What is USPCA?

USPCA is an essential organization for personal and private chefs, representing both chef companies and individual personal and private chefs. Members represent almost every sector of the home dining field. As such, The United States Personal Chef Association is the largest professional association for personal chefs from North America and supports the profession by proactively communicating and underpinning the value of the Personal Chef profession.

USPCA provides strategic tools for members to succeed in their business. By preparing chefs with the business skills needed to succeed, USPCA ensures the public a unique culinary experience based on the foundation of the integrity and ethical values of USPCA and its members.

USPCA was founded in 1992, representing Personal and Private Chefs who prepare meals for clients to enjoy in the comfort of their own homes. USPCA clients represent a broad cross-section of consumers, including busy professionals, parents, families on the go, seniors, senior caregivers, people with special dietary needs and restrictions, foodies, dieters, athletes, and more.

USPCA members adhere to a strict Code of Ethics and must provide evidence of business experience, culinary expertise, and training as conditions of Membership.

"What the USPCA has done for me has helped me stay on target.  It has a wealth of information to enhance your business. The instant benefits make you more credible and help you get more clients. Enhancements in training, a wealth of trained and experienced personal chefs, and the connection that you have through the website." -Chef Khadijah Davis

Are You Ready to Join?

As a prospective member, you've worked hard to build your personal chef business. The challenge now is to sustain and grow what you've made. And that's where USPCA comes in. USPCA provides the resources to effectively and efficiently manage your growing business. From one-stop shopping for products and services to a network of sharing and caring members, USPCA is where an entrepreneur can call home.

USPCA membership is not about preparing you to build your kitchen skills. While the association helps in the kitchen, it's also about the business side of your business. We know there are multiple ways to build your expertise as a chef, and we embrace them all. Join the USPCA and get the broader business support you need to be successful.

It's never been more true: Membership DOES have its privileges.

Premier Membership in USPCA offers the complete benefits package and is available to any Personal Chef operating an established Personal or Private Chef business. The cost is $400 for the first year, with a renewal cost of just $325 each additional year. Apply now

Provisional Membership in USPCA includes all of the benefits and privileges of the Premier Membership with additional support, guidance, and recommendations that the USPCA has to offer. Within one year of acceptance as a Provisional Member, we anticipate your business will be up and running. To be considered for a Provisional USPCA membership, individuals must provide documentation supporting the creation of either a full-time or part-time Personal Chef Service. To join as a Provisional Member, you must have a minimum of a Certified Food Handler Certificate. If you do not have one, you may join and obtain one through USPCA's program within the first month of Membership. The cost is $400 for the first year, with the possibility of upgrading to a Premier Membership in the second year for $325. Apply now

Preparatory Membership in USPCA offers comprehensive extra benefits for the trained chef looking to start a Personal Chef business. From self-guided training to personal coaching, Preparatory Membership provides guidance for chefs to work and learn. The cost is $595, and members will automatically transfer to Premier Membership or Provisional Membership upon successful completion of the series of programs, adding access to the association's liability insurance and HireAChef.com listing in addition to all other benefits of Membership. Apply now.

Corporate Membership is designed for a personal chef business that employs one and up to five additional personal chefs. The chef-owner is considered the Primary Corporate Member and has access to all the benefits of a Premier member. The Primary member is responsible for keeping employee records/names up-to-date and shared with USPCA. The additional employee-chefs will have the core benefits of Membership (liability insurance, program discounts, etc.) and an electronic member experience versus print. Corporate Membership allows personal chefs whose business models are changing and now employ personal chefs to enjoy the benefits of Membership for their employees. Contact Angela at (800) 995-2138, ext. 705 or [email protected].

Student Membership in USPCA have access to all of the benefits of Premier Members (except insurance and a HireAChef listing) and, of greatest importance, access to the nation's top Personal Chefs. The cost is $90 per year. Apply now.

BENEFITS SUMMARY

General Liability Insurance Coverage

$1 million General Liability Insurance per occurrence, including property damage, included with your dues (Members can click here for more details about the coverage).

Health Insurance Exchange

Wondering if you have Affordable Care Act options? Avoid confusion and delays when looking for new health insurance. Shop multiple quality carriers like Blue Cross, Aetna, Assurant, Cigna, Humana, and many others with just one phone call or internet session. Access to the Federal and State Marketplaces with all pre-existing conditions covered at very competitive prices. (Options vary by state...our provider can guide you to the right choice.)

