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. Single person households often opt for a biweekly or monthly package and freeze some items to defrost as needed.

How much food do I get?

A standard cooking session will provide enough food for your household to enjoy 4-5 days of lunches and dinners. I have found this amount works best for most households’ fridge space. Additional dishes can be added on for an extra fee depending on your needs and space.

How long is a cooking session?

I budget 5-6 hours of in-home cooking time per session. Additional dishes can add on an hour or 2. I usually schedule my arrival at client homes between 10:30 and 11am.

Can I do a reduced-size package?

Because I am only able to schedule one client per day, I only offer full package services. Smaller households or those interested in fewer meals per week can opt for a biweekly or monthly package (offered only on Fridays).

Where do you shop?

I shop predominately at Whole Foods and occasionally Sprouts as those shops are closest to my home and tend to stock most of the ingredients I use, but I am happy to do my best to accommodate other requests. I prioritize purchasing organic ingredients whenever available and do most of my shopping and travel to client homes by cargo bike.

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. The first session is always a no-strings trial. After that, I require at least 2 weeks of advance notice before ceasing services. If you know upfront that you’d only like a single session or already have a deadline in mind for when you’d like to stop service, 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 and do not schedule other work in that time. Each client is allotted 4 skip-service weeks per year for either planned time away or short-notice cancellations with no charge. Beyond that, clients can either 1) pay a $285 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 an organized and stocked home for their return, or c) gift my service to a local friend or family member.

If you are booking monthly or booking a one-time special package, this policy does not apply.

Do I need to be home while you are cooking?

Whatever suits your regular daily flow is completely fine. Some clients are home most of the time while I am cooking; some are out the entire day.

Can I purchase services as a gift?

Yes! 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. 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 San Leandro, Berkeley, El Cerrito, Albany, Emeryville, Alameda, and Piedmont as well. Travel fees may apply depending on your distance from 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.