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Private chef hire
A private chef costs £50 to £120 per head for a three or four-course dinner cooked in your home, usually with ingredients, service at the table and clearing the kitchen included. Tasting menus and London bookings run from £100 to £200 per head, and small dinners cost more per guest because most chefs set a minimum spend.
What this covers
What it costs. A private chef costs £50 to £120 per head for a three or four-course dinner at home, with ingredients, cooking, service and clearing the kitchen included. Full cost breakdown.
What the job covers
- A four-course dinner party for eight at home
- A tasting menu with wine pairing for an anniversary
- A chef cooking for a family over a holiday let weekend
- A barbecue cooked by a chef for a garden party of 20
- A cookery class and lunch for a small group
What is involved
The menu is agreed in advance, usually from a set of sample menus the chef adapts to your guests. On the day the chef shops, arrives two or three hours before dinner, cooks in your kitchen, serves each course and leaves the kitchen as they found it. Some bring a server for larger tables. Formats range from a plated dinner party to family-style sharing dishes, a barbecue, a cookery lesson, or a chef for a whole weekend at a holiday house on a day rate.
The price per head nearly always depends on what is included. Most dinner prices cover ingredients, cooking and service; some quote the chef's fee and bill groceries afterwards. Wine is not normally included. A chef who trades as a business must be registered with their local council as a food business, which is where a food hygiene rating comes from, and should ask about allergies and dietary needs at booking rather than on the night.
The practical check is your kitchen. Tell the chef what you have: the oven, the number of hob rings, fridge space, and enough plates and glasses for every course. Many bring their own knives and small equipment, and some bring crockery for an extra charge. caterers.trade lists only caterers rated 3 or above, or Pass in Scotland.
Choosing someone for the job
Ask whether the price includes ingredients, service and clearing up, and what the minimum spend is. Ask for sample menus and how they adapt them for dietary needs and allergies. Ask what they need from your kitchen and what they bring. Ask whether they bring someone to serve for your numbers. And ask for their food business registration, so you can check the hygiene rating in their name.
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Common questions
How much does a private chef cost for a dinner party?
£50 to £120 per head for a three or four-course dinner at home, usually including ingredients, service and clearing the kitchen. A dinner for eight comes to roughly £400 to £750 all in. Tasting menus run £100 to £200 per head.
Does the price of a private chef include ingredients?
Most dinner-party prices do. Some chefs quote a fee for their time and bill groceries separately, and day rates for longer bookings nearly always exclude food. Ask before comparing quotes.
Do private chefs clear up afterwards?
Most leave the kitchen as they found it, washing their equipment and your pans. Plates from the table are usually included too, but check when booking.
How much should I tip a private chef?
There is no fixed rule. Many hosts add around 10 percent for a good evening, in line with restaurant service, but it is not expected where a service charge is already on the bill.
What is the difference between a private chef and a caterer?
A private chef cooks and serves in your home for a small table, usually up to about 20. A caterer cooks mostly in their own kitchen and serves larger numbers at a venue. Many private chefs also cater small events.