Personal Chef VS. Private Chef: What's the Difference?

As you begin your journey as a culinary arts student you no doubt are thinking about the future and what kind of positions you're interested in filling once you graduate. If you're considering a variety of options, you've probably thought about becoming a personal or private chef. But what do personal and private chefs do? How are they different and how do you know which one is right for you?

What is a Personal Chef?

A personal chef is an individual with a solid background in culinary education who provides their cooking services to several clients, usually in their homes. The customers requiring these services all have their own reasons for it.

Some live very busy lives and are too harried to cook for themselves or their families. Others can't consume prepared meals or common grocery items due to food allergies. Others still might have health goals they are looking to achieve through dietary changes. Whatever the reason, someone employing a personal chef expects their chef to become familiar with their food needs and cook delicious, and nutritious, meals for each family member.

What is a Private Chef?

A private chef traditionally works for one client full time. They might prepare all meals of the day for the family or pre-plan meals for the week. A private chef devotes their full attention to the household and will most likely cook for guests and visitors as well.

A private chef might work in a large household where the family or individuals are unable to cook for themselves. Sometimes private chefs are utilized for college students who don't have time to prepare their own meals or a great house with many hungry inhabitants.

The household's needs could be the same as the personal chef's clientele. There could be food allergies, dietarian concerns, and much more. It's important for a private chef to have a strong basis in nutrition and alternative cooking. Even a client who has no health concerns would not appreciate a chef serving high-calorie meals every day without a vegetable in sight.

How do You Become a Personal or Private Chef?

Both a personal chef and a private chef need to know how to cook and cook well. A strong educational background on your resume, complete with experience, such as an externship or previous culinary positions, can help show your competency. Additionally, a culinary degree with an emphasis in nutrition can show that you will not only be able to cook delicious food, but you know how to make it healthy as well. This way, when a client says they have a child with an allergy to wheat or are looking to lose some weight by changing their eating habits, you will be able to show you have the education and experience to meet their needs.

What is Salary like for a Personal or Private Chef?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports median incomes for just about every profession you could think of. Both personal and private chefs fall under the category of chef or head cook. The BLS states a chef or head cook earned a median salary of $41,500 per year.

Not only that, but chefs and head cooks are experiencing growing demand. The BLS reports the job is growing faster than average with 9% growth between 2014 and 2024. On the same page, the BLS also states the demand for healthier, better quality meals, is part of the growth and that businesses are turning to experienced culinarians to maintain the high standards.

Are you interested in learning more about preparing healthy, delicious meals as a personal or private chef? If you believe a culinary degree with an emphasis in nutrition is right for you, consider ECPI University's Associate of Applied Science degree in Culinary Arts and Applied Nutrition. Don't hesitate, contact an ECPI University admissions representative today to discuss your options and see if this degree program is the next step for you.

It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!

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