Leslie Chartier

Executive Personal Chef

Leslie Chartier is a Personal Chef and the Owner and Founder of The Travelling Cafe based in North Carolina. Leslie is a skilled culinary instructor, prior restauranteur, and avid traveler. The Travelling Cafe specializes in bringing inclusion into culinary experiences with food for different diets, restrictions, and cultures. Through her business, Leslie employs and manages a team of chefs who put on events throughout the Triangle region of North Carolina. Leslie and her team offer prepared meals, chef services for special events and dinner parties, and cooking classes and events.

wikiHow's Editorial Process wikiHow partners with over 1000+ experts from a wide range of fields to ensure our content is accurate and based on well-established research and testimony. Content Managers conduct interviews and work closely with each expert to review information, answer reader questions, and add credible advice. Learn more about our editorial process and why millions of readers trust wikiHow.

Forum Comments (4)

I need to open a can without a can opener
Unfortunately, I don’t have any hacks for opening a can without a can opener. And honestly, I’ve gone through so many can openers—most break or only work twice. My husband finally bought an electric one on Amazon, and I take it with me when I do cooking classes or private events. I love it!

But those really simple, old-fashioned metal turn-key ones still work well. They’ve been around since the 1800s. If your grandma has one, make sure it’s in the will!
How do you become a private chef?
I want to note that there’s a big difference between personal chefs and private chefs. Personal chefs go into people’s homes weekly and pre-cook meals. They might serve five clients a week. Private chefs are usually employed by one person or family—like NBA players or royalty. They often live with or travel with the client. Private chefs make more money but are more committed—it’s a full-time, live-in role sometimes.

As for training, personal chefs don’t need culinary school. They can be self-taught, but they must be excellent at cooking for others—respecting their palates, preferences, and dietary needs. You also have to learn about how food stores, reheats, smells, looks, tastes—everything. Personal chefs often cook meals to be eaten days later, so the approach is different from restaurant cooking. There are coaching programs and national franchises like Chefs for Seniors, where you can gain experience and learn the business side.

Private chefs, on the other hand, often need formal culinary education —maybe even a bachelor’s degree—and years of restaurant experience, ideally reaching executive chef level. Many shift into private chef work after burning out in restaurants.

Either way, you don’t have to go to culinary school, but you can’t stop learning . With so many allergies and diets today, there’s always something new to master.
How can you tell if there is white mold on bread?
If it smells sharp or “off,” that’s a giveaway. Sourdough will naturally smell sour, but Wonder Bread shouldn't. Feel the texture too—mold isn’t as smooth as the bread.

Most bread mold eventually turns blue, which makes it easier to identify. If it’s still white, smell and texture are your best bets. Also, if you want bread to last longer, store it in the fridge or freezer.
I need help figuring out what to eat
I always recommend a frittata. A frittata is an egg-based dish. You start it on the stovetop, then finish it in the oven at high heat or under the broiler. The texture is totally different from scrambled eggs or a thick quiche. It’s lighter, not super eggy, and more versatile.

What’s great is that you probably already have everything you need—eggs, and maybe some leftovers. Toss in any leftover takeout, protein or veggies. Brown the bottom on the stovetop, then finish it under the broiler. Add cheese if you want. It's like an egg pizza.

No real recipe needed, you can just throw in what you have. I’ve used the fillings from leftover sub sandwiches—just toss the soggy bread, chop the insides, and add cheese. It’s cheap, quick, delicious, and great for any meal.

Co-authored Articles (16)

How to

Improve Your Digestive Health

Experts agree that good digestive health is important for absorbing nutrients from the food you eat, but digestive problems can occur if your system isn't running properly. Although digestive problems may be uncomfortabl...

How to

Consider the Factors when Planning Meals

When you’re choosing, planning and cooking meals, there are many factors to consider. You want to make sure the meals that you’re planning are nutritious, tasty and budget-friendly while also accommodating everyone�...

How to

Roast Cashews

Roasting cashews helps bring out the nut’s naturally rich flavor and produces a crisper texture, which enhances this healthy, nutrient-dense snack. Cashews can be roasted in an oven preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit ...

How to

Stop Eggs from Smelling in Your Lunch Box

Hard boiled eggs are full of great nutrients and they’re easy to transport, making them a smart choice for a packed lunch. However, if you’ve ever boiled eggs before, you’re probably familiar with that sulfurous od...

How to Cook Kimchi: A Tasty Recipe

Learn how to cook your own yummy kimchiKimchi is a classic Korean dish consisting of fermented cabbage and radish.. 04 February 2025. Its tasty, spicy flavor makes it an ideal additional to rice, noodles, soup, and other...

13 Science-Backed Ways to Avoid Fructose

Are you switching to a low-fructose diet? Sticking with low-fructose foods is a great and effective way to combat fructose intolerance and/or GI issues like IBS—best of all, it’s totally doable. Read on for plenty of...

How to

Eat at a Buffet

A buffet is a meal where people can serve themselves whatever they'd like. Buffets are a great choice for those who want multiple options and have a healthy appetite. Whether you want to follow proper etiquette, learn ho...

How to Plan & Host a Silent Dinner

Put together the perfect quiet dinner party A silent dinner, as the name suggests, is a dinner at which the guests and host do not speak, write, or use technology devices (e.g. phones). The dinners typically last for at ...

How to

Cook a Snake

Whether you've bought fresh snake meat at a market where snake is a popular dish, or you've skinned a snake yourself specifically for dinner, you won't find a snake meat recipe in the average cookbook. Snake is somewhere...

All the Healthy Fats You Should Eat on a Keto Diet (& Why You Need Them)

A complete guide to eating enough healthy fat while staying in ketosis Are you starting (or thinking about starting) a keto diet and concerned about how you’ll get enough fats from day to day? We’re here to help. Fo...

How to

Make Chinese Fried Rice

Fried rice is a delicious and traditional side dish in Chinese cuisine. If you're used to ordering it at your favorite restaurant, it may be time to give the homemade version a try. That way, you can customize the ingred...

How to

Make a Cream Filling for Chocolates

Chocolates are always delicious and beloved by most. Cream-filled chocolates are an added treat; making cream-filled chocolates can also be profitable as they sell very easily. It is surprisingly cheap to make your own, ...

How to

Be a Great Cook

Do people grimace at your food when it's your turn to cook? Do you feel hopeless in the kitchen? Follow these steps, and next time people may grin when it's your turn to cook!

How to

Make Gnocchi

If you're tired of paying top-dollar for gnocchi in restaurants, make your own at home! Boil potatoes until they're tender and grate them to make the base of the dough. Mix in flour and an egg to form a soft dough. Then ...

How to

Use a Food Processor

Food processors can be used to blend soups, salsa, dips, and sauces. Additionally, they can save time by quickly chopping, slicing, or shredding a variety of vegetables, fruits, and hard cheeses.. 04 February 2025. First...

Can You Put Foil in an Air Fryer? Yes, and Here's How

Everything you need to know to line your air fryer basket for less messAir fryers have taken the world by storm in recent years. They offer all the benefits of an oven with the added convenience of a small, portable size...