How Our Personal Chef Service Works


Personal consultation: Through a personal consultation we will discuss your food preferences and individual dietary needs, food allergies or sensitivities, and any other health concerns you may have. We will also take a few minutes to get acquainted with your kitchen.

Menu and Meal Planning: If you decide that our service is a good fit for you, we will schedule a cooking day when we will come and prepare your meals. Before this day, we will send you a customized Menu Proposal based on the information you shared in the consultation. We will prepare one or two side dishes as appropriate to complement each entrée. Side dishes are selected according to your needs and preferences and may consist of a seasonal fresh vegetable, potato, grain, pasta, side salad or quick bread.

Grocery Shopping: We do all of your grocery shopping the day that we cook for you to ensure that the food is at its freshest. Although we will be happy to shop wherever you wish, we will suggest grocers such as Wegmans Food Markets and Whole Foods Market because they offer organic, whole foods which are better for your health.

Cooking in Your Home: Health department regulations require that we do all of the cooking in your home. It generally takes anywhere from four to seven hours to prepare you meals depending on the package you choose. We bring our own cooking equipment with us and only need the use of a working stove, running water and a cleared counter space. We also ask that you make space in your refrigerator and/or freezer for the meals prior to our arrival.

Kitchen Cleaning and Food Storage: When we are finished cooking, we will package and label all of your meals according to your preferences and the size of your family and whether or not you will be dining together. We will also clean your kitchen leaving only the aroma of home-made meals behind and clear heating and serving instructions to help you get the most out of your personal chef service.

Storage Containers and Fees: Depending on the service you request, you may pay a one-time fee for reusable glass containers such as Pyrex (or similar), or you may choose reusable plastic containers such as Rubbermaid, Gladware or Ziplock. If you choose Pyrex, a $100 container deposit will be due when we schedule your first cook date. This amount generally covers a set of 8 to 10 containers. Any unused amount will be refunded to you and any additional pieces that are required, costing more than $100, will be added to your first service invoice. If you choose reusable disposable containers, they will be included in your first grocery invoice and occasional replacement costs will be included in your grocery invoices thereafter as needed. The reason for a container fee is to ensure that:
    1. Proper and sufficient containers are available to package all entrees and side dishes
    2. Containers seal properly and securely
Payment: Christy's Cuisine is a "fee plus" service, meaning that prices are based on a service fee, plus the cost of groceries The service fee for your first two cook dates, a container deposit (if applicable) and fees for any special requests for your first two cook dates are due when we schedule your first cook date. We bill semi-monthly on the 1st and the 15th when you will receive your service invoice (either by mail or e-mail) outlining your service dates, type of service and scanned copies of your grocery and container receipts (if applicable). Invoices are due upon receipt. We accept checks only at this time.

Additional Information: A travel charge will apply for all travel beyond a 30 mile radius from our location.


Christy's Cuisine Personal Chef & Catering Services
Chef/Owner Christy Lapham     Phone: (571) 225-9679     E-mail: chef@christyscuisine.com
Serving the D.C. Metro Area