Private Chef in Elgin
Rent one of our 156 private chefs for a unique dining experience. You choose the menu, and the cleanup is included.





















A personal chef for any occasion in Elgin
Since the first private chef joined Take a Chef in Elgin in March 2017, more than 156 Private Chefs have joined our platform in Elgin and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in Kane County.
Starting in 2017, 42,733 guests have already enjoyed a chef in Elgin. To book your chef in Elgin, just share your event details in our form. Receive proposals from top chefs and chat with them until you find your match.
Up until today, our chefs have shared 17,538 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 27,236 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.75 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 42,733 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in Elgin usually book menus around 175 USD per person, including 4.94 courses, sharing an average of 5.18 messages with their chefs. If you've never had a chef at home but want to add an extra spice to your next celebration, just rent a chef in Elgin.












How it works
Personalize your request
Share with us the details of your dream meal, including type of cuisine, preferences, and intolerances.
Receive menu proposals
Our chefs will design menus based solely on your wants and needs.
Get chatty with your chefs
Don't be shy about exchanging some messages with your chefs until your perfect menu is ready!
Book your experience
Once you are happy with your choice, submit your payment to secure your experience.
Enjoy!
All there is left to do is count down the days till your culinary experience begins!
Find your chef
Customize your request and start talking with your chefs.
156 Private Chefs in Elgin
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in Elgin












More than 42,700 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.61 Chef
The guests in Elgin have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.61.
4.78 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in Elgin received an average score of 4.78.
4.72 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 4.72 average score.
4.78 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in Elgin has been scored with a 4.78 on average.
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17,538 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in Elgin
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!








