How to write a private chef proposal clients say yes to

A good proposal makes it easy to say yes. It shows the client the experience and one clear price, not your spreadsheet.

What to include

1. Event details: date, location, number of guests, service style.
2. The menu: dish names with a one-line description. Note which dishes are for which guests when diets differ (for example vegan guests).
3. What’s included: menu planning, shopping, cooking on site, service, clean-up.
4. One clear price: a total, and per person if it helps the client compare.
5. Payment terms: deposit to book, when the balance is due, cancellation and guest-count changes.
6. How long the quote is valid: for example 14 days, because grocery prices move.

What to leave out

Your food cost, hourly rate and profit margin. A line-by-line cost sheet invites the client to negotiate each line. For meal prep the exception is groceries: billed at cost, they can be shown as their own line.

Send it fast

The first chef to send a clear, professional proposal often wins the job. Build the menu, cost and price once, then reuse it for similar inquiries.