How can I get a job as a personal cook without going through an agency?
I am a bilingual amateur chef who enjoys cooking daily. I recently lost my job in sales after 23yrs. although, I was good as a commissioned sales rep, I didn't enjoy the long commute and long hours. I love people and would love to cook for an individual, couple or family.
Hi Alicia, I'm a professional chef, and after college I went the low paying restaurant chef route. It's very hard and exhausting work. As a chef, personal or commercial, you need to prepare yourself. I recommend that you go to your local community college and take some courses. Becoming ServeSafe certified is vital. You will learn important information that you need regarding food safety etc. also study nutrition. If you find a market that needs to be addressed then jump on it. Cooking for allergies, dietary needs, diabetes, kidney disease, heart disease, Crohn's disease. These are needs, and people will pay you to help them. Becoming a personal chef is not a 9-5 job. You are the meal provider, and Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day, etc. are no longer holidays you can enjoy. They are your hardest workdays. At the college you can find leads on employment as a personal chef.
Alicia, 1st decide who you want to cook for? Air BnB tourists? Elderly shut-ins? Overworked housewives? Then make a menu of "ala carte" services, e.g. making menus, shopping for supplies, prepping, chef-cooking, bar-tending, service, clean-up, etc. Put a reasonable price for each, or a comprehensive package price. Be friendly, make the client happy (but you too). Make a website (see: http://www.web.com/landing/websitebuilder.aspx?trkID=SEMrzNr3ZW and get bizniz cards, see also: http://www.vistaprint.com/category/business-cards.aspx?txi=15626&xnid=TopNav_Business+Cards&xnav=TopNav and target your client group with advertising--fliers, craigslist, etc. I knew a guy who made $200- per nite plus tips for such a service in a sleepy Costa Rica beach town where the average wage was approx. $4- USD per hour.
good gosh do you know how much you can make by doing some catering start your own bussiness. print out bussiness cards make samp,les of something and hand them out with your bussiness card, start small also put up adds and use internet,
A question ,me 53, Was born w/No Hungary pains,No urge to eat! Been to Docs They say eat,But a battle to eat enough!Started using cell phone to alarm me to remind me to eat, or 3mesls a day,Lost 30lbs,w/0 Changing diet,exercise,!Now do you know why?Love food,It doesn't love Me!
Hi sweetheart. Just post an advertisement in your local area. Put the ad under nanny's or babysitter wanted. Or go to Care.com and post there. Make sure you invite me over for dinner as well.
Where are you located ? I'm asking simply for reference purposes. For example, there are several affluent neighborhoods that look for personal chefs for their families because they are too busy or just flat out lazy ir just simply too rich but anyway you could go to the HOA of these neighborhoods and ask to post a listing for your services through them. Also try searching for pro athletes. Good luck!
Hi Alicia: Since you are bilingual, try to find restaurants that have the same nationality as you do.
Try thumbtack.com. A lot of people post stuff they do on there and then people can search for you.
If you have a list of potential clients, you could write a letter about yourself and capabilities then mail. You can buy lists of families within a zip code or income range. Probably your best bet is to go through an agency and price your services accordingly. Good luck!