What is the difference between a personal chef and a private chef?
A private chef cooks for one client exclusively. A personal chef cooks for you in your own home but also cooks for other clients, thus keeping the consumer coss low.

How often does a personal chef come to my house to cook?
A personal chef comes to your house as often as you would like. You may choose to enlist the services of A La Carson on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or one-time basis.

The service of a personal chef sounds expensive-can I afford it?
Most clients find the cost of a personal chef to be approximately the same as their own cost of groceries plus take-out and eating out. When considering whether you can afford a personal chef, take into account the following factors:

• How often do I eat out or order take-out during the week and how much does this cost each time?
• How much money do I spend on groceries alone?
• How much money do I spend on diet products?
• Am I receiving the quality food that I want? Am I eating too much processed food?
• Am I tired of eating the same thing from the fast food restaurant or take-out aisle of the grocery store?

What is the process for hiring A La Carson for the "weeknight meal service"?
After contacting Carson Price, she will arrange a (free) initial consultation. She will come to your home to conduct an interview to determine your (and your family's) likes and dislikes, allergies and special dietary needs. Then she will take inventory of your kitchen so that she is familiar with your cooking equipment. After she meets with you and discusses the service in detail, you will make the decision of whether to schedule your first cooking date.

What will happen the first time that Chef Carson cooks for me?
If you decide to hire Carson Price for the weeknight meal service, you will schedule a cooking date and place a menu order. The morning of your cheffing date, she will purchase the groceries (so they are the freshest available) and will then come directly to your home to prepare your food. You do not need to be home during this time. She will bring some of her own equipment but will use some of your kitchen utensils and appliances. After she prepares the meals and leaves detailed instructions for heating or cooking, she will clean up the kitchen. You will relish the luxury of coming home to a clean kitchen stocked full of the ready to heat (or cook) meals which you have selected.

How do I select the weeknight meal service menu items?
You should take into account the following factors when selecting menu items: servings needed, dietary needs, cost of groceries, and customization. Carson Price will be more than happy to assist you with the selection process and planning your meals.

Example: Chicken Breasts Stuffed with Goat Cheese and Sun-Dried Tomatoes (Serves 4)

#1 Food Needed: When selecting menu items, keep in mind how many meals your family will likely eat at home in a given period of time. Note the serving size of each entrée and the number of people in your family when determining how many entrées to order. With this information in mind, Carson Price will help you decide which entrées should be frozen and which entrées should be refrigerated.

#2 Prep Time: The Weeknight Meal Service Menu includes a variety of dietary choices. Icons help you identify which entrées suit your needs.

#3 Cost of Groceries: While the cost of the personal chef service is fixed, the cost of the groceries is dependant upon your menu choices. For instance, a client who selects steak and crab dishes will pay more than a client who chooses chicken and pasta dishes.

#4 Customization: The meal service can be customized to fit the client's needs, taste buds, and preparation preferences. During the initial interview, you should share any likes/dislike, food allergies, other dietary considerations and your preferred preparation method.

Remember, this is a service for YOU. If you want a recipe prepared that is not on the menu, ask Carson. If you have dietary restrictions not discussed on the website, bring them to Carson's attention. This service has been designed with optimal flexibility to satisfy YOU the customer.

What is the difference between heating prepared food and cooking prepared food?
Carson Price custom prepares meals for you. As the client, you can decide whether you want menu items prepared ready to heat or cook. Ready-to-heat meals are fully cooked and packaged (frozen or refrigerated) with microwave heating directions. Ready-to-cook meals are prepared and packaged (frozen or refrigerated) but are "raw" and need to be cooked in the oven or on the grill.

Please explain more about hiring A La Carson to cook for dinner parties and In-home catering.
Carson will come to your home and prepare food for your dinner party so that you can concentrate on preparing your house, entertaining your guests and enjoying yourself. All in the luxury of your own home! In advance, you may select from the prix fixe menu page or you and Carson can custom design a menu. Carson Price will cook for dinner parties serving anywhere from 2-30 people. The dinner party can range from a intimate and formal five-course sit down meal to a casual buffet for a large group.

As with dinner parties, Carson will in-home cater your special occasion party (engagement or cocktail parties, brunches and showers, afternoon teas and dessert parties.) Save time and your sanity next time you host a party and let Carson take care of the food details.

What type of gift packages are available through A La Carson?
A visit from a personal chef is the perfect gift.

Gift certificates are available. If you chose to give a gift certificate, Carson Price will send the recipient a folder which includes a personalized letter, a gift certificate and information on the services offered. Gift certificates may be used towards any of the services (weeknight meals, dinner parties, in-home catering or individual cooking classes.) Gift recipients are responsible for contacting Carson to schedule a cooking date or event.

Gift packages are also available. If you wish to give someone a gift package, Carson will mail a folder which includes a personalized letter, a gift certificate and a menu to the recipient. Gift package recipients are responsible for contacting Carson Price to schedule a cooking date. On the cheffing date, Carson Price will come to the gift recipient's home and stay 3-6 hours cooking the menu choices. Disposable foil and plastic containers will be used to package the food, which will include extensive heating/cooking instructions.

An initial interview is not required for gift packages, though phone or email communication is encouraged prior to the cooking date. Gift packages are valid for one year from the date of purchase.

As you encounter an abundance of cooking classes available through food stores and commercial kitchens, why not hire A La Carson to come to you? Chef Carson offers individual and group cooking classes in your home.

Individual cooking classes are an excellent opportunity for you to learn how to cook in the privacy of your own home and with individual and customized instruction.

Group cooking classes are a fun way to learn more about cooking and hosting parties. Why not arrange for Chef Carson to entertain you with cooking classes at your next bachelorette party or girl's night?