Personal Chefs to the Rich, Famous (and Normal)
What does Gwynteth Paltrow eat for lunch? Not many people can answer that question, but her personal chef is one of them. Although Paltrow has allegedly abandoned her macrobiotic eating habits, she is just one of many celebrities now employing private cooking staff to meet special dietary needs. Whether they’re whipping up macrobiotic feasts, raw-food extravaganzas, or Ayurvedic delicacies, personal chefs employed by Hollywood stars must meet the challenge of crafting delicious food that also helps maintain the waistlines of its clientele.
Actors aren’t the only ones helping boost the employment of personal chefs, however. In 2006 The NewYork Times reported that the number of people using these services had grown by almost 50 percent since 2001. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were almost 5,000 private household cooks in 2006. With time at a premium and increased pressure to maintain dietary and physical health, the United States Personal Chef Association estimates that personal chef businesses have more than tripled over the last decade. The growth is expected to continue, with industry revenues projected at close to $600 million by 2012.
How does this trend affect the aspiring chef? Well, for one thing it might impact your course of study. Personal chefs, unlike their restaurant-owning counterparts, must be well-versed in the art of healthy cooking, since they’re working for the same clients each day. While restaurant diners often want to splurge on a decadent treat, the daily meals prepared by a private cook must be nutritionally balanced.
As you plan your culinary career, keep your options open. While chances are slim that you’ll ever set foot in Angelina Jolie’s kitchen, the possibilities of becoming a personal chef to a not-as-glamorous clientele are better than you might think.
If you liked this post please consider leaving a comment or subscribing to the feed.
Share your thoughts about "Personal Chefs to the Rich, Famous (and Normal)"
None yet, geterdun!
Share your thoughts