Pricing guide
How much does a private chef cost?
Most private chefs on ichef charge 30–90 USD per guest for a multi-course dinner cooked in your home. Where you land in that range comes down to three things: the menu, how many people are eating, and the city you live in. Below is exactly how those figures are built up, using live prices from chefs on the platform.
Price per guest by menu type
| Menu | What it includes | USD per guest |
|---|---|---|
| Weeknight dinner | Two courses, seasonal produce, relaxed service | 30–45 |
| Dinner party | Three to four courses, canapés, plated service | 45–70 |
| Celebration menu | Five+ courses, premium ingredients, pairings | 70–120 |
| Meal prep / batch cooking | A week of meals cooked and stored in one session | 15–25 |
How group size changes the bill
A chef's time is largely fixed, so the cost per head falls as the table grows — until the point where extra hands are needed in the kitchen.
| Guests | What happens | Effect on price |
|---|---|---|
| 2 guests | Minimum booking fees usually apply | Highest price per guest |
| 4–6 guests | The most common home dinner size | Typical listed price |
| 8–12 guests | Chef may bring an assistant | 5–15% lower per guest |
| 12+ guests | Extra hands and hired tableware | Service fee added per staff member |
What chefs charge around the world
Location is the biggest single variable: ingredient costs, local wages and travel distance all feed into a quote. These are current listed prices from chefs on ichef.
| Country | City | Cuisine | Per guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brazil | São Paulo | Brazilian, Seafood | 36 USD |
| France | Lyon | French, Pastry | 64 EUR |
| Ghana | Accra | West African, Vegan | 34 USD |
| India | Mumbai | Indian, Vegetarian | 29 USD |
| Italy | Bologna | Italian, Pasta | 52 EUR |
| Japan | Osaka | Japanese, Omakase | 88 USD |
| Lebanon | Beirut | Levantine, Mezze | 38 USD |
| Mexico | Mexico City | Mexican, Grill | 41 USD |
| Vietnam | Hanoi | Vietnamese, Street Food | 27 USD |
Extras that can change your quote
- • Groceries billed at cost rather than included in the per-guest price.
- • Premium ingredients — seafood, aged meat, truffle, imported produce.
- • Travel outside the chef's home city, or late-night finishes.
- • Additional kitchen or service staff for parties above roughly 12 guests.
- • Rented glassware, crockery or linen when your kitchen is short on kit.
Private chef cost FAQ
See real prices near you
Browse chefs by country and cuisine, each with their own price per guest.