By Noa Feldman · Senior Writer, Tip a Chef
Reviewed · Covers chef tipping etiquette
Quick answer
What is a good tip for a private chef?
A good tip for a private chef is around 20% of the total cost. 15% is the standard baseline, 20% signals you were genuinely happy, and 25% or more is generous and appropriate for an exceptional, complex, or large event. If a service charge is already included, a smaller extra tip still lands well.
20%
is a strong tip; 15% is standard, 25% is generous
Think of it as a sliding scale. 15% is the polite baseline for solid service. 20% says the evening was a real success. 25% and up is reserved for the standout nights: a tasting menu pulled off without a hitch, a chef who quietly handled a guest's allergy, or a large party served single-handed.
A flat amount can work too. For an intimate dinner, $40–$80 is a common range; for a bigger event, people often tip a round figure that lands near 20% of the total. The number matters less than the gesture, and tipping the chef directly matters most of all.
Tip a Chef exists so that the gratuity reaches the chef in full. Instead of cash that might get split or forgotten, you scan their code and the tip goes to their account instantly.
Common questions
Is $100 a good tip for a private chef?
For a dinner in the $400–$600 range, $100 is a strong, generous tip of roughly 17–25%. For a smaller dinner it is very generous; for a large event it may land closer to standard.
Should the tip be bigger for more guests?
Yes, because the total cost is higher and the chef's workload is greater. The percentage stays the same, so the dollar amount naturally rises.
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%.