A full-time private chef is a wonderful luxury — but for most well-known Richmond households, it's also a big commitment in salary, holiday cover, kitchen logistics and visibility. Many of our long-standing clients have settled on a different shape: a trusted neighbourhood kitchen on call, with a single named contact, that turns up only when needed.
What households actually want
After eighteen years on Ham Parade, the pattern is consistent. Households don't need a chef in the building five days a week. They need food they can rely on — Tuesday family supper, Friday-night kitchen-table dinner with friends, a quiet birthday for ten, the occasional bigger gathering, and a warm meal ready the night they fly back in.
Where we fit
- One named catering contact who knows the household's preferences
- Repeatable menus with the same dishes, same way, every time
- Discreet delivery, unbranded vehicles on request
- NDAs available before any details are exchanged
- Allergen-aware, nut-free kitchen and halal-sourced halal meat
How a typical relationship works
Most private clients start with a one-off — a birthday, a weekend in, a family arrival from abroad. From there it usually settles into a rhythm: a standing weekly order, a known set of dishes, and an open line to the catering desk for anything else.
The honest comparison
A private chef gives total flexibility on cuisine. We don't pretend to cover every cuisine in the world — we cover what we're genuinely good at, consistently, for less than the cost of a salaried role. For many households, that's the better trade.
Curious how it could work for your household? Read more about discreet private catering or send a private enquiry.