A personal chef researches recipes and plans a customized menu for each client. The chef shows up with groceries and cooks meals in the client's kitchen, then packages the meals for the client to enjoy at a later time.

As a personal chef, you choose what hours and days you'd like to work, part-time, full-time or seasonal. Some personal chefs offer other services such as dinner parties, cooking classes, kitchen equipment and pantry stocking, nutritional advice, and/or custom menu planning.

A private chef works for just one client - a group, family, couple or individual. He/she is an employee, often on salary. The client controls their hours and income.

A personal chef works for as many clients as desired. Personal chefs own their own business and are in control of their own hours and income. 

Neither a culinary degree nor membership with a culinary association are requirements for becoming a personal chef. Potential clients want to know that you can confidently provide the service they're requesting, regardless of your education or skill level.

Because individuals are hiring you, there are no "general" requirements. Similar to a job interview, each client decides for themselves what qualifications they would like to see in a personal chef.

Having been a personal chef since 2012, I have been working on my cooking skills since fifth grade, but never attended a culinary school. I have never had a client turn me away because of a lack of formal education in this field. As well, no client has ever asked if I was a member of any culinary association.

There actually is no certification needed to start a personal chef business. You will need to obtain a business license (also called a tax certificate in some areas) through your city/county Clerk's office. Some areas also require a health safety certification.

My course Personal Chef Business in 10 Weeks provides business guidance on how to price your services, create a steady stream of new leads, and logistics of a meal prep or dinner party business. 

A personal chef certification is not offered because it has no legal merit. Any organization offering a personal chef certification is really just providing a certificate of completion from their courses.

There is false information everywhere.

Private individuals are hiring you as a personal chef, not companies or institutions. When someone calls to set up a consultation about hiring you as their personal chef, all they're thinking about is, "how can you help me?" They just want to know if you’re able to help them with their problem. Potential clients are thinking about menu offerings you can provide them for meal prep or their dinner party. They’re not at all wondering where you went to school, how long you’ve been in business, or what your liability insurance covers. Their only concern is how you can help them.

Regardless of your culinary education or business experience, there are clients for every background, experienced or novice. Everyone had to start somewhere and everyone has a first day in business.

The following are not requirements of becoming a personal chef. One or more may be helpful, but are not required.

• culinary degree
• membership with a culinary association
• high school diploma or GED
• associate or bachelor degree
• certificate, diploma or apprenticeship program in the culinary arts
• restaurant or other job-related experience
• personal chef certification

The 10-step checklist of things to do before starting a personal chef business is available in this PDF. >>>>>

You can't decide today that you're going to be a personal chef, then start tomorrow full-time. First, you'll need to build the foundation of the business by checking out the competition, learning to price your services, and understanding the logistics of running a meal prep or dinner party business. Building the foundation will probably take about 30 days. During this time, you can continue to work at your current job to pay the bills.

Next, you'll begin marketing your services and start accepting clients. It's suggested to start with just one or two clients, perfecting your meal prep system over 30 to 60 days of practice.

Now you're ready to begin getting more leads into your business and ramp up to full-time with the goal of finally quitting your current job. As an alternative, you can choose to only work with one to two clients as supplemental income while keeping your current job. Understanding how marketing and advertising works is a key skill in determining how fast your business will grow.

Unlike most personal chef mentors, I don't provide you with a checklist of marketing things to do, but instead introduce you to the principles of marketing so you can build a long lasting business based on referrals and stop wondering where the next client is coming from.

Your income is truly up to you as you can choose to work many hours or few hours, hire additional help or work alone, accept small events or large events. You can work full-time, part-time or seasonal. It's your business so you have control over your own hours and income.

Personal chefs are  not paid by the hour and instead charge by the job, so do not draw a true salary or hourly wage. Meal prep often runs $200 to $400 depending on your area, experience and number of servings. This is for one cook session for a client that is often weekly. In my business, I schedule two meal prep clients per day, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Monday through Thursday are the most popular days for meal prep.

Meal prep income can be supplemented with weekend dinner parties or cooking classes of which prices vary greatly. Dinner parties are usually on Saturday evenings.

Most important to mention is that personal chefs have control over their own income and hours. Work when you want, as much or little as you want. Choose to offer personal chef services as a side job or full-time.