General Questions

What is a subscription service?

A Subscription service is available for clients who are looking for a higher level of service and would like to retain my services on a regular basis. This allows you to have chef services scheduled and customized to exactly the way you need and want week after week. You’ll have the ability to text me with questions about your service at any time. These clients often may have special requirements such as a health condition, special diet, or they need to have my services set on autopilot where they do not need to worry about anything and just want to know their chef needs are taken care of. We are working in tandem to do what is best for you, you are my priority. Pricing for subscriptions is billed for 4 cooking days at a time and charged on autopay 4 days before the first of the 4 cooking days. Cancel anytime before the next billing date

What are the benefits of a subscription service?

• Save $25 per week..

• First opportunity to book private dinner parties when new dates are available.

• Personal access for emergencies or questions via text

• Referral Program – You and your friend receive 20% off your next service

• Hold your spot while on vacation.

• Complimentary digital thermometer

What is the difference between a private chef and a personal chef?

A private chef is usually employeed by one client or client-family full time. While a personal chef works for several different clients and/or client families, sometimes visiting two clients in one day.

Who needs a personal chef?

Any individual who believes in the importance of having freshly prepared, custom meals ready at their convenience. Most people hire a personal chef because they do not have the time or desire to cook. Business professionals, expecting or new parents, busy working families, athletes, older adults, people with specific dietary needs or allergies, people recovering from an injury, illness, or surgery are all great candidates for personal chefs.

What type of food do you cook?

Chef Will has a repertoire of hundreds of recipes from which to choose. No restaurant, meal kit or meal delivery service can compete with this level of variety when it comes to healthy eating. Chef Will can create entirely new culinary experiences for you by incorporating many international cuisines including French, Mediterranean, Asian, Thai, Mexican, Italian, Indian and much more into your weekly dinners if that’s what you want. Chef Will also specializes in American comfort food, Cajun, and Southern cuisine.

What areas do you serve?

Bellingham, Washington and Whatcom County

Do you deliver meals?

No, all meals are prepared in your home kitchen.

Do you have your food handler's card?

Yes, Chef Will is ServSafe (Manager Level) certified. ServSafe is a 2-day food safety training and certificate program administered by the US National Restaurant Association. The program is accredited by ANSI and a US nonprofit called the Conference for Food. This certification is far more rigorous and detailed than the food handler card required by the health department to work in a restaurant.

Are you insured?

Yes, Chef Will carries a general liability policy that protects us from any issues that may arrise.

What are your health and safety protocols?

You and your family’s health and well-being is my #1 priority and food safety is equally as important. If a family member has mild cold/flu symptoms, please let me know so that I can wear a mask while in your home. If a member of the house has a fever or has vomiting or diarrhea, please let me know, we may need to reschedule our cook day. I will need to reschedule if I have a fever, or I am vomiting or have diarrhea.

Where do you do your grocery shopping?

Chef Will visits various grocery stores and/or farmer's markets hand-selecting the finest and highest quality ingredients. Chef Will may visit up to 3 markets in one day to get the ideal product for your service. If you prefer a certain store or market, please notify Chef Will and we he will do his best to accommodate your needs.

Do I have to eat local organic ingredients and pasture-raised meats? Don’t they cost a lot?

Chef Will is passionate about cooking and the ingredients he uses. Chef Will is able to purchase most of the ingredients at wholesale prices passing those savings on to you.

Can I provide the ingredients and then you cook them?

No. Chef Will perosnally procures all of your food to ensure the quality, safety, quantity, and availability of the ingredients. If you do have a special ingredient on hand that you would like Chef Will to use, please let him know.

Do I have to be home when you are cooking?

No. In most cases clients are working, running errands, or out of town while their personal chef is preparing their meals.

How long does a service take?

Our in-home chef service generally takes anywhere from 3-6 hours. Chef Will is happy to accommodate your schedule and will be there at the agreed upon time.

Is it okay if I watch or help?

Helping, no. You are welcome to watch and ask questions, please keep in mind that Chef Will has a very specific production schedule. He must adhere to this schedule to produce the best quality and safest food in a timely manner. If you would like to learn how to cook, let Chef Will know and we can set up some 1 on 1 coaching sessions.

How often will you come to my house to cook?

Chef Will’s personal chef services are offered one-time, several times per week, weekly, bi-weekly (every other week) or once a month.

