21 Business Ideas For Chefs [2024]
Interested in starting a business as a chef in 2024?
If managed well, building a business as a chef could be more lucrative than employment. So, which are the best business ideas for chefs?
We put together 21 of some of the best chef business ideas you can start in today.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other chef businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a food blog ($38.5K/month)
Starting a food blog could be an incredible way to supplement your income as a chef, all while sharing your culinary expertise with a broader audience. If you're passionate about educating people on healthy eating, a blog focused on this topic could gain significant traction and attract readers interested in nutritious and budget-friendly recipes.
Beyond sharing recipes, you could engage your audience by offering tips on meal prepping, selecting quality ingredients, and maintaining a balanced diet. You might begin by hiring someone to help configure your website and a content creator to ensure you consistently provide high-quality, engaging content. With informative and insightful posts, you could build a loyal readership and potentially monetize your blog through advertisements, sponsorships, or selling your own eBooks and exclusive recipes.
How much you can make: $500 — $200,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
How one food blogger turned his passion into a business that brings in $15k-$20k per month through display advertising, affiliate marketing, and exclusive content, and doubled in revenue every year since going full time in 2018.
2. Start an online fitness business ($78K/month)
As a chef, your expertise in nutrition and meal planning can seamlessly translate into a lucrative online fitness business. By creating tailored meal plans and nutrition guides, you could tap into the rapidly growing demand for convenient, affordable, and accessible fitness solutions. This form of income not only supplements your current earnings but also leverages your culinary skills to offer value beyond the kitchen.
In addition, you could offer virtual cooking classes focused on healthy eating, which would both diversify your services and attract health-conscious clients. Since this business model requires minimal overhead costs, just a computer and an internet connection, it's an ideal side venture that could eventually grow into a full-scale standalone business.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $500,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study is about a former personal trainer who launched his online personal training platform, TeamFFLEX, starting with no money and a lot of drive, and grew it into a 6-figure business in less than a year, now doing $48,000 a month with potential for continued growth.
3. Start a food startup ($185K/month)
As a chef, starting a food startup could be a perfect way to channel your culinary skills and creativity into a lucrative business venture. Whether it’s opening your own restaurant, bakery, food truck, or cake shop, the opportunities are vast. You could also explore the digital space by starting an online food business or blog, sharing your recipes and culinary expertise with a broader audience.
Moreover, food startups encompass a variety of business models, including manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers, offering flexibility in how you might want to approach your entrepreneurial journey. Imagine creating a unique line of snacks, sweets, or meals, and selling them directly to consumers, or even supplying them to workplaces and similar facilities. If you have a passion for food, embarking on this path can be both challenging and rewarding, blending the excitement of culinary innovation with the satisfaction of running your own business.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
Trini Pepper Sauce co-founder and co-owner, Mustafa Mannan, shares how he successfully imported and manufactured his family's unique pepper sauce recipe and launched it through a Kickstarter campaign, now selling an average of $3,000/month in revenue.
4. Start a meal prep business ($185K/month)
Starting a meal prep business could be a lucrative side venture for a chef looking to supplement their income. Given your culinary skills, you could create high-quality, nutritious meals that cater to busy professionals who lack the time to cook. This fast-emerging niche provides the perfect opportunity to capitalize on the increasing demand for convenient meal options.
By leveraging your expertise in meal preparation and utilizing your communication skills, you could build a loyal customer base that appreciates timely and efficient service. Additionally, entering this market allows you to showcase your creativity and culinary prowess, potentially turning a side hustle into a fully-fledged business.
Overall, a meal prep business could be a practical and profitable extension of your culinary career, allowing you to earn extra money while doing something you love.
How much you can make: $50,000 — $600,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 6 days (?)
Healthy Chew is a profitable weekly meal preparation service that grew from 200 to 10,000 weekly bowls in just over 3 years, with an overall sales figure of $1.8 million, achieved through effective branding and personalised customer service.
5. Start a food delivery business ($510K/month)
Starting a food delivery business could be a smart move for chefs looking to supplement their income or embark on a new entrepreneurial venture. Given today's busy lifestyles, many people prefer ordering food from their favorite restaurants and enjoying it at home. This means there's a robust demand for reliable food delivery services.
As a chef, you could use your culinary network to partner with local restaurants, offering them the option to use your delivery service. With a truck at your disposal, you could act as the critical link between the restaurant and the customer, ensuring timely and efficient delivery. By leveraging your understanding of the food industry and high-quality standards, you could carve out a niche in a growing market while earning extra income.
How much you can make: $14,000 — $1,800,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Food Fleet grew over 160% in just one year and managed over 20 million in sales for its clients, securing multiple contracts with the likes of Sodexo, Levy Restaurants and more, due to its understanding of catering client needs and its advanced turnkey and design services.
6. Start a dog treat business ($635K/month)
If you enjoy baking and have a passion for dogs, starting a dog treat business could be an excellent way to supplement your income and utilize your culinary skills creatively. As a chef, you could craft healthy, natural, and tasty treats that cater to the nutritional needs of dogs while ensuring their safety and appeal.
Imagine creating custom birthday cakes and holiday gift boxes for dogs, making special occasions even more memorable for pet owners. By leveraging both online and local markets, you could transform your homemade dog treats into a thriving side business or even a full-fledged enterprise. This venture allows you to blend your love for cooking with your entrepreneurial spirit, tapping into the ever-growing dog food market.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,833,333/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Toronto-based Treats Happen saw a gap in the market for healthy dog treats, and now makes roughly $15K per month. Their biggest lesson? As a brand, they don't just sell on their website but want to be available on as many profitable channels as possible.