Beef fried kibbeh with labneh cucumber sauce
Arnabeth mekle| cauliflower, chickpeas, and pine nuts with tahini sauce
Warak enab |grape leaves stuffed with rice, ground beef, tomato and onion
Falafel bites
Warak malfouf| cabbage leaves stuffed with rice and ground beef
Classic garlic hummus| chickpea puree, tahini, lemon, olive
Baba ghanouj | smoke grilled eggplant, tahini sauce, lemon juice and olive oil
Hummus bi lahme| homemade hummus topped with grilled beef
Muhammara| red pepper, walnuts, breadcrumbs, pomegranate molasses, and olive oil
Mixed dips | chickpea hummus, labneh, mouhammara and baba ghanouj
Eggplant with olive oil, oregano, scallions, tomato, and pomegranate molasses
Moussaka | ragout of roasted eggplant, tomatoes, garlic and spices
Batata harra | potatoes. cilantro, aleppo pepper, garlic, olive oil
Fattoush salad| lettuce, cucumber, tomatoes, radishes, onion, parsley toasted pita, sumac and lemon vinaigrette
Tabbouleh salad| chopped parsley, tomato, onion, bulgur wheat, mint, fresh lemon juice and extra virgin olive oil
Salmon harra |roasted salmon fillet, sautéed vegetables, tahini sauce, cilantro, crushed peppers)
Branzino filet
Shish kafta| ground beef mixed with onion, parsley, baharat spices
Shish tawok | chicken skewers with vegetables
Lamb skewers
Classic lebanese rice with chicken, almonds, and pine nuts
Lamb rack | grilled lamb with labneh and mint sauce
Grilled prawns | with harissa, lemon and fresh herbs
Beef kebabs skewers| tenderloin pieces with vegetables
Grilled chicken breast with tarator sauce
Baklawa
Date mamoul
Namura
French onion soup
Salad lyonnaise
Ratatouille
Coq au vin
Chocolate mousse
Crème brûlée
1.fried potato and cheese empanadas with spicy aioli
2.beet salad ceviche with tostadas and salsa macha
3.creamy garlic hummus with carrots and cucumber
4. charred eggplant crostini with pomegranate syrup
5.pan con tomate
6. potato croquette with smoked aioli
7.charred shishito peppers with ponzu aioli
8. chefs surprised item
9.chef's special of the day
1.mixed greens with cucumber, red onion, mint and greek dressing
2.romaine lettuce with radishes, avocado, tomatoes and cilantro-lime dressing
3.mixed greens with red onion, corn, queso fresco and spicy honey dressing
4.chefs surprise item
5.chefs surprised item
1.miso cauliflower steak with polenta and roasted pepper sauce
2.grilled steak with romesco sauce and roasted vegetables
3. herbed chicken with green beans and roasted potatoes
4. fish of the day with chimichurri and grilled vegetables
6.chef's special of the day
1. vanilla creme brulee with glazed berries and dehydrated berries
2.arroz con leche with candied nuts and berries
3. gelato of the day with almond dust
4. vanilla cheesecake with blueberry sauce
5. chef´s surprised item
6. chef's special of the day
Ground chicken meatball with teriyaki glaze and sesame seeds
Ahi tuna crudo with scallion oil and avocado mousse
Crispy fried eggplant, jalapeño honey and pickled red onions topped with sesame oil
Chicken yakitori skewers
Pork japanese bbq gyoza
Grilled pork belly, miso mustard, pickled vegetables
Crispy tempura shrimp with ponzu aioli and pickled vegetables
Stir fry broccoli with tofu and garlic
Japanese buns with grilled chicken and pickled vegetables
Shisho and greens salad with edamame with ginger soy dressing
Cabbage and kelp salad with toasted sesame dressing
Green bean and pepper salad with red onions and ponzu dressing
