How much does a personal chef cost in Los Angeles?
Updated October 2026 · By Eats by Nicole, a Los Angeles personal chef service
In Los Angeles, a personal chef for weekly meal prep typically costs $450 to $750 a week for the chef’s service, plus groceries at cost. That covers about 6 to 20 meals cooked fresh in your kitchen. A private chef for a dinner party runs about $135 to $160 per guest plus groceries, and a full-time private chef is a salaried role, commonly $80,000 to $150,000 or more a year.
What weekly meal prep costs in LA
Most of the cost comes down to how many meals you need each week. Here’s how our Los Angeles plans break down:
Larger plans can be split across two visits a week. Plans are booked in 4-week sessions, with a one-time trial available. Orange County pricing matches Los Angeles. Your exact plan and price come from our two-minute Find My Plan quiz.
What you’re paying for (and what you’re not)
- A custom menu built around your diet and goals, approved by you before every cook day
- Grocery shopping the morning of service
- Cooking from scratch in your kitchen, so nothing is frozen, shipped or reheated
- Portioning and labeling with reheating notes
- Full kitchen cleanup before your chef leaves
- The same vetted chef every week, background-checked and insured
Billed separately: groceries, at exact cost with an itemized receipt. Not included: delivery, because your chef cooks in your home.
What drives the price of a personal chef
- How many meals you need. The biggest factor. More entrees and portions mean more cooking time.
- One visit or two. A second weekly visit keeps meals fresher late in the week and costs more.
- Dietary needs. Keto, AIP, low-FODMAP, allergies or macro targets take more planning. With us that planning is included.
- Ingredients. Organic, grass-fed or specialty proteins raise the grocery bill, not the service fee.
- Hourly vs. package pricing. Some LA chefs bill by the hour, often $40 to $120 or more, plus time for shopping and cleanup. A package keeps your weekly cost predictable.
Personal chef costs in Los Angeles, compared
| Option | Typical LA cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Independent hourly chef | $40–$120+ an hour, plus groceries | Quality and reliability vary; you handle scheduling |
| Chef marketplaces | About $258–$282 per visit, plus groceries | Often a different chef each time |
| Weekly personal chef service (like us) | $450–$750 a week, plus groceries | Same vetted chef, custom menus, clear pricing |
| Full-time private chef | $80,000–$150,000+ a year | A dedicated, daily household role |
| Meal delivery | Lower per meal | Pre-made and delivered cold, not cooked for you |
Market figures come from the sources listed below and change often. Our prices are current as of October 2026.
Is a personal chef worth the cost?
The real comparison isn’t another meal service. It’s your time. Planning, shopping, cooking and cleaning up for a week of healthy meals easily takes 6 to 10 hours. A personal chef gives those hours back, along with meals built around exactly how you eat, which is hard to get from takeout or delivery.
How to choose a personal chef in Los Angeles
- Are chefs background-checked and insured?
- Are groceries billed at cost, or marked up?
- Will you have the same chef every week?
- Do you approve the menu before every cook day?
- Is there a trial before you commit?
Personal chef pricing FAQ
How much does a personal chef cost once a week?
For one weekly visit in Los Angeles, expect $450 to $750 for the chef’s service, depending on how many meals you need, plus groceries at cost.
How much does a week of meal prep cost?
About $450 to $550 a week for 6 to 12 meals, and $650 to $750 a week for 16 to 20 meals, plus groceries billed at exact cost.
Are groceries included in the price?
Groceries are billed separately at exact cost with an itemized receipt, so you only pay for what’s used and nothing is marked up.
Do I tip a personal chef?
Tipping isn’t expected for weekly meal prep. For dinner parties, a 20% gratuity on the chef service is standard and included on our invoices.
Can I try it before committing?
Yes. A one-time trial lets you meet your chef and taste the food before booking a 4-week plan.
What’s the difference between a personal chef and a private chef?
A personal chef usually cooks for several households, often a week of meals at a time. A private chef typically works for one household, sometimes full-time. Our chefs bring private-chef quality to weekly service.
How much is a private chef for a dinner party in LA?
About $135 per guest family-style or $160 plated, plus groceries. Book a free consultation to plan yours.
Sources for market figures: Sous, Los Angeles · Care.com, Los Angeles · Take a Chef, Los Angeles · Gradito. See also our Los Angeles personal chef service.
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Answer a few quick questions and see your recommended plan with weekly pricing before you book a call.
Luxury In-Home Chef Services
Serving: Los Angeles, Orange County, Manhattan, New Jersey
(424) 247‑5809
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