How to Start a Luxury Private Chef Business – Chef Danny Kievit

What does it really take to start a luxury private chef business? In this episode of Chef’s PSA, Chef André Natera sits down with Chef Danny Kievit, founder of Leave It to Kievit, to explore the mindset, skillset, and soul behind private dining at the highest level.

What You’ll Learn:
Differences between private chef work vs catering
How to create intimate, high-touch dining experiences
The role of confidence, presentation, and belief in culinary success
How family, culture, and storytelling shaped Chef Danny’s journey
Tips for launching a private chef business (even with LegalZoom)
Why authenticity is the key to lasting culinary impact
Search Questions Answered:
What’s the difference between a private chef and a caterer?
How do I start a private chef business?
What does it take to cook for high-end clients or celebrities?
How do private chefs market themselves?
What’s the role of confidence and belief in a chef’s career?

00:00 – Intro: Chef Danny Kievit & Private Chef Culture
00:29 – What Makes a Restaurant Great?
01:19 – Cooking for Celebrities: Expectations & Pressure
02:03 – Private Chef vs Catering: Key Differences
03:38 – Personal Stories: Family, Culture & Food Memories
05:06 – Presentation as Storytelling
06:29 – Social Media & the Private Chef Brand
07:32 – Cooking With Confidence
08:21 – The Allegory of the Artichoke
10:25 – Real Challenges in Private Chef Work
17:22 – Starting “Leave It to Kievit”
24:16 – Building Client Trust & Connection
31:23 – Actions, Integrity & Visualization
33:31 – How He Legally Built the Business
34:17 – Understanding Your Worth as a Chef
36:28 – Personal vs Professional Boundaries
39:29 – Evolution of Culinary Industry Culture
42:46 – Leadership Lessons from the Line
57:47 – Influential Chefs & Final Reflections

Watch the full episode and subscribe for more chef-to-chef insights.
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Chef Danny Kievit :   / leaveittokievit  

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