Katsuobushi caesar and romaine salad, crispy baguette, spiced almond
Root vegetable salad with sesame honey dressing topped with sunflower seeds
Chefs special
Japanese bbq seared ahi tuna served with sticky rice and grilled vegetable assortment
Crispy chicken katsu with asian slaw and mashed potatoes
Pork miso ramen bowl with assorted toppings
Shrimp tempura sushi maki roll with spicy aioli, pineapple, teriyaki, scallions
Ribeye steak with furikake butter and roasted taro root and bok choy
Soy milk ice cream with poached pears and black sesame
Steamed buns stuffed with azuki (bean) paste
Ginger custard with candied pecans
Sorbet of the day with tobiko
Matcha flan with dehydrated oishii strawberries
Fruit tart of the day with sake glaze
Garlic stuffed shrimp
Crab cakes with remoulade
Lobster bisque with parmesan crisps
Cajun potato salad
Bistro salad
Garlic mashed potatoes and sautéed asparagus
Shrimp & steak scampi pasta with a special house sauce
Baked cod with lemon and garlic
Grilled salmon with herb sauce
Seafood boil (shrimp, crab legs, crawfish, potatoes, corn on the cob, and mild house sauce)
Sweet chili glazed salmon with mango salsa and balsamic drizzle, served on cilantro lime rice with green beans
Key lime pie
Apple cinnamon bursts
Caramel delight
Chocolate lava cake with fresh fruit
Hummus and baba ganouj w/warm pita and crudités
Bleu d'auvergne crouton w/sliced apple and truffle
Creamy morels on brioche toast
Canapé of fava beans, lemon zest, dry chile, shallots and boursin
Assiette d'mar- asst chilled shellfish, xvoo, lemon, maldon, cracked black pepper,
Steamed artichoke leaves, chive creme friache, lemon zest, caviar
Grilled lamb chop over fennel-artichoke-leek fritter w/roasted pepper aioli
Sesame seared halloumi cheese w/aleppo pepper and warmed greek honey
Tortilla española- caramelized onions, potatoes, spicy chorizo
Beef tartare- capers, mustard, shallots, toast points
Risotto rosso- roasted red pepper, grilled radicchio, red vermouth, asparagus, corn, smoked mozzarella
Pissaladière- flatbread w/caramelized onions, anchovies and olives
Bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed w/water chestnut and jalapeño w/apricot-horseradish sauce
Lobster taco w/tomato concasse, tarragon, shallots, noilly prat, guacamole, chipotle aioli
Grilled crab cake, herb salad, tangerine, marcona almonds, lemon-pepper aioli
Negimaki- grilled marinated tenderloin stuffed w/scallion
Scallop crudo w/radish, chive, blood orange, basil oil, fennel pollen, lemon zest
Amuse bouche- bleu d'auvergne crouton w/sliced apple and truffle let's start w/this and choose 2 other dishes
Fattoush- chopped salad of watercress, purslane, romain, tomatoes, cucumber, radish, fried pita chips, lemon vinaigrette
Greek salad w/peppers, olives, tomato, onions, feta, lemon-oregano dressing
Grilled stuffed portobella caprese- heirloom tomatoes, mozzarella di bufala, basil, saba
Baked chevre, soft lettuces, olive tapanade, braised fennel, lemon-dijon vinaigrette
Warm poached leeks a la grecque w/tomato, olives, goat cheese, parsley, lemon, oregano
Grilled asparagus, roasted beet, course herbed bread crumbs, raspberry-walnut vinaigrette
Garlic studded roasted broccoli crown w/romesco sauce
Choice of lobster bisque w/cognac or butternut squash soup w/apple, creme friache and chives
Composed salad of mango, avocado, snow crab, grilled asparagus, avocado, hearts of palm, lemon-dijon dressing
