The Association
With the introduction of the Personal Chef Service in 1991 came the responsibility to create a solid, workable foundation on which this new industry would be positioned. The USPCA was aware that as founders, their duty included establishing guidelines and standards for personal chef services to follow. With this in mind, the United States Personal Chef Association was able to allow this new career field to flourish while maintaining and regulating the manner in which personal chefs conducted their service. Thanks to these efforts many years ago, clients from coast to coast can have confidence that service standards are in place and that all USPCA personal chefs adhere to these standards including a professional code of ethics.
More than 70% of full-time personal chefs today are members of the USPCA - by far the largest and most well established association for these working professionals. The USPCA continues to set the standards and create guidelines as this industry grows. Regardless of membership in the USPCA, their career, functions and policies continue to be developed by the national office of USPCA. Media exposure, National recognition, increased sales and on going education which keep the USPCA on the cutting edge are just a few of the benefits realized by the personal chef.
Membership Benefits
Premier Membership provides the complete USPCA benefits package including liability insurance and hireachef.com referral listing. A Premier Membership is only available to individuals who have enrolled or completed one of the Personal Chef training programs offered by the Culinary Business Academy or affiliate training.
| membership type | Premier | Student |
|---|---|---|
| cost | Premier | Student |
| first year with approved training | Included | N/A |
| first year without approved training* | USD $525 | USD $99 |
| annual renewal | USD $325 | USD $79 |
| Liability Insurance | yes | no |
| Certification (CPC) | yes | no |
| hireachef.com listing | yes | no |
| MenuMagic software discount | yes | yes |
| Personal Chef magazine subscription | yes | yes |
| National conference invitation | yes | yes |
| Affiliations and National Recognition | yes | yes |
| Membership certificate | yes | yes |
| Member-Only web site | yes | no |
| Enhanced mychefsite.com web page | yes | no |
| Member message board | yes | no |
| Local USPCA chapter attendance | yes | no |
* If you are already a working personal chef and desire a USPCA membership without training, download the premier membership application (PDF). If you are enrolled in a college degree program and desire student membersip download the student membership application (PDF).
hireachef.com Listing
Is the most effective, efficient method to put customers and personal chefs in touch. Annually hireachef.com logs over 500,000 listing views, and 95,000 clicks for more information. These statistics represent more than simple web page hits, which can be deceiving. The hireachef.com system has actual clients reviewing personal chef pages and making contact. Create and modify your listing instantly. Track your listing statistics. Automate your referral forwarding. Inquires from potential clients are sent directly to your e-mail account securely and without delay.
For more information, visit the hireachef.com web site.
Personal Chef Magazine Subscription
Personal Chef Magazine is filled with culinary news and industry information you won't find anywhere else. Written for personal chefs, by professional chefs - this is the one publication that presents information of true value to the working professional and is the only printed trade publication for the personal chef industry.
National Conference
USPCA hosts one national conference every year. National conferences allow for hundreds of personal chefs to congregate at one location plus experience a full assortment of continuing education opportunities.
For more information, including how to sign up, visit the personal chef conference site.
Affiliations and National Recognition
The United States Personal Chef Association is the only personal chef trade organization able to award the Federally registered Certified Personal Chef (CPC) designation. Earned though industry education, active involvement within the field and demonstrated abilities as a professional personal chef, the CPC designation identifies those who have excelled to a truly higher professional level.
The USPCA enjoys exclusive partnerships with organizations such as American Express, VISA Signature and EVANTA to provide personal chef services and fulfillment of culinary events to cardholders. This partnership allows the companies to offer unique and high-end culinary services to their clients with the assurance that the nation's most qualified personal chefs stand ready to afford excellence and satisfaction.
The USPCA has ongoing relationships and exchanges with IACP, WRC, ACF and NRFSP to remain at the forefront of emerging culinary trends.
Web Resources
Member Web Site
USPCA affords a wealth of technical guidance and resources
to ensure each member realizes their full reach and
maximizes their business exposure.
Personal Chef Web Page
Each member is afforded a free, unique web site hosted at
no charge by the USPCA. Template pages requiring no
background in web development or special software allow
for an expeditious assembly describing your service.
Web presence is virtually mandatory to compete in the
expanding advertising environment.
Member Message Board
Members have access to members throughout
the USA and Canada, allowing immediate and beneficial
interaction, idea sharing and problem solving opportunities.
Work independently, but share the collective resources and
knowledge from thousands of others who are also involved in
this unique and thriving industry.