Meet our chefs: Chef Nima x Viva Chefs
Our chef community is the foundation on which Viva Chefs is built. In today’s blog, Chef Nima shares their journey as a personal chef on our platform. Learn how he found a meaningful side gig and became a trusted, creative, and caring presence for families’ weekly meals!
Chef Nima:
I remember how disappointed my parents were when I told them about my passion for cooking. They knew the grind—long hours, low pay, and the burnout that often comes with the restaurant industry. My dad suggested I keep cooking for friends and family, but I was determined to make it work (spoiler alert: that’s about what I ended up doing). So, I dove into the world of cooking, trying various kitchens and even exploring other careers before realizing that my dad had been -partially- right.
Fast forward to four months ago, I decided to take the plunge into personal chef work with Viva Chefs. After years in fast-paced kitchens, including restaurants and airline catering, I knew I wanted something different. I wanted to connect with my clients on a deeper level and truly make a difference in their daily lives. Now, after just four months, I’m thrilled to see how everything has come together—and it’s been an amazing journey.
When I first joined Viva Chefs, I wasn’t sure what to expect. While I had plenty of cooking experience, working in a personal kitchen with families or individuals with specific dietary needs was a new challenge. But that’s exactly what excited me: the opportunity to listen, adapt, and create meals tailored to my clients' tastes and dietary needs.
One of the most rewarding parts of this job is how impactful it can be. I’m not just cooking dinner; I’m creating an experience. I’ve helped busy parents, like stressed-out moms, find some relief by providing healthy, home-cooked meals. The appreciation I receive from my clients is the greatest reward. Whether it’s vegan, gluten-free, or something new and adventurous, I embrace the challenge. And it's these challenges that help me grow as a chef, pushing me to turn ordinary meals into something special.
Getting started was a bit nerve-wracking—crafting a menu, setting my profile, and determining fair rates were all crucial elements to my success. Luckily, with the support of the Viva Chefs team, I was able to navigate these hurdles. Soon enough, I began to see repeat clients, and the feeling of walking into someone’s home, knowing exactly what they love (and how to make it for them), is unmatched. It’s also incredible that now I can make as much in a few hours as I used to in a brutal 8-hour shift at a restaurant.
Of course, the job has its challenges. Getting used to new kitchens, constantly needing creativity and problem-solving, and managing everything on my own can be tough. On top of that, working with a new app added a layer of frustration. However, I’ve been lucky to build strong relationships with my clients and the Viva team, all of whom communicate effectively and make the job so much more enjoyable.
At first, I wasn’t sure if I could make this a full-time career, but now, after seeing my client base grow, I’m proud to say that personal chef work can cover my bases well enough while I have time to learn new skills to navigate this new gig economy. And It’s more than just cooking—it’s about building trust and creating meals that lighten up my clients’ busy days. I’m excited for the future, and I can’t wait to continue growing my business and cook for amazing people!
A huge thank you to my clients and the Viva Chefs team for making this dream a reality.
If you’re in the Peninsula (SF Bay Area) and want to experience the ease of amazing meal prep, book a session with chef Nima today!
If you are curious about Viva Chefs and have some questions, feel free to shoot me an email at ravi at vivachefs dot com or set up a 15 minute meeting by clicking here
PS- If you or someone you know loves cooking and could shine as a personal chef (no formal training required!), we would love to have you/ them on our platform! Get started by clicking here!