How Much Are Private Chefs Paid?
The definition of what constitutes a private chef varies, based on the individual terms of service that a chef and client agree upon. This variance can affect what sort of salary a private chef makes. Private chefs should not be confused with personal chefs, as the two chef types offer distinctly different levels of service to clients.
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Salary
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According to Food and Wine magazine, a private chef who works five days per week makes an average of $60,000 to $80,000 a year as of November 2010. Town and Country Resources, a firm that specializes in matching private chefs and prospective clients, estimates pay to be in the range of $25 to $50 per hour. The actual amount paid to a private chef varies, as in other professions, according to experience, location and the level of demand for the chef's services. On the high end, private chefs who cook for touring high-powered rock stars may make as much as $5000 a week, but an amount that high also requires extensive travel and a willingness to be on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Misconceptions
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The terms "private chef" and "personal chef" are sometimes used interchangeably, but are in fact different positions. A private chef usually serves one client or family at a time. He may even live on the premises and be considered part of the household staff. As an employee of a single client, a private chef may also receive benefits, as in a standard full-time job with a standard employer. Private chefs are generally on call whenever their clients need them. Personal chefs may serve multiple clients, for which appointments must be scheduled in advance, more similar to the setup of a personal trainer or a doctor.
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Considerations
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Depending on a client's needs, a private chef may be required to travel with the client, preparing meals along the way. High-level executives, rock stars, movie stars and others with demanding palates are among the people who may employ a private chef. Due to the high demands of the job, both private chef and client must make certain that expectations are clear from the beginning of the relationship. No matter whether you are a private chef or a prospective client, seemingly small things, such as whether or not a private chef will work on federally recognized holidays, must be discussed at the outset. If you are a private chef, you must also consider how receptive you will be when a client wants pancakes at 3 a.m.
A Private Chef's Family
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Since a private chef often lives, works and follows wherever a current client is geographically located, a private chef's family must also be taken into account. Some clients may be willing to have a private chef's family live in the chef's quarters on the premises. However, if travel is a factor in a chef-client relationship, specific details regarding the chef's family must be discussed in advance.
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