Greek braised lamb over lemon-spinach orzo pilaf w/feta and garbanzos
Greek style lemon-oregano chicken, 10 vegetable orzo pilaf w/ginger, mint and asiago
Baked sea bass wrapped in lettuce and herbs served over basmati rice pilaf, basil-orange sauce
Seared tuscan steak (or tuna) over arugula w/rosemary roasted potatoes, dry braised mushrooms, fried shallots and shaved parmesan drizzled w/ xvoo
Medallions of veal, homemade tagliatelle, morel cream sauce
Couscous w/ braised vegs (fennel, parsnip, rutabaga, celery, kohlrabi, zucchini, savoy cabbage, diakon radish, butternut squash)
Coulibiac of salmon in puff pastry stuffed w/shrimp mousse and spinach w/pernod w/lobster sauce
Gambas ajillo- head/shell on roasted shrimp w/fried shallots, garlic and peppers, basmati pilaf
Pork au poivre- sous vide pork tenderloin w/roquefort potatoes, carrots vichy, green peppercorn sauce
Japanese mixed grill- chicken, shrimp, snapper, oyster mushroom baked in foil w/short grain rice and togarashi beurre blanc
Snapper st. martin w/lemon, bananas and almonds, tomato couscous
Spicy shrimp and oyster linguine in lobster jus w/chives and asiago cheese served w/toasted garlic focaccia
Whitefish niçoise- w/ farro, tomato concassé, tarragon, anchovies, black olives, fingerling potatoes and lemon
Sabayon made to order and served warm w/pernod macerated fruit
I make meyer limoncello and would be glad to pour you and iced shot with dessert (on me)
Poached apricots w/vanilla-bourbon labne and pistachios
Griddled chocolate brioche, orange, rosewater, cinnamon, whipped cream
Creme friache cheesecake w/graham cracker crust and strawberry coulis
Blackberry clafoutis
Flan w/raspberries
Classic tomato bruschetta
Italian toss salad
Charcuterie board
Italian meatballs
Roasted ravioli
Cheese tortellini soup
Italian chopped sliders
Caprese skewers
Lasagna rolls
Tomato basil soup
Neapolitan pizza
Chicken skewers with pesto
Blueberry bruschetta
Spinach and ricotta lasagna
Tuscan shrimp
Parmigiana
Baked ziti
Creamy lemon chicken piccata
Homemade calzones
Baked gnocchi
Creamy garlic salmon
Cannoli
Ricotta cheesecake
Raspberry chocolate semifreddo
Coconut panna cotta with passion fruit
Caponata antipasto (vegetarian)
Mediterranean plate (vegetarian)
Eggplant rollatini parmigiana
Roasted carrot & ginger soup (vegetarian)
Lasagna alla bolognese
Penne with chicken in vodka tomato sauce
Eggplant lasagna with bolognese (impossible meat) (vegetarian)
Classic risotto & asparagus (vegetarian)
• chicken saltimbocca | scalloppini of chicken with prosciutto, sage and mozzarella cheese with wine sauce, pasta and carrots caramelized
Bbq short ribs with fingerling potatoes & roasted vegetables
• atlantic salmon filet with lemon and capers butter sauce, with risotto butternut squash roasted vegetables
• atlantic salmon toppe. d with sautéed cherry tomatoes and a basil creamy sauce, classic risotto and asparagus
• cannelloni scampi di mare| shrimp, fresh mozzarella and ricotta cheeses blended and stuffed into the pasta rolled pasta sheets. oven baked and covered creamy cardinale lobster sauce
Panna cotta with berries
Cheesecake with berries
Classic tiramisu
• sicilian canoli with pistachio chocolate cream filling
Personalize your menu
A romantic dinner or a gathering of friends. Traditional dishes or exotic flavours. A fine dining experience or a family-style meal. Every private chef experience is unique! Submit your request and personalize yours.








Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find the most common questions about private chef services in Elgin.
What does a private chef service include in Elgin?
A private chef service includes everything necessary to enjoy a personalized dining experience at home. This includes:
- Customization of a menu based on your preferences;
- Purchase of ingredients;
- Mise en place (preparation of ingredients) before arrival;
- Preparation of the menu at your home;
- Complete table service;
- Set up and cleaning of the kitchen and used spaces.
Please note that tableware and glassware are not included. Gratuity is entirely at your discretion.
How much does a private chef cost in Elgin?
The price of renting a chef in Elgin can vary depending on the specifics, but smaller groups tend to have a slightly different price per person compared to larger gatherings.
Booking prices range from 100 USD to 134 USD. For groups of 13 people or more, the price is 100 USD per person. For groups of 7 to 12 people, the cost is 111 USD per person. For groups of 3 to 6 people, the rate is 113 USD per person, and for 2 people, the price is 134 USD per person.
Seasonal ingredients, your location, and how soon you book also affect the final price. If you're interested in getting free quotes with no obligation, fill out our form and let the best chefs near you send unique proposals for your event.
How can I hire a private chef in Elgin?
Booking is easy! Just tell us the date of your event, number of guests, dietary preferences and any allergies, and a few details about your kitchen. Within a few hours, you'll receive customized menus from qualified chefs. Each chef's profile will include their experience, reviews, and photos of their dishes.
Feel free to chat directly with the chefs through our platform. Ask them to modify menus, discuss pricing, or get answers to any questions you might have. Once you've found the perfect chef and menu, finalize your reservation online. We'll then provide the chef's contact information to confirm any final details.
How can I find a private chef near me?
There are currently 156 chefs available in Elgin. Fill out a form specifying your needs and the date. Take a Chef will connect you with the best available chefs in Elgin who will send you their menu proposals. You can then choose the chef and menu that suits you best.
Is there a maximum number of guests for a private chef service?
While there's no strict limit on guest count, private chef experiences are designed to create a more intimate atmosphere, perfect for gatherings of friends and family. Since most homes have limited space to accommodate large groups, parties typically don't exceed 15 people.
Does the chef cook at my house?
Yes, the chef always prepares the menu at your home for a more personalized experience. However, some prep work might be done beforehand for complex dishes.
Can I cook along with the chef?
Absolutely! Many guests are passionate about food and relish the chance to learn from the chef. You can pick up new kitchen skills and get a behind-the-scenes look at each dish on the menu. Feel free to jump in and cook alongside the chef for a truly interactive experience!
Are the ingredients fresh?
Yes, they're 100% fresh. Unlike restaurants with pre-made dishes, private chefs prioritize using the freshest ingredients possible. This is because the chef creates a customized menu specifically for you, then goes out and sources the finest ingredients to bring your chosen dishes to life.
Are drinks included in the personal chef service?
Drinks are not typically included, but you can discuss adding them to the menu proposal with the chef.
How much should I tip my private chef in Elgin?
Tipping for private chefs is entirely at your discretion. Our goal is for you to have an unforgettable experience, and the chef always appreciates a nice tip. However, the decision and amount are completely up to you.
Key information about our chefs in Elgin
Discover more details about our private chefs and their services.
The average age of our private chefs in Elgin
Percentage of our women chefs in Elgin.
The average wait time from submitting the request and receiving the first menu.
Our very first private chef service in Elgin.
Percentage of services with kids in Elgin.
Maximum number of bookings for a personal chef by a single client in Elgin.
Increase in the number of bookings for a chef from last year in Elgin.
Languages spoken by our personal chefs in Elgin.
Percentage of guests that hired a chef more than once.
Average number of days booked for multiple services at home with a private chef.
Photos uploaded to the platform by our private chefs in Elgin.
Average timeframe from sending the request to booking.
How many chef services are booked in Elgin each month?
Private chef reservations can vary seasonally depending on the destination. In Elgin, for example, demand often increases during special dates like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, so it's best to book in advance.
If you're wondering about the best time to hire a chef, any month is perfect for enjoying a private chef. Just keep in mind that prices may vary, especially for last-minute bookings. So, don't wait—book your chef early to secure your unique dining experience in Elgin.
Cost of a private chef in Elgin
The cost of hiring a private chef in Elgin can vary based on several factors, including the number of people in your group or seasonality. Larger groups tend to have a different average rate per person compared to smaller groups that hire a chef:
Booking 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.
Additionally, prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year, location, and how soon you book your personal chef. If you want to get free quotes, just fill out our form and receive tailored proposals for your event. No committment at all.
Private chefs registrations
After many years of offering our services, we are lucky to have a fantastic team of chefs that keeps growing in Elgin!
1 personal chefs register with us every month. Our verification team reviews these new chef profiles daily to categorize them, allowing you to discover incredible new chefs every month.
What is the most reserved type of cuisine in Elgin?
We mainly offer six types of cuisine in Elgin: Mediterranean, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, and surprise. The type of cuisine with the highest number of bookings is the Chef's special, but you can have anything you want (our surprise menu will cover that!).
Beyond these six types of cuisine, our private chefs personalize diverse menus for their clients every day, adjusting every detail to find the perfect menu for every occasion and every group. Our private chefs can accommodate any allergy or dietary restriction and suggest other cuisines or fusion dishes. Submit your request and hire a chef in Elgin!

Escape the ordinary in the hands of a Private Chef in Elgin
Take a Chef gives you the opportunity to turn your home into the top quality restaurant in Elgin. All you need to do is choose the time and what you would like to eat. Details such as grocery shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning are all included in your Private Chef service. Book today!

Experience culinary perfection in the hands of a Private Chef
We only work with the best and most talented chefs worldwide. Our chefs have many years of experience in the culinary and hospitality industries and are ready to come into your home and prepare you a mouth-watering dish. At Take a Chef we want to make sure you are completely satisfied, therefore, you will be able to speak to the chef and customize your menu as many times as you would like until it's exactly how you want it.

Your home, the perfect place for a memorable experience!
Celebrating a special occasion? Hire one of our chefs to come into your home and prepare a delicious meal for you and your family. We have the perfect chef for every occasion and we will make sure your experience is beyond perfect. Click on start above!






Talk to our chefs in Elgin
Each of our chefs is one-of-a-kind, with professional culinary training and years of experience in diverse restaurants. Craving Italian pasta, Spanish paella, or traditional sushi in Elgin? You’ll get it. Tell us about your event in Elgin, and discover the best chefs who will customize every detail of your experience.









