What’s included in your service?

I take care of menu writing, shopping, keeping track of what’s in the pantry and fridge, cooking, and cleaning up! All you need to do is heat and enjoy.

What are the benefits of working with a personal chef over a meal delivery or meal kit service?

The main benefit of working with a personal chef is personalization. Like tons of extra fresh herbs with your meals? Want to double up on meat portions? Hate cabbage? Want to add on an extra meal or skip one any week? I can write menus tailored to your exact preferences and specifications.

Because I am a one-woman show, you have a direct line of communication to your chef and I can also adapt quickly and work with you to make service fit your needs.

Can I request certain dishes?

Absolutely! I welcome any requests for your menu. I love when clients share favorite recipes. If it’s something new to me I am always happy to give it my best effort or suggest adaptations to make the dish more meal prep-friendly.

What household size can you cook for?

Most of the households I work with have 2-4 members but I can design custom packages to fit any number of clients.

How much food do I get?

A standard cooking session will provide enough food for your household to enjoy 3-5 days of lunches and dinners. I have found this amount works best for most families’ fridge space. Additional dishes can be added on for an extra fee depending on your needs.

How long is a cooking session?

I budget 5-6 hours of in-home cooking time per session.

How long do I need to commit to meal prep services?

While I hope to cultivate lasting partnerships with my clients, I understand that life changes and your needs may evolve over time. I request at least 2 weeks of advance notice before ceasing services. If you know upfront that you’d only like a single session or a few weeks worth, please let me know your date(s) when inquiring.

What happens when I am out of town?

Because I offer weekly service, I block off each client’s day of the week for them indefinitely. Within that, each client is allotted 4 skip-service weeks per year with no charge. Beyond that, clients can either 1) pay a $250 retainer fee for each week of service skipped, b) have me come by anyways to do a pantry/fridge/freezer restock/reorganization so that they have a organized and stocked home for their return, or c) gift my service. For option c, I will still cook in the client’s home as they will have the set up ready for my usual cooking and the gift recipient can come pick up their meals afterwards.

Can I purchase services as a gift?

Definitely! Meal prep services make a great gift especially for households welcoming new members or for those healing from surgery or illness. Please note that you’d like to purchase sessions on behalf of another person when inquiring and let me know how many weeks you’d like to book. For these sessions, I can cook in either the gift recipient’s or the giver’s home, whichever is more comfortable.

Can you deliver?

I only offer in-home services in compliance with local food preparation regulations. A benefit of having me cook in your home is that there are no costs associated with ice packs, renting a commercial kitchen space, or delivery bags.

What is your service area?

I am based in Oakland and service Berkeley, El Cerrito, Albany, Emeryville, Alameda, and Piedmont as well. Travel fees may apply depending on your distance from the center of Oakland.

Can you cater my event?

I do not offer catering services. However, I do know many wonderful catering chefs in the area and would be happy to refer you to them if you are looking for a one-time party chef! Please email me at hello@cassandragonzalez.com.