Earnings and rates
How much you could earn, and how to set your rates.
Experience & qualifications with Cheffo
What you need and don't need to cook on Cheffo.
- Set your own rate
- Choose your hours
- Keep what you earn
- Self-employed
If you've searched for "private chef salary," you've probably seen numbers all over the place — £20,000 to £70,000 depending on who you ask. The reality is more nuanced.
On Cheffo, you're not on a salary. You're a personal cook — whether you've got restaurant experience, a nutrition qualification, or you're just brilliant in the kitchen — and you set your own hourly rate, typically between £15 and £40 an hour. What you actually take home depends on your hours, your rates, and your clients.
Here's what that looks like in practice:
| Scenario | Hours/week | Typical hourly rate | Monthly earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side income | 5–10 hrs | £15–25 | £300–1,000 |
| Part-time | 10–20 hrs | £20–35 | £800–2,800 |
| Full-time equivalent | 25–35 hrs | £25–40 | £2,500–5,600 |
How fast you build depends on your area, your specialism, and how many hours you want. Some cooks are fully booked within weeks. Others start with a few regular clients and grow from there. Either way, you're in control.
Calculate what you could earn
Everyone's situation is different. Use the calculator to model yours — adjust the sliders and see what the numbers look like for you.
Set your goals
What is your hourly rate for cooking?
How many hours do you want to work per week?
How many weeks do you plan to work per year?
Your estimated earnings
- Weekly earnings
- £400
- Monthly earnings
- £1,600
- Annual earnings
- £19,200
Ready to start earning?
How to get started
Getting on Cheffo is straightforward. Four steps, and you're earning.
Step 1: Download the Cheffo app
Available on iOS and Android. Free to download.
Step 2: Set your rates, services, and availability
You choose what you charge, what you offer — in-home cooking, meal prep, delivery — and when you're available.
Step 3: Apply and get verified
Complete your profile, pass a background check, and go through a short review process.
Step 4: Start accepting bookings
Clients find you, you accept bookings, you cook, you earn.
Want the full picture? See how Cheffo works
Download the Cheffo App
Free to join. No lock-in. Set your own rates from day one.
Cheffo vs alternatives
The same week of cooking, three different ways to sell it.
| Factor | Restaurant work | Agency / private chef | Cheffo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical rate | £12–£15 / hour | £16–£20 / hour, minus the cut | £20–£30 / hour, your rate |
| Who sets it | The employer | The agency | You do |
| Fees | None, but fixed pay | 15–25% commission | No commission |
| Hours | Split shifts, late nights | Whatever is offered | The hours you choose |
| Ceiling | Capped by the rota | Capped by placements | Capped by your availability |
| Getting started | Apply and interview | Register and wait | Download the app |
Rates reflect what cooks in the UK report charging. Agency figures are before commission.
Thinking about leaving restaurant work?
Cooks like you, earning on their terms
These are the kinds of stories we see on Cheffo. Different people, different goals, different timelines — but all earning on their own terms.
Sarah
The side-income cook
A teaching assistant who cooks for two families on weekends. She charges £20/hr and works 8 hours a week.
8 hrs/week£20/hr£640/month
Holiday fund
Examples of the kinds of cooks who join Cheffo
James
The fast starter
Left restaurant work and had 6 regular clients within his first month. Already earning more than his sous chef salary — with Sundays off.
25 hrs/week£30/hr£3,000/month
Full-time equivalent
Examples of the kinds of cooks who join Cheffo
Priya
The specialist
Priya has a nutrition qualification and focuses on diabetic meal prep. Had a waiting list within three weeks of joining.
20 hrs/week£38/hr£3,040/month
More than her NHS salary
Examples of the kinds of cooks who join Cheffo
James and Priya's stories show fast trajectories — because fast trajectories are real. Sarah's shows a smaller, intentional commitment. The timeline depends on what you want, not on arbitrary platform delays.
How to set your rates
One of the first questions cooks ask is "what should I charge?" On Cheffo, you set your own rates — there's no platform-imposed pricing. That's liberating, but it also means the decision is yours. There's no single right answer. But here's what to think about.
What affects what you can charge
Your rate will depend on a few things: your experience and background, your location (London rates tend to be higher, but so is competition), any specialisms you have (dietary expertise, medical nutrition, specific cuisines), the type of service you offer (in-home cooking, meal prep and delivery, pickup), and your availability (evening and weekend slots often command a premium). If you specialise in areas like elderly care or dietary and medical nutrition, you'll typically be able to charge more — these are high-value skills that clients actively seek out.
How to price yourself as a new cook
If you're just starting and don't have reviews yet, consider starting slightly below where you think your rate should be. This isn't underselling yourself — it's building momentum. Your first 10 reviews are the hardest. After that, bookings come to you, and you can raise your rates with confidence.
When to raise your rates
A few signs you might be undercharging: you're fully booked two or more weeks out, you never get any pushback on your pricing, and every booking request comes through instantly. If that's happening, it's time to nudge your rate up. You can always adjust — nothing is locked in.
Need help finding and keeping clients?
Frequently asked questions
Cheffo is a platform that connects cooks with local families who want home-cooked food — in their kitchen or delivered.
Joining is free. There are no listing fees and no commission on what you charge.
You set up a profile with your rates, services and availability; families nearby find you and book you through the app.
No. You cook when you want, with no ongoing commitment.
Cheffo is live across the UK, and you choose how far you're willing to travel.
Looking to book rather than cook? Download the Cheffo app and browse cooks near you.
Still deciding? Here's what you should know
Flexible hours
Cook part-time, full-time, or as a side hustle. Your call.
Career change
Already good at cooking? Here's how to make it your work.