PERSONAL CHEF SERVICES
Let's take the hassle out of meal planning and prep from your already packed schedule! Allow me to handle the cooking for you. Hello, I'm Cara, also known as @chef_carafresh. I'm a classically trained chef with a passion for crafting delicious, health-supportive meals that leave you feeling your best, all while giving you back precious time in the kitchen.
I'm a firm believer in eating with the seasons, which means I handpick the freshest, in-season produce, locally sourced from my favorite farmers or even grown in my own home garden, to create your meals. I work closely with each client or family to tailor a custom menu and schedule that perfectly aligns with their dietary preferences, allergy restrictions, and unique tastes.
Choose from fully composed meals or meal prep-style components, allowing you the flexibility to mix and match throughout the week. Let's simplify your life and elevate your dining experience, one delicious dish at a time!
I am currently servicing Downtown Manhattan & Monmouth County, NJ only
VEGGIE FORWARD / PLANT-BASED MEALS
In my kitchen, vegetables are not just ingredients; they often take center stage. I believe in the power of plants to ignite our palates and nourish our bodies, and I'm here to prepare colorful and delicious meals for you using my favorite in-season, organic produce from my favorite local farms, farmers markets, and my own garden. I invite you to join me on this voyage where vegetables reign supreme. Whether you're a dedicated plant-based connoisseur or a curious palate ready to explore, I promise an expedition that will redefine how you view, savor, and appreciate the bounty that nature provides. Client favorites include Whole Roasted Cauliflower, Sweet & Spicy Tofu & Veggie Bowls, Coconut Curry Veggie Stew, Greenmarket Roasted Vegetable Pasta Bake, Sweet Potato-Kale Bean Chili, and Chickpea Meatballs in Burst Cherry Tomato Sauce.
FISH/SEAFOOD OPTIONS
I've embarked on a mission to ensure that the seafood gracing your plate comes from fisheries that prioritize the health of marine ecosystems. I source sustainable options for the menu following the NOAA Fish Watch Guide. Client favorites include Pan Seared Hudson Valley Steelhead with Castelvetrano Olive Tapenade, Braised Atlantic Wild Cod in Tomato Sauce, Wild Salmon Burgers, Honey-Garlic Salmon Cobb Salad, and more.
FOR THE CARNIVORE
When you choose a dish from my menu, you're choosing more than a meal; with every bite you take I want it to speak volumes for the principles that guide me: reverence for the land, respect for the animals, and a deep understanding that what we eat should nourish not just our bodies, but the world we inhabit. My menu features 100% grass-fed and finished beef and 100% pastured heritage pork and poultry. Client favorites include Slow Cooked Italian Style Meatloaf, Roast Pork Tenderloin with Apples & Onions, Grilled Pork Medallions with Creamy Mustard Sauce, Ground Pork “Egg Roll in a Bowl”, Teriyaki Beef & Broccoli, Cast Iron Turkey-Zucchini Burgers, Moroccan Spiced Chicken Stew, and Crispy Baked Chicken Thighs with Caramelized Onions.
HEALTH SUPPORTIVE SPECIALITIES & COMFORT FOODS
Let my carefully curated health supportive specialities become a beacon of nourishment. Picture a steaming bowl of nutrient-rich broth, where the essence of herbs and spices intermingle to offer both comfort and immune-boosting magic. Say goodbye to sniffles and welcome the warmth of healing ingredients that soothe both body and soul. Specialities include Nourishing Mineral Broth, Turmeric-Veggie Congee, Thai Coconut-Chicken Broth, Slow Cooked Chicken Soup, Anti-inflammatory Cubes, Stewed Spiced Apples, and more.
While health-supportive foods prioritize the physical aspects of wellness, comfort foods cater to our holistic needs, nurturing our mental and emotional states. Their impact resonates deeply, reminding us that nurturing the soul is just as significant as nurturing the body. Comfort foods possess the magical ability to evoke feelings of warmth, security, and joy, creating a cocoon of emotional wellness that complements the healing properties of health-supportive options. Craving a hearty stew? Want to fill your kitchen with the aroma of a freshly baked pie? Wish to send a casserole to a friend in need? Favorites include Pot Pie, Shepherds Pie, Tahini-Banana Bread, Banana-Oat Cookies, Spaghetti & Meatballs, Hearty Beef Stew, Chicken Schnitzel, and Eggplant Parmesan.