Personal Chef Blog
A Tour of Northern Spain
I just spent 2 glorious weeks in Northern Spain, wine tasting in Rioja and walking on the infamous Camino de Santiago. Spain truly offers some of the best wine in the world and is always a culinary adventure for me. The Spanish really know how to live and we took full […]
Back To School
It’s that time of year with summer coming to an end and everyone starting to focus on back to school, cooler temperatures and busy fall schedules. I am really excited for my upcoming trip to Rioja, Spain that I have been planning for two years. Stay tuned for my September blog about Rioja, the culture and […]
Eating Healthy On Vacation
Healthy eating while on vacation can be a challenge. Who doesn’t want to indulge a little and experience all the local food favorites your destination has to offer. However a week of overeating can take its toll leaving you feeling worse then when you left. Here are our tips for truly enjoying your getaway and […]
Summer on Cape Cod
Cape Cod is a popular summer destination for families and is steeped in tradition. With over 560 miles of coastline and over 50 public beaches, Cape Cod is a beach-lovers dream. It is also a seafood-lovers haven. Seafood is in abundance on the Cape; from lobster rolls, New England clam chowder, steamed clams, oysters and haddock, […]
Farm Fresh Strawberries
Each year I anticipate the arrival of strawberry season. When these colorful, sweet, ripe beauties hit my local farmers’ markets I know it means warm weather, summer fun and lots of other fresh produce on the way. Health Benefits Not only are strawberries one of the most sweet and delicious fruits but they are also […]
7 Travel Snacks and Food To Go!
Going on vacation? Traveling someplace fabulous? Headed to the beach for a weekend away? No matter your summer plans, you’re going to need something to eat. In case you haven’t heard, Secret Ingredient prepares travel snacks and food to go. We usually cook in your home–and we still do. The difference is we can pack […]
Stuck In A Salad Rut?
Salads are great this time of year for a number of reasons: most produce is in season, they help bring more vegetables into your diet and they keep you from slaving over a stove when that is the last thing we want to do as the weather warms up. Salads can be the perfect choice […]
Arugula: Our Favorite Spring Green
At Secret Ingredient we love the fresh peppery flavor of arugula. Arugula is an early spring green here in Pennsylvania and is extremely versatile. Did You Know? Arugula is packed with vitamins C, K and A as well as minerals magnesium, calcium, iron and potassium. Arugula is also known for improving eyesight and strengthening bone […]
The Perfect Mother’s Day Gifts
Want to spoil the special mothers in your life with a real treat this Mother’s Day? Hire Secret Ingredient to prepare a wonderful homemade brunch in the comfort of your own home. No waiting in line at a fancy restaurant or dealing with the crowds. Prix-fixe menus and inflated prices seem so…impersonal. You want Mom […]
Swing Into Spring Catering
As the weather warms up many of us begin to think about entertaining more. A wine dinner is a great way to get your friends together and enjoy a delicious meal and tasty wines. As a chef, I’ve developed a fondness for wine and the way it enhances meals so beautifully. Many people assume that […]
The Smart Choice For You And Your Family – Secret Ingredient Personal Chef Services.
Few people take the time to track and tally their food purchases each month. If they did, however, they may find they’re spending a lot more on food than they realize – especially if they dine out more than once or twice per week. Simplify Your Life At Secret Ingredient Personal Chef Service not only […]
Hosting a Wine Tasting Dinner
There’s always a reason to celebrate your close friends and family, and hosting a wine tasting dinner could be the perfect alternative to your usual evenings in! Pairing wine with each dish adds an entirely new experience to the meal. Introducing elegantly paired wines to a dinner party can easily make an intimate event even […]
Making Family Menus with Heart
Valentine’s Day isn’t just candy hearts and candlelight dinners (although those things are always fun!) It’s also taking good care of the people you love. February is American Heart Month, which makes it a great time to make some heart-healthy changes to your family meal plan. I love it when you can make healthy changes […]
Winter Comfort Foods That Won’t Wreck Your Resolution
When it’s cold and blustery outside, we crave comfort – which means comfort food, too. Unfortunately, that often means foods full of fat, sugar and processed ingredients. But food doesn’t have to be bad for your body to be good for your soul. We believe nutritious, delicious food made from wholesome fresh ingredients is the […]
Keep It Cozy: Why a Small Party Can Make a Big Impression
When you’re hosting a party, you want it to be an event everyone will remember. But “Go big or go home!” isn’t always best. Ironically, it’s often smaller, more intimate gatherings which make the biggest impression on guests. Here are three good reasons why you might want to keep things cozy at your next get-together. […]
The Secret to Rocking Your Resolutions
It’s hard to stick to your New Year’s resolutions. You have the best of intentions, but life gets busy. If you had all the time in the world, you would get to the gym, prepare healthy meals, and learn how to speak Spanish. But time is a commodity these days. It’s rare that we have […]
4 Essential Ingredients for Healthy Holiday Baking
Are you excited for holiday baking season? I sure am! I love cookies, brownies, and festive treats. But I don’t love all the excess sugar, gluten, and dairy that come along with them. These ingredients don’t always agree with me, so I stock my pantry with healthier alternatives to make wholesome desserts and snacks. It’s […]
Top 4 Party Food Trends for the Holiday Season
You’re still finishing up your Thanksgiving leftovers—but the holiday season is just getting started! With December on our heels, it’s time to start planning those all-important holiday parties. The holidays are an opulent season, so there’s no better way to celebrate than with stylish food and drink. From locally sourced fare to exquisitely paired wines, […]
3 Ways to Reduce Stress this Holiday Season
Stuck in line at the DMV? Come down with a nasty cold? Watch another piece of upsetting news? Sometimes life hits us…hard! In today’s crazy world it’s easy to be drawn to all the negativity that surrounds us. But even when we’re feeling completely anxious and overwhelmed, we all still have so much to be […]
4 Ways to Simplify Your Thanksgiving Strategy
Happy November! Can you believe Turkey Day is right around the corner? Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays, mostly because it’s all about the food! I also love it because it provides a rare opportunity to see my family and friends from all over the country. Though the holidays are a time of celebration […]
One Pot. One Pan. Four Easy Recipes.
