Personal Chefs

Although the personal chef industry initially experienced strong growth (the national publications Entrepreneur, Time, US News & World Report, and others once listed personal chef services as one of the hottest new businesses), the profession has since experienced a slowdown. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, employment of private household cooks and chefs, including personal chefs, is expected to be as fast as the average for all occupations through 2028. The growing popularity and convenience of prepared meals-to-go available in grocery stores and specialty food stores has contributed to the decline.

Though employment opportunities are slowing, jobs will continue to be available. The basics of the job will likely remain the same in future years, but it is subject to some trends. Culinary institutes now recognize the career, and some schools are beginning to include personal chef courses as part of their curriculums, making career training more important. Personal chefs also will need to keep up with diet fads and new health concerns, as well as trends in gourmet cooking. As the career gains prominence, states may regulate it more rigorously, requiring certain health inspections and permits. Some states may also begin to require special food safety and sanitation training.