For a growing number of families, the idea of the family sitting around the dinner table is a fantasy, something unachievable in today’s busy world.  Longer work days, commuting time, hockey practice and homework are just a few factors standing in the way of that ‘Leave it to Beaver’ moment.

For moms, who are still generally in charge of mealtimes, it is no longer a matter of preparing one dish each evening which everyone will sit down to eat together.  Not only are families not eating at the same time because of their differing schedules, but they are also eating different dishes at mealtimes.

The easy access to fast foods and convenience foods means that today’s youth have more choices than previous generations, and are more influential and vocal about those food choices.  In fact, studies have shown that teens make over 50% of mealtime decisions, and many families have dual pantries – one for staple food items and the family in general, and one just for the kids.  However, too many convenience foods are also leading to high numbers of diseases such as diabetes and obesity in teens.

With recent meat and poultry scandals, from ‘mad cow disease’ to the use of steroids in animals, together with the easy access to information on the internet, a growing number of teens are turning towards vegetarianism.  A wide range of meat alternatives are available in the marketplace, making the transition easier.  Our rich and diverse multicultural population has also made access to healthy, flavourful, ethnic dishes and cuisines much easier and more acceptable, especially among our youth.  From Japanese to Ethiopian, Mexican to Korean, and everything in between, our vegetarian choices are endless and exciting.

Many families are turning to Personal Chefs to take away the stress of cooking for the different food preferences within the family.  A personal chef service can save the average family about 15 hours per week, which would otherwise have been spent on grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning up, or lining up and waiting at the neighbourhood fast-food outlets.  Everyone can eat whatever they are in the mood for that evening, without mom slaving over the stove for hours on end.  Personal Chefs will customise meals to suit the tastes of all family members, shop for the groceries, prepare multiple portions of healthy, nutritious entrees, package and freeze them and even clean up the kitchen afterwards. 

For more details on Personal Chefs, contact The Chef Alliance at 1 877 402 3221 or 905 482 chef (2433).


Article Submitted by CHEF Sonia, President of The Chef Alliance