Kelly RainierAfter seeing random videos of personal chefs preparing fancy meals for various households over social media, we decided to ditch the restaurants this year, and just have our own little bubble of fancy—at the comforts of our home.
Tapping the best personal chefs in Vancouver has been one of the best decisions this year. These kitchen pros have helped us track our macros daily and got us healthier meals on a daily.
So if you want your meals to be healthier, or just want to have them plated like you’re in a fine dining restaurant, keep reading this blog! We’ve created a list of the personal chefs that will prepare, cook, clean, and make you change the way you eat.
How much does a personal chef cost in Vancouver?
In Vancouver, the cost for booking a personal chef may range from $128 to $178. For 13 people and above, the cost would be around $128 per person, while a group of 7 to 12 people may be charged $112 each.
1. Chef Kevin from Les Petit Chefs
Consumer Rating: A
| Google review | 5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Menu options | 5/5 |
| Menu for different dietary needs | 5/5 |
| Meals for the calorie-conscious | 5/5 |
| Weekly meal prepping | 4/5 |
| Event experience | 5/5 |
| Punctuality | 4.9/5 |
| Proactive even without reminders | 4.9/5 |
| Sticks to planned schedules | 4.9/5 |
We planned a surprise dinner for our parents’ 50th anniversary, and since it would be more challenging for us to bring them to a fancy restaurant, we just opted to bring the fancy straight to home by hiring Les Petit Chefs.
Since our parents have strict food restrictions, Chef Kevin had to prepare a different menu for them. So don’t worry, this personal chef can accommodate different different dietary needs all at the same time.
We loved how this personal chef even thought about serving appetizers apart from the main course that we discussed. He even presented it like a personalized cocktail hour, so we were already enjoying his work even before the main act officially started.
Another thing that we enjoyed so much was watching him whip up all our meals, which honestly made us hungrier for more. We noticed how he took time to plate all the meals well, he didn’t get pressured from our long stares and endless praises.
Not only that, he will also take the time to explain each dish with you—including where he got the special ingredients from.
We also noticed how well he cleans up after making each dish, so you don’t have to worry about seeing clutter while enjoying your meals. Maybe he’s also just making sure the kitchen counter is picture-perfect all the time.
Meanwhile, you can also tap Les Petit Chefs if you want to introduce your kids to cooking. He even hosts K-12 school programs that promote healthy eating habits to the younger generation.
Thoughtful plating
“We hired Chef Kevin for my birthday. From beginning to end, everything was perfect. From the thoughtful presentation of each dish to his insightful breakdown of everything we were about to enjoy, the service was second to none. His passion is reflected in his attitude, his cuisine, and his attention to detail. I will definitely have him again. I highly recommend his services.”
Alexander L, Google Review
Can host demo and dine experience
“We had an awesome experience with chef Kevin for a demo and dine. It was delicious and we learned many little tricks. Would recommend without hesitation.”
Nathalie Tremblay, Google Review
2. Chef Evan from Vancouver Private Dining
Consumer Rating: A
| Google review | 5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Menu options | 4.9/5 |
| Menu for different dietary needs | 4.9/5 |
| Meals for the calorie-conscious | 4.9/5 |
| Weekly meal prepping | 4/5 |
| Event experience | 5/5 |
| Punctuality | 4.9/5 |
| Proactive even without reminders | 4.9/5 |
| Sticks to planned schedules | 4.9/5 |
We know some of you may be working graveyard shifts, so finding a personal chef that can accommodate dinners at 3 in the morning would be a little challenging. Well, that was the case before we found Vancouver Private Dining.
You can expect Chef Evan to arrive two hours before your mealtime, so make the necessary arrangements especially if you’re not home the entire day.
They’re also not in a hurry to leave your place after cooking. Even better, they will wait for you to finish your meals before cleaning up your kitchen.
However, they don’t provide dishes and cutleries, so if you’re hosting an event at home, you should be ready to bring out those plates stuck in the storage room. But if your plates are limited, just inform them so you can take advantage of their partners list.
When it comes to food, we love that they offer a seasonal menu so you won’t get tired of having the same dishes over and over again. And if you can’t find your favorites, you can just request a customized menu for you.
What’s also great about this company is that they’ve partnered up local fishermen and farmers, ensuring that all ingredients are locally sourced. It also helps them tap the health-conscious clients who are very mindful of what they consume.
Great communication skills
“Evan and his team were great for our family dinner event. The food was excellent as was their service and communication. I encourage anyone needing a caterer for their event to use Vancouver Private Dining, they will not disappoint. They more than met our expectations. Thank you Evan!”
Trish Iwasa, Google Review
Accommodates last-minute changes on the menu
“We had a great experience with Evan and his team from start to finish. Evan was great communicating with before the event to create a plan. Closer to the event our plans changed a bit and there was no problem changing the dinner details. Mathew and Brockton showed up on the night of the event very well prepared. They were a pleasure to have at the party and the food was presented well and tasted great. They left the kitchen sparkling clean which made the evening cleanup easy. Regarding the price, I did feel it was on the higher end as we did a similar event last year and the cost was higher, but could be due to inflation as the provider we used last year wasn’t available so could compare prices.”
Eric Hung, Google Review
3. Chef Shahni from Supper Club YVR
Consumer Rating: A
| Google review | 5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B+
| Menu options | 4.9/5 |
| Menu for different dietary needs | 4.9/5 |
| Meals for the calorie-conscious | 4.9/5 |
| Weekly meal prepping | 4/5 |
| Event experience | 5/5 |
| Punctuality | 4.5/5 |
| Proactive even without reminders | 4.5/5 |
| Sticks to planned schedules | 4.5/5 |
For the indecisive ones out there, you’ll probably rejoice when we say we’ve found the best personal chef that can handle last-minute adjustments with grace, and we’re not gatekeeping them! Now, here’s your sign to call Supper Club YVR.