HireAChef.com

Access to you and your business is critical to your success. USPCA offers a key solution with your FREE basic listing on HireAChef.com. Advanced options are available as well.

Consumers find HireAChef on platforms ranging from desktop computers to mobile devices.

HireAChef is designed to provide leads DIRECTLY to you. Information on the site is based on your membership profile, so keeping your profile up to date is critical to driving the most and best business for you. And not to worry. Your USPCA staff is ready to help you make the most of that profile.

“Shortly after joining USPCA, I launched my web page and Facebook page and got my information all done up for HireAChef.com. FOUR hours later I got a notice from HireAChef.com from a potential client who had seen my profile on the website and wanted me to contact him. I hope to meet with the guy this week and may start a twice weekly cook date in as soon as two weeks!” -Chef Julianne

Education and Certification

From the National Education Conference to USPCA's exclusive training options, get the education you need to improve your business and culinary skills.

Show your clients your exceptional Personal Chef knowledge and skills with the association's Certified Personal Chef credential. For experienced members of the association committed to maintaining the highest level of culinary and business knowledge, skills, ability, and integrity, the Certified Personal Chef credential commands recognition from consumers and the respect of your peers.

Menu Management Platform Discount

Modernmeal is a digital recipe, customer, and meal planning platform designed for personal chefs, helping to save time that can be used towards growing your business. USPCA Members receive a 20% discount on the going rate. Learn more here.

Senior Specialties

To address the dining needs of the world's aging population, USPCA has partnered with the Society of Certified Senior Advisors with special pricing for their Certified Senior Advisor courses and accredited certification examination leading to the CSA credential.

Your CSA professional credential opens doors to seniors, their caretakers, and their families. This specialized knowledge makes you your clients' personal chef and their trusted advisor. See the event calendar for CSA course/exam dates and locations.

National Education Conference

Join your fellow Personal Chefs each year for three days of outstanding speakers, hands-on experiences, demonstrations, tastings, dining, and, most importantly, NETWORK building.

USPCA's National Education Conference moves around the country, making participating and building a network of sharing with peers outside your local community easy. Combine learning, work, fun, and a little vacation with some of your favorite people. *The 2020 Conference in Sarasota has been postponed till 2021 due to the current state. We are currently publishing webinars to provide additional education to the Membership. 

"After attending my first national USPCA conference in 2012, shortly after launching my business, I was hooked! The colleagues I met in Washington, D.C., became immediate friends and mentors. Membership in the UPSCA provided me with a network of friendly, knowledgeable, reliable personal chefs who are always available to answer questions, listen to struggles, and share exciting triumphs." -Chef Catherine Richey

Business Coaches

Being a sole proprietor doesn't mean you have to go it alone. Whether you're a start-up personal chef business looking to grow efficiently and profitably, a "seasoned" chef looking for new business models, or just mid-business looking to spruce up your image, USPCA has contracted with some of the top personal chef coaches in the country to provide you with one-on-one coaching to step up your business at prices you can only get through your USPCA membership.

Personal Chef Magazine

Published quarterly, Personal Chef Magazine provides a wealth of business, culinary, and personal stories to enrich your business and personal lives. It comes to you in print and is available online for members.

Discount Purchasing

USPCA offers a host of products and services to ensure your business is running effectively and efficiently:

• GoDaddy discounted domain names, email addresses, and website builder
• KitchenAid product discounts
• National Partnerships
• Expand your business through USPCA's exclusive partnerships with organizations like American Express and VISA Signature to provide Personal Chef services to cardholders.

Upon joining, you will receive your membership certificate, wallet card, chef coat patch, window cling, digital logos, and more to show your clients your professional affiliation with the nation's largest Personal Chef organization.

Have questions? Need help getting set up or filling out your application? Would you like us to send you more information about the USPCA? Contact us!

Networking

Local chapters, an interactive Facebook group, the National Education Conference, and more offer Personal Chefs opportunities to share expertise with other Chefs. USPCA's network offers the comfort of knowing you are connected with fellow professionals who share your passion, skill, and ethics.

APPLY NOW