Client Guide
Client Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mindfull Plate? Mindfull Plate is a private in-home meal concierge. We offer personalized chef services curated to meet your needs.
Why Choose Mindfull Plate? We are passionate about providing nutrition and empowering individuals to make positive changes in their lives. Mindfull Plate is a way to provide a service that not only makes healthy eating more accessible, but also empowers individuals to view food as medicine and eat with confidence!
What sets you apart? We don't beleive in a one-size fits all approach when it comes most things in life, and that applies to food as well. We let you tailor your menus to meet your dietary needs and recognize that every individual is different.
How does weekly meal prep work? If you're interested in our meal prep service, head over to our Meal Prep page to learn more.
What does the weekly meal prep service include? The service includes a free consult call, a customizeable rotating menu, grocery shopping, in-home meal preparation, and clean up. Each cooking session includes 6 dishes that total 3-4 meals throughout the week.
Is there a commitment? There is no commitment during your trial period. The trial period is for one week, or one session. If you decide Mindfull Plate isn't the right fit for you, we'll be sad to see you go but thank you for giving us a try! If you'd like to continue serivce at the end of the trial period, you may subscribe to our weekly meal prep subscription which is a commitment of 4 weeks. After 4 weeks of meal prep, you have the option to cancel service.
Do you offer subscriptions? Yes. After your trial period, you can purchase our weekly meal prep subscription plan (one session per week for a period of 4 weeks) at our discounted rate. After your subscription period ends, you have the option to cancel. If you choose not to cancel, your subscription will remain active and you will continue to be billed ever week. Subscribing to monthly service guarantees you a designated time slot every week and is offered at a discounted rate!
How do I reschedule a session? If you need to reschedule your session for a different day of the week, you may do so by sending us an email. All re-schedules must be made at least 7 days (1 week) in advance. We cannot gaurantee we will have availability to reschedule a session, and you will still be charged for the service if we do not have additional availability. This policy is in place to respect the chef's availability and we thank you for your understanding!
How quickly can I schedule a meal prep session? We currently schedule weekly meal prep sessions as early as 4 days after completing a consult call (subject to chef availability). This gives you time to pick your menu, and your chef time to shop for your groceries.
Where do you shop for ingredients? We do ur best to shop organic locally sourced produce whenever possible from specialty markets, farmers markets, and select grocery stores. We always try to shop for grass fed organic beef, pasture raised poultry, and organic produce.
How many people can you accommodate? We can currently accomodate families of up to 6 people for weekly meal prep. If you have a larger family please reach out to us to see what we can do for you.
When will my chef arrive? You can generally expect your chef to be in your home for a 9 am or 2 pm session starting time.
How long are meal prep sessions? You can expect a chef to be in your home for 3-4 hours.
How should I prepare for service? Please visit our Client Guide page to learn how you can prepare for your first session.
Do I need to be home during my session? You do not need to be home during your session. If you are not home, we ask that you leave detailed instructions in regards to the workings of your kitchen and home entry. If you are home, we ask that you make sure the kitchen is clean and empty for your scheduled service so your chef can make optimal use of the time.
Do I need to tip my chef? Tips are always greatly appreciated but are not required.
Do I need my own containers and kitchen equipment? Please visit our Client Guide Page to learn how you can prepare for your first session and everything you will need.
How much does the meal prep service cost? The service fee is $300 for clients who subscribe to our weekly service, which is a commitment of 4 weeks. The trial service fee is $325 for clients who want the flexibility of trying out our meal prep service without committing to a month. Additional costs include groceries and tax.
How much will groceries cost? Groceries depend on your household size, number of meals needed, and quality of ingredients. You can expect to pay anyhwere from $100-$200 for families of 2-3 people with one serving of each dish per person, and $150-$250 for families of 4-6 people with one serving of each dish per person.
Can I request a specific recipe? You can certainly contact us with any suggestions of recipes you'd like to see on our rotating menu and we will do our best to incorporate something similar.
Can any dish be meal prepped? Certain dishes are more well suited for meal prepping, while others do not keep well in the fridge, or take too long to prep. We keep this in mind when planning the rotating menus. Some of examples of foods our chef tries to stear clear from are things meant to be crispy, like french fries or breaded chicken, as well as salads with soft lettuces that tend to wilt.
How long do meals last? This depends on the dish. Certain dishes like soups will hold up better over time than a seafood dish or salad. We recommend eating within four days.
What other services do you offer? We are a small team and are working on incorporating intimate gatherings, (such as date nights, dinner parties, and luncehons) into our services. Please reach out via our contact form for all other service inquiries.
How do I select a my menu? Every week clients can log into their account and visit the 'Menu' page to choose and customize their dishes for the week. This is an 'members only' page.
Payment policy Upon menu selection and account creation, you will be taken to a payment page where you can choose your service type. Payment is authroized at this time, but will not be charged until 2-3 days before your scheduled service. Once you submit your payment information, we will book your service. You will be invoiced for your groceries within 24 hours, before or after a scheduled session. All invoices are due within 24 hours of receiving an invoice to avoid being charged a 10% late fee for each day you are late.
Is my chef certified? Yes, your chef is servsafe certified.
What areas do you service? We currently service Westport, Darien, Greenwich, Fairfield, Norwalk, New Canaan, Stamford, and Bridgeport Connecticut. Please bear with us as we continue to grow and service additional areas.
I had an issue with my service, who do I contact? We take hospitality very serious at Mindfull Plate. Please reach out to us immediately if you have any issues with your service.