Looking for a way to give back to the community in 2017? Volunteer as a guest chef at the Clyde F. Barker Penn Transplant House!
Gather up your friends, family and co-workers and join us a part of the Guest Chef Program. Your time and energy will help ease the burden associated with the stress of meal planning and preparation for our out-of-town guests. Here’s what's involved in being a guest chef.
How to be a guest chef
Below is what's involved in being a guest chef.
Meal Preparation
One option is to cook food in advance and simply reheat it. Another option is to bring ingredients and cook the meal onsite.
The Transplant House has two ovens, and different dishes can be cooked at the same time. Guest chefs may arrive several hours ahead of time to prepare the entire meal, but they are asked to notify the house manager prior to their arrival.
The Guest List
The anticipated number of guests is confirmed on the Friday afternoon prior to the meal date, when most new reservations are made. The number of expected guests for the following week may increase.
Kitchen Supplies
The Transplant House has a fully stocked kitchen with pots, pans, cookie sheets; cooking, serving and eating utensils; and bowls. It has all of the dinnerware and glassware needed for the meals, as well as a food processor, blender and hand-mixers.
If there is a unique item needed to prepare the meal, please check with the house manager to find out if it is available.
Meal Planning and Dietary Restrictions
Since meals are not prepared each night and guests are not always the same, specific dietary needs and restrictions of guests are not known. Previous dinners have consisted of both patients and family members of patients.
A typical dinner may include: soup or salad, a protein, a starch, veggies, dessert and a beverage. (Please note: The Transplant House is an alcohol-free facility). Brunch usually consists of: eggs, bacon or sausage, fruit, and yogurt and granola.
To be as welcoming and hospitable to all of the guests as possible, a vegetarian option should be available for each meal. Having a diabetic option for the desserts is also helpful and has been greatly appreciated by guests in the past.
If you would like help in creating a meal plan or you would like to speak with someone about meal ideas, please contact the house manager, Kirsten King, at 215-662-4540.
Dinner Time!
Dinner is generally served at 6:30 pm, and brunch on Saturdays and Sundays is served at 11am.
Since this house is also home to its guests, anyone who uses the kitchen is asked to clean up. To assist in the cleaning process, the house has three dishwashers, as well as the necessary cleaning supplies for the counter tops and kitchen surfaces readily available.
For more information on becoming a guest chef or to schedule a dinner with the Transplant House, please contact Kirsten at 215-662-4540.