Today we’d like to introduce you to Laura MacDougall.
Laura, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When I headed to college to pursue a chemistry degree, my family was surprised. My mom thought I would go to culinary school, as I was always happiest in the kitchen. Well, chemistry led to marketing which led to a lot of frustration in the corporate world, and after 20 years, I decided to go back to the beginning.
In July, 2008 I headed to Decatur, Georgia for Personal Chef Training with the USPCA and have found my place! Since then, I have been serving my clients weekly meals, dinner parties and even teaching them to cook. I have been fortunate to cook for several professional athletes, as well as new moms, surgical patients and great families.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
The biggest struggle came right after I started my business. The market slipped in October 2008 and I was just getting introduced to the community. I needed to tell people what a personal chef does, let them know I was a professional ready to serve them, and also show them how I could actually help save money cooking them healthy delicious food. The first few years in business were tough but in 2012, I saw an uptick and have been busy ever since. In fact in 2016, I was almost too busy cooking 7 days a week, sometimes 2 clients a day. Balance has been restored starting 2017 and I have truly found my happy place. I love going to work, and have a true sense of satisfaction at the end of a day.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Home Plate Advantage Personal Chef Service story. Tell us more about the business.
As a personal chef, I prepare meals for my clients in their home, based on their unique dietary needs and personal tastes. Everything starts with fresh ingredients, and ends with a packaged ready to eat meal. Whether a dinner party or a weekly meal service, I take the time to create a menu that suits the client and their vision for the meal.
I differ from a caterer in the personalization aspect, but can do a party complete with servers, bartenders, rentals and even additional chefs if necessary. I am not a private chef as I can serve many clients not just one. I am very flexible in the meals I prepare, the timing of services and the creativity needed for an event. My goal is to truly work with the client, giving them what they want or helping them find the menu that will work the best for their needs. I have had a lot of special diets in my career, and there is always a special need guest at a party. I like to integrate that need seamlessly into the meal to make that guest feel comfortable, not different at the dinner table.
I am most proud of my ability to provide a level of professionalism and warmth to each of my clients. Comments that I hear often, but never take for granted, include the ease of working with me, the level of professionalism I show, the warmth I offer, and how I have become a part of my clients family. A referral from a client is the ultimate compliment, and there have been many over my years in business.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I have been blessed with good luck in my life…perhaps my Irish genes? But it does not surpass hard work and dedication. My work ethic makes me find ways around obstacles that some may consider bad luck….I consider them a challenge. I am not saying every single thing turns out well, but my ability to adapt to an unexpected bump in the road allows me to get the job done. Living in New England, traffic, weather and flu season can be a challenge. Good planning and determination defy these obstacles.
Contact Info:
- Address: Plainville MA serving the suburbs of Boston and Providence as well as the south shore and the Cape (parties only south of the canal).
- Website: www.homeplateadv.com
- Phone: 508-423-5071
- Email: hpadvantage@yahoo.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=cooking%20tips%20from%20home%20plate%20advantage
- Twitter: @pchef
- Other: youtube Get Fresh Stoughton
