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Looking to hire an event caterer? Or planning a luxury or bespoke event? Contact Yuzu Private Dining now to get a bespoke menu & free estimate. Event Catering If you're thinking about hiring an event caterer for an upcoming event, then complete the form to receive a bespoke menu & detailed price estimate. You'll receive an information pack immediately by email, and we'll follow up with your bespoke menu & a more detailed estimate as soon as possible. We're able to cater for all kinds of special requests & events, from hog roasts to BBQs & funerals, so don't feel scared to ask anything and we'll see what we can do! Buffet Catering - Yuzu Private Dining Buffet Catering - Yuzu Private Dining Hog Roast Events-18 Yuzu Private Dining - Event Catering Buffet Catering - Yuzu Private Dining Buffet Catering - Yuzu Private Dining 1/9 Michelin Trained Chefs DBS Checked Food Hygiene Certified Make a no obligation booking enquiry First name* Last name* Email* Phone/WhatsApp Number Guest Count* Event Type* Date picker* What's the occasion? Choose one Event Location* Preferred Cuisine Please detail any Special Requests, Allergies & Dietary Requirements Submit Other Services Private Chef Hire If you're thinking of a hiring a professional private chef for your home, then get in touch now. Our team & network includes Michelin-Starred chefs, pastry chefs & chocolatiers. Document Wedding Catering Planning a wedding is a stressful experience at the best of times. Let us take some of the pressure off your special day by making sure all the catering runs smoothy leaving you free to enjoy the day. Document Buffets & BBQs We also offer Buffet & BBQ catering to our guests. Let us take care of all the purchasing, menu design & selection and preparation. We'll drop off your buffet & set it up before leaving you to enjoy your occassion. Document Corporate Catering At Yuzu Private Dining, we make booking a private chef for your next corporate event easy, leaving you free to network with your colleagues & guests. Let us take care of preparing all the food, and washing up, leaving you free to concentrate on your business & networking with your employees and guests. Document Canape Parties We love hosting canape parties and drinks receptions as there's always a nice buzz and atmosphere. Hire a professional private chef to ensure your event runs smoothly & leave yourself free to enjoy your event with your guests. Document Shooting Parties If you're hosting a shooting party, making sure you hire the right professional private chef is critical to a successful day. We'll prepare you a warming shoot lunch and some drinks and snacks to have in the field so your guests can focus on their shooting. Document Do you have public liability insurance? Unlike booking through some other platforms, all of our chefs are covered on any job by our public liability insurance. This means that if there were any unexpected incidents, there would be legal cover in place. Can I request a specific dish or menu? Absolutely! Client satisfaction is one of our key objectives, so having a menu that works for you is crucial! Feel free to pop any requests into your free no obligation consultation and we will see what we can do. Whether you’d like to indulge in a Michelin style tasting menu, or just share a casual sharing meal with friends, book a free initial consultation to discuss your needs. Isn't hiring a private chef expensive? Hiring a private chef can often work out cheaper than dining out once you factor in travel costs, childcare and split the bill between your guest.s. Do we all have to have the same dish? We normally have a fixed menu for all guests other than any dietary intolerances or food allergies, this allows us to make sure the food is cooked properly and served sufficiently hot with the facilities we have available. We will try our best to accommodate, however cannot guarantee different dishes. Can you provide waiting staff? We normally don't provide any front of house staff, however feel free to discuss with us and we can arrange with enough notice. Do you provide cutlery & crockery? As a standard, we will normally use the cutlery/crockery available at the venue. If there isn't sufficient crockery available, we are able to hire with sufficient notice, which will incur an additional fee. Do I need to pay a deposit? In order to secure your booking, we will ask you to make a deposit of up to 20%, refundable if cancelled before an agreed time period, normally 14 days before the event date. What forms of payment do you accept? All payments should be made by BACS as detailed in any invoices sent to you and in line with the payment terms expresses. Details about payment options & details will be provided during the