The Rise of Hiring Private Chefs vs Going Out to Eat

If you had told me 7 years ago, that I would be working as a private chef, in a highly competetive environment, I wouldn’t have believed you! It’s seeming like something from Gone with the Wind, or made for the rich and famous. But that just isn’t the case (Even though the rich and famous have been having dinner party’s this entire time). More people are seeing the value of staying home and allowing a chef to come in and take over, making a dinner party more of a common household experience to be shared for many types of occasions. Some of my clients I have throughout the year for the holidays, special life events, and birthdays. Being their “Go To” chef is an honor I cherish, and it never gets old when I get a text from a past client asking if I am available for another dinner or brunch. I will do whatever I can to make those events, they mean a lot to me, and maybe that’s why I do get the call back? Who knows. What I do know is that I stay busy!!

When I first started, it was already a booming business in the area that I am in, so maybe it doesn’t apply everywhere, but I believe it does!

Why People Are Choosing Private Chefs 👩‍🍳

Living on the Florida coast has a beat of its own, maybe it’s a little bit of “island time theory”. Families, bachelorettes, and groups of friends want to relax, connect, and celebrate (and shop!). There are so many different adventures to go on during the day, that by the time dinner comes around, going out to eat is more of a task than something to enjoy. You can bet on some sort of stressful experience, and then there’s the drive back! Staying home skips the lines and allows everyone to enjoy the evening without worry about who is going to drive home. The more I think about it, hiring a Private Chef is the SAFE CHOICE if drinking is a big part of the evening. You can still dress to impress and to be honest, you can dress up even more, having fun with the dress code, making it a dinner party to remember, is what having a private chef is all about. After working in the industry for 5 years, I have learned that requiring everyone to meet a dress code, or having a theme just does something magical to the night, and everyone seems to have way more fun than if everyone just came as they typically would. Making a reason to pull out that old dress, or go out and find something to wear for the evening, to me, is what this is all about.

Long waits for tables, crowded dining rooms, and the pressure of keeping a large group together can take away from the joy of the moment. Stay home, sing karaoke, have a murder mystery dinner, enjoy the evening at home in the beautiful rental you have booked, or in the newly remodeled kitchen of your dream home. There doesn’t have to be a reason.

Hiring a private chef flips that experience completely. Instead of leaving the house, the restaurant comes to you. Guests stay in their own space, enjoy the view from their beach house or rental, and never have to worry about parking or reservations. It is luxury without the stress. The kids leave their pjs on, Grandma can go sit down as soon as dinner is over, and the rest of the group can play cards and continue on while the team and I clean up the rest of dinner before we head out after a long night of cooking and cleaning. (Don’t think that this stuff is easy, it’s not! But when you love what you do, the night goes by so fast, that it just feels like you’re part of the family and just got stuck with the job of cleaning up after everyone!)

Food That Feels Personal 🤗

One of the biggest differences between dining out and hiring a private chef is the personalization factor. Where else a.re you going to be able to have the entire menu made to suit your likes and dislikes. Maybe everything sounded great except you hate olives but love capers, but also have a dairy allergy, and really want to enjoy the piccata too, that’s the beauty of a private chef. The knowledge of what everyone needs prior to the event allows for a seamless experience with everyone getting what they want and need, without drawing attention or a yelling kitchen staff behind the doors, easily heard in the restaurant. (We all have a story of hearing about some chef who refused to change the menu and said go elsewhere)

In a restaurant, the menu is set. You might make small changes, but overall, you get what is offered. With a private chef, the menu starts with you.

When I sit down with clients, we talk about what they love, what they do not, and what they want the evening to feel like. Maybe it is a coastal brunch with shrimp and avocado toast. Maybe it is a plated dinner inspired by French classics. Or maybe it is a family-style buffet with comfort food everyone can share. Each dish is built to fit the occasion.

Food becomes more than just dinner. It becomes part of the story.

The Comfort of Staying In 🛋️

There is something deeply comforting about enjoying an incredible meal without ever leaving your space.

Parents can let kids play in the living room while adults sip wine at the table. Couples can enjoy a romantic dinner without feeling rushed by the next seating. Groups celebrating birthdays or bachelorettes can laugh as loud as they want without worrying about disturbing the table next to them.

And maybe one of the most underrated parts? No dishes. Guests finish their meal, relax, and find the kitchen spotless. For many of my clients, this is one of the biggest highlights of the entire experience.

Quality That Matches (and Often Surpasses) Restaurants ⭐️

As someone trained at Le Cordon Bleu and who has worked across a variety of cuisines, I can confidently say that the quality of a private chef meal can meet or even surpass that of a restaurant. The difference is focus. When you hire a private chef, all the attention is on you.

I am not serving ten tables at once. I am cooking for one group, one occasion, one experience. That means flavors can be adjusted, courses can be paced to the group’s mood, and every plate can be delivered at its best.

Stories From the Table 💬

One of my favorite moments happened during a family reunion on 30A.

Instead of trying to seat twenty people at a noisy restaurant, they brought me in to prepare a seafood feast at their rental home. We grilled shrimp, roasted grouper, and served a dessert spread that kept the kids buzzing with joy. The grandmother pulled me aside at the end and said, “This is what I wanted. Everyone together. No stress. Just us.”

Moments like that remind me why this rise in private dining is so powerful. It is not just about food. It is about connection.

Why This Shift Matters 🤝

The rise of private chefs is about more than convenience. It reflects what people truly value: time, connection, comfort, and authenticity. Food is no longer just about eating—it is about the atmosphere, the story, and the people around the table.

For me, every meal is an opportunity to create that. Whether it is brunch for a bachelorette group, a plated dinner for two, or a family gathering that needs a personal touch, the goal is always the same: to bring joy, ease, and flavor to the experience.

Let’s Bring the Restaurant to You 🍽️

If you have ever wanted to skip the hassle of going out, now is the time to try something new. Imagine a chef bringing the best of 30A flavors straight to your kitchen. Fresh ingredients, custom menus, and a spotless cleanup, everything taken care of so you can focus on what matters most.

👉 Book your private chef experience today and discover why so many are choosing the comfort of staying in over going out.

Keep cooking with love, Chef Jojo 🍳💋

Skip the Line: Why More People Are Choosing Private Chefs