enslaved by their J.O.B., and help them in earn more money and live a better life. It is meant to help them get what they deserve without investing too much money in starting a personal chef business. This change could be promoted, one chef at a time. Once the significance of what a personal chef is becomes recognized by the client, the perception of going out to eat and dining will also definitely change. This will completely change the Culinary Industry!

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a leap of faith, start their own business, and create experiences they want to create with nothing holding them back!

The future is yours … put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Want Us To Build Your Entire Personal Chef Company For You? 

👉 Click Here To Apply: https://build.chefpreneur.com/

This podcast episode starts with a question to be answered by our host, Chef Andres Hinojosa. As related to our topic: Pricing. This question is from Maria, “Is there a good formula on how to structure your prices for your services for weekly clients or one time sporadic events and what factors to consider in making quotes?”

Pricing for a specific service may come from different angles and methods but there is no real right answer for this, as this will depend on what best fits your business and processes. It may be per hour, flat rate, per meal, per day or per person which depends on the type of business you are in. But in my Personal Chef business, what works for me is by charging per person. It is simpler to explain to a client that the cost per head is this certain amount, compared to a per hour or a flat rate cost which may leave more doubts or questions to the client. The simpler the options are, the more convenient it is to the client, which can also reflect your level of service to them.

We are motivating, educating, and inspiring chefs to take a leap of faith, start their own business, and create experiences they want to create with nothing holding them back!

The future is yours … put it into your own hands!

Thanks for listening to the Chefpreneur Podcast – empowering chefs to take control of their future.

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.