If you’re planning a special occasion, have a corporate event coming up, or run a busy household and are seeking a resident chef to prepare your preferred cuisines each day, you may be wondering how much you should budget for a tailor-made service.
There are several considerations that will influence the price you can expect to pay when hiring a private chef. Read on to find out more.
What is the difference between a private chef and a personal chef?
When someone hires a chef to prepare meals for them, you’ll hear them referred to both as a private chef and as a personal chef.
Both names are interchangeable. A private or personal chef is someone hired to prepare your meals, whether that be as a permanent member of your household or, for a social occasion such as a wedding or landmark birthday.
How much does it cost for a chef in the UK?
There is no universal fixed cost when hiring a chef to work for you in the UK. Many factors need to be considered.
One of the most important factors influencing the cost of a talented private chef’s service will be how much experience they have. The more experience a chef has working in a professional kitchen or cooking for private clients, the more you will be expected to pay.
Similarly, their skill level will also influence the rate quoted. If your preferred private chef has previously worked in Michelin-star restaurants or holds prestigious culinary degrees, it follows that they will expect to receive a larger fee than a more junior chef who is perhaps less skilled in more advanced culinary techniques.
On average, a full-time chef in the UK can cost anything from £60,000 – £130,000 per year.
If you don’t have a chef on a monthly retainer, it’s also possible to pay a daily rate. The daily rate of a private chef in the UK can range anywhere from £250 to £750.
You may also have to consider additional costs, such as ingredients and any special equipment that may be required to prepare your desired dishes to the highest of standards.
When hiring a private chef for a social occasion, the total cost will often be calculated based on the total number of people in attendance.
What determines the private chef cost?
As we’ve seen, many factors influence how much you should expect to pay to secure the services of a private chef. Here are some additional things to consider when it comes to hiring a talented private chef for your household:
1. The complexity of your meals
The complexity of your meals is an important consideration when hiring a private chef. You’ll also need to ensure that your chosen personal chef is familiar with your preferred cuisines so that all your meals, along with snacks, juices and smoothies, are suitable for your requirements.
2. The number of people you are feeding
The number of people who will be dining will influence how much your meals will cost, especially if you are hiring a private chef to prepare exquisite dishes for specific social occasions. Larger events such as wedding receptions may require a bigger team, including sommeliers, waiters, and additional chefs, which will increase the overall price you’ll pay per person. Smaller, more intimate gatherings will require fewer resources, so the total bill will be less.
3. Additional services
Some private chefs will offer additional services to complement their core role of preparing and cooking your meals, especially if they are taking up a part-time or permanent position with your household.
These services could include associated tasks such as grocery shopping, creating menus, and setting or clearing the table.
Many households prefer that their personal chef takes on these additional tasks to alleviate stress and improve the dining experience, but you should keep in mind that they may well increase the amount you’ll need to pay at the end of each week or month.
Do personal chefs live with you?
It’s up to you to decide whether you would prefer your private chef to live with you or to live outside of your household in their own home. Generally, a live-in chef may receive a smaller annual salary than a chef living outside of the home – but keep in mind you will need to provide suitable private accommodation for a live-in chef.
The question of whether a chef will live with you or will live externally is a discussion that you will have with your recruitment agency and chosen personal chef.