We’re well aware that some guests might confirm their attendance even on the day of the event, so even if you request for a few dietary restrictions on the same day, you can trust Shahni to accommodate that.
Shahni has been known to provide unusual dishes using fresh ingredients. So you can expect to taste something you’ve never tried from other restaurants or caterers.
One of our most favorite dishes served on a weekend was the gluten-free pasta and orange salad. You can also try requesting their deconstructed pavlova for dessert!
Moreover, you can enjoy their wide selection of cocktails too. So if you’re celebrating something, you don’t even have to worry about what drinks to serve!
Aside from being a personal chef or hosting private events, they also cover the big ones such as corporate events and even weddings. In fact, they’ve known for their wide connections with the trusted vendors.
Additionally, you don’t have to worry about arranging meetings for them as this company is proactive enough to coordinate with the vendors during planning. They even do site visits just to be ready with their game plan.
4. Chef Tushar from Tushar Tondvalkar
Consumer Rating: B+
| Google review | 4.8/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Menu options | 4/5 |
| Menu for different dietary needs | 4/5 |
| Meals for the calorie-conscious | 4/5 |
| Weekly meal prepping | 4/5 |
| Event experience | 4.5/5 |
| Punctuality | 4.2/5 |
| Proactive even without reminders | 4.2/5 |
| Sticks to planned schedules | 4.2/5 |
Now, if you’re looking for a personal chef who can create a regional menu just for you then Chef Tushar from Tushar Tondvalkar is someone you want to invite over to whip up dishes in your kitchen.
Since we wanted someone that could also tell stories about the ingredients and the food, we decided to tap him during one of our special dinners. The best part is that he was willing to collaborate with us when we were planning our menu.
We loved that he didn’t follow a standard menu. Instead, he asked us about our food preferences, including the childhood dishes that we’ve been missing.
You can also expect him to adjust the spice levels, so if you’re not fond of very spicy food, don’t worry as you can still join the delicious dinner!
We were also surprised when the personal chef told us that he also collaborates with local foraging expert, Chef Robin Kort. And true enough, we were able to taste a few ingredients we haven’t tasted before, like the freshly foraged mushrooms.
You can also expect him to walk you through the venue, so there will be no boring printed out course guides. Of course, you can still have that, but you’d rather listen to his engaging stories as you enjoy eating the regional dishes served to you.
Unique dishes
“Amazing and unique dishes by chef tushar . He did a fabulous job and is very professional in his approach. Loved the services , kudos to you !!!”
Neha K, Google Review
Very accommodating team
“The food was amazing! And Tushar was so easy and accommodating to work with! We did a family style, where he brought a big generous helping of espresso braised short ribs, chicken confit, delicious sides, a great dessert and a cheese and meat tray. It was so good and it took all the stress out of cooking! Highly recommend!”
Jill Cordes, Google Review
5. Chef Jesse from Ronin Chefs
Consumer Rating: A
| Google review | 5/5 |
| Total reviews score | 5/5 |
| Score consistency | 5/5 |
Our Rating: B
| Menu options | 4/5 |
| Menu for different dietary needs | 4/5 |
| Meals for the calorie-conscious | 4/5 |
| Weekly meal prepping | 4/5 |
| Event experience | 4/5 |
| Punctuality | 4.5/5 |
| Proactive even without reminders | 4.5/5 |
| Sticks to planned schedules | 4.5/5 |
For our recent cozy dinner at home, we decided to book Ronin Chefs. And if you love seeing a plate full of generous servings, this personal chef could be your new favorite!
Yes, Chef Jesse is known for cooking big portions, enough for you to have extras for the next day. In fact, our guests were able to take some food home—they were too happy that we hosted the following dinner again.
Here, you can enjoy a good mix of Asian and Pacific Northwest flavors. So don’t be surprised if you eat miso-marinated roasted chicken for dinner.
Meanwhile, if you’re thinking about dessert, you’ll love that you can have them here too. They have a resident baker who can whip up great baked goodies, so you can really entrust your entire menu here at Ronin Chefs.
However, some ingredients, especially the fruits, may be seasonal. So manage your expectations, especially if you have your favorite sweet goods.
They’re also great for families with little kids. And if your little ones are picky, Chef Jesse will be happy to adjust the entire menu—including the presentation!
We actually requested for simple dishes, but we were surprised that this personal chef still made the dishes look exciting for the kids.
Another thing that we liked about this personal chef is that he really takes time in plating the dishes well. We even found most of them very colorful, so if you’re not a fan of very stiff and formal platings, then you’ll probably love him, just like us!
Big servings
“I hired Jesse to cater a private dinner for my 30th Birthday and it was such a great experience! Jesse took the time to create a custom menu that fits all my guests dietary preference. Every dish was beautifully presented and my guest even had leftovers to take home! I would highly recommend booking Jesse and his team if you want to take the stress out of party planning.”
Ee Anne Lee, Google Review
Leaves the kitchen spotless
“Chef Jesse and Sarah cooked a phenomenal 6 course meal for our wedding and Sarah baked the cake. The food was phenomenal, all of our guests are still raving about it. Jesse is extremely professional and brings a ton of passion to his work. Him and Sarah were extremely efficient, everything was ready on time and the kitchen was spotless when they left. If we could give them more stars, we would!!!”
Pat Colvey, Google Review
