In-Home Private Chef Services in Chicago

Mila and her chefs welcome the opportunity to work in your kitchen to cook your family’s weekly meals, private dinners, or other events where you’re looking to one-up traditional food offerings.

With our in-home private chef and meal prep service you can spend more time with family and friends or doing things you love instead of stressing about dinner. Don’t worry, we love being in the kitchen! 

We start by scheduling a free consultation call with Chef Mila.

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During your free consultation with our gourmet chef, you will:

  • Detail your dietary goals, taste preferences, and any food allergies or aversions.
  • You can also specify your favorite dishes, and even pass along some of your favorite recipes for us to make for you.
  • If you prefer to be more hands-off in the process, we will always create vibrant and delicious weekly menus based on the preferences you have given us.
  • Above all, feedback is important. In other words, if you find dishes that you like less than others, you don’t have ever to see them again.
  • In turn, if there are recipes you would like on a regular basis, we will make those a fixture on your meal plan.

When you eat out or order in from a restaurant, you have no control over hidden ingredients, or dietary pitfalls. Restaurants often sneak in things we don’t want such as excessive lower-grade fats and sodium, which are used to pump-up flavor of lower quality ingredients. Girl and The Kitchen uses only high-quality ingredients, fresh produce, aromatic herbs and spices. We prefer to use heart-healthy fats like extra virgin olive oils, coconut oil, and grass fed butters. 

Private Chefing FAQs

Why should I hire a private chef?

5 reasons clients choose to work with Girl and The Kitchen 

  1. They have specific allergies or a diet plan that they follow.
  2. They are trying to make healthier choices with their eating and want to take a more holistic approach.
  3. Life if busy, and they often don’t have time to cook.
  4. They are tired of overpaying for food at restaurants, that often isn’t the quality they are seeking.
  5. Our chefs are skilled professionals, who prepare food that has no one leaving the table hungry! 

The Girl and the Kitchen team has a roster of clients that (at any one time) includes busy professionals, professional athletes,  families with two working parents, expectant parents, seniors, people recovering from illness, and more! 

What do I get when I hire a personal chef?

  • Wholesome, delicious, restaurant quality meals prepared fresh in your home 
  • As many meals as you need each week, including breakfast, lunch, or dinner. 
  • Custom menu each week catered to your family’s specific needs and dietary restrictions.
  • More time to focus on yourself or your family.

What if I do not want a chef in our home can you deliver?

Yes! Absolutely!  There is an additional service fee that includes containers as well as the delivery.  We are happy to do this if you do not want to have a chef in your home.

Are grocery costs included with at-home chef service​?

Grocery costs are not included and are added to your invoice each week. When we shop for your family, we are shopping for your specific weekly menu, and will always provide you access to your grocery receipt. 

Why aren’t grocery costs included?

Accountability.  We want to make sure you know exactly how much is being spent on your groceries and where they are being purchased from. Additionally, each client’s preferences vary, as well as grocery prices so we are unable to include groceries in our pricing structure.

Do you shop at specific stores? 

We often frequent Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and other local stores. The initial consultation plays a big role in where and how we shop for you. We shop at the stores that we know have the best produce, proteins, dairy, and other ingredients, but if you have a specific store you prefer us to shop at-we are always happy to accommodate.

How do you know what to cook for me or my family? 

In our first consultation with you, we will review your/your family’s diet, highlighting its preferences and dislikes.  We understand that not all flavors are each client’s cup of tea, which is precisely why we customize menus.

Throughout the time we work with clients, the team stays in constant contact with you—by phone, by text message, however you feel is best for your needs.

Can I shop on my own?

ABSOLUTELY.

We use an “app” that keeps our client’s groceries extremely organized and detailed.  Once the menu has been confirmed that grocery list is made available within the app.

If the client has any questions while grocery shopping, we make ourselves as available as possible to the clients while they are grocery shopping (via text messages) to answer all concerns. 

HOWEVER, one of the best parts of our service is that we minimize the amount of time our client has to spend in the grocery store.  We encourage our clients to utilize this service to save them even more time and MONEY.

What is included in your meal plan? Is the menu the same each time?

Each plan includes an initial consultation which helps determine your needs and preferences, customized menu creation, menu approval, nutrition, dietary recommendations, grocery shopping, in house preparation, packaging, labeling, handling instruction and kitchen clean-up.

Each entrée comes with one side dish—it could be a starch, a vegetable, or a salad. These sides are specifically created to accompany your entrée.

We’ll keep the menu the same if you REALLY want it, but variety is the spice of life, right?  A new menu will be created for you each service. If you are not sure what you would like to eat, we will recommend menus for you based on your diets and cravings.

How will my meals be packaged?

Pyrex containers are ideal. These glass containers are freezer, oven, microwave and dishwasher safe.  Not only do these uniform containers’ keep your food remarkably fresh, but save you space in your fridge and freezer. We are also happy to use whatever containers you currently have.

Are the meals fresh or frozen?

Each service is individualized to your needs. Some services consist of all fresh food, some frozen and some a combination of the two. Some dishes do not freeze well and can be discussed when planning your service.  Other dishes freeze very well and are created to be used in conjunction with the fresh meals.

I have small children; can you make meals for them?

Absolutely! We can create special meals/snacks for your children. And we can even pack their lunches!

Are you insured?

Yes. Glad to share proof and credentials with you.

Can you provide references?

Yes, I’m even happier to share these with you!

Am I locked into a contract if I work with you? Do you have a cancellation policy if we work with your team?

We do give every client complete a contract, that protects us and you. We believe in starting every relationship on a solid foundation, and this allows us to do that. We ask for 48 hour notice with all cancellations, except in the event of emergencies. 

Do you offer traveling chef services?

Our chefs have been invited to travel with families when the clients decide that they need a vacation but cannot LIVE without their chef.  Accommodations and agreements for this are discussed in advance.

Do I have to be home while you’re cooking?

No, you aren’t required to be home while we are cooking in your home. It’s important to note that our chefs are in your home to prepare meals, and are not able to complete other domestic services.  

How long does this service take per week?

We offer meal services daily, weekly, every other week or once a month. Depending on the number of entrees, our chefs can take anywhere from three to six hours to complete a menu plan.  Times vary depending on complexity of the menu and your preferences.

Most importantly, we are happy to accommodate your schedule.

I still have questions. Can we talk about this more?

Absolutely! Email mila@girlandthekitchen for any specific questions you may have!

HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT HIRING A PRIVATE CHEF OR WANT TO SCHEDULE AN EVENT?

CONTACT US AND WE’LL GET BACK TO YOU AS SOON AS WE CAN.