Home Chef FAQs
Getting Started with a Chef
Serving Tacoma to Everett & Seattle to Sammamish
Curious about hiring a personal chef but not sure where to start? You're not alone — for many of our clients, this is their first time exploring in-home chef services. Whether you're looking for help with weeknight dinners, a private dinner party, or healthy meal prep, we’re here to guide you through every step.
Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions about how personal chef services work, what to expect, and how to get started.
Hiring a Chef Near Me
After receiving your call or email with request for hiring a chef, Sahara will follow up with you to learn more about your specific needs and discuss a pricing overview. For clients wanting an in-home chef for weekly meal prep, we ask you to fill out a Food Questionnaire so we can understand your food preferences and dietary needs. Then, we choose a schedule and a chef to work with you! Your chef will arrange an in-person or virtual consultation to meet you before your first cook date and to take a preview tour of your kitchen.
Honest to Goodness serves the greater Puget Sound area, including Seattle, Edmonds, Shoreline, Bothell, Lynnwood, Lake Stevens, Bainbridge Island, Bellevue, Mercer Island, Kirkland, Redmond, Issaquah, Sammamish, Woodinville, Renton, Burien, Federal Way, Puyallup, Tacoma, Gig Harbor, Lakewood, University Place, and Bonney Lake.
We will travel beyond this range to anywhere in Washington State for events. An extra fee applies to help our chefs with their traveling expenses.
We cook in your home or rental property since we are a personal, relationship-oriented service that is exclusively designed to your specific needs. We use your dishes and storage containers, and leave a menu card with easy reheating instructions. Your house will smell like the comforts of home-cooking and you will find your refrigerator full of delicious meals!
If you prefer to have prepared meals delivered to you instead of someone cooking in your home, we do that too! Our Eats Amore meal delivery service in the greater Seattle area launched in 2022.
Your personal chef typically prepares three or more dinner-style meals, with four or more portions per meal, all in one efficient cooking session. Every dish is made fresh and designed to stock your fridge with healthy, ready-to-enjoy meals for the week — simply heat and eat when it works best for your schedule.
Want more than dinners? Your service is fully customizable. Use your chef’s time to include breakfasts, snacks, freezer-friendly meals, prepped salads, or other options that suit your household’s needs.
With our personal chef service, you’ll enjoy the consistency of having the same chef preparing your meals each week, allowing them to get to know your tastes and preferences for a truly personalized experience.
If your regular chef is on vacation or unavailable, we’ll arrange a qualified substitute chef to ensure your meals continue without interruption. Plus, if you ever want to explore a different cooking style or flavor profile, you can easily request to switch to another chef from our team.
You’re not required to be home while your personal chef prepares your meals — perfect for busy schedules or working remotely. That said, many clients enjoy being present to chat or learn a few cooking tips!
If you won’t be home, simply provide a key, access code, or alarm instructions to ensure a smooth and secure visit. This way, you can focus on work or other activities without any interruption or inconvenience.
Your little ones and pets are part of the family, and we want everyone to stay safe and happy during your personal chef visit. For their safety, we kindly ask that children stay clear of the immediate cooking area whenever possible.
We also take great care to keep our cooking mess to a minimum — so your four-legged friends won’t find any tasty surprises on the floor!
To ensure fair compensation for our chefs’ time and travel, we have a 4-hour minimum for all personal chef services. This allows us to provide consistent, high-quality experiences every time.
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In-Home Meal Prep Services: Starting at $400 per week, plus the cost of groceries. This includes customized menu planning, grocery shopping, and on-site meal preparation tailored to your preferences and dietary needs.
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Event Services: Starting at $400, plus groceries and any additional supplies or rental fees required for your event.
We do not charge travel fees for locations within our standard service area. For extended-distance bookings, a reasonable travel stipend may apply.
Contact us today for a personalized pricing estimate based on your household or event needs.
No contract is required for our weekly in-home cooking services — we keep things flexible and easy for your household.
For private chef events and dinner parties, we require a non-refundable deposit of $250, which is applied toward your final event balance. Events with more than 20 guests may require a larger deposit based on the scope of service and staffing needs.
For large events or bookings that involve special logistics (such as rentals, venue coordination, or custom menus), we may require a signed service agreement and a retainer to secure your date and begin planning.
Contact us for personalized guidance and availability.
When you hire a personal chef for weekly in-home cooking, we reserve a dedicated time slot on our schedule just for you. If you plan to be out of town or need to skip a week, we kindly ask for as much advance notice as possible.
This allows us to offer that time to another client and helps your chef maintain a consistent income. We truly appreciate your consideration — it supports our ability to provide reliable, high-quality service to everyone we serve.
Let's Talk About the Food
Just like our name says: Honest, good food.
Our personal chefs specialize in preparing wholesome, home-cooked meals using only fresh, whole ingredients — no shortcuts, just real food. Each dish is thoughtfully crafted with herbs, spices, and seasonal ingredients to bring out rich flavors while supporting a healthy lifestyle.
Whether your tastes lean toward comfort food classics or you enjoy exploring global cuisines, your chef will create meals that align with your preferences and dietary goals. Menus focus on vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean proteins, with room for indulgence when you want it.
From “meat and potatoes” favorites to bold, adventurous dishes, we’ve cooked it all — literally. Our recipe library includes nearly 6,000 tested recipes, giving you endless variety in your weekly menus.