booking process. Credit/debit card payments can be accepted IF arranged up front, this will incur a 3.25% fee to cover processing costs with the merchants fee. Do you travel to client locations? Yes. We love all of the UK and are always happy to travel to guests & new locations and have a growing network of partner chefs in different areas. If you're outside the UK, please contact us to discuss further. How far in advance should I book your services? It's recommended to book at least two weeks in advance, especially for larger events or during peak seasons. However, feel free to reach out even if you have a shorter timeline, and we will do our best to accommodate your request and recommend somebody else. What is the pricing structure for your services? Pricing varies depending on the services requested, menu complexity, and the number of guests. After our initial consultation, I will provide you with a customized quote tailored to your specific needs. Do you handle grocery shopping and ingredient sourcing? Yes, I take care of all the grocery shopping and ingredient procurement for your chosen menu. We strive to use the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to create exceptional dishes from restaurant & hotel suppliers. FAQs

Private Household Chef Recruitment | UHNW Chef Recruitment | Permanent & Temporary Private Household Chefs Michelin Trained Private Chefs DBS Checked Food Hygiene Certified We are a private chef hire agency & recruitment service based in West London. We specialise in providing outsourced chef services directly to UHNW private estates in Central London, the surrounding Home Counties & The Cotswolds. We only work on recruitment for chefs at this time. All of our chefs have trained in Michelin star restaurants, or in luxury hotels & superyachts before moving into freelance & private work. If you're looking to hire a private chef for a single day, a weekend booking or on a permanent basis, then fill in the contact form below & one of our consultants will get back in touch with you as soon as possible. Pork Belly Skewers Salads Yuzu Private Dining - Buffet Catering-2 Pork Belly Skewers 1/17 Michelin Trained Private Chefs DBS Checked Food Hygiene Certified Enquire Now Service Areas Kensington Holland Park Richmond Egham Chelsea Notting Hill Wentworth Estate Radlett Mayfair Regent's Park Oxshott Berkhamsted Enquire Now Make an enquiry * First name Last name * Email * Phone * Town/City * Type of Private Chef Needed * Employment Type Temporary Permanent Regular Freelance Any relevant notes relating to the role Submit FAQs What is a private household chef responsible for? Private household chefs typically prepare lunch & dinner for the principals. Breakfast is sometimes also prepared, however to control chef hours, many private households will have a simple breakfast prepared by the butler or housekeeper. This varies from household to household, so we'd suggest clearly stating your requirements from the role upfront. Staff food might also be prepared by the chef if agreed with the principals & chef in advance, we would suggest discussing the requirements for this in advance to avoid any unneccassary confusion. What if the chef doesn’t meet my expectations? Satisfaction Guaranteed: We offer a replacement guarantee within an agreed period if the chef isn’t the right fit. Ongoing Support: As our team all have experience working as private chefs & in UHNW estates, we can provide continued assistance & support to ensure a smooth working relationship between you and your chef and make their onboarding run smoothly. Proven Track Record: Our chefs have experience in Michelin-starred kitchens and luxury UHNW private households, ensuring top-tier service. Why should I hire a private chef through Yuzu Private Dining instead of finding one myself? Exclusive Talent: We specialize in Michelin-trained chefs, ensuring the highest level of skill and professionalism. Time-Saving: Our thorough vetting process eliminates the hassle of searching, interviewing, and verifying qualifications. Tailored to You: We carefully match chefs to your culinary preferences, dietary needs, and lifestyle. How can hiring a private chef help? Cooking is a daily chore that can use up a lot of valuable time and requires constant attention & planning. Hiring a private chef can buy back a lot of time for you to spend on high-value tasks, whether that's running your business, spending more time with your family or putting in extra hours at work. Hiring a private chef also removes some additional decision making & errands, leaving you to focus on what's most important to you. Why should I use an private chef recruitment specialist like Yuzu Private Dining? At Yuzu Private Dining, we specialize in recruiting Michelin-trained private