How to vet a private chef

Start with the business

Ask for the legal business name, then look it up in the state business registry. A registered business is not a guarantee of quality, but it tells you who you are contracting with.

Miami-Dade County says anyone providing merchandise, entertainment or service to the public, even through a one-person or home-based business, must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt, and businesses in a city must also get that city’s receipt.Source: secure.miamidade.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Food-safety training

NYC: anyone charged with managing or supervising a food service establishment must hold a Food Protection Certificate issued after a city course and exam, and must be on the premises during all hours of operation.Source: nyc.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Florida: every DBPR-licensed food service establishment must have at least one certified food manager, and one must be present when four or more employees are preparing, storing or serving food.Source: myfloridalicense.custhelp.com, checked Oct 24, 2026

Florida: other food workers in licensed establishments must complete food service employee training, which does not require a written exam.Source: myfloridalicense.custhelp.com, checked Oct 24, 2026

Hamptons (Suffolk County): a person-in-charge with a valid Food Manager’s certificate must be on a food establishment’s premises during all hours of operation.Source: suffolkcountyny.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Florida’s hotel and restaurant division says in-home personal chefs fall outside its regulation, and NYC has not published a rule for chefs who cook only in a client’s home. Either way, it is reasonable to ask a chef whether they hold one of these certificates.

If food is cooked elsewhere and delivered

Florida: preparing food outside the home where it is eaten, or delivering prepared food, requires a catering license, and catering food operations cannot be run from a private residence.Source: myfloridalicense.custhelp.com, checked Oct 24, 2026

NYC: a food service establishment cannot be located in a private home or apartment.Source: nyc.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Hamptons (Suffolk County): the county’s permit application lists separate permits for an In Home Caterer (Contract Chef) and an Off Premises Caterer.Source: suffolkcountyny.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Ask which kitchen the food comes from, and look up that kitchen with the links below.

Sales tax registration

New York says every person who sells taxable property or services, even from home or only once a year, must register with the Tax Department before beginning business.Source: tax.ny.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

New York City’s permit page lists proof of a Certificate of Authority to collect sales tax among the requirements for a food service establishment permit.Source: nyc-business.nyc.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Official lookups

• New York State business entity database (Department of State)(dos.ny.gov)
• NYC restaurant inspection results (Health Department)(a816-health.nyc.gov)
• NYC Food Protection Certificate (NYC Business)(nyc-business.nyc.gov)
• Florida business search, Sunbiz (Department of State)(dos.fl.gov)
• Florida DBPR license search (food service and catering licenses)(myfloridalicense.com)
• Miami-Dade Local Business Tax Receipt FAQ(secure.miamidade.gov)
• Suffolk County Food Protection (Hamptons permits)(suffolkcountyny.gov)

What we don’t do

This site does not rate or review chefs, and we never publish testimonials we cannot verify. Use the official lookups above and ask for references directly.