Home cooking is on the rise in recent months. Celebrating milestones or simply wanting to enjoy luxurious dinners occasionally can be difficult to do these days. Booking reservations at the best restaurants can be next to impossible, and with policies on social distancing and limited capacity still in effect, it doesn’t feel like quite the same experience. Then there’s the matter of budget, which can shoot way off target depending on where you’re dining. Accepting that the great dining experience might stay in your dreams instead of becoming a reality is disappointing, to say the least! 

Fortunately, there’s a way to enjoy six-course meals and luxurious wines right in the comfort of your own home. Hiring a private chef can give you the same experience as dining out in some of the best restaurants—and the best part is you can have full control over the menu. It’s safe, readily available, and a totally personalized experience! 

Here are some of the ways that these professionals can add something different to the typical home-cooked meal. 

Private Chefs in America

Brunches, dinner parties, and luncheons always need a bit of flair to them, and those who love to be entertained with carefully planned meals have started turning to private chefs for their exceptional services. There are as many as 5,000 to 6,000 working private chefs in the U.S., and this number is expected to grow over the next few years as these busy professionals require more assistance in the kitchen. Offering a full-blown service requires having someone else do parts of the cooking and cleanup to allow hosts more time to spend with their guests.

Planning Ahead

Working with a private chef to host a successful dinner party will always depend on the amount of preparation done beforehand. If you intend on hiring a personal chef, then it’s best to speak with them way before the event to discuss every detail, including the menu, setup, and the cost. 

You can expect to pay as much as you do in a restaurant, per head. Having a six-course meal complete with beverages and dessert can run you up to $2,000—but the quality of the food and the overall experience of watching a professional chef serve you beautifully crafted dishes is worth it!

Cost and Convenience

When figuring out your budget for a private chef, consider how many guests you’re inviting. Depending on the dining experience you’ll have, the chef may charge you anywhere from $40 to $200 per head. This typically doesn’t include alcohol yet, which you will be buying on your own. 

As expensive as this might seem, the convenience is well worth it. Think of the time and effort needed to buy, prepare, cook, and serve those dishes. With a qualified chef preparing your meal and providing an elevated dining experience, the price is most certainly justified for home cooking. 

Crafting the Perfect Experience

The ambiance plays a significant part in setting the atmosphere for your private chef dining experience. Select a playlist carefully and stream it at an appropriate volume; if you struggle to hear the other person talk even in the slightest, your music is too loud. 

Setting up the dining area to show off the chef’s cooking provides a more engaging dining experience compared to dining out. Use your best cutlery, cloth napkins, tablecloths, and have a simple floral arrangement. 

While this provides great entertainment for guests, be careful to avoid going into the kitchen while the chef is working, as this can cause unwanted accidents. This is especially applicable if you have children or pets. 

Conclusion

Having an in-home chef experience can allow you to enjoy a meal unlike any other, all in the comfort of your dining room! Whether you’re looking to serve lobster, steak, or foie gras to your guests to celebrate a special occasion, having a professional chef prepare everything right before your eyes just adds to the dining experience as a whole. Who says you need to dine out somewhere fancy when you can have a personal chef create a culinary masterpiece in your home? 

Are you looking for a private chef in Charleston, SC or Colorado Springs? Here at Food Fire+Knives, our goal is to allow everyone to enjoy the perfect private chef experience and home cooking. We also offer cooking classes and private chef catering. Make a reservation with us today!