Private Chef in Ames
Rent one of our 14 private chefs for a unique dining experience. You choose the menu, and the cleanup is included.





















A personal chef for any occasion in Ames
Since the first private chef joined Take a Chef in Ames in December 2017, more than 14 Private Chefs have joined our platform in Ames and offered their services as private chefs anywhere in Story County.
Starting in 2017, 4,359 guests have already enjoyed a chef in Ames. To book your chef in Ames, just share your event details in our form. Receive proposals from top chefs and chat with them until you find your match.
Up until today, our chefs have shared 207 customized menu proposals, sending a total of 489 messages to their guests, who rated their experience with an average score of 4.8 out of 5.
Since the first dinner provided by Take a Chef, 4,359 guests have enjoyed unique experiences with no hassle. Our guests in Ames usually book menus around 179.6 USD per person, including 3.05 courses, sharing an average of 5.8 messages with their chefs. If you've never had a chef at home but want to add an extra spice to your next celebration, just rent a chef in Ames.












How it works
Personalize your request
Share with us the details of your dream meal, including type of cuisine, preferences, and intolerances.
Receive menu proposals
Our chefs will design menus based solely on your wants and needs.
Get chatty with your chefs
Don't be shy about exchanging some messages with your chefs until your perfect menu is ready!
Book your experience
Once you are happy with your choice, submit your payment to secure your experience.
Enjoy!
All there is left to do is count down the days till your culinary experience begins!
Find your chef
Customize your request and start talking with your chefs.
14 Private Chefs in Ames
Get to know more about our top rated Private Chefs in Ames












More than 4,300 guests have already enjoyed the experience
4.67 Chef
The guests in Ames have scored the experience with their Private Chef with a 4.67.
4.67 Food quality
The quality of the menus cooked by our Private Chefs in Ames received an average score of 4.67.
4.67 Presentation
Not only taste counts! The presentation of our private chefs' dishes has received a 4.67 average score.
5 Cleaningness
The cleanup of the kitchen and dining area in Ames has been scored with a 5 on average.
View full review
View full review
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207 menus personalized by our Private Chefs in Ames
Every occasion is unique - make sure you have the right chef and menu for it!








