You want to know the cost of hiring a private chef in Halifax. You’ve probably searched for it online and hit a wall: vague websites, no prices, “contact us for a quote.”
This frustrates me because you deserve clarity before you spend a minute learning more.
Here’s what most people ask: Is it expensive? Will there be hidden fees? What do I actually get for my money? I’m going to answer all of that, with real numbers, in the next few minutes. By the time you finish reading, you’ll know exactly what it costs and whether it makes sense for you.
The Seated Dinner Packages: What You’re Actually Paying For
I offer three seated dinner packages. All prices are per person and include everything: food, labor, cooking, serving, and cleanup. No hourly math. No separate bills. No surprises.
The Classic Dinner is $159 per person. You get three courses with lighter proteins and seasonal produce. This is where most people start because it’s straightforward and delicious.
The Signature Dinner is $199 per person. This is my most popular option. You get three courses with premium proteins, plus a charcuterie board or a spinach and artichoke dip to start. The jump in price is small, but the upgrade in what’s on the plate is noticeable.
The Chef’s Table is $259 per person. This is four courses with a dedicated appetizer course and premium proteins throughout. If you want to make a night really special, this is the tier.
Here’s the catch that matters most: there’s an $800 minimum booking. That’s not me being difficult. It covers my travel, shopping, prep, and the time I spend in your kitchen. For The Classic Dinner, that $800 minimum means you need about four to five guests. For the higher tiers, you hit that minimum with three guests.
All of these prices are before HST. So if you book The Signature Dinner for eight people, that’s $199 x 8 = $1,592, plus 15% HST, which brings you to about $1,831 total.
What does this mean in the real world? Let me put it in context.
If those same eight people went to a nice Halifax restaurant, the entree alone might be $35 to $45 per person. Add a drink, an appetizer, tax, and tip, and you’re easily looking at $70 to $90 per person. That’s $560 to $720 just for the food. Now you’re out of the house. You’re driving. Someone’s tired by the end of the night.
With me, $1,831 gets you a multi-course meal in your own home, with someone handling all the cooking, plating, serving, and cleanup. Your kitchen gets left cleaner than I found it. I take the garbage. Everyone sits down together.
What If Your Group Is Really Small?
Maybe you’re thinking about this for a dinner with just three people. The $800 minimum still applies. So your cost is $800, not The Classic Dinner price times three. That $800 gets you a full seated dinner experience with all three courses.
The math looks rough when you first see it, but remember: I’m shopping, driving, spending two to three hours in your kitchen, and leaving your place spotless. The $800 isn’t just food cost.
If small, intimate dinners are your thing, this might still work beautifully. You’re paying about $267 per person instead of $159, but you’re getting an experience that’s completely private and tailored to you.
Finger Food Events and Hors d’Oeuvres
Not every event needs a seated dinner. Maybe you’re hosting a cocktail party, a before-dinner gathering, or you just want something lighter.
For up to 12 guests, finger food packages start at $1,595 plus HST. That includes chef hours, one staff member, disposables, setup, and cleanup. For up to 24 guests, it’s $2,795 plus HST.
I also offer a la carte options if you want to customize further.
Custom Add-Ons and Upgrades
Beyond the three main dinner tiers, I can add custom dishes to your menu for $75 each. Maybe you want a specific soup, a particular appetizer, or a dessert that’s important to you. That’s how we make it yours.
There are also optional add-ons: disposables (plates, napkins, cutlery) at $3 per person, self-serve beverages at $13 per person, or custom printed menus at $6 per person.
These are things you might already have or want to handle yourself, so they’re genuinely optional.
What About Travel?
I serve all of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and beyond. But if your location is more than an hour from Dartmouth, there’s a $30 per hour travel surcharge each way.
This is fair for everyone. It covers gas and time. And honestly, most of my bookings are within 30 minutes of Dartmouth, so most people don’t hit this charge at all.
The Money-Back Guarantee
I stand behind the work. If you’re not satisfied, you get 100% of your money back. I’ve been doing this since 2017 and I’ve never had to use that guarantee. But it’s there because I believe in what I deliver.
How the Process Actually Works
When you book, you put down a 15% non-refundable deposit to secure your date. The remaining 85% is due the Monday after your event.
You’ll pre-select one dish per course before the date. I handle all the shopping and cooking. If someone has a dietary need, I can offer up to two protein options per course to make sure everyone eats well.
The day of, I show up, cook, serve, clean, and leave. That’s it.
Is It Worth It?
Here’s what I think you should ask yourself: What’s the value of not cooking? What’s the value of your guests sitting together without someone disappearing into the kitchen? What’s the value of waking up the next morning with a clean kitchen and no leftovers to deal with?
If you’re already spending $70 to $90 per person to eat out, a private chef is not actually more expensive. You’re just shifting where that meal happens.
If you’re trying to save money, there are cheaper ways to feed people. Catering, potluck dinners, cooking yourself. Those all work fine.
But if you want the experience of a real dinner, in your home, with real food, without the stress or the cleanup, then this is the cost.
Next Steps
When you’re ready to book or want to talk through what would work for your group, you can reach me at bookings@chefbenkelly.com or (782) 289-0022.
Tell me how many people, what date you’re thinking, and I’ll walk you through the options.