The other day, New York City had a new tourist destination. People would gather around the window of a downtown chain fast food restaurant to watch rats play behind the counter and in the food preparation area. News cameras were on hand and all of New York watched in horror as large rodents frolicked undisturbed at a restaurant that had passed the Board of Health Inspection the day before. The restaurant was closed the next day and has since re-opened.

Last year, news cameras captured rats climbing and running around the donuts of a large donut coffee chain. The workers would shoo them away but they would return. The restaurant had recently passed their inspection. The restaurant was closed and has since re-opened.

In recent years, workers of a California theme park restaurant filed for worker's compensation citing illness from airborne illness form mold and rat feces dust. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (DOSH) officials declared they could find no evidence of mold or rat feces.

It would be unfair to blame the health inspectors; they are overworked and constantly exposed to deceptions. It would not be fair to talk badly about the franchise; they make rules for the workers to follow. You can't blame the workers; they are low-paid, over worked and have little incentive to over perform. Rats are just a part of the industry. Even the best restaurants must constantly be vigilante against a rat infestation. It is just one of the many problems of running a restaurant.

Does your home kitchen have a rat problem? Unlikely. The best place to prepare and cook your meals is probably in your own kitchen. And in the perfect world, you would probably prefer to have all of your meals prepared in the comfort of your own kitchen. But with today's busy lifestyles, preparing and cooking the kinds of healthy meals you know you should be feeding yourselves is next to impossible.

That's where a Personal Chef can help. After an in-depth interview, a personal chef will create a menu (specific to your likes and dislikes), shop for the groceries, prepare and cook healthy gourmet meals in your home. Your meals are packaged and stored in your refrigerator or freezer for you to consume at your leisure. Your kitchen is left clean and your home smelling nice.

Customized gourmet meals without the fuss, no menu planning, no grocery shopping, no long hours in the kitchen, no extra produce and no doubt about the sanitary conditions your food was prepared in.

Eating at home just makes the most sense.

About the Author

Chef Vanda is owner and chef of La Jolla Chefs and Shilloh, Personal Chef Services specializing in special diets, healthy eating and flavorful meals. Visit us