Hosting a special occasion and don’t want to cook? Call Private Chefs Inc. and order the ultimate "takeout"—an experienced personal chef who will come to your home, office or party venue and take care of all of the arrangements, from food shopping and preparation to cooking, table settings, waiters and bar staff, and even the cleaning up at the end of the meal (that just might be the best part). Founded 14 years ago in Beverly Hills, the company is the brainchild of Christian Paier, an Austrian chef who worked at the Breakers in Palm Beach before moving to a restaurant in Santa Monica, where he was subsequently wooed away by some prominent customers to be their private chef. That sparked his idea for a chef agency—yes, even chefs have agents in Hollywood. Paier now has a roster of more than 2,000 talented chefs, and additional offices in Palm Beach, Dallas, New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Washington D.C. and London. The company’s list of past clients is a stellar one that includes European and Saudi royals, Kennedys, Rockefellers, and a who’s-who of Hollywood. Prices are surprising reasonable: a $100 agency fee and hourly rates starting at $35. Carefully selected chefs can customize a gourmet menu to suit all tastes and dietary restrictions, and the agency will bill according to food purchases, level of the chef’s experience, hours worked and event requirements. Whether you want to organize a romantic dinner for two or a major corporate affair, they can take care of it, and you can also book chefs for yachts and private jets.

Beverly Hills: +1 310 278 4707

Palm Beach: +1 561 582 6810

Dallas: +1 214 513 2433

New York: +1 800 921 2433

Las Vegas: +1 702 641 2433

San Francisco: +1 800 491 2433

Washington DC: +1 800 825 2433

London: +(44) 207 254 2064