Exploring Life & Business with Todd Griffith of Nopal Private Chef Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Todd Griffith.

Hi Todd, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I started Nopal Private Chef Services in June of 2025 after almost 30 years in the hospitality industry. The first 20 years of my career were spent managing restaurant kitchens in Flagstaff and Seattle. I moved to the valley in 2019 and got into the catering side of the business. I managed large scale event catering crews for a few years, but I preferred cooking for smaller, more intimate gatherings. I started as a private chef in 2023, contracting for the valley’s premier event companies. My desire for a more manageable schedule led me to start my own company this past summer. I hired a business coach to help me build a private chef company that is focused on custom, in home meal prep service. I still service small dinner parties, as well as teaching custom cooking classes and consultation.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The biggest challenge for me has been visibility. Advertising is really expensive for small businesses and it’s hard to know where to put your resources so that you’re being seen by the right audience. It’s been a lot of trial and error, I’ve definitely learned a lot. Social media and word of mouth have been the best performing mediums for me so far.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Nopal Private Chef Services ?
My company specializes in custom, in-home meal prep. I service my clients once per week, on a designated day. I shop for an already approved menu before traveling to my clients home. I prepare most of the meals for the week, usually a breakfast item, 2-3 lunch options, 2-3 dinner options and a snack or dessert. I package all of the food with reheating instructions before cleaning the kitchen. Meal prep service takes about 6-8 hours depending on the menu. My meal prep clients get top priority for weekend dinner parties and custom cooking classes. I am currently accepting weekly clients.

What was your favorite childhood memory?
I always enjoyed the big family feasts during the holidays.

Pricing:

• Weekly meal prep service costs $90 per hour plus groceries
• Private dinners cost between $130-$175 per person plus the cost of food.
• Custom cooking classes vary.
• Consultation varies.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nopalchef.com
• Instagram: @cheftoddgriffith
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todd-griffith-850828370/