It's THE question everyone asks (and few websites clearly answer). How much does a private chef cost for a villa or chalet stay? Is it only for the ultra-wealthy? Here's a transparent guide, no fluff.
Before we talk numbers, let's ask a question: how much are your holidays worth? Not in euros — in time, energy, and peace of mind. Because that's where the calculation gets interesting.
The real cost of "normal" holidays
Picture this: you've rented a stunning villa for €8,000 per week. Pool, sea views, 4 bedrooms for the whole family. The dream.
Except from day 1, the question hits: "What are we eating tonight?"
And there you have two classic options:
🍳 The "We'll manage it ourselves" option
Supermarket run (1.5 hours), cooking (1 hour), serving, washing up... Repeat 2-3 times a day for 7 days. Result: 15-20 hours of "work" during your holiday week. And often, it's always the same person doing it.
🍽️ The "Restaurant every night" option
For 6 people, expect €250-350 per dinner at a good restaurant. That's €1,750 to €2,450 for 7 evenings. Not counting the drives (30 min round trip), impossible-to-get bookings in August, and children falling asleep on their chairs at 10pm.
Either way, you haven't really enjoyed your villa. That terrace with the view? You've been seeing it from the kitchen.
What a private chef actually changes
A private chef isn't just "someone who cooks". It's an entire mental load that disappears:
Shopping
The chef goes to the market, chooses the produce, manages stock. You don't set foot in a supermarket.
Cooking
Complete preparation, from starter to dessert. Fresh ingredients, homemade.
Service
Table set, dishes served. You just sit down.
Cleaning
The chef leaves, the kitchen is spotless. Zero washing up.
Children
Adapted menus served at 7pm. The kids eat and go to bed, adults dine peacefully after.
Your terrace
You FINALLY enjoy that view you paid for.
OK, but how much does it cost?
Now that you see what it changes, let's talk figures. Specifically:
+ groceries at cost
The rate varies depending on the number of meals required (lunch only, lunch + dinner, full day with breakfast) and the service level. But the ballpark is there: €400 to €600 per day.
What about groceries?
Ingredients are charged separately — you pay the actual cost of the produce. The chef does the shopping for you, and you give them either cash or a bank card.
Expect around €30 to €50 per person per day for quality ingredients (fresh fish, meats, market vegetables, cheeses...). It can be less for simpler menus, more if you want lobster every night.
What affects the price
Not all stays are the same. Here's what influences the cost:
📈 The rate goes up if:
📉 The rate goes down if:
Real example: 1 week for 6 people
📍 Villa in Mallorca, family of 6, lunch + dinner package
That's ~€750 per person for the week, or ~€107/day for 2 gourmet meals + zero chores.
It's a budget, yes. But let's look at what the alternatives cost...
Comparison: private chef vs alternatives
Let's put the numbers side by side (still for 6 people, 7 days):
| Option | Budget | Your time | Real rest? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Do everything yourself Shopping + cooking + washing up |
~€600 | 15-20h | ❌ No |
| Restaurants every night + groceries for the rest |
~€2,500 | 7h driving + 10h cooking lunch | ⚠️ Sort of |
| Mix (3 restaurants + cooking) The classic compromise |
~€1,500 | ~12h | ⚠️ Sort of |
| Private chef All-inclusive, nothing to do |
~€4,500 | 0h | ✅ Yes |
The more of you there are, the better value it is
The chef's rate is fixed. So the more people you have, the lower the cost per person:
| Group size | Total cost/day | Per person/day |
|---|---|---|
| 4 people | ~€560 | ~€140 |
| 6 people | ~€640 | ~€107 |
| 8 people | ~€720 | ~€90 |
| 10 people | ~€800 | ~€80 |
Calculation: chef rate ~€400 + groceries ~€40/person/day
At 8-10 people, you're looking at €80-90/day per person for 2 complete meals, service included, washing up done. Try finding that at a restaurant.
Frequently asked questions
It's not mandatory but always appreciated if you're happy with the service. 5-10% of the total is a common way to show appreciation.
Usually no. The chef arrives in the morning, prepares the day's meals, and leaves after dinner. If your villa is very remote, some chefs may offer to stay on-site (to be discussed).
Yes, but most chefs have a minimum of 3-4 days, especially in high season. A shorter stay costs proportionally more.
No, groceries are charged separately at cost price. The chef does the shopping for you, and you provide either cash or a bank card. Expect around €30-50 per person per day depending on your preferences (standard vs premium ingredients).
No problem. Menus are customised. Allergies, intolerances, dietary requirements (vegetarian, gluten-free, kosher, halal...) are accommodated at no extra charge.
In high season (Christmas, February for skiing, July-August for villas), book 2-3 months ahead. In low season, 2-3 weeks may be enough.
Is it worth it?
Honestly? It depends on what you're looking for.
A private chef is worth it if:
- You're travelling as 6+ people
- You have children with different schedules
- You genuinely want to switch off (no shopping, no cooking)
- You've invested in a beautiful rental and want to enjoy it
- Meals have been a source of tension on past holidays
It's probably not for you if:
- You're a couple who love cooking together
- Budget is really tight
- You prefer discovering local restaurants
We hesitated for a long time because of the cost. In the end, we did the maths: with restaurants + groceries + time spent in the kitchen, we weren't far off the same budget. Except this time, we had our first real holiday in 5 years.
Want a personalised quote?
Every stay is different. Tell me where you're going, how many you are, and I'll send you a tailored proposal — no obligation.
Request a free quoteIn summary
A private chef costs from €400 per day + groceries at cost.
For a week with 6 people, expect around €4,500 all-inclusive. It's more expensive than doing it yourself, yes. But it's the price of a real holiday — one where you're not spending your evenings doing the washing up while everyone else watches the sunset.
The question isn't "is it expensive". The question is: "What do I want to do with my week of holiday?"
About the author: Adam Brunet has been a private chef since 2018. He works in villas and chalets across France, Switzerland, Spain and Portugal, with rates tailored to each project.