Photo courtesy of Charles Webb.
Charles Webb, United States, Private Chef
Charles (aka “Chef CW”) has lived in nine countries, speaks four languages and has worked in some of the world’s greatest restaurants, including Noma. Currently, he splits time between his native Chicago and Barcelona.
5:00 AM Whereas I used to get home from work at this time, now I cherish the silence and tranquillity to start the day. For a minute, I think about meditation but then go right into it, texts, then email, then social media, and it all starts to unravel...
6:30 AM At this point, I’ve showered, consumed a banana, oatmeal and protein shake. I do a quick review of my strategy to prepare for when...
7:00 AM I begin scheduled calls with international clients who have more than a seven-hour time difference. (I limit these calls to 30 min unless the scope is larger than average.)
8:00 AM Now I Uber to the fish market to buy the freshest and best catch for an event this evening. Seems like I’m already fighting against the clock!
8:45 AM It’s all high fives and handshakes across the floor of the fish market. Pickups are complete and I’m off to my next stop: the gym.
9:30 AM My trainer, “Hawk,” keeps me on my toes. Today we focus on chest, shoulders and biceps.
10:00 AM After a fifteen-minute steam I’m ready to do real battle again. I send emails out by the second as I zip across the city and it’s giving me serious hand cramps!
10:45 AM My first face-to-face meeting begins at Soho House, where I’m a member and do all my meetings.
11:45 AM Time for the next meeting...
12:15 PM And the next one...
1:00 PM And the next one! (Thank goodness that this one’s a lunch meeting.)
2:00 PM I get back home to shower, realign and prepare my teammates who are arriving for the evening. Tonight we’ve got an activation for a cool tech group lined up.
2:15 PM We start to organize all products and I make sure the team is “amped” to deliver an awesome experience for our client.
4:00 PM All preparation is done. We are packed, loaded, energized and ready to get the show on the road.
4:45 PM Together we pull up to the clients’ chosen venue. In this case, it’s a place we’ve worked at before so we’re familiar with the challenges — like a no-cooking kitchen! — and have adjusted accordingly.
6:00 PM The team is ready to go and I have guided all aspects to make sure there are no fires we have to put out.
6:30 PM The first guests arrive and it is my job to greet them all personally to make them feel sincerely welcomed.
10:00 PM Event goes off without a hitch and I guide the team to what seems to be a victory.
10:45 PM I return home to my computer and follow up with clients to build on the new relationships I just made. Around the same time, I get a bottle of wine and have a glass (that often turns into two) and I feel it is time to surrender until tomorrow.
11:45 PM My face is washed and teeth are brushed. I thank the universe for great vibrations, energy and abundance! Zzz…
MORE ON CHARLES
“Chef Charles Webb is a private chef who takes diners on culinary explorations that are fresh, creative and inspired. With a passion for food and travel, he has a knack for igniting the senses using simple, fresh ingredients with a Mediterranean flare. From corporate events to private parties, he has gained international acclaim for his approach to food, conversation and connections. He holds the philosophy that every meal is a journey and should be shared, experienced and savored. Join in with his passion and leave with an experience you’ll never forget.”
(Excerpted chefcharleswebb.com)