The Truth About Being a
Gluten-free Personal Chef
(That Nobody Talks About)
How I really feel about being a Personal Chef.
People think being a personal chef is all beautifully plated meals, fancy grocery hauls, and me casually sprinkling herbs in slow motion while jazz music plays in the background.
And sure… sometimes.
But there are also a few things about this job that are funny, humbling, slightly chaotic, and honestly? Very real.
So here’s the truth about being a personal chef.
1. We Are All Creatures of Habit
(Even When We Think We Aren’t)
Being a personal chef has taught me that most people naturally gravitate toward the same meals over and over again — even without realizing it.
Clients I cook for weekly usually order very similar meals with small variations here and there.
I’ll suggest little changes to jazz things up:
- a new sauce
- different vegetables
- swapping a side
…but ultimately, their taste buds make the final decision.
And honestly? I love that.
Because food should still feel familiar, comforting, and easy to enjoy.
"A well-curated spice collection is one of the simplest ways to upgrade your cooking. Focus on freshness, smart storage, and spices you truly love. Your meals—and your kitchen—will instantly feel more alive."
2. I Spend SO Much Time Washing Dishes
Nobody talks about this enough. However I did make a video about this on Instagram..
The amount of dishes involved in being a personal chef is honestly offensive.
You cook.
You clean.
You grocery shop.
You prep.
You organize.
You clean again somehow.
And yes — I absolutely have moments where I stare at sheet pans wondering how I used this many dishes to make just a few meals. Listening to audio books has helped me zone out and feel like I’m spending my time more effectively.
Check out more Personal posts.
3. I Still Don’t Know What I Want for Dinner Sometimes
This shocks people.
“But you cook professionally!”
Correct.
And sometimes after cooking for clients all day, my brain completely powers down when it comes to feeding myself and my family.
I can create a dinner plan for four families… and then stand in my own kitchen eating a spoonful of peanut butter while staring into the fridge.
I often tell people, that imagine working all day and coming home to continue to work. It’s draining. Your mind might shut off. For me, my creative energy is usually wiped out but somehow dinner does appear on the table.
4. Food Is Emotional for People
This is probably the biggest thing I’ve learned.
Food is:
- comfort
- routine
- culture
- stress relief
- connection
Sometimes clients don’t want the “healthier swap.” Sometimes they want the pasta their kids will actually eat after soccer practice. Sometimes they want the nostalgic meal. Sometimes they just want dinner to feel easy.
And honestly? I get that. Because real life food doesn’t have to be perfect to matter.
The Part I Love Most
For all the chaos, grocery carts, dishes, and constantly thinking about food…I genuinely love this job.
I love creating recipes from scratch and watching them become meals families ask for again and again.
I love feeding people during important moments in their lives:
- new babies
- busy sports seasons
- hard seasons
- celebrations
- holidays
- family dinners around the table
Food becomes part of people’s memories. And getting to play even a small role in that is something I never take for granted. I love bringing joy to the table. Not in a fancy restaurant way. In a real-life way. The kind where someone takes a bite and immediately relaxes because dinner is handled, everyone’s eating, and for one second life feels a little easier.
That’s the part that matters most to me.
What Being a Personal Chef Has Actually Taught Me
Have you seen these recipes yet?
Hi, I'm Kat.
Welcome to my Kitchen Counter. I’m excited to share with you a new series called “Make my kitchen work for you” along with a collection of blog posts about a variety of topics – building a gluten free pantry, staples to always have on hand and gift guides for the Chef in your life. Take a look around. I’d love to hear from you – do you like these posts?
