Do You Tip a Private Chef? Complete Guide (Updated)

Last Updated on September 13, 2024 by Shari Mason

Having a hard time deciding if **bringing in** a pro chef for a cozy evening with your loved ones is a good idea? Curious about tipping and how it goes with private chefs?

Our team will discuss the factors when tipping a private chef, and we’ll give you some tips and tricks on how to do it.

Should You Tip A Private Chef?

Yes, you should, but it depends on the private chef’s performance. The standard tip is 15-20% of the bill. It could be more or less depending on their service.

You may tip them higher as a team if the chef has accompanied servers. Hotel private chefs don’t have to be tipped because the 18% is already added to the bill.

“Anyone who’s a chef, who loves food, ultimately knows that all that matters is: ‘Is it good? Does it give pleasure?’”

– Anthony Bourdain, American Chef

As for chef entrepreneurs, always ask them if they accept a tip. Independent private chefs should also be tipped based on your satisfaction.

But remember that tipping is not mandatory, and there’s no law. [1] 

Read:

• How To Become A Self-Taught Chef?
• Is Gordon Ramsay Still A Michelin Star Chef?
• Is Thomas Keller A Michelin Star Chef?

How Much Should You Give?

The standard tipping rate is 15% to 20%. But it depends on many factors, such as the place, events, or the service rendered.

Even if the service was bad, you should still tip at least 10%. In sit-down restaurant chains, the tip ought to be 15 to 20 % of the bill before taxes.

Or if you hired a private chef, 15% of the total cost is the minimum.

Factors To Consider When Tipping a Private Chef

Standard Tipping Rate

According to the updated standard tipping rate, the tip should be between 15% to 20% of the total bill. It depends on the service rendered or the quality of the food, so tip responsibly. [2] 

He Is Accompanied With Servers

If you hired a private chef with accompanied servers and they came as a team, you can tip them as a whole and base the amount on the service and food quality.

It’s up to you if you’ll follow the standard tipping, but make sure it is not under 10%. If you hired them separately, the tipping must be done separately too.

Hotel Private Chef

You don’t need to tip the private hotel chef because, most of the time, the 18% tip is already added to the overall cost of your hotel bill as a service charge.

But it doesn’t mean you can’t tip the private chef separately. If you know your chef did well to ensure you had the best meal possible, you can tip them.

Independent Private Chef

You can base the tip amount on the independent private chef’s salary, 10% is the minimum, and you can increase it up to 15% based on their food quality and services.

If you booked an independent chef that has to travel to your venue, you’ve got to shoulder all the costings.

Private Chef With Own Business

As for the private chefs with their businesses, you can ask them if they’re accepting tips. Most chef entrepreneurs do not accept tips.

But if you want to tip them, give them some tokens of appreciation like wine and other things you prefer.

And if they do accept tips, you can follow the standard tipping rates.

Satisfaction

Tipping private chefs is always based on customer satisfaction. But you can always follow the standard tipping rates.

Everything About Tipping Logistics

When it comes to tipping, most people usually leave a tip after the meal is over.

If you know how much the meal will cost before they come, you can put your tip in an envelope and give it to them before they leave.

Most people leave tips in cash, but adding a tip to a single check is common.

Tips & Tricks When Tipping a Private Chef

• The tip is always based on your satisfaction, but you should be objective and fair.
• Always ask the private chef if they are accepting tips.
• It is important to have a clear agreement between you and the private chef to avoid any issues.
• If unsatisfied, you can lower your tip to 10% and talk to the chef about it.

FAQs

Key Takeaways

Tipping a private chef might be a little confusing, but you can rely on these factors if this is your first time:

• The standard tipping rate is 15%-20% of the total bill.
• Tip based on your satisfaction and the service rendered.

References:

1. https://www.rd.com/article/is-legal-restaurants-include-mandatory-tip
2. https://www.bankrate.com/personal-finance/how-much-to-tip/