Personal chef usually describes recurring meal preparation for later use. Private chef event service is planned for a specific date and group, with cooking, plating and service at the property.
Justin Jennings offers private chef service for events in Lisbon and other approved service areas. He does not advertise weekly meal preparation, batch cooking or full-time household chef employment.
This distinction matters because the public inclusions and €85 per person starting price on this website apply only to single-event private chef service.
What Personal Chef Usually Means
The phrase personal chef is commonly used for a chef who prepares food for an individual or household on a recurring basis. The exact service varies by provider. It may involve planning several meals, cooking them in one visit, portioning them and leaving food for later use.
This page does not publish market prices or claim that every personal chef works in the same way. If recurring food preparation is what you need, confirm the provider's visit frequency, menu process, storage arrangements, dietary assessment and scope directly with that provider.
What Justin's Private Chef Event Service Includes
Single-event private chef service includes custom menu design, ingredients, cooking at the client's location, plating and service, and cleanup. High-quality ingredients are freshly sourced according to each agreed menu.
- Menu planning around the event brief, preferences and dietary requirements
- Ingredients included in the single-event quote
- Cooking at the client's property
- Plating and service in the agreed format
- Cleanup of the working kitchen area
The menu may be plated, family-style, buffet-based or a sequence of tasting courses. These are planning formats, not fixed packages. The private chef menu styles guide compares the practical options.
Personal Chef and Private Chef Compared
| Feature | Personal Chef | Private Chef |
|---|---|---|
| Service Type | Meal prep | Live cooking |
| Frequency | Usually recurring | A specific event date |
| Timing | Cook now, eat later | Cook and serve immediately |
| Guests Present | Service varies by provider | Guests attend the event |
| Typical Cost | Confirm directly with the provider. Justin does not advertise recurring meal preparation. | Single-event service starts from €85 per person. The final price is a custom quote. |
| Best For | Daily meals | Special occasions |
Which Service Fits Your Plans?
Choose recurring personal chef or meal-preparation service if you want food prepared regularly and stored for later. Choose private chef event service if guests will attend on a defined date and you want an agreed menu cooked, plated and served at the property.
If you want a chef employed to manage frequent household meals, that is a separate household employment arrangement. It is not the service advertised here.
Terminology varies, so describe the outcome you want. State whether food is for later or for a live event, whether service is needed, how many people are involved and how often you need the chef.
Private Chef Events in Lisbon, Cascais, Sintra
Dinner parties • Celebrations • Corporate events • Villa catering
Guest Count and Event Fit
As a general rule, events are for 8 or more guests. Smaller groups may be possible; a minimum booking value may apply. Justin specialises in private events for 8 to 100 guests, with larger groups also welcome. Larger events are scoped individually so the menu, staffing, equipment and service style can be planned together.
The service can suit private dinners, celebrations, corporate meals, weddings and villa gatherings when the event brief and property are suitable.
Kitchen and Property Requirements
The property should provide a working oven, working hob, pots and pans, and a sink with hot and cold running water. For a BBQ event, the client also provides the BBQ.
Justin brings his own knives, specialist chef equipment and cold-box storage for short single events. Plates, cutlery and glassware are discussed during consultation. Missing cooking equipment and table settings can be hired and included in the quote when organised during consultation.
See what the chef brings and what the property needs for a complete checklist.
Dietary Requirements
Dietary requirements are assessed during menu planning. Justin has extensive experience in allergy and cross-contamination avoidance. He discusses allergies and preferences directly with the client and caters accordingly. An allergen-free environment is not promised.
Share all known dietary requirements in the first enquiry. The dietary requirements guide explains what information helps.
Private Event Pricing and Travel
Single-event private chef service starts from €85 per person. The starting price applies on every day of the week, including weekends and holidays, and in every season. The final custom quote can reflect the event brief, date, season and current demand.
There is no travel charge in Lisbon or Cascais. A custom travel charge may apply in other approved locations and is confirmed in the quote. The private chef cost guide explains the complete service and quote factors.
How to Request a Private Event Quote
Send the date, property location, guest count, occasion, preferred service style, dietary requirements and any known kitchen limitations. Availability confirmation, custom menu and quote are provided within 24 hours, often sooner.
Book as early as possible. At least four weeks is recommended for normal dates and eight weeks for peak dates and seasons. The shortest accepted notice is seven days, subject to availability.
If you are comparing a restaurant private room with hosting at your property, read the private dining Lisbon comparison. For the complete in-property process, use the chef at home Lisbon guide.