These two titles get used interchangeably all the time — by clients, by candidates, even by some agencies. But they're genuinely different roles, with different working patterns, salary expectations, and skill sets. If you're thinking about hiring someone to cook for your household, understanding the distinction will save you time and help you find the right person.
What Is a Private Chef?
A private chef works exclusively for one household, full-time. They're on your payroll, they work in your kitchen, and they plan, shop for, prepare, and serve all meals for the family and any guests.
Most private chefs work five or six days a week and handle everything from weekday family suppers to formal dinner parties. In larger households, they might also manage kitchen inventory, work alongside other staff (a butler or housekeeper), and coordinate catering for events.
Private chefs typically come from professional restaurant or hotel backgrounds — many have worked in Michelin-starred kitchens — and have adapted their skills to a domestic setting, where the brief is less about plating spectacle and more about consistency, dietary knowledge, and flexibility.
Typical working pattern: Full-time, live-in or live-out. Monday to Saturday with one or two days off per week. Often expected to be flexible for evening entertaining.
What Is a Personal Chef?
A personal chef works for multiple clients, visiting each household on a rotating schedule. They might cook for your family two days a week, batch-preparing meals that can be stored and reheated on their off days, then do the same for two or three other families.
Personal chefs are essentially freelancers. They're not on your payroll — you pay per visit or on a monthly retainer. They bring their own knives (sometimes their own equipment), plan menus in advance, and often do their own shopping on your behalf.
This model works well for smaller households, couples, or families who don't need someone in the kitchen every day but want better food than they have time to cook themselves.
Typical working pattern: Part-time per client. Might spend a full day cooking and prepping, then not return for three or four days.
Key Differences at a Glance
Exclusivity: A private chef works only for you. A personal chef splits time between several clients.
Employment: A private chef is typically a salaried employee. A personal chef is usually self-employed or works through their own limited company.
Presence: A private chef is in your home daily. A personal chef visits on set days.
Cost: A private chef costs more overall, but you get full-time availability. A personal chef is more affordable if you only need a few days per week.
Formality: Private chefs in large households may serve plated meals, manage wine pairings, and handle formal entertaining. Personal chefs tend to focus on practical, everyday cooking.
Salary Expectations
Private Chef (full-time, London) £45,000 – £80,000 per year, depending on experience. Top-end candidates with Michelin backgrounds or specialist skills (Japanese cuisine, plant-based fine dining, medical dietary expertise) can command £90,000+. Live-in roles typically offer a slightly lower cash salary plus accommodation.
Personal Chef £150 – £350 per visit, or £2,000 – £5,000 per month on retainer, depending on the number of days and covers. Personal chefs set their own rates, so there's wide variation.
Which Should You Hire?
Hire a private chef if:
- You need meals prepared daily
- You entertain regularly
- You have specific dietary requirements that need daily management
- You want someone integrated into your household team
- You have a large family or host frequent guests
Hire a personal chef if:
- You only need help two or three days per week
- Your household is smaller (couple or small family)
- You want batch-cooked meals you can reheat
- Budget is a consideration — you don't need full-time coverage
- You value flexibility over daily presence
A Note on Dietary Specialisms
Both private and personal chefs can accommodate dietary requirements — allergies, intolerances, religious observance, or lifestyle choices like keto or plant-based eating. The difference is implementation. A private chef can adjust meals in real time, adapting to what the family feels like on any given day. A personal chef plans menus in advance, which means changes need to be communicated ahead of their cooking day.
If anyone in your household has complex medical dietary needs (coeliac disease, severe allergies, renal diet requirements), a full-time private chef is almost always the better choice.
Finding Your Chef
Whether you need a private chef or a personal chef, the right candidate is someone who cooks food your family actually wants to eat — not just impressive-sounding dishes. The best chefs we place are the ones who listen, adapt, and quietly make mealtimes the best part of the day.
If you're considering hiring a private chef, get in touch and we'll help you work out which model suits your household.