Pecorino arancini with sauce merguez and roasted delicata squash
Summer ratatouille niçoise with sauce tomate and basil oil (vegetarian)
Sweet corn ravioli with garden peas, brown butter and corn silk broth (vegetarian)
Roasted beets & tomato salad with cashew butter, sheep’s milk cheese and gooseberry agrodulce
Handmade pasta in lobster mushroom and farm fresh vegetable with parmesan tuile (vegetarian)
Ossobuco alla milanese with golden arborio rice and braised carrots
Spaghetti ai uni with snow crab and basil
Roasted eggplant tortellini in grilled tomato brodo with chermoula and fried garlic (vegetarian)
Chicken saltimbocca with prosciutto, sage and golden raisins
Bistecca alla fiorentina – char grilled steak with broccolini and chimichurri
Moussaka à la eggplant parmigiana with béchamel sauce (vegetarian)
Grilled bronzino with charred lemon and puttanesca over garlic pilaf
Mocha tiramisu with cookie crunch and coffee ice cream
Lemon poppy seed zeppole donuts with creme fraiche glaze and marionberry ice cream
Basil cake tiramisu with strawberry sorbet
Ricotta cheesecake with rhubarb jam and roasted strawberry gelato
Shrimp gyoza with shisho aioli
Sea scallops, citrus aioli, crushed wasabi peas and tomatoes
Steak tartare with bonito flakes (surf and turf)
Japanese potato creamy lobster soup served with sourdough and furikake butter
Seafood croquette with tobiko and yuzu aioli
Pineapple tuna ceviche with avocado and tostada with salsa macha
Eel taco with pico de gallo and pickled onions
Grilled octopus with squid ink aioli topped with a ginger garlic chimichurri
Beef dumplings with truffle aioli and a ponzu chili sauce
Mixed greens, cucumber, cherry tomato, beets, honey lemon dressing and asian pear
Persimmons, orange supreme, plum topped with a shisho honey dressing
Snow peas, carrots, pickled beets, peaches with sesame miso dressing
Tomato and daikon radish salad topped with nori and soy vinaigrette
Arugula and endive salad with radishes and blood orange drizzled with a rice syrup spicy dressing
Chefs special
Creamy truffled udon with seared scallops
Grilled ny strip steak with miso butter served with green beans and japanese sweet potato
Salmon poke bowl topped with assortment of toppings and salmon roe
Eel maki sushi roll with avocado, scallions, oyster sauce and cucumber
Grilled teriyaki octopus with roasted potatoes and broccolini
Matcha tres leches with whipped cream and berries
Lychee sorbet with togarashi and rice syrup
Bananas foster with japanese whiskey topped with gelato and tobiko
Plantain fritters with miso caramel and smoked berries
Brown butter blondie, soy caramel, ice cream, sesame brittle
Chocolate lava cake with lemon whipped cream
Assorted sushi platter (nigiri, sashimi, and maki rolls)
Asari no sakemushi
Veggie spring rolls
Grilled shishito peppers with sea salt
Japanese salad with carrot ginger dressing
Miso soup
Cucumber seaweed salad
Wagyu beef sukiyaki
(optional vegetarian entrée): wild mushroom & truffle risotto (gf, v) earthy, creamy, and elegant — perfect for a refined plant-forward guest
Teriyaki salmon with roasted bok choy
Black sesame ice cream
Matcha cheesecake
Frushi
Venison carpaccio on masa sope with horseradish and caviar
Chef’s sushi, nigiri and chirashi platter
Prime roots truffle pâté tartine with gooseberries (vegetarian)
Spiced hiramasa taquito with trout roe and crema
Tagliatelle with uni, snow crab and preserved lemon
Viet-cajun udon with crawfish, garlic xo sauce and salmon roe
Tubetto con patata basilico with caciocavallo and pistachios (vegetarian)
Octopus & carne bolognese with bucatini and parmigiano reggiano
Dry aged beouf tenderloin with bone-marrow vinaigrette
Whole roasted red snapper with mole verde and hominy noodles
Lions mane steak with beet sauce and chimichurri (vegetarian)
Smoked whole leg of lamb tagine with pita and herbs
