“A private chef must be much more expensive than a restaurant.” I hear this a lot. Sometimes it’s true. Often it isn’t, once you count everything.

Here are the real London numbers, and the things that don’t show up on a menu.

The headline prices

A 3-course dinner party for 6 to 8 people with a private chef usually costs £80 to £120 per person in London. Tasting menus run £120 to £250 per person. Michelin-trained chefs cooking at home sit around £140 to £225 per person.

A restaurant tasting menu in central London costs £120 to £200 per person before wine and service.

My own prices sit below those ranges: tasting menus with service at £60, £80 or £100 per person, and Harper Privée, a private dinner for two, at £250.

Side by side

	Private chef at home	Central London restaurant
3-course dinner, per person	£80 to £120	£60 to £110
Tasting menu, per person	£120 to £250	£120 to £200
Service charge	Not added	12.5% typical
Wine	Your own bottles, no mark-up	Often 3x retail
Table time	As long as you like	1.5 to 2.5 hours slot
Cost for 8 on a £120 tasting menu	£960	£960 + service + wine
Travel home	Walk upstairs	Taxi, £20 to £40
Dietary changes	Planned in advance, tailored	Limited by the kitchen

These are typical ranges, not quotes. Your own numbers will depend on menu, ingredients and date.

The costs people forget

At a restaurant

Service charge. Usually 12.5% on top.
Wine mark-up. A £25 bottle at the shop can be £75 on the list.
Drinks before and after. A round at the bar can add £50 to £100 for a group.
Getting there and back. Tube, taxi, or both.
The clock. Many tables are booked in slots. Dessert can feel rushed.
Deposits. Large tables often need a card hold or a pre-payment.

With a private chef

A minimum spend. Most chefs set one, to cover shopping, prep and travel. Mine is shown on the pricing page.
Your own drinks. Cheaper than a restaurant, but you need to buy them.
Tidying. I clear up, but you still have your flat to put back after the guests go.
Equipment. I bring most of what I need, but I do need a working hob, oven and sink.

Where a private chef is cheaper

It works out better for groups of six or more who want a proper meal, not a quick one. Eight people at a restaurant tasting menu can reach £1,300 or more once wine and service are added. The same eight at home, with their own wine, may cost under £1,000 in total.

The gap grows if you want a private room. Restaurants charge room hire or set a minimum spend for those, sometimes £1,500 and up.

Where a restaurant wins

Be honest about this.

Two people, no fuss. A weeknight dinner for two is hard to beat at a good local restaurant.
No flat to host in. If you live in a studio in Zone 2, a restaurant is easier.
A particular kitchen. If you want that dish from that chef, you must go there.
No effort at all. Some people simply don’t want guests in their space.

What you get that a restaurant can’t give

A menu built around your table. Allergies, favourite ingredients, who hates coriander.
No noise. You can hear each other.
No bill at the end. Everything is agreed upfront.
A chef who talks to you. I cook in your kitchen, and I’m happy to explain what I’m doing. The promise is: cook with a chef, not just for you.
Stay as long as you like. Nobody needs the table back.

Birthdays are about 36% of private chef bookings. It makes sense: a private dinner turns a birthday into a proper event. See birthday dinners for how that works.

A real example

Say you’re celebrating a 40th birthday for 8 in a flat in N1.

Private chef, Signature tasting menu: 8 x £80 = £640, plus a few bottles you choose, perhaps £150. Total around £790.
Restaurant, mid-range tasting menu: 8 x £120 = £960, plus wine at menu prices of £250 to £350, plus 12.5% service. Total around £1,500 to £1,600.

Prices vary, so check any quote for what is included.

How to decide

Count your guests. Six or more tips it towards a private chef.
Count your hours. If you want a long evening, choose home.
Look at your kitchen. A basic working kitchen is enough.
Think about your guests. Dietary needs favour a tailored menu.

Questions people ask me

Do I need a big kitchen?

No. A working hob, an oven, a sink and some clear worktop is enough. I have cooked in flats in E2, SW11 and NW6 with very ordinary kitchens, and I bring most of the equipment.

Who does the shopping and the washing up?

I do the shopping, the prep, the cooking, the serving and the clearing up. Your cost covers all of it, so there are no surprises on the day.

What if one guest has an allergy?

Tell me when you enquire. I plan the whole menu around it. A restaurant has to fit you into a fixed menu. At home, I can design for you.

Is it worth it for two people?

Sometimes. Harper Privée, a private dinner for two, is £250 per couple, which is more than many restaurants charge. You are paying for the privacy, the personal menu and the fact that the chef cooks just for you. For anniversaries and proposals, many people feel it is worth it.

What happens next

Send me your date, number of guests and postcode through the contact page. I reply within 24 hours with a menu proposal and a clear price, so you can compare it with any restaurant quote. More details are on the private dining page.

Private chef vs restaurant: real costs in London