Tipping a Private Chef shouldn’t be stressful. When you go on vacation with your family or friends, you expect nothing but fun and relaxation. But finding a great restaurant that serves you the best local cuisine (while also minding health and safety protocols) can take away from the experience. As such, one of the best solutions is to book a chef from the area. That way, you can enjoy that in-home chef experience and have a memorable trip!

 If it’s your first time to book a chef for your vacation, you might be wondering how it works because tipping can be confusing. To give you an idea, here is a quick guide to booking a chef while on vacation and how to tip them:

 Booking and Tipping an Independent Chef

 There are a few points to consider when booking an independent chef. First is the venue––make sure that you stay in a place with a kitchen where the chef can work. A travel curator may be able to help ensure this.

 It’s also best to find out what the service package includes and how much it costs beforehand. This information will give you an idea of how much tip to give to your private chef. Although you can expect to pay less than you would if you hire a catering company, there may be additional costs as well.

 Most chefs charge per head and base the price on both the number of courses and the ingredients used. Keep in mind that they may charge extra if there are diet restrictions to be considered or if they have to travel to a specific venue.

 When you know how much you are going to pay your chef, you can use that as a basis for your tip. Generally, 10% of the total cost is a good start. Then, you can increase the amount to 15% or even double the tip if the chef works with a server, so they can share the gratuity.

 Booking a Chef with an Established Business

 If you book a private chef in Chattanooga who runs their own business, you might be wondering whether or not you are still expected to tip? In this case, there’s no hard rule when it comes to tipping entrepreneur chefs, but most do not accept them. If such is the case with your chef, you can give them a token of your appreciation after the meal. You also can’t go wrong with a bottle of good wine or whiskey or even a basket of treats!

 Booking a Hotel Private Chef

 Your hotel bill will most likely reflect a gratuity in the form of a service charge, often 18% of your total bill. Does that mean you shouldn’t tip your chef anymore? Well, it’s up to you! If you know that your chef has gone out of their way to deliver the best meal possible, you might want to tip them still.

 Handing Your Tip to the Chef

 Gratuity is usually served once the meal is finished. Given that you already know how much the meal costs, you may have your tip ready in an envelope, which you can then hand to your chef before they go. Tipping a Private Chef in cash is preferable, but if you’re handing in a check for the whole service, you may write one for gratuity as well. On the other hand, if you are using a credit card or have already paid for the service, you may still hand a cash tip after the meal.

 Conclusion

 Tipping a Private Chef is not always necessary but is always appreciated. Your private chef will do their best to deliver the best culinary experience for you and your loved ones so that you will enjoy your trip even more. Because of this, it’s only right that you show them how much you love their food and appreciate their service.

 Food Fire + Knives is where you will find the best private chefs in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga, and other cities. Enjoy a luxurious in-home private chef experience while having your best vacation ever. Book a chef with us today!