The Traveling Gourmet
Vickie Kirlick is one of a handful of chefs who has had the privilege of helping to grow an industry. She has also experienced the joy of mentoring hundreds of personal chefs on their way to becoming successful business owners.
“Food has been a lifelong passion of mine. My mom was a terrific cook and would host business dinners for my father and his associates during the 1960’s. My dad had an entrepreneurial streak and owned a management consulting business for 15 years, so I guess I owe a measure of my success to my parents for being such positive role models.”
The personal chef industry was not well known in January 1996 when Vickie launched Traveling Gourmet, and getting the word out about her business was not easy. “There was no Internet, can you imagine? Here I was in my little corner of the world wondering, ‘What the heck was I thinking when I thought I could make a go of this business?’ ”
Vickie had a few clients when she attended the first personal chef conference in August 1998. “Talk about an enlightening experience. I was thrilled to meet other chefs and collaborate on ideas and share stories. I know those three days were the turning point for my business and my culinary career.”
Vickie spent several years with the Culinary Business Academy as an instructor. “I really enjoy teaching because not only do I help others, I always walk away having learned something new. Also, let’s face it, it gets really lonely in the kitchen doing a personal chef service. I’m too gregarious to be isolated all the time.”
Vickie’s 3 hour private or group cooking lessons have become very popular in this economy. “I love how amazed students are to discover that great food doesn’t need to be complicated to prepare. Not to mention the look on the students’ faces when I tell them how little the dish costs to create.” She also does healthy cooking demonstrations for companies trying to promote employee wellness. Her latest ongoing event is a monthly cooking class at Bloomingdale’s in Bergen County, NJ. “This month we are doing Easy and Elegant French Cooking. I must say the dinner party side of my business is blossoming due to these classes. I love getting paid to market my business!”
What does Vickie want to do in the future? “I want to keep my regular personal chef clients but not make that service the primary source of income for the business. I enjoy the dinner parties, especially the interactive parties where the guests cook. What fun we all have! Working with the public really suits me so I will continue to pursue those opportunities. I have learned not to say no to a unique opportunity because you never know where it is going to lead you.”
Ms. Kirlick has been featured in Time Magazine, The Wall Street Journal and USA Today. She has also appeared on WCBS News, The Wall Street Journal Report (CBS) and Fine Living Network.
Please visit the Traveling Gourmet at: www.tgpersonalchefs.com
