More Than a Meal: How Chef for Hire Drivers Deliver Compassion and Connection
In our continued conversation with Deandra Miller Fajardo, Vice President of Administration at Chef for Hire, she reflects on a personal moment that highlights the company's commitment to care. Chef for Hire’s meal delivery services do more than fill plates—they provide human connection, support, and even life-saving intervention. Below, Deandra shares a story that perfectly illustrates how their team goes above and beyond.
Interviewer:
You've already talked about a few special moments, but what's one moment on the job that stands out for you—something that really reminds you that Chef for Hire goes above and beyond to serve your clients?
Deandra Miller Fajardo:
Yeah. I can think of quite a few, especially because our delivery drivers will often come back and share their own stories. But personally, one moment stands out for me.
I was delivering to a client in an apartment building. The notes said to call upon arrival, so I did. I could hear the phone ringing, but no one answered, and she didn’t come to the door. I knocked, and the door opened slightly. I called out, and eventually discovered she needed help.
She was stuck in an uncomfortable position. For safety reasons, I couldn’t physically move her, but I was able to call emergency services, wait with her, give her water, and stay until help arrived.
We're often informal wellness checks as well. If I hadn’t gone in, who knows how long she would have stayed like that. It's important to treat our clients as if they were our own loved ones.
Interviewer:
I love that, you brought up being like an informal wellness check. Can you tell us a little more about how you train your staff in that area?
Deandra Miller Fajardo:
Absolutely. Our delivery drivers might be the only people some clients see for an entire week—or even two—since we deliver every two weeks. So it’s essential they’re not just dropping meals and leaving.
They’re trained to take a moment, look around, make sure the environment is safe, and check if the meals are being consumed. They chat with clients, notice if something feels off. If they see something that doesn’t seem right—like a home that looks unsafe or someone needing extra help—they’ll give the client our customer service number.
When the client calls us, we connect them to resources they might not even know exist. That’s the heart of it. Our drivers build relationships and truly look out for the people we serve.
Interviewer:
Yeah. That's amazing.