taste

Relax…Dinner's Done
Chef Services Offer Dining With A Personal Touch
By Ashley Wright
After a long day at the beach, coming back to the condo and slaving over the stove to cook a meal or getting ready to search for a restaurant and waiting in line for what could be up to an hour during peak season doesn't always sound like the most enjoyable options after you're more than a little sunburned and exhausted from hitting the waves. And sometimes going to the grocery store and planning meals in advance of your vacation or during a busy week can seem like a daunting task. But there's a solution.

This summer, why not try the services of a personal chef? Often, the prices are more palatable than you think and can save you a hassle or two in the kitchen, make a special occasion even more special or make a busy week seem a little less hectic.

What can personal chefs offer? Services range from preparing meals in advance and having them ready for a requested time to interactive cooking demonstrations. Also, most of the chefs we talked to were willing to be more than flexible on what a client may want.

For instance, Chef Andrew Selz promises he is as entertaining as his food is scrumptious, and he offers three types of services—interactive culinary classes, culinary demonstrations and the private chef experience.

Chef On The Go is a personal chef service run by Mary Churillo and Pattio Horton. The pair also offer a full range of personal chef services ranging from dropping off meals for customers to a final warming of the food to be enjoyed to coming into the home to cook, serve and clean up. "All the customer has to do is bring their appetite," Churillo said, adding they offer brunch, lunch and dinner services.

There are a number of advantages that hiring a personal chef can offer. One of the main advantages, according to both ladies of Chef On The Go and Chef Selz, is a personal touch and a customized dining experience right at your doorstep.

The largest perk to partaking of personal chef services, according to the chefs themselves, is the ability to customize your experience based on your needs and likes. For instance, Chef Selz sends clients a list of ideas to use as a reference, but he allows them to switch items or even order two separate meals to be prepared if different parties within a group prefer different selections. He also believes in creating an interactive experience that involves the group—no matter what dishes are being prepared. "I also believe in the importance of presentation, to have that ‘wow' factor when it's in front of you," he said. "I also truly believe in flavors and in fusion—a culmination of different styles." One of his favorite cooking styles is plank cooking—cooking on a wooden plank as a way to flavor a dish. He has even authored a cookbook titled "Plank Cooking with Chef Selz."

Churillo and team have a lengthy list of culinary options on their website, www.chefonthegoinc.com, but they are also open to anything a client has in mind. "We are happy to accommodate customer requests," Churillo said. "You are not limited to our menu."

Another advantage to a customized meal is the assurance of accommodating dietary restrictions. Chef Selz said this is one of the first things he asks before preparing a menu, and the Chef On The Go team said it also provides special meals for those who require a diabetic diet, gluten-free diet, vegetarian or heart healthy diet, etc.

For the summertime, these services can make a vacation or a weekend on the beach more of what they're supposed to really be about—relaxation. After a long day at the beach, Chef Selz said his services are a way to unwind and relax as everyone decompresses from the day—whether its creating tapas and small hors d'oeuvres with wine pairings or creating a light meal and explaining preparation techniques. "A day at the beach can be tiring, and coming in for dinner you really have two options—see if the grocery list is adequate for a meal or hit the grocery store, which could be miles away, or try to get everyone showered and out the door to a restaurant nearby, which could also be miles away."

Churillo agreed that relaxation is a key advantage to using the services of a personal chef. "When your own personal chef comes into your home to provide a meal, it creates a more personal and intimate atmosphere," she said. "The customer is much more relaxed and no one is being rushed through dinner, which can happen in a restaurant. And, best of all, you don't have to dress up for dinner. T-shirts, shorts and flip flops are just perfect."

Personal chef services don't have to be limited to one night. There a numerous companies that provide meal planning for an entire vacation or for a weekend—whatever your need might be. "We have many clients who do just that (meal plan), especially those who are traveling with a large number of people or with small children," Churillo said  "It's so convenient for them to just relax and enjoy our local beaches while we prepare their meals."

Another unique option for those who plan meals for their entire stay is using the services of Perdido Concierge LLC service, which offers grocery shopping and drop off services of food before or after an arrival or for a set time if you're a permanent resident of the gulf coast."

Most vacationers typically arrive on the weekend, and the first thing they need to do is stock up with food. The fact that everyone else is doing the same at approximately the same time creates long lines and frustration on their vacation," said Susan Hall, president. "This is the very thing they are trying to get away from."

For residents and long-term renters, Perdido Concierge is currently developing a program to make its services more affordable on a monthly basis, which would allow those who either don't have the time or the transportation means to go to the grocery store to partake of their services on a regular basis. The company can also accommodate customized requests. "We have gotten a request to shop for meat at Winn Dixie and everything else at Wal-Mart to save some extra money for one client," Hall said. "Since we live here, we can offer the locals discount that comes with having a grocery discount card and any other offers that we may know of."