Donut croquembouche with lemon curd and white chocolate ganache
Chocolate soufflé with raspberry compote and caramel gelato
Matcha crepe cake with yuzu curd and strawberries
Triple cream cheese tartlet with honeyed dates and bee pollen ice cream
Lamb kofta lamb meatballs, sundried tomato and bail coulis
Olivada tartlet olives, chevere, sundried tomatoes, pizzolatto
Avgolemono shrimp seared pita, tomato salsa, lemon sauce
Quail egg remesco fried quail egg, garlic hummus, tomato remesco
Salt cod and crab fritters lemon garlic aioli
Boot shrimp harissa, garlic arugula
Hummus bruchetta pita, cucumber salad
Greco crab cake roasted red bell bernaise
Fish cakes caper-parsley sauce
Asparagus and mushroom tartlet moderna wild mushrooms, asparagus, parmesan cheese
Watermelon and feta organic watermelon, aged pedro, feta creme, chive oil,
Fried chickpea salad field green, roasted beets, fried chick peas, chevere
Shellfish bourride medley of shellfish, toasted garlic bread, lemon aioli
Haloumi salad seared haloumi, pickled cucumbers, arugula, sangria tomatoes, apples
Avogolemono soup lemon zest, tarragon cream
Beet soup candied walnuts
Lentil soup cheese crostini
Citrus and fennel salad pickled fennel, cara cara, blood orange (if still in season), manchego cheese, dill vinaigrette
Spring roll greek salad rice crepe, cherry tomatoes, feta, arugula, carrots, cucumbers, pistachio and chestnut dipping sauce
Brazzino- spicy cous cous, caper parsley sauce
Corfo paella valencia paella, shellfish medley, greek caponata
Pomegranate braised beef flat iron, shallot, garlic pomegranate and fig reduction sauce
Grecian herb chicken marinated artichoke puree, seasonal vegetables
Rock shrimp pistachio pesto
Gremolata scallops citrus gremolata
Athens filet grilled ratatouille, smoky red pepper shallot butter
Grilled lamb loin lamb loin, watermelon feta salad, fig balsamic
Lamb chops with yogurt-mint sauce pan seared lamb chops covered in a yogurt mint sauce
Ossobuco border tangine short rib oasted potatoes, port braised carrots
Seared flat iron caper relish, cucumber yogurt sauce
Clay pot chicken haroseth sauce, red wine
Mediterranean chicken mushroom, olives, roasted mashed eggplant
Greek chicken fresh herb medley, avgolemono sauce
Maltese chicken red wine and honey gravy
Yogurt marinated roaster greek yogurt, half roasted chicken, roasted root vegetables
Spicy seafood couscous trapani flavors, seasonal vegetables, shrimp
Pasta lahano seared citrus shrimp, spinach, mushrooms, penne, gorgonzola cream sauce
Steak lebanon flat iron, coriander crust, green gazpacho sauce
Rustic raspberry and fig crostata fresh cream
Honey vanilla parfait yogurt mousse, stick balsamic berries
Orange pistachio cakes citrus salad
Baklava cheese cake ny style cheese cake, baklava topping
Cognac stew peaches honey, ricotta whip
Greek lemon ice cream sesame orange shortbread cookie
Sangria granitas strawberries, port wine glaze
Crisp pear greek stusser cream friache
Ahi tuna crudo, avocado, jalapeno , pickled onions with mango thai chill vinaigrette
Mussels steamed in white wine with warm bread
Pan seared barrumandi with fire roasted vegetables and mango citrus sauce
Coffee stout chocolate pots de creme with carmel popcorn
Grilled bread with jam, herbed goat cheese, and tomato jam
Farmers market mixed greens, mandarins, olives, manchego and sherry vinaigrette topped with almonds
Shrimp saffron risotto topped with mixed grilled vegetables
Grilled steak with romesco sauce served over roasted carrots and yellow squash
Cheesecake with dulce de leche topped with strawberries
Personalize your menu
A romantic dinner or a gathering of friends. Traditional dishes or exotic flavours. A fine dining experience or a family-style meal. Every private chef experience is unique! Submit your request and personalize yours.








