I'm a private chef who buys groceries 4 times a week. Here are 7 of my favorite staples to get on Amazon.

I'm a private chef who buys groceries 4 times a week. Here are 7 of my favorite staples to get on Amazon.
  • As a private chef, I shop for groceries via Amazon delivery at least four times a week.

  • Organic carrots and multicolored bell peppers are great for crudités.

  • I like the organic chicken thighs from Whole Foods when I can't make it to a butcher.

I'm a private chef and a mom, so convenience is key for me when it comes to errands and essential tasks.

I often don't have the time to run to the grocery store when I have three different clients to cook for in one day. When I'm in a pinch, I turn to Amazon's grocery delivery services.

The online retailer has a few options, like Amazon Fresh and GrubHub, but I typically choose from its Whole Foods items.

Now that I've checked out dozens, if not hundreds, of shopping carts via the Amazon app, I know exactly which items I can confidently order online.

Parmesan is pretty much always in my cart.

container of grated parmesan cheese from whole foods
Whole Foods carries a Mitica Parmigiano Reggiano.Fatima Khawaja

The one item I always add to my cart is grated Mitica Parmigiano Reggiano. The Whole Foods product costs $26 a pound, but it's worth it.

It's an imported dream of beautiful, crystalized, salty cheese that adds creaminess and complexity to my pastas, soups, and roasted vegetables.

I like the grated version because it's ready to use whenever I need it.

Bell peppers fill out a number of dishes.

three pack of mixed bell peppers from whole foods
I like to have a couple of bell peppers on hand.Fatima Khawaja

I love 365's three packs of peppers for stir-fries, crudités, and frittatas.

I can order an assorted pack of three for $5 (less than $2 a pepper), which is great when I'm on a budget.

I use cilantro a lot in my cooking — at home and with clients.

bunch of cilantro from whole foods
Cilantro is my go-to herb.Fatima Khawaja

I use a lot of cilantro, but unfortunately, herbs can be expensive.

Luckily, the fresh cilantro bunches from Whole Foods are generously sized and super flavorful. A regular bunch is $1, and an organic one is $2.

I can usually make one bunch last a few days between cooking for my clients and my family.

Chicken is one of my go-to protein sources.

organic chicken thighs from whole foods
I've never had an issue with Whole Foods' organic chicken.Fatima Khawaja

I prefer buying meat from a butcher, but sometimes, I just don't have the time.

I'm actually very happy with the quality of Whole Foods' organic chicken. It's flavorful and cooks up tender and juicy.

I love getting skin-on thighs for grilled tandoori chicken or any one-pot dishes that call for crispy skin.

At $6 a pound, the price also feels reasonable to me.

Carrots are great for dinner parties.

a bunch of multicolored organic carrots from whole foods
I like the multicolored organic carrots.Fatima Khawaja

Organic carrots with their tops on are my go-to for dinner-party crudités. They also go great on a pan of roasted veggies.

The $3 bunch of carrots cooks up beautifully, and the array of purple, orange, and yellow hues impresses kids and adults alike.

Tacos are a hit with my clients, so tortillas are a must.

bag of corn tortillas
I like to buy flour tortillas.Fatima Khawaja

Many of my clients request different types of tacos throughout the week, so I always make sure to order good tortillas to elevate the flavors.

Vita Hermosa tortillas aren't available everywhere, but when I order via Amazon, they're usually in stock at Whole Foods.

I get an eight-pack for about $6.

The 365 fire-roasted corn is one of a kind.

bag of frozen fire-roasted corn
I love that the corn is pre-roasted.Fatima Khawaja

This might seem random, but not many stores carry pre-roasted frozen corn.

I love adding 365's $3.70 pack of fire-roasted corn to my cart when I'm shopping online. I'll toss the kernels in salads, pile them on top of my tacos, or even add them to soups.

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