Member Interview: Ariel Voorhees

Member Interview

Mar 14

We are so excited to share their interview with Ariel Voorhee’s of Gather Round Chef Service. Ariel of is a ray of culinary sunshine as she helps folks cook and stay well fed. She is there to help families have a nourished journey through pregnancy, birth, and their postpartum time. With freezer meals, cooking parties, and meals made in your very own home, she is the perfect person to have as a support for your family. Ariel lives in South Burlington and offers her services to folks in the surrounding area.

What services do you offer to folks during conception, pregnancy, birth, or postpartum?

I offer custom cooking in your home, which allows the menu to be completely suited to your family's dietary preferences and restrictions. Gather Round is perfect for busy families at any stage of life, but I especially love packing the fridge or freezer for expecting and postpartum parents! I work with folks on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis, and my postpartum packages help you rest assured that you'll be able to eat well even when you're focused on recovering and taking care of your baby!

How did you get into your line of work?

I've always loved cooking for family and friends, but for 14 years, my profession was teaching high school English! When I realized I'd fallen out of love with teaching, I knew it was the right time to pursue my daydream: cooking for busy families to help them enjoy a good dinner together each evening. In 2019 I founded Gather Round in Washington, DC, and I served DC-area families for 4 years before moving to Vermont in 2023.

What do people think you do to support folks?

The type of service I offer isn't very well known in this area, so I answer a lot of questions about everything! Also, people often conflate personal chefs and private chefs, assuming that my services are only for super-wealthy folks who live in mansions and fly in private jets. (I wrote an Instagram post about this very topic!)

What do you actually do to support folks?

I cook in clients' homes on a weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly basis to help busy families connect and relax over a good dinner each night. I take care of all the details: planning, shopping, cooking, and cleanup! Because I'm cooking in each client's home, all meals are selected and prepared in accordance with their specific dietary preferences and restrictions -- anything from severe allergies to picky eating. Plans include family-sized batches of 3-5 meals per cooking session, and you'll find the meals in the fridge or freezer, ready to heat and serve.

What is something that you feel like you are uniquely able to help people with?

I'm skilled at working around food allergies, sensitivities, and intolerances in a way that doesn't sacrifice flavor, variety, and deliciousness!

What is the one piece of advice you find yourself telling people over and over again?

You deserve to eat well! Even when your life is busy. Even when your kids are picky. Even when you have dietary restrictions. You deserve to eat food that delights, comforts, and nourishes you!