As part of our personalized consultation process, we’ll ask about your preferred grocery stores and ingredient preferences. Our chefs shop at all major grocery chains and local markets, selecting the best options based on your dietary needs, ingredient list, and whether you prefer organic or conventional products.
Whether you prioritize seasonal produce, specialty items, or budget-conscious shopping, we’ll tailor the grocery sourcing to match your lifestyle and values — so you always feel confident about what’s going into your meals.
We take ingredient quality seriously. For grocery purchases, our chefs prioritize organic options for proteins, dairy, and select produce — especially items listed on the Dirty Dozen, based on the Environmental Working Group’s guide. For produce with lower pesticide risk (the Clean Fifteen), we balance organic and conventional selections based on availability and your preferences.
When it comes to seafood, we source responsibly. Our chefs follow guidelines from Seafood Watch to ensure all fish and shellfish are sustainably harvested and environmentally sound.
Your meals are made with fresh, wholesome ingredients — chosen thoughtfully to nourish your body and support your values.
Your personal chef creates a seasonal, rotating menu designed just for you — drawing inspiration from a wide range of cuisines and cooking styles. Every menu is built around your dietary needs, ingredient preferences, and flavor favorites.
A few days before your scheduled cooking session, your chef will email you a personalized menu to review. You’re always welcome to request edits or substitutions — just let us know at least one day in advance, and we’ll make the adjustments.
This collaborative approach ensures your meals are not only fresh and healthy, but exactly what you’re craving each week.
Feast your eyes on some of our most recent creations!
At Honest to Goodness, we understand that no two diets are the same. Many of our clients follow special dietary protocols or manage food sensitivities, allergies, or health conditions through nutrition. That’s why we customize every menu to meet your individual needs — without sacrificing taste or variety.
Our personal chefs are experienced in preparing meals for a wide range of dietary lifestyles, including:
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Low-carb, low-fat, and low-sodium
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Gluten-free, dairy-free, and Paleo
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Diabetic-friendly and heart-healthy
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Anti-inflammatory / Abascal TQI
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Whole30 and low FODMAP
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Elimination diets and more
Whether you're managing a medical condition, following a healing diet, or simply aiming to eat cleaner, your chef will create meals that align with your goals.
The more we know, the better we can serve you. During your consultation, we’ll collect detailed information about your preferences, sensitivities, and ingredient restrictions to ensure every meal is safe, nourishing, and satisfying.
Absolutely — we welcome special requests and are happy to cook from any recipes you provide. Whether it’s a treasured family dish, something you saw on Instagram, or a doctor-recommended meal plan, your personal chef will tailor the experience to your tastes.
We're here to make sure every meal feels like home — or like your favorite restaurant.
Yes! We offer one-on-one cooking instruction for anyone looking to learn kitchen skills, master new techniques, or prepare a special meal for someone you love. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced home cook, our personal chefs will guide you step-by-step in a fun, supportive environment.
Looking for a more social experience? Our chefs also lead group cooking classes and interactive chef demos for private parties or corporate events. Perfect for team-building, birthdays, or a night in with friends, we bring everything needed for a memorable culinary experience in your home or office.
Other Important Details
Honest to Goodness is fully licensed by the State to operate as a professional personal chef service. Each of our chefs is covered by general liability insurance through our corporate membership with the USPCA, giving you peace of mind every time we enter your kitchen.
Important Note: In Washington State, it is illegal to sell food prepared in a private home kitchen unless operating under approved Cottage Food Laws. At Honest to Goodness, we are fully compliant with all local health regulations. All meals are prepared in your home or in a licensed commercial kitchen, depending on the service.
Your safety and trust are our top priorities — we follow every rule so you can enjoy every bite, worry-free.
We primarily cater in-home and at venues where a kitchen is available for our chefs to use. For larger events or special circumstances, we can prepare meals in our licensed commercial kitchen and offer meal delivery with the option to secure special event insurance for added peace of mind.
Every event is unique — please contact us with your specific plans so we can create a custom proposal tailored to your needs and budget.
If we determine that our services aren’t the best fit for your occasion, we’re happy to connect you with highly qualified, trusted caterers in the area to ensure your event is a success.
Of course! Who wouldn’t love the gift of delicious, healthy meals prepared by a personal chef — plus the priceless gift of extra time?
Our gift certificates are the perfect present for anyone who needs a break from cooking, is managing a busy schedule, or could use some extra care during a challenging time. Whether for holidays, birthdays, or just because, it’s a thoughtful way to show you care.
Gratuity is never automatically included in our personal chef services. While tipping is not required, we gratefully accept it at your discretion as a way to recognize the hard work and dedication of your chef.
We truly appreciate clients who acknowledge the care and effort our team puts into creating delicious, memorable meals tailored just for you.
Not at all! While we’ve had the pleasure of serving celebrities and professional athletes, the majority of our clients are hardworking, active professionals who want to spend more time on what matters most — their careers, family, and personal time.
Our clients value a service like ours because it eliminates the hassle of meal planning and cooking, saving them time and reducing stress.
We invite you to take a moment to calculate your current monthly food expenses — including groceries, dining out, takeout, and wasted food. Then imagine how converting that budget into a personal chef service can save you both time and money, while bringing healthy, delicious meals straight to your table.