chefs for discerning clients who expect nothing but the finest dining experiences. Our bespoke recruitment service connects you with world-class chefs, ensuring exceptional cuisine tailored to your preferences and lifestyle. Still Have Questions? We’re here to help! Contact us today for a consultation, and let’s find the perfect Michelin-trained private chef for you. How do I know my privacy and security are protected? Discreet & Professional: Our chefs are accustomed to working in high-profile and UHNW households with complete confidentiality. Rigorous Screening: We conduct background checks and verify references for all chefs before placement. Signed NDAs Available: Additional confidentiality agreements can be arranged for your peace of mind. Is hiring a private chef really worth the cost? More Than Just a Cook: A private chef brings a restaurant-quality experience to your home, handling everything from sourcing the finest ingredients to plating exquisite dishes. Saves Time & Effort: No more meal planning, grocery shopping, or kitchen cleanup—just effortless fine dining at home. Leverage your time to focus on your highest-value tasks. Flexible Options: Whether you need a full-time chef, part-time support, or a one-off event, we offer tailored solutions to fit your budget and needs. Enquire Now Recent Updates How much does it cost to hire a private chef in the UK? Our guide to the costs involved in hiring a permanent or freelance private chef in the UK Our guide to recruiting a private chef At Yuzu Private Dining, we specialize in recruiting Michelin-trained private chefs for discerning clients who expect nothing but the... How can I recruit a private household chef? Recruiting a permanent private chef requires careful planning to find the right fit for your household or business. Here’s a step-by-step... Enquire Now About Us Maxwell Tu Hi! I'm Max, the owner & director of Yuzu Private Dining. I set up the company after 11 years of working in Michelin Star restaurants and having always had an interest in starting my own business. I run the business as my full-time occupation currently, working for some of our regular clients & doing some the events & running the administrative side of the business. Learn More

Looking to hire a personal chef to cook in your home or holiday let? Contact Yuzu Private Dining now to get a bespoke menu & free estimate. Private Chef Hire If you're thinking about hiring a private chef to cook in your home or holiday let, complete our booking enquiry form linked below. You'll need to fill in a few details about the event & you'll receive a bespoke sample menu & free estimate. On your event date, one of our Michelin-trained chefs will take care of all the purchasing of ingredients, cooking & clean up. Simply follow the link below to the enquiry form. Teriyaki Salmon Skewers, Pickled Cucumber Teriyaki Salmon Skewers, Pickled Cucumber Chocolate & Espresso Mousse Pots Chocolate & Espresso Mousse Pots Langoustine & Cauliflower with Granny Smith Apple & Langoustine Bisque Langoustine & Cauliflower with Granny Smith Apple & Langoustine Bisque Teriyaki Salmon Skewers, Pickled Cucumber Teriyaki Salmon Skewers, Pickled Cucumber 1/12 Michelin Trained Chefs DBS Checked Food Hygiene Certified Get your bespoke menu First name Last name Event Type Email Submit Subscribe me to your newsletter. < Back What our customers say Just wanted to say thank you so much for our fantastic BBQ lunch . The day was a total success and the food was amazing. My parents and I loved having you! Ellen, Virginia Water Just wanted to say thank you so much for our fantastic BBQ lunch . The day was a total success and the food was amazing. My parents and I loved having you! Josh, Guildford Just wanted to say thank you so much for our fantastic BBQ lunch . The day was a total success and the food was amazing. My parents and I loved having you! Kevin, Edinburgh Just wanted to say thank you so much for our fantastic BBQ lunch . The day was a total success and the food was amazing. My parents and I loved having you! Jack, Shipton-under-Wychwood Just wanted to say thank you so much for our fantastic BBQ lunch . The day was a total success and the food was amazing. My parents and I loved having you! Lindsey, Radlett Just wanted to say thank you so much for our fantastic BBQ lunch . The day was a total success and the food was amazing. My parents and I loved having you! Bethany, Bourton-on-the-Water Just wanted to say thank you so much for our fantastic BBQ lunch . The day was a total success and the food was amazing. My parents and I loved having you! Joe, Cheltenham Get your free estimate & sample menu Sample Dishes Get your free estimate & sample menu Other Services Private Chef Hire If you're thinking of a hiring a professional