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

Hi Stephanie, what is the most important factor behind your success?
How I Run My Personal Chef Business—with Integrity, Values, and Alignment

As a personal chef, I do more than just prepare meals—I step into people’s homes, their routines, and sometimes even their most intimate life moments. That’s why running my business with integrity, strong values, and clear alignment isn’t optional—it’s essential.

Integrity in Every Kitchen
I operate with honesty, transparency, and professionalism at every step. Whether I’m sourcing ingredients, planning menus, or working in a client’s home, I lead with trust and respect. I show up when I say I will, deliver what I promise, and never compromise on food quality, cleanliness, or safety.

Values That Nourish Beyond the Plate
My business is rooted in values like respect, reliability, creativity, and care. I treat every client with dignity, no matter their lifestyle or dietary needs. I believe in being both approachable and dependable—someone people can count on not just for a meal, but for a consistently positive experience.

Alignment with Purpose and People
I work with clients whose values align with mine—those who care about what they eat, how it’s prepared, and who they invite into their space. I partner with local farmers and ethical vendors whenever possible, and I design menus that reflect not only culinary excellence but also wellness and sustainability.

This alignment extends to how I grow my business—organically, intentionally, and without compromising who I am or what I stand for. I don’t just cook. I create nourishing experiences built on trust, intention, and a deep respect for people and food.

Why it matters
In the personal chef world, trust is everything. My clients welcome me into their homes, their routines, and sometimes their family lives. That level of access demands integrity. And in return, I build lasting relationships—not just through the meals I serve, but through the values I live by.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I feed people and in return, people feed me with their appreciation, love and kindness. Relationships are foundational to my business and nurturing each one is key to retaining clients and growth. It takes time and commitment but that effort is always rewarded. I have been blessed to be a part of significant moments in my clients lives, all memorable and delicious! I operate with the upmost integrity and lean into my values to guide the way. This alignment make every challenge possible to handle with grace. I am proud of what I have created and shared with so many people over the years.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Day 1- River boat cruise, tour of the capital building, dinner at Jim Denny’s
Day2- Hike along the American river, brunch at Ashley’s Country Kitchen, Art class with Meg Myers
Day 3- Trip to SF for Mission Burritos, Giants baseball game, Dinner at Epic
Day 4- SFMOMA, lunch in the park at Burma Superstar, hike at Lands End
Day 5- Pottery class at ACAI, lunch at Scott’s Seafood, bbq and firepit in my back yard
Day 6- Tour the Crocker Art Museum, dinner at Tokyo Table
Day 7- Brunch at Butter and Bacon, printmaking class at Verge Art Center

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

Website: https://chef-stephanie.com/

Instagram: chefstephanieh

Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/chef-stephanie-orangevale

Image Credits
Kassie Borreson, Liz Daly, JennaBeth Photography, Emily Merrill, Hollye Schumacher,

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.