Dinner parties
Hire a private chef for a dinner party
The point of a private chef at a dinner party is simple: you sit down with your guests instead of standing at the hob.
A dinner party has two jobs: feeding people well, and letting you be a host. A private chef takes the first, which is why most hosts who try it don't go back to cooking for eight on a Saturday night.
Menus are usually built around the evening rather than picked from a fixed list. Chefs will happily cook something that's been in the family for years, plan a menu around a wine you already own, or keep things simple because the conversation matters more than the plating.
Private Chef Finder is a directory of independent private chefs across the UK. Filter by area, cuisine, budget and rating, and contact the chefs whose cooking suits your dinner party. You agree the menu and price directly with the chef.
Four ways to serve a dinner party
A plated three courses
The classic dinner party: a starter, a main and a dessert, each plated in the kitchen and served at the table. Works beautifully for six to ten.
A sharing feast
Big dishes in the middle of the table and plenty of passing round. Relaxed, generous and often the best value for larger groups.
A tasting menu
Five or more small courses, each one a talking point. More work for the chef, so expect it to sit at the top of the price range.
Canapés and bowl food
For a drinks party or a celebration where guests stand and mingle. The chef keeps the food coming while you look after the room.
Looking for inspiration first? Our dinner party menu ideas include five complete menus, from a classic British dinner to a special occasion menu.
What a dinner party chef costs
Private chefs usually charge per person, and the price per head falls as the guest list grows. These rough totals use the per-person rates Take a Chef publishes for the UK , updated in September 2026. They normally include ingredients, cooking, serving and clearing up, but not drinks or waiting staff.
| Guests | Published rate per person | Rough total before drinks |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | £80 to £120 | £480 to £720 |
| 8 | £65 to £80 | £520 to £640 |
| 10 | £65 to £80 | £650 to £800 |
| 12 | £65 to £80 | £780 to £960 |
These are worked from published averages, not quotes. Your price depends on your menu, your area and your date. Our private chef cost guide explains what changes it and how to compare quotes.
How the evening runs
A few hours before
The chef arrives with the ingredients, unpacks and starts anything slow: braises, stocks, desserts that need to set.
As guests arrive
Canapés or nibbles go out if you've asked for them, and you pour the drinks.
At the table
Each course is cooked, plated and served at the pace of your table, with a pause between courses for conversation.
Over dessert and coffee
The chef washes up and clears the kitchen, then leaves quietly. The leftovers are yours.
Four things worth deciding early
What kind of evening is it?
A relaxed sharing table, a formal three courses, or canapés before a night out. The shape of the evening decides the menu more than the cuisine does.
How much of the evening do you want to spend hosting?
Some hosts want to be in the kitchen talking to the chef; others want to disappear into their own party. Say which you'd rather.
What's your kitchen like?
One oven, two ovens, an Aga, a barbecue on the terrace. Chefs plan the menu around the equipment they'll actually be using.
Anything that can't be on the menu
Allergies, a vegetarian at the table, a child who'll only eat pasta. Passing this on early saves a difficult conversation on the night.
Private chef or doing it yourself?
Cooking for friends is one of life's pleasures, and with a good plan most people can host a lovely dinner party. Our guide to how to host a dinner party walks through it, from the guest list to a timeline you can stick on the fridge.
A private chef makes sense when the occasion matters, when the menu is more ambitious than you'd like to cook, or when you simply want to spend the evening with your guests. For bigger events, our comparison of private chefs and catering helps you choose.
Chefs who cook dinner parties
Independent chefs listed on Private Chef Finder. Each one sets their own menus and prices.
James Callery
Winchester
Private chef and head chef at Hotel du Vin, Winchester
- British
- Modern European
- French
- +8 more
From £90 per person
House of Vida Catering
Brighton
Private chef to the stars and wealthy. Now own a catering company serving events, corporate and location contracts. Can design any menu you like!
- British
- Modern European
- French
- +12 more
Giovanni Andolfi
Morden
Italian and Mediterranean private chef based in Morden, cooking across Surrey and south London
- Italian
- Mediterranean
- Modern European
From £100 per person
Chef Nik
London
Self-taught London private chef with experience in five-star hotels, private members' clubs and private homes
- British
- Modern European
- French
- +9 more
From £100 per person
ChefGary
Hampshire
Hampshire private chef with 35 years in the industry and 20 as a private chef, cooking dinner parties, buffets, BBQs and weddings
- British
- Modern European
- French
- +7 more
From £65 per person
Luke Frost
Hampshire
- British
- French
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private chef cost for a dinner party?
Published UK platform rates for one evening in 2026 sit around £80 to £120 per person for three to six guests and £65 to £80 per person for seven to twelve, usually including ingredients, cooking, serving and clearing up. Drinks and waiting staff are normally extra.
How many guests can a private chef cook for at a dinner party?
Most private chefs are at their best between two and about twenty guests. For larger groups many bring help, switch to sharing dishes, or recommend waiting staff so the food reaches the table hot.
Does a private chef serve the food at a dinner party?
For six to eight guests, many chefs plate and serve each course themselves. For larger groups they can usually arrange waiting staff, which is normally charged separately.
Can I choose the menu?
Yes. The chef will usually suggest a menu, often with options for each course, and adjust it with you. You can ask for a favourite dish, a cuisine, or a menu built around the season or a wine you already own.
How far ahead should I book a chef for a dinner party?
A few weeks is usually enough for a weekend dinner party. For December, Valentine's Day, bank holidays or a big birthday, book as early as you can.
Who do I pay?
You pay the chef directly, on the terms you agree with them. Private Chef Finder is a directory and doesn't take payment for your event.
Plan your dinner party
Find chefs who cover your area and cook for your numbers, then contact them about your date.