Is there anything I can do prior to your visit?

Yes, thank you for asking. Please have your kitchen counters free of clutter, your sink cleared, and have adequate space made in your refrigerator and freezer to store your meals.

in-home meal service questions

What is included in a weekly meal service?

Everything! Each service package includes initial assessment, your choice of 3-5 complete entrees customized to your preferences, recipe writing, grocery shopping, prep-work, cooking, kitchen clean-up, packaging, labeling, storage and heating instructions. The cost of food is also included in all our services.

How much do your weekly services cost?

Weekly one-time or recurring services start at $350.00 per service, including the cost of groceries.

Is the menu the same every time?

Not unless you want it to be. The Chef will create 20-30 menu items that fit your dietary preferences, you pick the items you’d like to try based on the number of meals in your plan. Some clients want the same menu items every week, some go months without ever having a repeat meal. The choices are endless!

Are side dishes included?

It depends. Each meal is balanced with a protein, plenty of vegetables and a grain. You will receive as many side dishes required to create that balance. For instance, a soup may be perfectly balanced and won’t require a side item. While a main dish of meat may require 1-2 sides to be balanced. 

I have small children, can you make special meals for them?

Absolutely! Chef Will (who is also a Father) is more than happy to create healthy, delicious meals for your children.

How will my meals be packaged?

Brilliance Rubbermaid containers or glass containers is an added one-time fee based on the amount of containers needed for your meal plan. Costs range from $75-$150.

Your containers (Chef Approved): No cost.

Are the meals fresh or frozen?

Each service is individualized to your needs. Our services consist of all fresh food, some can be frozen. Generally no more than 5 days of fresh food is left in your refrigerator. Any additional meals will need to be stored in your freezer. 

Do I re-heat my food?

Yes. You will be left with detailed handling instructions about how to heat your meals. If meals are frozen, simply thaw them in the refrigerator 2 days before you need them and follow the easy re-heat instructions for your oven or microwave.

How much refrigerator/freezer space do you need?

That all depends on how many meals your request. However, it usually occupies a shelf or two. The uniform Brilliance or glass containers offered by Chef Will are similar in size and shape, save space, and are easy to stack, store, and view.

How long do meals last?

This depends on how many entrees and how many people are being served. Through this formula of entrees and servings Chef Will can tell you exactly how many meals you will have and how long they will last.

In terms of the shelf life, most meals have a maximum shelf life of six days in a refrigerator (two for fish/seafood) and up to one month in the freezer. All meals are clearly labeled and dated for easy selection.

PRIVATE DINNER PARTY AND CATERING

Do you cater?

Yes. I only release a few available catering dates every couple months. Make sure to follow Wandering Chef Will on Facebook and Instagram as they go fast. Subscription clients get early access to available dates.

Do you serve alcohol?

No. The client is responsible for the purchase and serving of all alcoholic beverages.

Service Policies

New Client

Payment is due in full at least 5 days prior to each new client's first service date. For future services, payment is due at least 4 days before the scheduled cooking day.

Payment

You’ll receive an invoice via email and can pay by credit, debit, Apple Pay, PayPal, Venmo, or ACH bank payments. Subscription clients are automatically charged every 4 cooking days (every 4 weeks for weekly recurring clients, every 8 weeks for bi-monthly). Subscription clients save up to $25 per week.

Cancellation

We understand things happen and sometimes client's need to cancel. For weekly chef services, all cancellations must be made by the client at least four (4) days prior to their service date to receive a full refund. If the client cancels within the four (4) days prior to their service, they will be charged a $200 cancellation fee.

“no-show”

It is the client's responsibility to make sure someone is home to greet Chef Will. If nobody is able to be home when the Chef arrives, please make sure you have discussed any entry instructions with the Chef prior to his arrival. If the Chef arrives to the client's home and the client is not home, does not answer, and/or is unresponsive via phone/email, the Chef reserves the right to cancel the service and charge a $200 cancellation fee. To avoid this situation, Chef Will reminds you of the service date and time 24 hours prior to the scheduled cooking day.

Menu Requests and Edits

All final menu selections must be made at least seven (7) days prior to the client's service date. Chef Will needs proper time to plan, prepare and shop for the client's meals. Any last minute menu changes will incure additional costs.