What’s included when you hire a private chef

Groceries

Some chefs quote a price that includes groceries; others charge for their time and bill groceries at cost or ask you to buy them. Get this in writing, because it can change the total a lot.

If you buy the groceries yourself, ask the chef whether and how they charge sales tax on their service.

New York’s tax department says the sale of food and beverages prepared or served by caterers is taxable, and that expenses a caterer includes in the overall charge are also taxable.Source: tax.ny.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Cleanup

Ask whether the chef washes dishes, wipes down the kitchen and takes out trash, and whether serving staff are part of the price. For a weekly meal-prep service, ask whether containers are reusable and who returns them.

Allergies and dietary needs

Tell the chef about every allergy in writing before they plan the menu, and ask how they prevent cross-contact in the kitchen. A good chef will ask you detailed follow-up questions rather than just checking a box.

New York City requires food service establishments to have a supervisor with a Food Protection Certificate on site; the city’s Food Protection Course is fifteen hours over five days and ends with a final exam.Source: nyc.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

In Florida, managers responsible for food in DBPR-licensed food service establishments must pass a Certified Food Manager exam.Source: myfloridalicense.custhelp.com, checked Oct 24, 2026

A Florida food manager certification is valid for five years.Source: myfloridalicense.custhelp.com, checked Oct 24, 2026

Rentals, staff, tax and tips

For events, ask for a line-by-line quote: chef fee, groceries, staff, rentals, tax and any service charge. Ask whether a listed service charge goes to the staff.

In New York, a caterer’s service charge that is not specifically listed as a gratuity is always subject to sales tax; a voluntary tip left for the wait staff is not taxable.Source: tax.ny.gov, checked Oct 24, 2026

Florida’s sales tax rule for prepared food lists caterers among the businesses it covers, and says that for catered meals the caterer’s premises is the place where the meals are served.Source: flrules.org, checked Oct 24, 2026

What NetChefs includes

NetChefs (our own service)For events, NetChefs says its team handles chef selection, menu design, sourcing, setup, service and cleanup.Source: netchefs.net, checked Oct 24, 2026

NetChefs (our own service)For NetChefs Daily, every plan lists a new menu every week chosen by your chef, groceries and sourcing included, one drop a week cooked in a local kitchen, and a direct line to your chef.Source: netchefs.net, checked Oct 24, 2026