In this guide, we'll go over some of the most frequently asked questions about hiring a private chef that we get from customers.
Thinking about hiring a private chef?
Private chef jobs vary a lot, depending on the client's needs, dietary requirements & overall budget. Hiring a private chef has become increasingly accessible to everyone, and an increasing number of chefs now operating as freelancers or small businesses.
It's possible to hire a private chef on a short term or long term basis. They might be a full-time employee, a self-employed regular staff member or booked through an agency or website.
How much does a private chef cost?
Hiring a private chef can vary widely in cost, depending on the booking requirements, experience of the chef, the location in and whether they are a freelancer or a permanent employee.
Chefs with a background in Michelin Star restaurants are likely to command a higher fee due to their experience & increased profile.
Booking a private chef on a day rate, you should expect the total cost (excluding materials) to come to £350 as a starting point. A lot of private chefs also have fixed menus which are charged per person, although there will likely be a minimum spend in place for small parties.
Do Private Chefs Wash the Dishes?
Washing the dishes is a normal expectation of a private chef, although adequate facilities should be provided, preferably a dishwasher at a minimum to run all the plates through.
Private chefs will often also have a network of other chefs, waiters & kitchen porters, who they might be able to bring with them for an additional fee if the booking requires it due to the increased level of workload.
If hiring a private chef for multiple back to back services or for a particularly complex or labour intensive style of meal, they will need additional support, either from in house staff or with an assistant chef, housekeeper or similar.
What is a typical private chef salary?
Private chefs can often command high salaries, depending on their level of experience. A Michelin Star background private chef in a permanent role in Central London would probably have a salary expectation of £80,000 - £120,000 for a full time contract.
For a role with simpler requirements, limited entertaining, or just a daily meal prep style of service, a salary range of £60,000 - £85,000 might be more appropriate.
Are there private chefs available near me?
Post Covid, many chefs have moved away from the grind of restaurants & hotels and setup independently as a private chef or freelancer.
At Yuzu Private Dining, we have a number of chefs on our books across Southern England. One of our main focus areas is The Cotswolds District, where a number of our key staff live & grew up.
We've also got a number of chefs available in the South East area, focusing on Central London, Hertfordshire & Surrey.
There's a huge number of chefs who are willing and able to take additional side income as a private chef due to the limited investment needed to startup in business & the fact they will probably already own all of the necessary tools required to start out in business.
Can I hire a private chef just for a dinner party?
Yes of course, hiring a private chef for a dinner party is one of the most booked services we have at Yuzu Private Dining. On average, a dinner party booking will be for between 8-12 people, with an average cost per head of £65 - £95 per head.
Can I hire a private chef for one night?
Yes absolutely! We commonly get single day booking requests to hire a personal chef. You should consider that there is a considerable amount of setup & getting used to a new site however and consider this when booking a private chef.
If it's a larger event, your private chef might want to inspect the site & in situ equipment before the event to assess whether they will need to hire any equipment in or bring additional support staff to make sure your event or party runs smoothly.
Can I hire a private chef for a holiday?
You can hire a private chef for a family holiday, business trip or during a busy sport competition if you're a professional athlete. They'll typically offer a three meal a day service, including breakfast, lunch & dinner, although they might be able to do additional services for a supplement.
This type of work will typically be charged a day rate according to the chef or private chef agency which you book them with, and does not include the cost of materials, cleaning supplies etc., it only covers the labour cost.
Your private chef will typically be able to buy the goods on credit, and will send you an invoice with the amount payable on completion of the booking for the cost of the food. You should discuss the agreed menu & budget in advance to avoid any unexpected costs & surprises.
Do private chefs cook for a family?
Private chefs are often hired on a full time basis by a family or UHNW client. They might have a small team in place to work year round, or they might be on a short term contract or freelance basis.
Private chefs are able to carry out a wide range of duties, from cooking simpler, nutritional day-to-day family foods, as well as more complex entertaining & fine dining styles.
Can I hire a private chef for a wedding?
Different private chefs might work differently, but at Yuzu Private Dining, we love doing wedding catering as its' always a nice atmosphere. We are mostly focused on smaller weddings & producing good quality catering, so wouldn't accept anything over 50x guests for a full meal, or 150x for a Canape reception.
Can I hire a chef to cook for my home?
Private chefs are adaptable & able to work from almost any location. Your home should be enough for a good private chef to produce a smaller meal, although larger events might call for some additional equipment which would incur a small fee.
Do private chefs cook for Christmas?
Private chefs are often available over Christmas, although you should expect to pay a premium due to the time of year. Expect to pay £700 a day for a private chef booking over Christmas and to pay double time on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Hiring a private chef over Christmas often makes sense for a lot of families, as it leaves them free to enjoy their time with their family.
How much does it cost to hire a private chef?
The cost of hiring a private chef really can vary dramatically. A minimum take-home pay for the day to be worthwhile for an experienced private chef would be a minimum of £300, for a small event or dinner party, while a larger group booking or more elaborate cooking would be £600 - £800.
It's important to also factor in the cost of all the produce & ingredients in your estimate. Our private chefs typically offer an all inclusive price that factors in all the costs of materials, transport & taxes, so there are no hidden costs at a later date.
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