The cost of a private chef comes down to four things: how many people you are feeding, how often your chef comes, how involved your menu is, and your groceries. A Perfect Fit does not publish a price list, because two households rarely need the same thing; after a short consultation, we share a clear proposal built around yours.
Updated October 14, 2026
The four factors that set the cost
1. Household size
Cooking for a couple and cooking for a family of six are different jobs. More people means more food, more prep time and more storage, so household size is the first thing we ask about.
2. How often your chef comes
Some households want their chef every week; others prefer every other week or a schedule that flexes with travel and the seasons. Service runs on the cadence you choose, and frequency is one of the biggest levers on what you spend.
3. Your menu and dietary needs
A simple rotation of family favorites takes less time than a menu built around food allergies, a physician's guidance or GLP-1 medication. When a registered dietitian plans your menu, that planning is part of what your proposal covers.
4. Groceries
Groceries are a straight pass-through with no upcharge: you pay what the ingredients cost. Your chef shops fresh for your menu, so what you eat shapes what you spend, and your chef can steer the menu toward seasonal produce or specialty ingredients as you prefer.
What the service includes
Whatever the cadence, every visit follows the same rhythm. Your chef:
- plans the menu with you, around your tastes and goals;
- shops for the ingredients;
- cooks in your own kitchen;
- stores everything; and
- resets the kitchen before leaving.
You also keep the same chef. Each A Perfect Fit chef serves only a few households and is never rotated between clients. For clients who want it, a registered dietitian adds nutrition counseling alongside the menus.
Does the cost differ between cities?
The same four factors apply in every city we serve. What changes is where your chef travels:
- St. Louis: Clayton, Ladue, Frontenac, Town and Country, Kirkwood, Chesterfield, Wildwood and O'Fallon.
- Dallas: Highland Park, University Park, Preston Hollow, Uptown, Lakewood, Plano, Frisco, Prosper and Southlake.
- Houston: River Oaks, West University, Bellaire, Memorial, Piney Point, Bunker Hill, Katy, Sugar Land and The Woodlands.
- Nashville: Belle Meade, Green Hills, Forest Hills, Oak Hill, 12 South, Brentwood, Franklin and Nolensville.
- Austin: Westlake, Tarrytown, Barton Creek, Rollingwood, Lakeway, Bee Cave, Steiner Ranch, Circle C Ranch and Downtown Austin.
If you live nearby but outside those areas, ask about your address.
How a private chef compares with other options
Meal delivery usually costs less per meal, but it ships pre-made food from a central kitchen on a set menu. Booking a chef through a marketplace suits a one-off dinner, but you may meet a different chef each time. A dedicated private chef costs more than delivery because the menu, the shopping and the cooking are all built around your household. We walk through the trade-offs in Private chef vs. meal delivery vs. booking a chef on a marketplace.
How to get an accurate number
The fastest way to a real figure is a short conversation. Tell us about your household, how often you would like your chef to come and any dietary needs. We will match you with a chef in your city and send a clear proposal. Request a consultation to start.
Frequently asked questions
Why don't private chefs list one price?
Because the work changes with each household. A weekly menu for two with no restrictions is a different job from a dietitian-planned menu for a family of five, and a single price would be wrong for most people.
Does a medical or GLP-1 diet change the cost?
It can, because menu planning and cooking take more care. Your proposal reflects the menu you actually need. We never prescribe or adjust medication; your dietitian plans the food and your chef cooks it.
Can I change how often my chef comes?
Yes. Service is built to flex with you. You can scale visits up or down and change the timing or cadence as your needs, your schedule and the season of life you are in change.
How are groceries handled?
Groceries are a pass-through with no upcharge. Your chef shops around your preferences for fresh, local ingredients, from markets such as Whole Foods Market, Schnucks, Dierbergs, Trader Joe's, Sprouts, Kroger and Tom Thumb, along with local farmers when the season allows.
— Rachael Lewis, Founder & CEO, A Perfect Fit