Private chef in Chicago
A private chef in Chicago brings local flavors to your table. Chat with one of our 373 chefs to customize your menu and fit your budget.





















Hire a personal chef in Chicago
Have a taste of Chicago's food scene with our passionate personal chefs. Bring the talent and service of the best restaurants to your table for your next special occasion!
Over 43,949 guests have enjoyed the private chef experience in Chicago since 2017. Take A Chef makes booking a personal chef easier than ever! We've got you covered for birthday celebrations, dinner parties, or even a special time with friends.
Find a home chef in Chicago, Illinois, to meet your tastes and your budget. Let them create a tailored experience for you and your guests, and be the best host you can be in the comfort of your own home.












How it works
Submit your request
Tell us the perfect meal for your celebration, the date, and your budget. No commitment.
Chat with chefs
Talk with private chefs until you find the right one, and get many proposals.
Craft your menu
Personalize everything from the number of courses to the ingredients in your meals.
Book your chef
Once you are happy with your choice, complete your booking and make your payment.
Live the experience
Welcome your chef, and let them do the rest! Enjoy the company or your guests and relax.
Find the right chef for you
Start meeting private chefs who can make your dream meal come true.
373 Private chefs in Chicago
In a few steps, you'll find the perfect home chef in Chicago, IL.












Over 43,900 guests have enjoyed the private chef experience in Chicago
4.61 Chef
Guests in Chicago have scored their private chef experience with a 4.61.
4.78 Food quality
Our private chef's menus in Chicago have gained a solid 4.78.
4.73 Presentation
More than tasty, the presentation of our chefs' dishes is gorgeous, earning a score of 4.73 in Chicago.
4.79 Cleanups
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in Chicago has been scored with a 4.79 on average.
View full review
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More than 18,088 menus crafted by our private chefs in Chicago
Rent a home chef in Chicago, Illinois. You decide the menu.








