There are many benefits to becoming a personal chef and for those who are aiming for a career in the kitchen, it’s an increasingly popular option that’s worth considering. Depending on your client, your main tasks as a personal chef will be creating menus, buying ingredients and preparing meals. Here are some of the things you need to know if you’re considering a career as a private chef.
Your Options
As a private chef, the hours you work will be dictated by your clients’ needs. When working for a private client, personal chefs can live in or out. If you’re living in residence at your client’s home, you may work anything from 8-12 hours per day, 5-6 days per week. However, depending on the household’s requirements, your hours may be reduced or more flexible.
If you’re a personal chef that has been hired for a dinner party or special occasion, you may work extremely long hours in the lead-up to the event and on the day itself but have the option to take time off afterwards.
Professional Qualifications
In order to become a private chef, you’ll need to gain a professional qualification to reassure potential clients that you have the knowledge and skills required. This can be achieved through a full-time or part-time college course, or by undertaking a catering and hospitality apprenticeship. For experienced chefs who want to practice at the highest possible levels, Michelin Star training is also available.
Experience
Usually, personal chefs have extensive experience working in a prestigious kitchen before becoming a chef for a private client. You will certainly need several years of culinary experience working in professional kitchens to have a good basis of knowledge and skills to draw on when working for a client.
Salary
The earning potential for a private chef is much higher than that of chefs working in restaurants, except for the highest-paid Michelin Star chefs. How much you earn will depend on your skills and experience level and the client/s you work for.
Freedom
Working as a personal chef offers you a lot of creative freedom. Not only will you be able to choose your own ingredients and create ad hoc menus for your clients but you will also be able to select your own premium cookware like woks and pressure cookers to maximise the taste and quality of your food.
Travel Opportunities
Hiring a private chef is becoming an increasingly popular option for people who want to eat well no matter where in the world they might be. Clients may hire a chef to travel alongside them for work or pleasure or may hire a private chef for a specific occasion or event, such as hosting a dinner party, wedding or other celebration overseas. This means that many personal chefs have the opportunity to travel along with their clients and to see and experience new places across the globe.