Now that you know how to start the inquiry process to book a private chef or cook, let’s talk about pricing.

Unlike most of the Caribbean and Latin America, renting a chef on Grand Cayman can be expensive. Don’t expect to easily hire a chef to prepare 3 meals a day the entire week you and your family of 5 or more are on-island on the cheap. Grand Cayman enjoys a high standard of living where local chefs are in high demand and gainfully employed.

Don’t get us wrong, we know some chefs that will cater to such requests, however, it usually carries a hefty price tag.

Pricing also depends on the type of in-villa dining experience you want (e.g. brunch, lunch, dinner, cookout, etc.), the selected menu, and, of course, the number of guests in your group.

Should I Hire a Chef or Cook?

Deciding between a chef or cook really depends on your personal preferences and the type of dining experience you want.

For a night of gourmet dining, you will want to hire a private chef. Chefs are classically trained, bring years of experience working at top restaurants or resorts, and are well versed in a variety of cooking techniques and cuisine.

For a more casual, family-style meal you will want a private cook. Cooks are typically more affordable than chefs and specialize in locally inspired comfort foods served on large sharable plates.

Both can prepare an equally yummy dinner from start to finish for your family or group. The biggest difference is in pricing.

Budgeting for a Chef or Cook

As a general rule of thumb, for a party of 12, we tell guests to budget roughly $150 – $175 per person for a private chef including gratuity.

For a private cook, it’s best to budget $100 per person for a group of 12 including gratuity.

Everything is inclusive and planned in advance via 1-on-1 consultations over email and phone. All you have to do is sit back, relax and leave it to the pros. Let the chefs and cooks do all the shopping, prep your meal fresh right in your villa, set the table for dinner service, and leave the kitchen sparkling clean.

Next up, we’ll discuss insider planning tips to ensure your in-villa dining experience goes off without a hitch.

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