private chef for your home, then get in touch now. Our team & network includes Michelin-Starred chefs, pastry chefs & chocolatiers. Document Wedding Catering Planning a wedding is a stressful experience at the best of times. Let us take some of the pressure off your special day by making sure all the catering runs smoothy leaving you free to enjoy the day. Document Buffets & BBQs We also offer Buffet & BBQ catering to our guests. Let us take care of all the purchasing, menu design & selection and preparation. We'll drop off your buffet & set it up before leaving you to enjoy your occassion. Document Corporate Catering At Yuzu Private Dining, we make booking a private chef for your next corporate event easy, leaving you free to network with your colleagues & guests. Let us take care of preparing all the food, and washing up, leaving you free to concentrate on your business & networking with your employees and guests. Document Canape Parties We love hosting canape parties and drinks receptions as there's always a nice buzz and atmosphere. Hire a professional private chef to ensure your event runs smoothly & leave yourself free to enjoy your event with your guests. Document Shooting Parties If you're hosting a shooting party, making sure you hire the right professional private chef is critical to a successful day. We'll prepare you a warming shoot lunch and some drinks and snacks to have in the field so your guests can focus on their shooting. Document Do you have public liability insurance? Unlike booking through some other platforms, all of our chefs are covered on any job by our public liability insurance. This means that if there were any unexpected incidents, there would be legal cover in place. Can I request a specific dish or menu? Absolutely! Client satisfaction is one of our key objectives, so having a menu that works for you is crucial! Feel free to pop any requests into your free no obligation consultation and we will see what we can do. Whether you’d like to indulge in a Michelin style tasting menu, or just share a casual sharing meal with friends, book a free initial consultation to discuss your needs. Isn't hiring a private chef expensive? Hiring a private chef can often work out cheaper than dining out once you factor in travel costs, childcare and split the bill between your guest.s. Do we all have to have the same dish? We normally have a fixed menu for all guests other than any dietary intolerances or food allergies, this allows us to make sure the food is cooked properly and served sufficiently hot with the facilities we have available. We will try our best to accommodate, however cannot guarantee different dishes. Can you provide waiting staff? We normally don't provide any front of house staff, however feel free to discuss with us and we can arrange with enough notice. Do you provide cutlery & crockery? As a standard, we will normally use the cutlery/crockery available at the venue. If there isn't sufficient crockery available, we are able to hire with sufficient notice, which will incur an additional fee. Do I need to pay a deposit? In order to secure your booking, we will ask you to make a deposit of up to 20%, refundable if cancelled before an agreed time period, normally 14 days before the event date. What forms of payment do you accept? All payments should be made by BACS as detailed in any invoices sent to you and in line with the payment terms expresses. Details about payment options & details will be provided during the booking process. Credit/debit card payments can be accepted IF arranged up front, this will incur a 3.25% fee to cover processing costs with the merchants fee. Do you travel to client locations? Yes. We love all of the UK and are always happy to travel to guests & new locations and have a growing network of partner chefs in different areas. If you're outside the UK, please contact us to discuss further. How far in advance should I book your services? It's recommended to book at least two weeks in advance, especially for larger events or during peak seasons. However, feel free to reach out even if you have a shorter timeline, and we will do our best to accommodate your request and recommend somebody else. What is the pricing structure for your services? Pricing varies depending on the services requested, menu complexity, and the number of guests. After our initial consultation, I will provide you with a customized quote tailored to your specific needs. Do you handle grocery shopping and ingredient sourcing? Yes, I take care of all the grocery shopping and ingredient procurement for your chosen menu. We strive to use the freshest, highest-quality ingredients to create exceptional dishes from restaurant & hotel suppliers. FAQs

