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Pricing Guide

How Much Does a Private Chef Cost?

If you're still weighing whether to book a chef or a caterer, our private chef vs. catering breakdown covers cost, guest count, and the right fit for each format.

A private chef with MileHighCook typically runs $150–250 per person, all-inclusive — custom menu, all groceries, cooking, tableside service, and cleanup in a single number. Where you land comes down to guest count, menu complexity, and service level. Here's exactly how the pricing works.

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The Short Answer

What a Private Chef Costs Per Person

Most MileHighCook private chef experiences land between $150 and $250 per person, fully all-inclusive. Where you fall in that range comes down to your menu and service level — here's what that looks like for a typical evening.

Per guest, all-inclusive$150–250
Intimate dinner, 2 guests$300–500
Dinner party, 6 guests$900–1,500
Celebration dinner, 10 guests$1,500–2,500
Larger gathering, 20 guests$3,000–5,000

That single number covers custom menu design, all groceries, the chef's fee and labor, in-home cooking, tableside service, and full cleanup. The only thing we suggest on top is a 20% gratuity. Multi-day and full-week engagements — a private chef for a ski-week rental in Vail or Park City, for instance — are quoted at the same per-person rate per meal. An event minimum applies; ask us for your market's.

What's Actually Included

All-Inclusive Means Everything

The most important thing to understand about MileHighCook pricing: every proposal covers everything. There are no line items added after the fact.

📋
Custom Menu Design
Your menu is built from scratch around your preferences, dietary needs, and occasion. No preset menus, no templates.
🛒
All Groceries & Sourcing
We shop for everything. Premium, seasonal ingredients — all costs are factored into your all-inclusive proposal.
👨‍🍳
Chef Fee & Labor
CIA-trained oversight on every engagement. The chef arrives 2.5–3 hours before your first guest. Fully staffed.
🍽️
Full In-Home Cooking
Every course prepared and plated in your kitchen or venue. Restaurant-level execution in your space.
✨
Tableside Service
Courses plated and presented with care. Professionally attired service staff scaled to your group size.
🧹
Complete Cleanup
We leave your kitchen spotless. No dishes, no mess. Nothing left behind except the memory of a great meal.
What Affects the Price

The Four Factors That Shape Your Quote

Every MileHighCook proposal is custom — here are the four variables that move the number.

01
Guest Count
The most direct driver of cost. More guests means more ingredients, more prep time, and often additional service staff. Groups of 2–4 have a different cost structure than groups of 20–40. For very large events (50+), we move into catering territory with a different pricing model.
02
Menu Complexity
A 3-course seasonal dinner is a fundamentally different undertaking than a 7-course tasting menu with wine pairings and tableside preparations. More courses, more premium ingredients, and more complex technique mean higher investment — and a meaningfully different experience.
03
Service Level
An intimate family-style dinner for 6 requires one chef. A plated dinner for 30 with a full service team, bar service, and sommelier is a different operation. We scale the team to the event — and your proposal reflects exactly what yours requires.
04
Market & Timing
Peak season in Aspen during Food & Wine Classic or ski week in Vail around New Year's has higher demand. Timing and market can affect availability and occasionally price. Book early for peak dates.
Worth the Investment?

Private Chef vs. Restaurant: The Real Comparison

Cost is one factor, but it's worth weighing alongside the experience itself — see why a private chef is worth the investment for the full picture on what you're actually paying for vs. comparable dining experiences.

When people see a private chef quote, they compare it to a restaurant check. That's not the right comparison. Here's what a restaurant dinner for 6 actually costs — and what you get.

Restaurant Dinner for 6
Food (entrées + apps)$400–600
Wine & drinks markup$200–400
Tax & gratuity (20%+)$120–200
Parking, Ubers, childcare$50–100
Total$770–1,300+
Generic menu. Shared space. Rushed service. No customization.
MileHighCook for 6 Guests
Custom menu designIncluded
All groceries & ingredientsIncluded
Chef fee & serviceIncluded
Complete cleanupIncluded
One number, no surprisesCustom quote
Built for your table. In your space. No reservation, no wait.
Pricing Questions

What People Ask Before They Book

Do you charge travel fees?
No. MileHighCook has chefs stationed across all 30+ markets — Vail, Aspen, Scottsdale, Park City, Jackson Hole, and more. There are no travel line items because there is no travel. We're already in your market.
Is there a minimum?
Yes. Every engagement has an event minimum. Contact us for the current minimum for your market and event type. We work with everything from intimate dinners for two up to 150+ guest estate events.
Do I pay for groceries separately?
No. Groceries and ingredient costs are fully included in your all-inclusive proposal. You receive one number — that's the number you pay. We suggest a 20% gratuity, but nothing else is added.
How do I get an accurate quote?
Contact us with your date, location, guest count, occasion, and any dietary requirements. We respond within hours and have a fully custom all-inclusive proposal back within 24 hours of your call.
Can I see sample menus before requesting a quote?
Yes. Browse our sample menus to get a sense of the style, range, and quality of what we prepare. Every actual menu is built from scratch for your event.
How much does a private chef cost per person?
Most MileHighCook private chef experiences run $150–250 per person, all-inclusive. That single number covers menu design, groceries, cooking, tableside service, and cleanup — with only a suggested 20% gratuity on top.
How much is a private chef for a dinner party?
For a party of six, most evenings land between $900 and $1,500; a group of ten runs roughly $1,500–2,500. The per-guest rate holds as your group grows. Events over 50 guests move into our catering model.
How much is a private chef for two people, or just one?
An intimate dinner for two typically runs $300–500 all-inclusive. We build the same experience for a couple as for a full table — the menu is simply scaled to you.
What does a private chef cost for a week in a vacation rental?
Multi-day and full-week engagements — a private chef for a ski week in Vail or Park City, say — are quoted at the same per-person rate per meal. A week of nightly dinners for a family of six generally starts around $6,000 and scales with your menus and any added meals.
Is a private chef cheaper than a restaurant?
It's often comparable — and you get far more. A restaurant dinner for six with wine, tax, gratuity, and the drive out runs $770–1,300+ for a generic menu and a rushed table. A private chef brings a custom menu to your space for one all-inclusive number, no reservation and no wait.
Do you tip a private chef?
A 20% gratuity is customary and appreciated, but it's never required or automatically added. Everything else is already included in your all-inclusive number.
Is hiring a private chef worth it?
For a special occasion, or a group that would rather be present than cooking and cleaning, most clients find it's the best value at the table — restaurant-caliber food, built around your preferences, in your own space. See why a private chef is worth it for the full picture.

Ready to Get Your Actual Quote?

Tell us your date, location, guest count, and occasion. We respond within hours and have a fully custom all-inclusive proposal back within 24 hours.

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