What are you going to make for dinner tonight? During the busy days of summer, I prepared a lot of refreshing and stylish salads for my clients. In the fall and winter, it’s not always as easy, as hearty roasted meats and root vegetables tend to take longer to cook. But they’re not any more […]
Too Stressed to Host a Party? Enlist Our Catering Services!
Are you already overwhelmed by your holiday plans? Or are you stressing over ways to celebrate your husband’s 40th birthday—which happens to fall just three days before Thanksgiving? Hosting a memorable party is hard. And the holiday season makes it even more difficult to throw a sophisticated and personalized affair. Inviting guests, accommodating food allergies, […]
2 Powerful Ingredients + 6 Healthy Recipes
I’m always looking for new ways to add healthy ingredients to my meals. Lately, I’ve been working with matcha green tea powder and fresh ginger. Not only are they both highly nutritious, but they also impart unique flavors to anything you add them to. Below are just a few of the benefits of matcha and […]
Snack Attack! Creative Snacks Are the Latest Food Trend
You ate breakfast this morning and had a decent lunch at noon, but by 3:00, you find yourself dreaming of dinner. You need a snack–but don’t reach for something unhealthy! Here at Secret Ingredient, we’re on top of the latest trends in food and cooking. We’ve noticed that grazing throughout the day is becoming more […]
The Back-to-School Meal Deal That Will Save You Time
I had a really fun summer! And it’s not quite over yet. I have a trip to the Canadian Rockies coming up—and I plan on hiking, unplugging and connecting with nature. But I know that when the trip ends, it’s back to hustle mode! Getting back to school and a routine after a relaxing, sunny […]
Simple Vegetable Recipes for Summer Garden Ingredients
If your summer vegetable garden is progressing like mine, you’re probably up to your ears in zucchini and tomatoes by now. But there’s only so much zucchini bread you can make before you start pawning off the bounty on neighbors, friends and family. What’s an overwhelmed gardener to do? At Secret Ingredient, we’re cooking up […]
How to Cook Swiss Chard
If you’re trying to incorporate more leafy green vegetables into your diet, you may be feeling a little bored with spinach and kale. Besides lettuce, what other leafy greens are there? The answer to your veggie blues may be Swiss chard! Chard is often overlooked. Which is too bad, because it’s incredibly diverse, super easy […]
Healthy Grocery List + Get a Free Meal
Are you always reaching for the same few ingredients at the grocery store? What’s on your healthy grocery list? Boxed salad, broccoli, apples…and out the door you go? It’s always a good idea to have your favorites on hand. But summer is no time to stick strictly to a routine—because there is such an array […]
The Best Party Food to Serve at an Outdoor Event
4th of July is the highlight of summer! From the beach to the backyard, food to fireworks, it’s a day of celebration, excitement and outdoor time. While gatherings are always better in the sunshine, there are important factors to consider when planning your party food meals and platters. The type of menu you’d traditionally serve […]
The Secret to Great Vacation Meals (Hint: They’re Not From a Restaurant!)
It’s summertime and I’m ready to hit the beach! I have such fond memories of trips to the beach when I was a kid, and I love taking weekend trips there with family and friends now, too. The one thing I don’t love about beach vacations? Dealing with the food. After a few hours of […]
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Areas Served
Main Line Philadelphia, PA towns and surrounding communities:
Wayne, Bryn Mawr, Wynnewood, Newtown Square, Paoli, and Malvern
