Make sure that your refrigerator is set to 40 degrees or below and your freezer is set at 0°. This is very important to maintain the quality of your meals, so if you aren't using thermometers now, Chef for You is happy to provide them for a nominal fee. When the food is stored at the proper temperature, it is safe to consume up to 6 days of delivery; with the exception of fresh seafood entrees, which need to be consumed within 2-3 days.

It is recommended that the spa meals not be frozen and should be consumed within 5 days of delivery. The regular menu offers choices that can be served fresh or frozen. Typically, the client will have a seafood entrée or another meal that is best served fresh the first, second, or third day of delivery. The remainder of the meals are stored frozen so you may have them at your convenience. If your freezer maintains the recommended 0 degrees, then your meals can be stored for up to three months; however it is recommended to serve your frozen seafood entrees within 45 days.

If you would like your food delivered but will not be home to receive it, contact Marcie directly to make arrangements. We try to offer a window of time for deliveries for your convenience, but also can be given a key to your garage or home if you will not be there to accept the delivery. If you opt to pick up your order, it is very important to bring a cooler to transport your meals. This not only keeps them at the proper temperature but also keeps them from shifting too much in your car.

*Instructions reflect the heating of 1 serving; allow an additional 10-15 minutes for each extra serving
*When ordering online you will receive customized printed heating instructions

Side Items

• RICE/PASTA - Microwave loosely covered on microwave safe plate until hot, about 1 ½-2 min. Rice and pastas do not need to be thawed if frozen, just add extra time and check often.
• POTATOES - Mashed Potatoes can be thawed in microwave, on 50% power, stirring often. Microwave loosely covered on microwave safe plate until hot, about 1 ½-2 min.
• TWICE BAKED POTATOES/AU GRATIN - Potatoes can be thawed in microwave, on 50% power. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350°. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until hot.
• VEGETABLES (GREEN BEANS, BROCCOLI, SPINACH, VEG MEDLEY, ETC) - Microwave loosely covered on microwave safe plate until hot, about 1 ½-2 min. Vegetables do not need to be thawed if frozen, just add extra time and check often.
• VEGETABLE CASSEROLES (CORN SOUFLE, SPINACH CASSEROLE, SQUASH GRATIN) - can be thawed in microwave, on 50% power. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 350. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until hot.

* TO THAW FOOD FROM A ALUMINUM CONTAINER, SIMPLY POP OUT ONTO MICROWAVE SAFE PLATE OR BOWL

Chicken

• Breaded Chicken Breast - Preheat oven to 350°. Place chicken in oven, uncovered, for about 25-30 minutes or until hot throughout. If frozen, thaw overnight.
• Un-breaded Chicken Breast (with a sauce) - Preheat oven to 350°. Place chicken in oven, covered, for about 20-25 minutes or until hot throughout. If frozen, thaw overnight.
• Stuffed Chicken Breast (breaded) - Preheat oven to 350°. Place chicken in oven, uncovered, for about 30-35 minutes or until hot throughout OR cut on a diagonal, and heat in microwave. If frozen, thaw overnight.

Casseroles/Lasange/Enchiladas

• If frozen, thaw overnight. Preheat oven to 350. Bake uncovered 30 minutes or until hot a bubbly around the edges and cheese is melted. If heating Lasange DO NOT heat in microwave! Let stand about 10 minutes before cutting and to "set up"

Stir-Fries

• Can be frozen. If frozen, thaw overnight in fridge before heating. Portion onto microwave safe plates and heat in microwave for 2 ½ to 3 minutes or until hot throughout.

Stroganoff

• If frozen, Thaw in refrigerator the night before day of consumption. Heat stroganoff on stovetop in small saucepan over low heat until hot. Stir in 2 Tbsp of sour cream per serving (do not boil after adding sour cream or the sauce will curdle). For microwave, portion egg noodles first onto microwave safe plate, portion stroganoff onto of egg noodles and heat loosely covered in microwave for about 2 min. Stir, and continue heating until hot, about 1 1/2 more min.

Steaks

• Preheat oven to 350. Place steaks in oven uncovered for about 20-25 minutes, for medium rare. If freezing, thaw overnight in fridge prior to heating.

Beef Wellington

• Do not remove from fridge until right before heating. Preheat oven to 425. Carefully remove Beef Wellington from container. Place a piece of parchment paper (provided) on bottom of a cookie sheet (without sides). Place Wellington on the parchment lined cookie sheet and bake for approximately 20-22 minutes IN CENTER/UPPER AREA OF OVEN (not bottom area) or until puff pastry is lightly golden. Heat sauce in microwave just before serving and serve alongside.

Meatballs/Stews

• If frozen, Thaw in refrigerator the night before day of consumption. Heat in microwave or on stovetop over medium-low heat, covered, stirring occasionally to distribute heat evenly until hot throughout.

Fish

• Salmon - Preheat oven to 450. Bake uncovered for about 15 minutes or just until Salmon is cooked. Salmon will continue cooking after removing from oven, avoid over cooking, check center for doneness. If frozen, thaw overnight in fridge prior to heating OR add additional heating time and lower temp. to 375.
• Mahi-Mahi, Halibut, Striped Bass, Snapper, and Red Fish - Preheat oven to 375. Bake uncovered for approximately 10 minutes per inch of thickness at the thickest part of the fish. This should take anywhere from 12-20 minutes, depending on oven. Check center of fish, it should be opaque white; avoid overcooking.
• Rainbow Trout - Preheat oven to 375. Bake fish uncovered for about 10-15 min. or just until opaque (do not overcook). (trout is very thin and cooks quickest of all)

*Fish entrees do not have to be thawed, just add extra cooking time

Shrimp

• Preheat oven to 375. Bake shrimp uncovered for about 15-20 minutes or just until cooked through. Do not over cook. Serve immediately.

Soups & Stews

• Thaw in refrigerator the night before day of consumption. Heat in either in small saucepan, stirring often on low to medium heat OR in microwave, stirring often to distribute heat evenly, until heated throughout. Can be thawed in microwave on 50% power.

Pork

• Tenderloin - Heat Pork in microwave just until the pork is hot, starting at 1 1/2 minutes and continue at 45 second intervals. Be sure to spoon sauce over pork to keep it moist. Do not overcook pork, or it will be dry. Pork can also be heated in a 350 degree oven covered for about 20-30 minutes.
• Chops - If frozen, thaw overnight in fridge. Preheat to 350. Place container uncovered in oven for about 25-30 minutes or until hot throughout.

Rack of Lamb

• If frozen, thaw overnight. Preheat oven to 400. Bake lamb uncovered for about 20-25 minutes for medium to rare. Let rest about 5 minutes after removing from oven and carve between the bones to serve.

Stuffed Flank Steak

• If frozen, thaw overnight in fridge. Preheat oven to 400. Roast steak, uncovered, for about 20-25 minutes or until cooked to your specifications.

Pot Pies

• Biscuit Topping - Thaw in refrigerator the night before day of consumption. Preheat oven to 350. Bake loosely covered with foil for about 40 minutes, or portion onto microwave safe plates and heat covered in microwave until hot.
• Puff Pastry Crust - Thaw in refrigerator the night before day of consumption. Bake in preheated 400-degree oven, uncovered, for 30- 45 minutes. Cover with aluminum foil if crust starts to get too brown.