Tools
Private chef cost calculator
Choose your guest numbers and style of menu to see what a private chef typically costs in the UK, based on published 2026 prices.
Chefs who start within this range
Approved chefs on Private Chef Finder whose listed starting price is at or below £120 per person. Starting prices are set by each chef and may depend on guest numbers and menu.
- ChefGaryHampshireFrom £65 per personFrom £65 per head plus VAT. Minimum spend £780 plus VAT.
- James CalleryWinchesterFrom £90 per personFlexible and can tailor to your needs, starting from £90 per person
- Giovanni AndolfiMordenFrom £100 per personFrom £100 per person.
- Chef NikLondonFrom £100 per personFrom £100 per head, ingredients included.
How the estimate works
The starting point is the price per person by group size published by Take a Chef for the UK in September 2026, which we treat as a typical three-course plated dinner:
- 2 guests£130 to £165 per person
- 3 to 6 guests£80 to £120 per person
- 7 to 12 guests£65 to £80 per person
- 13 or more guests£59 to £75 per person
To reflect the style of menu, we scale that range using the relative prices Yhangry published: from about £40 per person for finger food, £50 for sharing-style three courses, £70 for plated three courses and £100 or more for five courses. Figures are rounded to the nearest £5.
For a fuller explanation of what moves a quote, read our guide to how much a private chef costs.
Sources
- Take a Chef: How much is a private chef for a night in the UK? (updated 24 September 2026)
- Yhangry: How much is a private chef in the UK? (2022)
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does a private chef cost per person in the UK?
Prices published by Take a Chef in September 2026 run from about £130 to £165 per person for two guests, £80 to £120 for three to six, £65 to £80 for seven to twelve and £59 to £75 for thirteen or more. That usually includes ingredients, cooking, basic service and clearing up.
How accurate is this calculator?
It gives a typical range based on published UK prices, not a quote. A chef's actual price depends on their experience, the ingredients, your location and exactly what you ask for, so always ask chefs for a quote for your evening.
Why does the price per person fall for bigger groups?
Much of a chef's cost is their time, planning and travel, which is shared across more people as the guest list grows. Ingredients scale with numbers, but the fixed costs don't.
What isn't included in the estimate?
Drinks, waiting staff, travel outside the chef's usual area, equipment hire and any minimum spend are usually charged separately. Ask each chef to list them so you can compare quotes fairly.
Should I tip a private chef?
It isn't required, but it's common to tip for great service. Yhangry suggests 10% to 15% of the total. You can include a tip in the calculator to see what that adds.
Get a real price
A calculator gives you a range. A chef gives you a price for your evening, so contact a few who fit your budget.