FAQs About Hiring a Private Chef
GOT A QUESTION ABOUT HIRING A PRIVATE CHEF IN LONDON?Browse through our customer's most common questions…
How does the service work?
Meals offers a complete private chef hire experience. Your chef will arrive at your home or venue with all fresh ingredients, take over your kitchen, and prepare, cook, and serve your chosen set menu. They'll introduce each dish, serve every course, and handle all the washing up — leaving your kitchen spotless.
We've designed the process to be quick and easy. Simply browse our selection of menus, get an instant quote, and secure your date.
We've designed the process to be quick and easy. Simply browse our selection of menus, get an instant quote, and secure your date.
Who are our private chefs?
Our chefs are the heart of the Meals experience. Each one is hand-picked for their skill, professionalism, and passion for creating unforgettable dining moments. We do not list freelancers or outsource your booking to strangers — every chef you meet is part of our own trusted team.
All Meals chefs are rigorously vetted, trained, and tested at real events, often hundreds of times. Many have worked in Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels, and high-end restaurants before joining us, bringing world-class expertise into your home.
We handle all the logistics, menu design, and client care, allowing our chefs to focus entirely on the artistry of cooking and presentation. This means that when your chef steps into your kitchen, you get their undivided attention, creativity, and skill along with the confidence that everything will run seamlessly from start to finish.
When you hire a Meals private chef, you are not just booking a cook for the evening. You are welcoming a professional who represents our reputation as the UK's most trusted private chef service.
Read more about our private chefs here.
All Meals chefs are rigorously vetted, trained, and tested at real events, often hundreds of times. Many have worked in Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels, and high-end restaurants before joining us, bringing world-class expertise into your home.
We handle all the logistics, menu design, and client care, allowing our chefs to focus entirely on the artistry of cooking and presentation. This means that when your chef steps into your kitchen, you get their undivided attention, creativity, and skill along with the confidence that everything will run seamlessly from start to finish.
When you hire a Meals private chef, you are not just booking a cook for the evening. You are welcoming a professional who represents our reputation as the UK's most trusted private chef service.
Read more about our private chefs here.
How much does it cost to hire a private chef?
Pricing depends on your chosen menu, number of guests, and location, but getting an exact price is simple.
• Browse our menus here
• Enter your event details and click Get Price Now for an instant quote
• Secure your date with a £60 deposit, with the flexibility to change menu or guest numbers up to 14 days before your event
You can request as many quotes as you need, and our events team can help you add extras such as sharing bites (canapés).
• Browse our menus here
• Enter your event details and click Get Price Now for an instant quote
• Secure your date with a £60 deposit, with the flexibility to change menu or guest numbers up to 14 days before your event
You can request as many quotes as you need, and our events team can help you add extras such as sharing bites (canapés).
Are the menus set?
Each menu is designed for perfect balance, but if there is something you don't like or you really can choose between two menus then you can Mix & Match up to two different dishes from other menus.
You can read more about how to do this here…
You can read more about how to do this here…
Do we all have to have the same dish?
No. Where a course offers more than one option, each guest can choose their preferred dish. After booking, you'll be able to invite your guests to submit their choices online.
Can the menu be personalised for dietary requirements?
Absolutely. We cater for almost all dietary needs, including allergies, preferences, and dislikes. Once you've booked, our food team will contact you about your menu choices and dietary needs and where required personalise dishes or offer alternatives so everyone can enjoy the experience.
I want to secure my date, but I’m not sure on the menu?
No problem. You can book and secure your date with just a £60 deposit against any quote and then finalise your menu and guest numbers later (up to 14 days before your event).
Do you cater for children?
Yes. Children (under 12s) can be added to any menu for 50% of the per head menu price, for either a smaller portion or a simplified version of the menu. Or you can provide your own oven-based food for them at no charge.
To get a quote including the children, please process a quote as normal for just the adults and then reply to us, via the quote email you receive, with the number of children you would like to add to the quote. Our events team will then reply to you promptly with an updated quote inclusive of children.
To get a quote including the children, please process a quote as normal for just the adults and then reply to us, via the quote email you receive, with the number of children you would like to add to the quote. Our events team will then reply to you promptly with an updated quote inclusive of children.
What equipment do I need?
Your chef will bring the ingredients but will use your kitchen equipment including cutlery, crockery, pots, pans, oven and hob. A standard domestic kitchen is fine but we just ask for at least one large and one small plate per guest.
How far in advance should I book?
We recommend booking as early as possible, especially for weekends, holidays, and peak seasons. For special events, a few weeks' notice is ideal.
From your first enquiry to the last plate cleared, we handle every detail. There's no gamble on who might arrive, no uncertainty about quality, and no stress about organisation, just the reassurance that your event is in expert hands.