People use "private chef" and "personal chef" as if they meant the same thing, and in everyday conversation they often do. In the industry, though, they describe two different arrangements, and knowing which one you want saves a lot of back and forth when you start asking around.
What a private chef does
A private chef, in the strict sense, is employed by one household. They cook most meals, most days, and often plan the family's menus, do the food shopping and manage the kitchen. Some live in, and some travel with the family between homes.
It is a full-time job with a salary, and it is usually filled through a specialist agency. For a large household that eats at home almost every day, it can make sense. For most people, it is far more chef than they need.
The phrase is also used for chefs who cook a single dinner party or event in your home. That is a one-off booking rather than employment, usually quoted per head.
What a personal chef does
A personal chef works for several clients rather than one. They visit your home on a set day, cook a batch of meals, portion them up and leave them in your fridge, then move on to their next client.
You get the benefit of a chef's cooking all week without paying for a chef all week. That is why personal chef services have become common in cities like London, where plenty of people have the budget for good food but not the time to cook it.
This is how oishee works. A Japanese chef comes to your kitchen, cooks two or three dishes into 8 to 12 portions, and cleans up before they leave.
Side by side
| Private chef | Personal chef | |
|---|---|---|
| Who they work for | One household | Several clients |
| How often they cook for you | Most days | Once a week, fortnight or month |
| How you pay | A salary, often via an agency | Per visit |
| What you get | Fresh meals served daily | A batch of portioned meals |
| Typical fit | Large households, frequent entertaining | Busy people who want good food all week |
And where does a dinner party chef fit?
A dinner party chef is closer to a private chef in spirit, because the point is the experience: courses plated and served at your table. A personal chef is about the week after, not the evening itself. If you want to host, look for an event chef. If you want to stop worrying about what is for dinner on a Wednesday, a personal chef is the better fit.
We cover this distinction in our FAQ too.
Which one should you choose?
Ask yourself three questions:
- Do you need someone cooking every day? If so, you are looking at a full-time private chef, and the cost reflects that.
- Is it about one special occasion? Then you want an event or dinner party chef.
- Is it about eating well through an ordinary week? A personal chef is almost certainly the answer, and it is the most affordable of the three by a wide margin. Our guide to what a private chef costs in London sets out the numbers.
FAQ
Is oishee a private chef or a personal chef service?
A personal chef service, although plenty of people search for it as a "private chef". A chef visits your London home, meal preps for the week, and leaves the kitchen clean.
Do personal chefs cook in my kitchen?
Usually, yes. Ours cook with your pots and pans and wash everything up before they go. If you would rather not have anyone in your kitchen, we can cook at ours and deliver the same day instead.
Can a personal chef cook for a dinner party?
Some do, but it is a different kind of booking. Our visits are built around meal prep, meaning food portioned for the week rather than one plated dinner.
How do I find a personal chef in London?
Look for someone who is clear about what a visit includes, holds a food hygiene certificate and has been vetted in person. Our checklist for hiring a private chef in London covers the questions worth asking.