Breakfast Blend is published by the United States Personal Chef Association, covering industry trends, new developments and business savvy for Personal Chefs.
Click here to read this post from the USPCA website
IN THIS ISSUE:
Manage Your Mindset
Smarter Pricing
Health Insurance Solutions
Expand Your Business
Smart Tools, Smarter Kitchens!
Resist the Urge to Add Too Many Services
Smart Funding
Path to Financial Stability (with Infographic)
As personal chefs, we know our craft depends on skill, preparation, and execution. But there’s one element that shapes the entire experience before the first pan is even heated—our belief system.
It’s impossible to create an experience that doesn’t match what we believe is possible. The belief comes first. The how comes second.
Before I leave my house for a special event—say, a birthday dinner for 8 or an anniversary celebration for 12—I take 10–15 minutes of quiet time. I’ve showered, put on my uniform, checked for raccoon eyes, and swiped on a bit of lipstick. Then I sit with my menu notes and visualize the entire evening.
I picture myself moving confidently through the client’s kitchen:
I see the pots, pans, and utensils in my hands.
I smell the aromas of each course filling the air.
I hear the guests at the table laughing and clinking glasses.
I feel the tired but satisfied ache in my back and feet as I collect the dessert plates.
I hear applause and compliments, the host asking for a photo, guests requesting my card.
And I imagine the moment I leave: the kitchen reset, the clients happy, my bank account growing—because I charged what my time, talent, and expertise are worth.
Professional athletes have been using this same mental rehearsal for decades. Michael Phelps, for example, visualized every stroke of his Olympic races so clearly that when his goggles filled with water in the 2008 Beijing Games, he was still able to swim blind and break the world record.
He had already swum that race in his mind hundreds of times. That’s the power of visualization—it prepares you to stay calm and succeed, even when the unexpected happens.
This is more than daydreaming. Visualization creates a blueprint for my brain and nervous system. By rehearsing success before I step into the kitchen, I replace self-doubt with confidence. When the unexpected happens—and it always does—I can pivot and problem-solve without losing my calm.
If you’ve never tried using visualization to set yourself up for success, I encourage you to start with your very next booking. Even five minutes of focused mental rehearsal can shift your energy and outcome. It’s a tool I’ve relied on throughout my 14+ years as a professional chef—and now, as a certified life and health coach, I teach it to clients who want to elevate both their craft and their confidence. With dual ICF-accredited coaching certifications and two Harvard Medical School certificates in Sustainable Nutrition and the Science of Happiness, I help people nourish their bodies, relationships, and purpose—because it all starts at the table.
And if you want to go deeper—whether it’s in mindset, confidence, or running your business with more joy and profitability—I work with chefs and entrepreneurs through Modern Mindset Coaching. You can also follow my personal chef stories at Lavish Cuisine and behind-the-scenes moments at Chef Cat Richey. Find me on Instagram at @modern_mindset_coaching, @lavishcuisine, and @chefcatrichey.
For more than 14 years, Catherine Richey has been bringing people together around the table as a professional personal chef—crafting meals that are as nourishing to the soul as they are to the body. Along the way, she discovered that her clients weren’t just hungry for food—they were craving clarity, connection, and a more joyful way of living. Now, as a certified life and health coach with dual ICF-accredited certifications and two Harvard Medical School certificates in Sustainable Nutrition and the Science of Happiness, Catherine blends culinary expertise with mindset coaching to help chefs, entrepreneurs, and private clients thrive in and out of the kitchen. She shares her work through Modern Mindset Coaching and Lavish Cuisine, and invites you to follow her journey on Instagram at @modern_mindset_coaching, @lavishcuisine, and @chefcatrichey.
Smarter Pricing for a Stronger Business: Advanced Strategies for Personal Chefs
As your business matures, pricing becomes less about covering costs and more about capturing the value you deliver. Advanced pricing strategies can help you align your fees with client expectations, seasonal demand, and the unique experiences you provide. While every chef must decide what works best for their own business, here are three proven approaches to consider:
New Look for Health Insurance Solutions
We’re excited to share that LIG Solutions is officially becoming Gallagher – one of the world’s largest insurance brokers – starting Monday, August 18!
This change reflects our continued commitment to helping you find health coverage solutions that fit your needs, with the same great service you’ve come to expect.
Here’s what you need to know:
New Health Coverage Landing Page:
· Access the updated health coverage page using this short link: https://AHS.AJG.com/uspca
· If your firewall blocks shortened URLs, you can use this full link instead: https://AHS-Member-US.AJG.com/uspca/
Same Dedicated Phone Number
· You can still reach the same Gallagher team at your dedicated number: 877-755-0137
· No Disruption to Your Experience
· Your previous landing page will automatically redirect to the new Gallagher-branded page, so there’s no interruption in service.
We’re proud to continue supporting your health coverage needs under the Gallagher name. If you have any questions or need help, don’t hesitate to reach out to the Gallagher team.
Conflict Management with High-Expectations Clients: Protecting Relationships While Staying Professional
As personal chefs, we often serve clients who expect not just excellent food but an exceptional overall experience. While this is part of what makes the profession rewarding, it also means that conflicts or misunderstandings can arise. A forgotten dietary detail, a scheduling issue, or even differences in style can create tension. The key is not avoiding conflict, but learning how to manage it with professionalism—preserving both your reputation and your client relationships.
More to share
Check out a few more tidbits to help you build your business and learn!
Smart Tools, Smarter Kitchens: 13 AI Apps Every Personal Chef Can Use
Running a culinary business means juggling menus, marketing, scheduling, and client communication—all of which can be streamlined with AI. SlashGear’s latest ranking spotlights 13 of the most powerful AI tools for small businesses—from recipe research assistants and video editors to email automators—that let personal chefs optimize operations and spend more time doing what they do best: cooking unforgettable meals.
Focus Wins: Why Personal Chefs Should Resist the Urge to Add Too Many Services
A recent Entrepreneur article spotlights a counterintuitive but powerful lesson for service-based businesses—like personal chef operations. Adding more service offerings might seem like a smart way to attract clients and boost revenue, but too much variety can dilute your message, overwhelm your marketing, strain operations, and ultimately dilute service quality. The smarter move? Perfect that one core offering, test and refine it, and expand only when everything is humming.
Smart Funding for Small Businesses: Can Personal Loans Fuel Your Personal Chef Venture
According to Bankrate, it’s possible for business owners—including personal chefs—to use a personal loan for business purposes if the lender’s terms allow it. This route can be faster and easier to access than traditional business loans—but comes with trade-offs like higher rates, lower borrowing limits, and personal risk if payments are missed. Before considering this option, make sure to compare all your financing alternatives to choose what best supports your culinary business’s growth.
Plan for Culinary Success: Personal Chefs & the Path to Financial Stability
Bankrate’s recent guide on building a strong financial plan is a must-read for small business owners—including personal chefs. It breaks down how to forecast cash flow, create income and expense projections, and set up budgeting processes that keep your culinary venture afloat and primed for growth. With clear financial checkpoints in place, you’ll gain confidence in decision-making and increase your chances of long-term success.
www.uspca.com
