How to Start a Personal Chef Business
Setting up as a personal chef, from health department questions to the first dinner or meal-prep week a client pays for.
A personal chef business depends on clearing food-safety and permit questions with the health department, registering, getting a tax ID and insurance, and billing the first booking correctly. For grocery costs, dinner-party deposits and payment, read the personal chef invoicing guide linked below.
Ask your county or city health department what applies to cooking in clients' homes, and whether you need a food handler card or a permit, before the first booking.
On background, the BLS chefs and head cooks profile (In the US, last modified August 27, 2026) says "To enter the occupation, chefs and head cooks typically need a high school diploma plus experience." On setup, the SBA's launch guide (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "Register your business to make it a distinct legal entity."
Worked example, with sample figures: a dinner party for 8 guests is billed at $45.00 a guest, 8 × $45.00 = $360.00, plus groceries at cost of $210.00, for $360.00 + $210.00 = $570.00. Use your own figures; these are only an illustration.
Step-by-step startup guide
Follow these steps to launch your personal chef business on solid footing.
- 1
Ask the health department first
Contact your county or city health department about food-safety training, a food handler card and any permit for cooking in clients' homes.
- 2
Plan your services
Decide whether you'll offer weekly meal prep, dinner parties or both, and what each booking includes, so menus and pricing follow from that.
- 3
Register the business
The SBA's launch guide (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) says "The licenses and permits you need from the state, county, or city will depend on your business activities and business location."
- 4
Get an EIN
The IRS EIN page (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) says "Use this tool to get an EIN directly from the IRS in minutes for free."
- 5
Insure your work in clients' kitchens
The SBA's launch guide (In the US, SBA, checked October 31, 2026) describes general liability insurance as coverage that "protects against financial loss as the result of bodily injury, property damage, medical expenses, libel, slander, defending lawsuits, and settlement bonds or judgments."
- 6
Cook and bill the first booking
Confirm the menu and date, cook, and send the invoice with groceries listed apart from your fee. The personal chef invoicing guide covers deposits and payment.
Tips for starting your personal chef business
- Keep every grocery receipt by client. The IRS recordkeeping page (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated May 1, 2026) says "You may choose any recordkeeping system suited to your business that clearly shows your income and expenses."
- Plan for self-employment tax. The IRS self-employment tax page (In the US, IRS, last reviewed or updated October 30, 2026) says "The self-employment tax rate is 15.3%."
- Ask clients about allergies in writing before you plan a menu.
- Recheck health department rules if you start cooking somewhere other than clients' homes.
How Billed helps you get started
Features to look at as you set up your business.
Save Products & Services
Billed's features page says: "Save products and services in Billed App and pull these products quickly in your invoices."
Expense By Category
Billed's features page says: "Get expense report by category to help your accountant in filing taxes."
Recurring Invoices
Billed's features page says: "Save time by sending invoices on a regular schedule so you don’t have to create invoices again and again."
Payment Receipts
Billed's features page says: "Send payment receipts to your clients after they have paid for your invoices."
Frequently asked questions
More Startup Guides
Bill Your First Chef Booking
Create invoices, track payments and keep your clients' details in one place with Billed.
At a glance
| Step | Who to ask | Dated source |
|---|---|---|
| Food safety and permits | County or city health department | Your health department |
| Registration | State business filing office | SBA launch guide (In the US, checked October 31, 2026) |
| Tax ID | IRS EIN application | IRS (In the US, last reviewed or updated October 16, 2026) |
| Insurance | A licensed agent | SBA launch guide (In the US, checked October 31, 2026) |
| First booking | Menu, cooking, invoice | Personal chef invoicing guide |
When this isn't for you
For chefs cooking for private clients. Opening a restaurant or a commercial catering kitchen is outside this page; ask your health department about those.