A personal chef costs $150 to $750 per session in 2026
A personal chef costs $150 to $750 per session in 2026, before groceries. The Pricer lists $150 to $400 for a basic meal prep visit and $400 to $750 or more for a higher touch visit. MiumMium lists $50 to $150 per hour for labor. Groceries are billed apart, at $40 to $150 or more per visit according to The Pricer. Your menu, the number of people, and your city change the price.
What price guides say
We checked 3 price guides and read every number on their pages on October 7, 2026. They do not all measure the same thing, so read each line for what it counts.
| Source | What it found |
|---|---|
| MiumMium | MiumMium lists $50 to $150 per hour, weekly meal prep at $150 to $400, and $76 per person on average. |
| Care.com | Care.com lists average posted rates of $24.20 to $31.05 per hour and $60 to $200 a week for groceries. |
| The Pricer | The Pricer lists $150 to $400 per basic visit, $400 to $750 or more for higher touch visits, and $60 to $175 per person for dinners. |
Personal chef price by service
| Item | Price | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Basic meal prep visit | $150 to $400 | The Pricer |
| Higher touch visit | $400 to $750 or more | The Pricer |
| Weekly meal prep, labor only | $150 to $400 | MiumMium |
| Per hour, labor only | $50 to $150 | MiumMium |
| Day rate | $400 to $700 | MiumMium |
| Per person, all in, average | $76 | MiumMium |
| One time dinner, per person | $60 to $175 or more | The Pricer |
| Groceries, per week | $60 to $200 | Care.com |
Every number in this table was read on one of the source pages listed at the bottom of this page.
What pushes the price up
| What | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Service level | A basic meal prep visit costs less than a full service one. The Pricer lists $150 to $400 for basic and $400 to $750 or more for others. |
| Hourly rate | Chefs with more skill charge more. MiumMium lists $50 to $150 per hour for labor, and a day rate of $400 to $700. |
| Number of people | More guests means more food and more work. MiumMium lists $76 per person on average, and $400 to $900 for eight guests. |
| Groceries | Food is billed apart from labor at many chefs. The Pricer lists $40 to $150 or more per visit, and Care.com lists $60 to $200 a week. |
| One time or weekly | Dinner events are priced per person, and weekly plans per visit. The Pricer lists $60 to $175 or more per person for a one time dinner. |
What the price includes
A personal chef price usually covers shopping, cooking, and a clean kitchen. Many chefs bill labor apart from groceries. MiumMium lists weekly meal prep at $150 to $400 for labor plus groceries. Some firms use an all in price per person that covers groceries and travel. Ask what is in the price, since groceries and extras can raise the bill. It does not include tax or extras the provider adds on the day.
Who charges this and how it is billed
Personal chefs work alone or through a service, and they bill in a few ways. Some charge by the hour, some by the visit, and some by the person. MiumMium lists $50 to $150 per hour and $76 per person on average with all in pricing. Weekly or monthly plans bill per visit or as a retainer, such as $2,500 to $4,000 per month at MiumMium. Groceries are often billed on top. Ask for a written quote that names every line.
When you need this
People hire a personal chef when they have no time to cook, want healthy meals each week, or have a diet plan to follow. A chef is also a good fit for dinner parties, holidays, and family events. Try a one time dinner first to see if the style and price work for you.
How to judge your quote
- Is the price labor only, or does it include groceries?
- How many people and how many meals does it cover?
- Are travel, cleanup, and taxes in the price?
- Is there a minimum number of visits or a monthly retainer?
- Compare the total with the range above: $150 to $750 per session for most people in 2026.
Ways to pay less
- Book a weekly meal prep plan. MiumMium lists weekly prep at $150 to $400 for labor, which gives you several meals at once.
- Pick a simple menu. Fewer fancy items cut shopping and cooking time. The Pricer lists groceries at $40 to $150 or more per visit, based on the menu.
- Ask if you can shop for groceries yourself. Care.com says groceries add $60 to $200 a week when the chef buys them.
- Cook for a group. MiumMium lists $76 per person on average, so splitting a dinner with friends can lower your share.
- Compare all in prices and labor only prices. Ask each chef for the full cost, with groceries, travel, and cleaning.
How we got these numbers
The range on this page comes from MiumMium, Care.com and The Pricer. We opened each source page and read every number on it on October 7, 2026. Where the sources disagree, the table above shows each one so you can see the spread. These are planning ranges, not quotes. The written price you are given is the real price.
Common questions
How much does a personal chef cost per hour?
MiumMium lists $50 to $150 per hour for labor. Care.com lists average posted rates of $24.20 to $31.05 per hour. Rates vary by chef and city.
How much does a personal chef cost per week?
MiumMium lists weekly meal prep at $150 to $400 for labor, plus groceries. Care.com adds $60 to $200 a week for ingredients.
Are groceries included?
Often not. The Pricer says groceries are billed apart at $40 to $150 or more per visit. MiumMium all in pricing does include them.
What does a private dinner cost?
The Pricer lists $60 to $175 or more per person for a one time dinner. MiumMium lists $400 to $900 for eight guests.
How much is a monthly plan?
MiumMium lists a monthly retainer of $2,500 to $4,000 in total. The Pricer lists $600 to $3,000 or more per month before groceries.