Preparing the annual Christmas dinner can be one of the most stressful days of the year for any household. With plenty of different elements, from the turkey and stuffing to the gravy and pudding to perfection, there’s a lot to prep and cook. For even the most experienced and enthusiastic of home cooks, the pressure can feel overwhelming on what should be a happy, relaxed, and stress-free day with friends and family.
Why not take the stress out of Christmas this year by hiring a private chef? While hiring a Christmas chef may not have crossed your mind, if you find yourself with a lot to do and too little time to accomplish it, it could save you significant time and stress this Christmas.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to hire a chef to make this Christmas the most memorable yet.
Why Should You Hire A Christmas Chef?
For most families, cooking the festive feast may be stressful, but it is also one of their biggest Christmas traditions. Because of this, it may not have occurred to you to bring a professional chef in, but here’s why it should be something you consider this year to create a memorable, relaxed celebration that you can truly savour:
- Enlisting the services of a private chef allows you to enjoy additional time on Christmas day with your loved ones, relaxed and unworried by how long the turkey has been cooking and whether it’s time to baste.
- Your chef will take care of ordering the food, so you don’t have to worry about beating the queues in the pre-Christmas supermarket rush.
- Private chefs are talented professionals who will be able to create a delicious Christmas menu like no other, with sumptuous flavours that make a meal fitting for such a special occasion.
- You’ll still be involved in creating a menu with your chef that is uniquely tailored to your family’s needs, so everyone has dishes they love and associate with the festive period.
- Your private chef can devise harmonious wine and drink pairings for each dish as well as serve you and your guests, then clean up before leaving you to enjoy the rest of your festivities.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Christmas Chef?
Private chefs will typically set their own prices, which means the cost will vary greatly depending on the skill and experience of the chef you choose. It will also depend on how many guests you need to feed on Christmas day, how many courses you wish to serve, and how much additional work you’d like your chef to do.
On average, you can expect to pay anything upwards of £1,500 for a Christmas chef. The price could be higher considering it’s Christmas which is a very popular time of the year for private chefs.
Before agreeing to work with a private chef, you should have an in-depth discussion about costs and expectations to ensure you’re both on the same page and agree on a fee that works for both of you.
Where to Find Christmas Chefs?
Your Christmas dinner is one of the most memorable meals of the year and not something you want to leave to chance. When searching for a Christmas chef, you want to feel confident that your chosen professional is capable and creative. For that reason, it’s well worth enlisting the help of a specialist company, like Harper Fine Dining, experienced in offering personal chef services.
How To Choose the Right Chef for You
Before speaking to chefs, it’s important to have a good idea of what you want to achieve with your Christmas meal. Would you prefer a traditional Christmas dinner for example, or do you want something a little bit more creative? Every private chef is unique, with distinct philosophies on food, varying skills, and technical abilities. If you’re new to working with a private chef, consider meeting with a few initially to identify your perfect match.You could also request images or sample menus, to get an idea of their food style.
Working Together to Make The Perfect Menu For Your Family
Although your chef will be doing the bulk of the work to prepare and serve your Christmas dinner, it can still be a collaborative effort to create a menu that the whole family will enjoy.
If you inform your chef of any dietary requirements or preferences you may have upfront, they can get to work on designing a restaurant-worthy menu for your festive celebration. You’ll be able to give your input and feedback on the initial menu so changes can be made before the big day.
If you’ve never worked with a private chef before, this could be the perfect chance to step out of your culinary comfort zone and do something a little different for your family Christmas dinner.
If you’d like to find out more about hiring a private chef for Christmas, contact us today.
