Chef Monique Vermeulen-Choueiri is Personal Chefs Network Canadian Liaison. She is the chef and owner of Home Gourmet Personal Chef Service in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. Monique grew up in the small town of Chesterville, Ontario in a family of great cooks. Some of her earliest memories are spending weekend afternoons baking with her mother, grandmother, and sisters; she attributes much of her cooking ability to this. From an early age, she knew she wanted to be a chef when she grew up, and has never doubted her chosen path.

Upon her high school graduation, Monique moved to Canada's Nation Capital, Ottawa, and enrolled in a Culinary Arts Program. She is a graduate of Algonquin College's Chef Training and Culinary Management Programs. Upon completion of these programs, Monique held jobs as a sous-chef at local restaurants, as head chef at a daycare centre, where she was responsible for preparing meals for approximately 80 children. Soon after, bought a restaurant/catering shop, The Wooden Spoon, with her husband, Peter. "Owning the shop was the most challenging work I have ever done - and the most rewarding. " Here, Monique had the opportunity to create dishes that were completely her own, to promote and grow her business, and to design seasonal and customized catering menus for her customers. This was her favourite aspect of the job - the personal attention and customization. After 3 years of being a restaurateur, Monique realized that the late nights and long hours were not for her.

After researching the field and professional organizations, she discovered Personal Chefs Network, and dove head-first into the profession of the personal chef. She knew that the discovery of personal chef work was for her. Combining her passion for food and cooking with assisting busy families join around the table is second to none for this chef. "I love interacting with my clients, I like that everyday is not the same day, but most importantly, I like being able to offer my clients fresh, customized meals that they can enjoy in their homes. Growing up, my family joined together around the dinner table. It's a very important thing, and I am thrilled to be able to do this for others." She continues to offer time-saving services for people with hectic schedules and busy lives. Chef Monique is currently training to obtain her diploma in Holistic Nutrition to broaden the services she offers to her clients.

In her free time, Monique enjoys gardening, reading, spending time with her husband, family, and cocker spaniels.