A tethered photoshoot setup A Full-Frame Mirrorless camera Sony A7iii with 50mm f1.8 Prime Lens The ultimate in picture and video quality, although certainly not the most practical for everyday use & carrying. I recently upgraded my D90 to a Sony Alpha 7 iii, which came with a variable aperture 24-70mm kit lens on sale. The difference compared to an older camera is remarkable, with lightning fast and accurate autofocus meaning much less shots are out of focus compared to the older camera. The Sony 50mm F1.8 Lens is quite affordable at around £159, and takes sharp images with some nice Bokeh and will allow you to get some more shots in low light. It also take brilliant, stabilised video footage and some fantastic slow motion videos, as well as allowing an external microphone to record high quality audio over the video footage, so that's something I'm keen to learn more about over the coming months. Buying a camera that's a few years old is a great way to save some money, especially while you're building up a lens collection over time. Buying into a system like Sony means you'll be able to rent some phenomenal lenses if you don't have the spare cash to buy them, or just don't want to outlay such a large amount for a single item. iPhone or Android Smartphone Smartphone cameras have come along so far in 2024 that for a lot of photos, they are more than good enough. The video quality is also outstanding and being able to quickly capture, edit & post to your blog, social media & LinkedIn etc. is really convenient, especially when busy cooking for clients. I currently use an iPhone 13 Pro Max, which has outstanding 4K video capabilities and takes some great shots. The cinematic video mode is fantastic, and you can create some fast (artificial) bokeh effects quite nicely. I previously had great experience with my Google Pixel 4a, which took fantastic photos, especially in Low Light conditions. I still use this as a travel camera as it is so light and portable and has little value if lost or damaged. A Used DSLR Camera While technology has moved onto mirrorless cameras, a DSLR from 10-15 years ago will take pictures that are more than adequate for most chef's needs of building an image portfolio & for posting to your website, blog & social media. Having interchangeable lenses means you can achieve some more stylistic effects and work and a range of different heights and distances with a zoom lens. A 50mm prime lens will allow you to create blurry backgrounds while the subject or dish remains in focus while remaining relatively inexpensive. A used DSLR can be picked up in 2024 for under £200 with a kit lens or 50mm prime lens, a fraction of the cost of when it was new, and probably more than enough for anyone just starting out in food photography. It's a great way to learn. I use a Nikon D90 with a Nikon AF-S 50mm Prime Lens for about 80% of my photography at the moment as it gives a tack sharp image and the fast aperture allows for handheld shooting in mid to low light levels. It doesn't work great for video, but my compact travel zoom makes great video so be sure to check that if before you buy any camera body if you want to get into video production later. Using a flash will greatly enhance your ability to capture sharp pictures, especially with an older camera which doesn't have the level of low light performance that modern cameras have. I'd reccommend buying a 3rd party flash trigger like a Godox TT600 unit, which will allow you to change to a different system later without having to replace both your trigger and flash. A Tripod & L Bracket Using a tripod can help you take better pictures in low light conditions where you will need a longer exposure that might be too long for handheld. If shooting on a tripod, I'd recommend getting an L Bracket, which will allow you to quickly switch between shooting in vertical format for stories & social posts and landscape for blog & website content. A Compact Travel Zoom Easy to pack and carry with you everywhere, but a noticeable upgrade in quality to a phone camera, a mirrorless travel zoom camera will take great photos and videos yet remain portable enough to carry everyday and shoot handheld in the kitchen. I used a Panasonic TZ-100 for years, which works great as a travel camera due to its long range zoom in such a small size. Spare batteries are small and light so you can carry a spare when abroad or doing a lot of battery intensive tasks. Summary If you're interested in having some food photography shots taken, then let us know. We've got a wide range of backdrops & photography equipment and are able to do this at a discounted rate as we're still building experience in this field when compared with a full-time professional photographer. Just drop a note into the booking request form and we'll see if we can arrange something.

