Elevate your entertaining with an added hint of opulence

For most of us, as we head into the autumn winter months, our appetite for attending, or indeed hosting, gatherings and parties seemingly increases. With Christmas at the forefront and New Year on the horizon, it’s the season for entertaining.

As the host of any gathering of family and friends, the organisation, coordination and catering of these events can often curtail our own enjoyment. In a post covid era where memories are as valuable as materials, a new symbol of luxury at those special occasions has come to the table… the private chef.

Over the last year the popularity of private chefs has risen exponentially. Set against the backdrop of a growing shift in culinary culture that has seen most of us become more health conscious, social media has seemingly sparked this surge. Cooking recipes are among the most popular influencer created social media content, #personalchef videos have been trending on TikTok, and celebrities’ chefs are fast becoming celebrity chefs.

In today’s fast-paced world, for busy professionals, families or anyone juggling a demanding schedule, finding the time to plan and prepare a special occasion can seem impossible. A common misconception about private chefs is their exclusivity to athletes and celebrities, however you can elevate

your occasion to the upper echelons without great expense. A private chef offers more than just a meal. Whether it’s for intimate dinner parties or lavish events, private chefs bring the fine dining experience into your home, transforming ordinary meals into extraordinary moments. Their presence will add a hint of opulence to your entertaining ambiance, saving you time, taking the stress out of hosting and allowing you to enjoy the festivities on the day. To find out more about hiring a private chef, we spoke with Scott Ludlow, founder of Private Chef Direct. Scott and his team have catered for many clients, including celebrities and sports stars, in Surrey, London and surrounding areas.

Tell us a little bit more about yourself and Private Chef Direct…

My name is Scott Ludlow, the founder and chef of Private Chef Direct. I’ve always loved food and have been cooking in commercial kitchens since I was 15. It has taken me around the world, working and living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Japan, USA, France, China and Qatar. I had two very successful restaurants which I later sold before I had the idea for Private Chef Direct around 10 years ago. I tried it out slowly and the business model worked. Then, during covid I invested heavily in the business and haven’t looked back. We now employ 20 staff which have all been handpicked by me.

Have you noticed an increase in demand for private chefs?

Absolutely. Since starting Private Chef Direct 10 years ago it hasn’t stopped and interest has grown each year.

Why should someone hire a private chef?

Why wouldn’t you, that’s the question. We remove the stress from hosting your event. We arrive around 2 hours before your dining time with everything taken care of, from ingredients to equipment. We serve delicious food and leave as though we were never there.

Do you bring all of your equipment? What do you need in the house?

All we need from the client’s house is an oven, hob and a work surface. That’s it. We are a one stop shop. We bring all the cutlery, crookery, glassware, chef equipment, cleaning products, ingredients and front of house to serve.

Do you have a set menu, or can clients choose their cuisine?

That’s the best thing about hiring us, we cater for you… whatever your favourite dish is, we’ll make it. I’ve worked across the world and there isn’t much I can’t do, and I love a challenge. If you’re not sure or would like suggestions, we can do that too… For instance, one client had a poker and casino night at their home, so I decided to make an entirely edible roulette table of canapés.

How much does it cost to hire a private chef?

As the event, number of guests and dining requirements can vary significantly, everything is bespoke for each client… including the price. I’ll ask you a few questions about your event and provide a bespoke menu with a set price, there’s no hidden costs.

Do you cover Surrey and south west London?

We have a lot of clients in Surrey and south west London, and regularly cater for clients in St. Georges Hill, Cobham, Oxshott, Wisley and Hersham. We cater for everyone, from private families to high profile clients including; Sam Faiers, Billie Faiers, Leigh-Ann from Little Mix, Kimberley Walsh, Cheryl Cole, Denise Van-Outen, Daniel Ricciardo, Sebastian Vettel, Ferne Mccann and Rachel Stevens to name a few.

For more information about Private Chef Direct, visit www.privatechefdirect.com or follow @privatechefdirect on Instagram.