Frequently asked questions
Below, you can find the most common questions about private chef services in Ames.
What does a private chef service include in Ames?
A private chef service includes everything necessary to enjoy a personalized dining experience at home. This includes:
- Customization of a menu based on your preferences;
- Purchase of ingredients;
- Mise en place (preparation of ingredients) before arrival;
- Preparation of the menu at your home;
- Complete table service;
- Set up and cleaning of the kitchen and used spaces.
Please note that tableware and glassware are not included. Gratuity is entirely at your discretion.
How much does a private chef cost in Ames?
The price of renting a chef in Ames can vary depending on the specifics, but smaller groups tend to have a slightly different price per person compared to larger gatherings.
Booking prices range from 136 USD to 170 USD. For groups of 13 people or more, the price is 136 USD per person. For groups of 7 to 12 people, the cost is 138 USD per person. For groups of 3 to 6 people, the rate is 169 USD per person, and for 2 people, the price is 170 USD per person.
Seasonal ingredients, your location, and how soon you book also affect the final price. If you're interested in getting free quotes with no obligation, fill out our form and let the best chefs near you send unique proposals for your event.
How can I hire a private chef in Ames?
Booking is easy! Just tell us the date of your event, number of guests, dietary preferences and any allergies, and a few details about your kitchen. Within a few hours, you'll receive customized menus from qualified chefs. Each chef's profile will include their experience, reviews, and photos of their dishes.
Feel free to chat directly with the chefs through our platform. Ask them to modify menus, discuss pricing, or get answers to any questions you might have. Once you've found the perfect chef and menu, finalize your reservation online. We'll then provide the chef's contact information to confirm any final details.
How can I find a private chef near me?
There are currently 14 chefs available in Ames. Fill out a form specifying your needs and the date. Take a Chef will connect you with the best available chefs in Ames who will send you their menu proposals. You can then choose the chef and menu that suits you best.
Is there a maximum number of guests for a private chef service?
While there's no strict limit on guest count, private chef experiences are designed to create a more intimate atmosphere, perfect for gatherings of friends and family. Since most homes have limited space to accommodate large groups, parties typically don't exceed 15 people.
Does the chef cook at my house?
Yes, the chef always prepares the menu at your home for a more personalized experience. However, some prep work might be done beforehand for complex dishes.
Can I cook along with the chef?
Absolutely! Many guests are passionate about food and relish the chance to learn from the chef. You can pick up new kitchen skills and get a behind-the-scenes look at each dish on the menu. Feel free to jump in and cook alongside the chef for a truly interactive experience!
Are the ingredients fresh?
Yes, they're 100% fresh. Unlike restaurants with pre-made dishes, private chefs prioritize using the freshest ingredients possible. This is because the chef creates a customized menu specifically for you, then goes out and sources the finest ingredients to bring your chosen dishes to life.
Are drinks included in the personal chef service?
Drinks are not typically included, but you can discuss adding them to the menu proposal with the chef.
How much should I tip my private chef in Ames?
Tipping for private chefs is entirely at your discretion. Our goal is for you to have an unforgettable experience, and the chef always appreciates a nice tip. However, the decision and amount are completely up to you.
Key information about our chefs in Ames
Discover more details about our private chefs and their services.
The average age of our private chefs in Ames
Percentage of our women chefs in Ames.
The average wait time from submitting the request and receiving the first menu.
Our very first private chef service in Ames.
Percentage of services with kids in Ames.
Maximum number of bookings for a personal chef by a single client in Ames.
Increase in the number of bookings for a chef from last year in Ames.
Languages spoken by our personal chefs in Ames.
Percentage of guests that hired a chef more than once.
Average number of days booked for multiple services at home with a private chef.
Photos uploaded to the platform by our private chefs in Ames.
Average timeframe from sending the request to booking.
How many chef services are booked in Ames each month?
Private chef reservations can vary seasonally depending on the destination. In Ames, for example, demand often increases during special dates like Valentine's Day or Mother's Day, so it's best to book in advance.
If you're wondering about the best time to hire a chef, any month is perfect for enjoying a private chef. Just keep in mind that prices may vary, especially for last-minute bookings. So, don't wait—book your chef early to secure your unique dining experience in Ames.
Cost of a private chef in Ames
The cost of hiring a private chef in Ames can vary based on several factors, including the number of people in your group or seasonality. Larger groups tend to have a different average rate per person compared to smaller groups that hire a chef:
Booking prices range from 136 USD to 170 USD per person.
For 13 people or more: 136 USD
For 7 to 12 people: 138 USD
For 3 to 6 people: 169 USD
For 2 people: 170 USD.
Additionally, prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year, location, and how soon you book your personal chef. If you want to get free quotes, just fill out our form and receive tailored proposals for your event. No committment at all.
What is the most reserved type of cuisine in Ames?
We mainly offer six types of cuisine in Ames: Mediterranean, Italian, French, Japanese, Mexican, and surprise. The type of cuisine with the highest number of bookings is the Chef's special, but you can have anything you want (our surprise menu will cover that!).
Beyond these six types of cuisine, our private chefs personalize diverse menus for their clients every day, adjusting every detail to find the perfect menu for every occasion and every group. Our private chefs can accommodate any allergy or dietary restriction and suggest other cuisines or fusion dishes. Submit your request and hire a chef in Ames!

Looking for a unique dining experience in Ames?
At Take a Chef we have what you are looking for. Let us know your food preferences and we will be sure to find the perfect chef for you. The shopping, cooking, serving and cleaning will be done by the chef so you don't have to worry about anything!

Fine dining in Ames in the hands of a Private Chef
We work with the most talented chefs worldwide. You will have the chance to talk to the chef directly and customize your menu until you are completely satisfied. Book today!

A customized experience in Ames
Whatever the occasion is, we have the perfect chef for you. Count on us to make this experience a memorable one. We will make sure every details is exactly how you want it. Click above to begin!






Talk to our chefs in Ames
Each of our chefs is one-of-a-kind, with professional culinary training and years of experience in diverse restaurants. Craving Italian pasta, Spanish paella, or traditional sushi in Ames? You’ll get it. Tell us about your event in Ames, and discover the best chefs who will customize every detail of your experience.









