Today we’d like to introduce you to Roy Zettlemoyer.
Hi Roy, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Berks County, Pennsylvania is a place where the beauty of rural landscapes meets the warmth of small-town charm. Growing up here, I was surrounded by rolling hills, sprawling farmlands, and a strong sense of community that shaped my childhood and instilled in me a deep appreciation for the simpler things in life.
The area is known for its Pennsylvania Dutch heritage, which has left a lasting imprint on the culture, architecture, and even the local dialect. As a child, I was always fascinated by the old stone farmhouses and covered bridges that dotted the countryside, each one telling a story of the past.
The Pennsylvania Dutch influence was particularly strong in the food we ate. Dishes like scrapple, apple butter, and shoofly pie were staples at family gatherings, and I can still remember the aroma of a pot of chicken pot pie simmering in the kitchen on a cold winter day. These traditional foods were more than just meals; they were a connection to our heritage, passed down through generations.
Looking back, I realize how much growing up in Berks County has shaped who I am today. The sense of community, the connection to nature, and the respect for tradition that I experienced during my formative years are all integral parts of my identity. Berks County taught me to appreciate the small things, to value hard work, and to always stay connected to my roots.
I came from a large family. I am the last of ten children. Six girls and four boys.
I contracted polio when I was four and was paralyzed from the waist for a few weeks. I was one of the more fortunate ones!
Since I was handicapped, sports never became a big part of my life. I think in some way, this had a huge impact on me by turning my interests to more domestic household duties, especially cooking.
I started cooking at local diners and fast food chains. Carrols Hamburgers was the predecessor of McDonalds and Burger King. Our hamburgers were 15 cents! You could get a complete meal with fries and milk shakes for less than a buck!
My girlfriend, Jean, and I worked there for most of our high school years. We were married 2 years after graduation, because that’s what you did back then. She and I both came from a background steeped in a food culture. — We lived to eat!
It was soon obvious that Jean and I would enjoy a life filled with family, friends and food. We went into ministry early in our lives and that lead us to a bit of travel world wide; particularly to Europe where we co-labored with others in similar roles to aid in providing relief and rest to American missionaries. These trips increased our desire to learn world cuisines that increased our vision for extraordinary foods. More travel continued to fuel that appetite which help to launch a cafe that showcased those foods.
Fast forward to today – I am a conglomerate of desire, appetite and travel.
I started my personal chef business in 2017 in southeast Pennsylvania where I was able to share my foods with a few clients and a non-profit giving respite to people going through difficult life challenges.
My wife and I moved to Ann Arbor in 2020 days before the covid-19 situation. Since then, my business has flourished and provides me the opportunity to meet and serve some amazing people in our community.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life never provides a smooth road. At the height of our ministry together, my wife of 40 years, Jean, died of colon cancer. I was thrust into a life so strange and dark, that I couldn’t comprehend moving on without her. But I did. In a strange way, I believe that loss opened me up to be more empathetic with people and have given me opportunities I could have never imagined.
We’ve been impressed with Z’Chef Personal Chef Services2, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I am a native of Berks County, Pennsylvania with a passion for great food. From my own cultural genesis to 50 years later, I come with a wide range of culinary experience and international travel equipping me to successfully execute culinary diversity..
My passion in life is to use this vast experience in the culinary arts by bringing to my client’s, whether small or large, a focus on your individual tastes, desires and personal goals. I believe your dinner table should have a place of predominance in your home as the centerpiece of your life.
My commitment to you extends beyond presenting delicious food in a memorable event. It embraces years of experience coupled by world travel teaching my clients the secrets behind food’s simplest treasures.
The best foods are those with simple fresh ingredients.!
What matters most to you?
What matters most to me is the way I can improve the lifestyles of my clients by providing them with a service that many do not have time for in their busy schedules. Providing this service enhances their health, quality of life and re-centers their table which is the centerpiece of all cultures.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.zchef.net
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/www.zchef.net
