Here's what a batch cooking session looks like
Today I want to share the process that turns a batch cooking session into peace of mind and well-being for the days ahead.
Opening your fridge and finding a week’s worth of meals ready to go—tailored to your tastes and needs—seems like magic, but it’s actually the result of careful, hands-on work. Today I want to tell you how my Batch Cooking service works and all the work that goes into each session.
My work doesn’t start at your stove—it begins much earlier: with an initial conversation to learn about your tastes, your needs, and how you prefer to organize your meals, whether in individual portions to take to the office or to share. Planning what you’re going to eat requires careful thought; it’s not about choosing dishes on a whim, but about creating a coherent structure that ensures you have a varied, nutritious, and appetizing diet every day.
At this point, it's up to you to decide how to handle the purchase:
If you’d rather make it yourself, I’ll provide you with a detailed list designed to make the most of every ingredient and avoid waste. Plus, if you’re at the grocery store and have any questions about an ingredient, I’m here to help you right away.
If you’d rather make use of what’s in your pantry, we’ll adapt the menu to the ingredients you already have at home so we can use them creatively.
If you’d rather not worry about it at all, I can take care of the shopping for a small additional fee. I’ll go to the market, personally select the freshest, highest-quality ingredients, and deliver them to your home with the care and attention that the ingredients deserve.
Once the date is set, I’ll come to your home to cook your entire personalized menu. Cooking in your home gives you complete transparency into the process, ensures safety regarding food allergies or intolerances, and fills your space with the warmth of homemade food.
When I arrive at your home, you don’t have to worry about whether your kitchenware is suitable or if you’re missing any special equipment. To ensure the service runs smoothly, all I need is a stove, a refrigerator, a freezer, and a few basic pots and pans. I’ll take care of everything else. I bring my essential tools to work with the utmost precision and independence: my knives, my cutting board, a hand mixer, and the containers needed to organize the mise en place.
Plus, I pay attention to the little details that make all the difference. It doesn’t make any sense for you to buy a whole package of bay leaves or a jar of spices just to use a pinch. That’s why I bring my own dried herbs and seasonings in just the right amounts, saving you space and unnecessary shopping.
You’ve probably seen those videos on social media where people prepare several dishes in just two hours. The reality of cooking done with patience and respect is very different. When everything is done in a hurry, on the run, and without intention, something ends up falling short: the flavor, the texture, or even the very energy of the food is compromised. According to Ayurvedic philosophy, eating isn’t just about providing the body with the nutrients it needs to function properly, but also about the energy and intention of the person cooking. That’s why I approach each session with mindfulness: calmly, with full presence, and a positive attitude. That’s why my approach avoids industrial shortcuts and racing against the clock. Everything is made from scratch, respecting the time each preparation requires.
Preparing everything from scratch, without shortcuts or processed ingredients, requires patience; that’s why a batch cooking session usually lasts between 4 and 6 hours (or more than 7 hours for more complex menus), leaving you with between 10 and 20 individual servings ready to enjoy throughout the week.
The way each ingredient is handled transforms the final result. The way a vegetable or piece of meat is cut isn’t just for aesthetic purposes—it determines the surface area exposed to heat and the evenness of cooking. Similarly, precisely controlling the temperature or adhering to the cooking times required for each element of a recipe isn’t a whim, but rather the proper technique for preserving the integrity of the ingredient, enhancing its flavor nuances, and achieving the exact texture required for each dish.
The container in which food is stored is just as important as the preparation itself. That’s why I always recommend choosing freezer- and microwave-safe glass containers, since they don’t absorb odors, don’t stain from sauces or spices, and ensure the purest possible flavor in every dish. As a practical alternative, reusable, BPA-free plastic containers that are freezer- and microwave-safe also work very well. Although disposable containers are an option—which I can provide upon request for an additional fee—they aren’t efficient in the medium to long term. Investing in a good set of durable containers is not only a more environmentally conscious decision but also a much more cost-effective investment for your daily life.
Once I’m done cooking, I allow for adequate cooling times before organizing the containers, labeling each one, and storing them in your fridge or freezer. This ensures they retain their full quality and stay in perfect condition throughout the days ahead. If you prefer to freeze your food, this preservation method gives you the freedom to plan your meals at your own pace, choosing what to eat each day without any pressure. Plus, by following a few simple guidelines for proper thawing, your dishes will retain their textures, aromas, and all their original flavor.
When I’m done, I’ll leave your kitchen exactly as clean as I found it. The only sign of my visit will be a well-stocked refrigerator filled with dishes prepared with care and ready for your daily life.
Having a personal chef means gaining free time and peace of mind. It means ensuring you enjoy mindful meals, prepared with technical precision and respect for the ingredients, and the calm you deserve in your daily life.