Plate Expectations Philly

contact for price

Select a service

Zip code

Number of people

Recipe difficulty

Desired cooking skills

Sorry this pro can’t do your job, but we know other pros who can.

Check them out

Introduction: Plate Expectations Philly provides nutritious, tasteful and delicious personal chef services for our clients. We welcome the opportunity to talk with you about your culinary needs and how we can assist you. Chef Michele Bagley's (owner) culinary experience/education includes certification from Escoffier Culinary Academy; classes at the Culinary Institute of America, NY; being a catering manager for Marriott; working for numerous personal chef, catering chef for Philadelphia restaurants, and teaching all ages culinary classes. If you are a time-crunched professional or family, I invite you to experience our service in which I prepare client-approved menus in your home. As a proud member of the United States Personal Chef Association (USPCA), Women Chefs and restaurateurs and ServSafe certified, I will help you take one item off your 'to-do' list: provide nutritious meals that fit your family's tastes, schedules and dietary needs. We also teach fun and educational culinary classes for adults and children. These are perfect for birthday parties, bridal and wedding showers, theme parties, corporate team building, and other special events. Chef Michele will also cater your special occasion! I will work with you on menu selection, and I offer drop-off service, buffet catering, and plated meals. My goal is for you to enjoy the special times without the worry of preparing food, set-up or clean-up.

Overview

Hired 3 times

1 employee

11 years in business

Payment methods

Ask this pro about their preferred payment method.

Featured Projects

7 photos

Reviews

Very good 4.6

10 reviews

80%

10%

Rosaria L.

Jul 16, 2014

It was my turn to host the Kentucky Derby party this year and I must be honest I was at a loss of what to do. Michele came to my rescue, responded quickly and immediately she began planning the menu. Michele came to my house with prepared and delicious appetizers, along with the traditional 'Derby Day' foods. The ham and biscuits were amazing, the pimento cheese spread was addictive, and the pecan bourbon tarts were sinful, and Oh my Kentucky home, the Mint Juleps were 'sweet". Michele's food was all homemade with the finest ingredients, and uses locally grown when possible. Michele is a lovely person with a fun and charming personality, and easy to work with, which made my experience of planning the party an enjoyable one. I look forward to working with Michele again, and I highly recommend her!!!

Janet W.

Jan 8, 2015

we used michele for a special baby shower for my niece for 30 people. the results were outstanding! michele listened to our ideas and provided some fabulous ideas of her own. the quality and presentation was excellent! we would highly recommend her and definitely would use her again

Lou R.

Feb 5, 2015

Michele came to my home on a Saturday morning and conducted a 3 1/2 hour cooking class for my daughter in-law and 2 teenage granddaughters. She showed up with a sleeve of the perfect knives for all the girls, a set of recipes for everyone, cutting boards, aprons and kitchen towels. We prepared an appetizer, entree and dessert. Michele is an awesome insturctor loaded with lots of tips and cooking shortcuts and she made it fun as well. All the girls had a blast and never lost interest! I plan to hire her again but with girlfriends this time to learn new appetizers and cocktails. Can't wait! Rachel Brentwood, TN

Madison G.

Jul 15, 2014

Hired on Thumbtack

Michele came to our home for a cooking lesson for two for a special occasion. I put out the request to Michele, heard back within a couple of hours, and was able to book her for less than 7 days later. Each time I sent out a message, Michele responded promptly, which I really appreciated. Working with Michele to plan the occasion was very fun - she let us pick our menu, took our dietary restrictions into consideration, as well as our desire to learn to cook things we could replicate in our own home very easily. Michele's quote was VERY reasonable. I also appreciated that she was respectful when buying ingredients, and very generous from her own pantry (for example, she didn't buy us a pound of sugar when we were only going to use a couple of tablespoons, but brought her own). The experience was worth while for the fun and affordability - we have plenty of leftovers and recipes we can use again and again. Michele even brought a few serving suggestions (including a sauce we can use with our leftovers) that we hadn't planned for but truly appreciated. Michele was also a great conversationalist, incredibly friendly, and made us feel comfortable and involved at every juncture! I really enjoyed working with her and would recommend her.

Private Cooking Lessons

Joshua N.

Aug 11, 2014

Hired on Thumbtack

I got my mother a cooking class for her birthday so we could do something together. We had a blast! Michele made us feel like old friends just coming over to cook and hangout. She has a natural way of teaching and getting to know you. I did not expect the food was going to be that good but I couldn't get over how amazing it tasted!! Especially because I had a part in cooking it. The most important thing was we both would do it again hands down. Thanks again Michele we will be back!!!

Private Cooking Lessons

FAQs

What education and/or training do you have that relates to your work?
Continuing education is a major part of my success as a Personal Chef. In addition to devouring cookbooks like they were novels, following websites and blogs of my favorite chefs, I attend classes to hone my knowledge. I have taken numerous continuing education classes at Culinary Institute of America (Hyde Park, NY), International Culinary Center (NYC), and Institute of Culinary Center (NYC).
How did you get started doing this type of work?
Well, it all started when I was laid off .............. Like so many others, I graduated from college and went the corporate route, learning a lot about people, business, organization, and achieving goals. All the while, arranging my business travel so I could take cooking classes with different chefs, volunteering for causes that related to food - just staying one step away from doing what I love - cooking for my family, friends - honestly, I'll prepare food for anyone who is hungry! Well, again, like so many, after 20 years, I was laid off and I decided it was time to start my personal chef business and prepare healthy, flavorful meals for busy professionals and families. I was certified after completing the Escoffier Culinary Academy and I have never looked back - I love what I do.
What types of customers have you worked with?
1. As a Personal Chef, I prepare 3 or 4 meals, weekly or bi-monthly, for a family. 2. When I am leading a Culinary Class - we decide what the goals of the class are - is it strictly educational, fun or a combination, decide on a theme and a menu, will the class be hands-on or demonstration, and then we cook! 3. Lunch and Dinner Parties - again, the client and I decide on the menu, theme, etc. On the day of the party, I prepare the food in their kitchen, serve and clean up 4. Party Planning - sometimes a client wants to do the cooking, but doesn't have time to do all the planning. We discuss all the pertinent information - number of guests, theme, menu, and I develop a time-line for them to follow for a successful party. If the client wants, I will help with the grocery shopping and set-up.