In the age of social media and visually-driven content, food photography has become an art form in its own right. Whether you're a professional food photographer, blogger, freelance or private chef or an amateur with a passion for gastronomy, capturing the essence of a dish through your lens can be a delightful and rewarding experience. In this blog post, we'll explore the key elements of improving your food photography, from composition and lighting to styling and editing, helping you elevate your culinary snapshots to the next level. Editing with Precision:  Post-processing can enhance the colors, sharpness, and overall aesthetics of your food photographs. Use editing tools like Adobe Lightroom or VSCO to fine-tune exposure, contrast, and saturation. Be careful not to over-edit, as authenticity is key in food photography. Aim for a natural look that highlights the true beauty of the dish. Lighting is Key: Good lighting is the cornerstone of any successful food photograph. Natural light is often preferred, as it brings out the true colors and textures of the food. Position your dish near a window or shoot outdoors during the golden hour for soft, flattering light. Avoid harsh shadows that can distract from the main subject. Experiment with different angles and intensities to find the lighting that best complements your dish. Composition Matters: A well-composed photograph can make a simple dish look extraordinary. Consider the rule of thirds – divide your frame into a 3x3 grid and position your main subject along the intersections. Experiment with different angles, heights, and perspectives to create visual interest. Don't be afraid to get close and showcase the intricate details of the food, such as the steam rising from a hot dish or the glistening glaze on a dessert. Styling for Success: Thoughtful styling enhances the visual appeal of your food photographs. Pay attention to the placement of utensils, napkins, and other props to create a cohesive and inviting scene. Use complementary colors and textures to add depth and contrast. Be mindful of the overall mood you want to convey – whether it's a rustic feel with wooden backgrounds or a minimalist look with clean, white surfaces. Focus on the Details: The devil is in the details, and this holds true for food photography. Capture the droplets of water on a refreshing glass, the steam rising from a hot bowl of soup, or the delicate layers of a pastry. These details not only add visual interest but also convey the sensory experience of enjoying the dish. In the world of food photography, the journey from the kitchen to the plate and finally to the photograph is an artful process. By paying attention to lighting, composition, styling, details, editing, and storytelling, you can create visually stunning images that not only showcase the deliciousness of the dish but also evoke the emotions and experiences associated with it. If you’re looking for some help having a first professional photoshoot, then contact us with the link below and complete the booking form. We’ll get back to you with an estimate of the costs involved & to discuss your available dates.

The cost of a food portfolio shoot varies depending on the photographer’s experience, location, the number of dishes, and the level of styling required. The complexity of the shoot will also have a massive impact on the cost of the shoot. Here’s a general breakdown: Freelance Food Photographers • Beginner: £150 – £300 (basic shoot with minimal styling required) • Mid-Level: £300 – £800 (experienced photographers with better equipment and some styling) • Experienced Professional photographer: 800 – £2,500+ (high-end photographers with full styling, props, and lighting) Studio vs. On-Location • Studio Shoot: Often includes controlled lighting, professional backdrops, and full styling (£500 – £3,000) • On-Location (e.g., your kitchen or restaurant): Travel and setup fees may apply (£400 – £2,000) Additional Costs • Food Stylist: £200 – £800 per day • Props & Backgrounds: £50 – £500 • Editing & Retouching: £15 – £200 per image • Full-Day vs. Half-Day Rates: A half-day (3–4 hours) might start at £250–£600, while a full-day shoot (6–8 hours) could be £500–£3,000+ If you’re looking to organise a simple food photography shoot with Yuzu Private Dining, then contact us now to get a detailed cost estimate.