Charred edamame with smoked maldon salt
Miso soup with mushrooms, seaweed and scallions
Shishito peppers with spicy aioli and lemon
Grilled miso carrots with edamame hummus
Vegetable gyoza with chili crisp and ponzu
Spicy fried tofu, avocado relish, fresno chili
Cauliflower tempura, smoked chili aioli, crispy onions
Fried vegetable egg rolls with oyster sauce aioli
Cauliflower ceviche served with tostadas and salsa macha
Salt massaged raw eggplant salad with miso dressing topped with pomegranate
Seaweed and ginger salad
Wood ear mushrooms salad and shaved carrots
Japanese cucumber salad with cilantro and mint
Curried udon noodles with grilled chicken
Stone bowl beef rice with assorted vegetables
Chicken ramen bowl with chili oil
Miso skirt steak with grilled asparagus and sweet potatoes topped with asian chimichurri
Tuna sushi maki roll with oyster sauce, citrus aioli, cucumber, jalapenos
Pan fried fish of the day with sticky rice and grilled zucchini topped with ponzu sauce
Green tea creme brulee with strawberries
Gelato with sesame brittle
Cheesecake with grilled peaches
Sorbet of the day with togarashi and honey
Soy milk ice cream with poached pears and black sesame
Mochi of chefs choice with a soy glaze reduction and berries
Asari no sakemushi
Veggie spring rolls
Japanese salad with carrot ginger dressing
Miso soup
California rolls / rainbow roll
Veggie rolls
Stir fry (chicken , beef, veggie)
Teriyaki salmon with roasted bok choy
Frushi
Affogato
Maple & black pepper carrots | crushed peanuts & goat cheese
Fig chopped salad | aged parmesean | fig balsamic | toasted sunflower seed
Sweet corn gazpacho | jalapeño & dill salad
Grilled eggplant | chimichurri | cotija & pickled onion
Roasted cabbage | squash puree & breadcrumb
Mushroom stew | creamy polenta | fried sage
Basque cheesecake | dulche de leche
Flourless chocolate torte | raspberry couli
Crème brûlée | fresh berries | icing sugar
Avocado bruschetta and herb cream cheese stuffed peppadew peppers drizzled with balsamic glazek
Asiago baked shrimp with warm bread
Summer vegetable baked salmon with lemon cream sauce
Fresh linguine pasta with sausage & peppers
Starwberry tiramisu
• sicilian arancini |arborio rice stuffed with mozzarella, bolognese meat and tiny peas)
Burrata with heirloom cherry tomatoes, basil oil, aged balsamic reduction & toasted focaccia
Fresh linguine tossed tableside inside a wheel of imported parmigiano reggiano, emulsified with european butter and pasta water, finished with cracked black pepper
Herb-crusted filet mignon or mediterranean branzino with lemon caper beurre blanc
Served with roasted seasonal vegetables
Classic tiramisu with espresso-soaked ladyfingers and mascarpone cream
Chef's choice bread: truffle butter, tomato jam, cheese
Sweet tomato savory tart: tomatoes, herbs, olive oil, savory crust
Beef tartare: quail egg, scallions, shallots, capers, maldon salt
Caramelized onion crostini: onions, herbs, gruyere, figs, honey
Smoked salmon brioche: dill, tobiko, salmon, bread, boursin cheese
Mixed greens salad: cucumbers, pickled red onions, blue cheese, honey champagne vinaigrette, sunflower seeds
Endive salad: endives, citrus fruit, cucumber, mint, walnuts, mustard dressing
French salad: romaine lettuce, blue cheese, tomatoes, crispy pancetta, red onion, red wine vinaigrette
Summer salad: mixed greens, strawberry, radishes, snow peas, champagne vinaigrette, candied almonds
Heirloom salad: tomatoes, brie cheese, olives, smoked maldon salt, sourdough croutons, pesto dressing
Coq au vin: chicken, red wine, herbs, lardons, mushrooms
Filet mignon: beef tenderloin, peppercorn assortment, cauliflower puree, herbed compound butter, haricot vert
Scallops: pan-seared scallops, beurre blanc, caramelized carrot puree, grilled asparagus
Catch of the day: fish, herbs, cream, blue cheese, roasted potatoes, zucchini
Chocolate mousse: mixed berries, chocolate syrup, topped with pistachios
Crème brûlée: lemon, vanilla, cream, burnt sugar, dehydrated strawberries
Flourless chocolate cake: whipped cream, apricot jam, chocolate
Summer tart: lemon curd, seasonal berries, mint, basil
Poached pears: prosecco, star anise, cinnamon, pear, gelato
Arancini- arborio rice, roasted tomato sauce, 24 month aged parmesan, garlic chips
Grilled italian bread- bread, borgonzola, prosciutto, truffle balsamic glaze
Marinated shrimp- shrimp, calabrian chili crisp, supreme orange, orange zest, cyprus salt
Italian meatballs-beef, pecorino, basil pesto aioli, garlic, breadcrumbs
Stuffed mushrooms- portobello, artichokes, parsley, garlic, mozzarella
Pepperoni flatbread with hot honey and ricotta topped with basil
Fried calamari with preserved lemons and chili oil
Heirloom tomato bruschetta with truffle oil and maldon salt
Crispy brussel sprouts with pecorino, lemon zest and crispy bacon bits
1. caesar salad- romaine lettuce, charred lemon, anchovies, sourdough croutons, pickled red onions
2. caprese salad- heirloom tomatoes, basil, fresh mozzarella, aged balsamic vinaigrette
3. roasted beet salad- arugula, beets, citrus vinaigrette, whipped ricotta, candied pistachios
4. classic chopped- tomatoes, lettuce, green goddess, crispy prosciutto
5. mixed greens, hazelnuts, lemon olive oil, goat cheese, aged balsamic, orange supreme
1. pasta bolognese- fresh pasta, cream, vodka, italian sausage, onions, herbs
2. grilled herbed chicken- chicken, herbs, polenta, zucchini, capers, butter
3. shrimp ravioli- shrimp, cream, lemon, peas, ,crispy breadcrumbs
4. grilled ny strip steak risotto- steak, butter, garlic, parmesan, pecorino, arborio rice, truffle oil
5. gnocchi with roasted garlic tomato sauce topped with aged parmesan
6. linguine with clams, fermented garlic, lemon butter, white wine
1. strawberry tiramisu- fresh cookies, dehydrated strawberries, mascarpone, whipped cream
2. chocolate cake served with homemade gelato- chocolate, ice cream, sugar, vanilla
3. coconut panna cotta- berries, prosecco, charred grapes, agar agar, vanilla, toasted coconut
4. affogato- ice cream, espresso, chocolate syrup or berry syrup
5. sorbet of the day with honey and
6. chocolate cannoli with organic cacao and cinnamon sugar
Bruschetta with tomato and basil
Caprese salad
Fried calamari
Antipasto platter
Fettuccine alfredo
Grilled salmon with lemon butter
Eggplant parmesan
Tiramisu
Panna cotta
Gelato
Cannoli
Your own menu
Who could be better to guide you in creating the perfect menu for your special occasion than your private chef? Our home chefs in Chicago can help you craft it from cost to ingredients and restrictions!








Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find the most common questions about private chefs in Chicago.
What's included in a private chef service in Chicago?
Everything from designing your menu, grocery shopping, cooking in your kitchen, serving the meals, and cleaning up the cooking space afterward is included in the private chef experience in Chicago. Tableware and glassware are not included in the service. Tipping is up to you.
How much does a private chef cost in Chicago, IL?
The cost of a personal chef in Chicago varies with group size.
Groups of 13 or more have an average rate of 100 USD per person. For 7 to 10 people, the average is 111 USD per person; for 3 to 6 people, it's 113 USD per person. Couples pay an average of 134 USD per person.
Remember that prices vary based on the season, location, or last-minute bookings.
How to book a personal chef in Chicago, IL?
To book a private chef in Chicago, select your date and guest count and share your food preferences, intolerances, and kitchen details. You'll quickly get four customized menus to check, along with chefs' profiles, reviews, and dish photos.
Chat directly with the chefs for any menu adjustments or questions. Choose your chef and menu, finalize the booking online, and receive the chef's contact details to discuss final arrangements.
How can I find a personal chef in Chicago?
There are 373 available chefs in Chicago. If you want to try the personal chef service in Chicago, simply fill out a form, and you'll receive menu proposals from the top 3 chefs for your selected date. You can then review their profiles and choose your favorite.
Is there a maximum number of guests for a private chef service in Chicago?
There's no set limit on the number of people. Personal chef services are usually for smaller gatherings with friends or family, often in cozy homes. While there's no hard and fast rule, groups typically don't exceed 15 people.
Does the personal chef in Chicago cook at my house?
Yes, a private chef always prepares the menu at the guest's house, which is the cornerstone of the experience. However, depending on the complexity or equipment demands of the menu, the home chef in Chicago may prepare a mise en place before going to the client's home.
Can I cook along with the private chef?
You absolutely should! At every table, there is always someone who loves food and wants to spend time with the chef, learn some cooking tricks, and even hear insider tips from the chefs themselves while they prepare your food.
Are the ingredients for a private chef service fresh?
Fresh ingredients are a priority of professional cooking. Every one of our personal chefs in Chicago aims to bring the same service standards as a restaurant to your home. After customizing your menu, the chef purchases what they need to make it come to life on the scheduled date.
Are drinks included in the service of a home chef in Chicago, Illinois?
By default, drinks do not count as part of your booking. However, you can talk with your private chef and fit the cost as an "extra" on the menu proposals they create for your event.
How much should I tip a home chef in Chicago, IL?
You are free to decide the tip appropriate for your personal chef and their service. But if you would like to know, based on the tips of 43,949 guests in Chicago, IL, tips are 14.72% of the total bill, on average.
Key information about personal chefs in Chicago
Learn more about our personal chefs in Chicago and their services.
With an average age of 44, our private chefs in Chicago, IL, offer extensive culinary knowledge.
42% of our chefs are women
Just 5 hours from request to menu
Our first private chef service in Chicago was in 2017-03-18.
16% of our private chef services in Chicago include kids.
A single client has booked the same home chef in Chicago 20 times.
44% increase in the number of private chef bookings in Chicago in the last year
Our personal chefs can communicate with you in up to 5 languages
More than 59% of guests hire a private chef in Chicago more than once
On average, multiple services hire a chef for 7 days.
We uploaded over 2,847 pictures of our Chicago personal chef experience.
On average, it takes 2 days from requesting to booking a personal chef.
How much does a personal chef cost in Chicago, IL?
The number of guests participating in the private chef experience in Chicago determines the specifics.
Prices range from 100 USD to 134 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 100 USD. For 7 to 12 people: 111 USD. For 3 to 6 people: 113 USD. For 2 people: 134 USD.
Remember, every destination is different, and prices fluctuate with the seasons. The following chart shows the typical prices our private chefs in Chicago charge each month.
How many private chef services are booked in Chicago each month?
Private chef reservations may vary seasonally depending on the destination. To view monthly fluctuations of personal chefs in Chicago, Illinois, check this table.
Hiring a private chef in Chicago is ideal at any time, but prices can change due to demand. If you're looking for a private chef for a night in Chicago, we recommend you book early to secure your reservation. Rent a chef for your home in Chicago, IL now!
How many personal chefs sign up in Chicago each month?
We've been in the private chef scene in Chicago for many years and have gained the trust of many local chefs who have and continue to join us every month.
To bring the best experience to your home in Chicago, IL, we add 3 new personal chefs each month as ambassadors. Our team reviews and classifies their profiles daily to ensure you can always find new and exciting chefs.
What is the most frequent type of food booked in Chicago?
Our six main types of cuisine in Chicago are Mediterranean, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, and Latin American.
However, the most requested cuisine in Chicago, IL, is Chef's special. Our chefs design exciting menus based on your preferences.
Our private chefs create personalized menus for each request, considering dietary restrictions and proposing fusion options. Submit your request to explore thrilling culinary possibilities crafted by our personal chefs.

