Meet Kristin Michaels | Private Chef

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kristin Michaels and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kristin, what is the most important factor behind your success?
As a private chef, I have learned that everyone likes things differently.

Throughout my career, I’ve focused on my clients wants and needs. When you go to a restaurant, it’s a showcase of what that restaurant’s chef wants you to taste. I’ve acknowledged that how I like something may not be how someone else wants it.

Private cheffing is so intimate because you are often in the client’s home, specifically their kitchen, a traditional place of gathering and comfort for most people and cultures. Clients witness firsthand how you carry yourself and your execution of dinner service. They are grateful when you’ve paid attention that mom likes extra ice in her water or that dad likes spice, so you made a chili concoction for dinner. Or when you involve the kids with some fun cooking games. (When the kids are happy and satiated, everyone is happy!) I find these little observations are critical to a memorable experience.

Not to be overlooked, my team is one of the most important factors in my success. Whenever I’ve hired someone, it was a person who not only shared my values and vision, but who was in some sense “better” than me. Someone I could respect and continually learn from. Getting another perspective is so important and taking others’ suggestions is helpful in so many ways. Plus, it can empower that individual because you listened to their opinions and also they may have an outlook that you didn’t consider.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
It’s ironic that many consider the culinary industry is a “man’s world” when back in the day it was the woman who prepared dinners and created meals. In the kitchen, I find that women have to work harder to prove themselves. The care that female chefs I know put into their preparations, plating, organization, execution and especially the cleaning is beyond compare.

The amount of time a chef invests in their work outside the kitchen often surprises people, the introductions, learning about a client’s likes and dislikes, menu planning, back and forth communications, texts, emails. The time you physically share with a client is often fairly modest, preparation and dinner execution. They don’t see the planning, the shopping for exact ingredients, the research on specific cuisines, the side calls to friends’ grandmothers and relatives for authentic recipes. Shopping typically includes driving to four or five different grocery or specialty stores, or ordering ingredients weeks before the event to cook the requested cuisine.

Managing my time between personal and professional life isn’t easy, but it’s important. At home, I spend time with my boys, even if that time is spent doing something I’m not particularly interested in, as long as it’s important to them. It could be watching that YouTube video yet again, or engaging in a Nerf gun battle, or doing my best in a dance off to Harry Styles.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
The Palm Springs Aerial Tram is a must.  Such beautiful views and easily accessible. Weather permitting, we enjoy an early morning hike, in Tahquitz Canyon or La Quinta. Lunch spots I would recommend include Tac/Quila’s in Palm Srpings or Mi Cultura in Palm Desert.

Evenings, when the Firebirds are in town, we try to catch a hockey game, if not we will head over to the Glow Zoo at the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens.

Sundays are the best at the La Quinta Farmers Market. We love produce from Mario at Nest Farms and Christian and Kathy at Black Sheep Farms, honey from Leo, berries from FincaBonita, a pastry from Chaupain Bakery … then a drag brunch with the beautiful Anya Body.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My staff is the best in the business. I operate both in the Coachella Valley and on the island of Maui. I couldn’t do it without their continued hard work, attention to detail, communication, flexibility, loyalty and care.

Website: ChefKristin.com

Instagram: @chefkristinmichaels

Linkedin: Kristin Michaels

Twitter: @TheRealChefKris

Facebook: Chef Kristin Michaels

Yelp: Chef Kristin Michaels (both Maui and Palm Springs area)

Image Credits
David Randall