By Amara Okafor · Head of Editorial, Tip a Chef
Reviewed · Covers chef tipping etiquette
Quick answer
Do you tip a personal chef?
Yes, you tip a personal chef, though the norm differs from a one-off private dinner. For a single session, 15–20% is customary. For a regular personal chef who cooks for you weekly, many clients tip a lump sum periodically, such as one session's fee around the holidays, rather than on every visit.
10–20%
depending on whether it is a one-off or ongoing service
A personal chef often serves several clients, preparing meals in advance or on a recurring schedule. For a one-time booking, treat it like a private chef and tip 15–20%. For an ongoing arrangement, the etiquette shifts toward periodic appreciation: a holiday bonus equal to a session or a week, or a smaller tip each visit if you prefer.
If a personal chef is hired through an agency, check whether gratuity is built into the rate. When it is not, a tip for consistent, high-quality work is both expected and a good way to keep a great chef happy.
However you choose to tip, doing it directly means the chef keeps the full amount. Tip a Chef lets you send a gratuity straight to your personal chef from your phone whenever you like.
Common questions
Do you tip a personal chef every visit?
You can, but for a recurring chef many clients prefer a larger periodic tip, such as a holiday bonus, rather than tipping on each individual visit.
What is a good holiday tip for a personal chef?
A common holiday tip for a regular personal chef is the equivalent of one week or one session of their normal fee.
Tip your chef directly
Skip the cash and the tip pool. Scan a chef's Tip a Chef code and your gratuity goes straight to the person who cooked, who keeps 95%.