Bring a private chef to your home in Chicago
Are you looking to try out exciting flavors? You can enjoy a chef at your home in any Chicago location.
Take a Chef offers a unique dining experience for a romantic dinner, birthday celebration, or family gathering. Whether you need a vegan chef in Chicago or a personal chef with healthy options, we've got you covered!
On the day of the service, your chosen chef will buy the freshest ingredients, cook, and serve the meal at your Chicago home in Illinois. Plus, our private chefs will leave your kitchen cleaner than when they arrived!

Chicago's best private chefs in your kitchen
Every one of our private chefs has been trained in leading culinary schools and has years of experience in Chicago's best restaurants, hotels, and resorts in the North, West, and South sides. Explore our more than 373 personal chefs available in Chicago; we are confident that we can connect you with the perfect chef for you.
Any chef you select can make your menu work, considering food allergies, vegan options, and even healthy but tasty alternatives for those who want to keep taking care of themselves.

Your house, the city's best restaurant
With Michelin-starred restaurants, Chicago has a proud mixture of local and international cuisines that is celebrated every year. But why wait to have a taste of Chicago? Create a unique and intimate dining experience with Take a Chef. More than just a private chef agency, we specialize in sharing our passion for food and giving our guests the freedom to connect with their loved ones.






Hear from our personal chefs in Chicago
Find what each of our private chefs brings to the table and what sets them apart. Enjoy the culinary skills of a talented chef right in your Chicago home! Let them approach your event and ideal meal with their particular taste and personalize every detail you want.