7. Start a fitness equipment company ($327K/month)
If you're a chef looking to supplement your income, consider starting a fitness equipment company. This venture allows you to leverage your interest in health and wellness, which naturally aligns with the culinary world's emphasis on nutritious eating.
As a chef, you could target health-conscious individuals who frequent gyms or exercise at home. You could sell products through an online store, offering convenience for busy professionals interested in a balanced lifestyle. Additionally, your unique insight into healthy living can help you market the equipment effectively, setting you apart in the industry.
How much you can make: $9,300 — $1,200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Serena Jenkins-Hannah created a fitness brand, Serena Hannah Athletics, that has generated over $100,000 in sales over a year and a half, with $70,000 of those sales coming during COVID-19, through selling their #1 item, the Hannah Booty Band System, on Amazon, and has now expanded to Shopify to add cash flow.
8. Start a luxury brand ($1.91M/month)
As a chef, you could leverage your culinary expertise to create a luxury brand that caters to the discerning tastes of the affluent. The global luxury products market is projected to grow by a CAGR of 3.75%, driven by increased wealth and income among society's elite. This opens up opportunities for you to offer high-end gourmet products, exclusive cooking classes, or bespoke dining experiences.
You could also explore eCommerce by curating and selling luxury kitchenware, artisanal food items, or chef-inspired fashion and accessories. Offering these online or through a local upscale store could tap into this growing market, allowing you to supplement your income or even launch a full-fledged business that showcases your culinary skills and passion for high-quality, premium products.
How much you can make: $8,000 — $12,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 175 days (?)
Maxwell-Scott is a British-born luxury leather goods company handmade in Tuscany that sells to AB degree-level educated professionals with high disposable income and is now taking $400,000 a month across websites in 7 countries.
9. Start a skin care product line ($110K/month)
If you’re a chef with an entrepreneurial spirit, venturing into a skincare product line could be a lucrative side business or even a full-time shift. Leveraging your expertise in ingredients and creativity in crafting unique recipes, you could develop skincare products that are both innovative and effective. The skincare industry, which was valued at 130 billion USD in 2021, continues to expand, presenting substantial opportunities for growth and profit.
Additionally, understanding natural ingredients and their benefits is second nature to you, making it easier to formulate products that are safe and beneficial for the skin. The demand for anti-aging and natural skincare products is on the rise, and entering this booming market could be your ticket to supplementing your income or making a complete career transition.
How much you can make: $300 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Two moms start a side hustle selling all-natural body products, doubling sales since their launch in 2017 with over 75 craft shows, promoting a non-profit source for their shea butter and self-promotion through podcasts, lining up retail interest from exposure.
10. Start a supplements company ($392K/month)
As a chef, you could leverage your culinary expertise to formulate high-quality dietary supplements, vitamins, protein powders, and health foods that resonate with health-conscious consumers. Drawing on your knowledge of ingredients and nutrition, you could create products that not only taste great but also provide genuine health benefits, making your brand stand out in a saturated market.
Targeting fitness enthusiasts, wellness influencers, and individuals prioritizing their daily nutrition, you could either sell directly to consumers or partner with retailers and distributors. With the growing demand for health supplements and the relatively low start-up costs, this venture could be run from the comfort of your home, making it an attractive option for supplementing your income or starting a side business.
By entering the supplement industry, you could tap into your entrepreneurial spirit and passion for health, all while providing products that contribute positively to people's lives. This could be a fulfilling way to extend your culinary career into the booming health and wellness sector.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $3,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
A military officer turned entrepreneur built sports nutrition brand Bare Performance Nutrition from $15,000 in year one to on track to generate $6m in revenue this year, leveraging social media platforms and creating interactive, relatable and valuable content to create a community and a brand voice.
11. Start a soap business ($67K/month)
As a chef, you could capitalize on your understanding of high-quality ingredients and transform your culinary expertise into a profitable soap business. The tactile skills and creativity you apply in the kitchen are directly transferable to soap making, allowing you to craft unique, gourmet-inspired soaps that stand out in a growing industry.
A soap business could be started with minimal initial investment, often less than $1,000, and can be operated from home, letting you work during your free time. This would not only supplement your income but also allow you to experiment with unique, locally-sourced ingredients, echoing your culinary style and attracting a niche market. Additionally, with the increasing popularity of online sales, breaking into the skincare market is more accessible than ever, offering you a new entrepreneurial avenue.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $380,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 365 days (?)
Outlaw Soaps, a soap company that started with just $13.72 of supplies, now makes an average of $23,000/month, with 46% of website orders from repeat customers who are loyal to the company's unique products and top-notch customer service.
12. Make a body care products ($44.3K/month)
As a chef, your expertise in blending ingredients and understanding textures can seamlessly translate into creating body care products like soaps, lotions, and scrubs. Just as you craft delicious and visually appealing dishes, you could design unique, high-quality skincare items that promote health and well-being. Your knowledge of natural ingredients can help you stand out in the growing market for eco-friendly and sustainable products.
You could start this entrepreneurial venture on the side or even turn it into a full-fledged business. Researching ingredients, designing attractive packaging, and ensuring compliance with safety standards are key steps. Platforms like Etsy or a personal website can help you reach a broad audience without needing a physical retail space.
If you're passionate about creating products that make people feel good, a body care product line could be an ideal and fulfilling extension of your culinary skills.
How much you can make: $300 — $200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 105 days (?)
Heliotrope San Francisco is an all-natural skincare line that started as a small shop in the Bay Area over ten years ago, choosing slow, sustainable growth, and expects to earn approximately $250K in sales this year.
13. Start a kitchen supplies store ($410K/month)
Opening a kitchen supplies store could be a practical and profitable venture for a chef like you, leveraging your expertise and passion for cooking. Imagine curating a retail space that offers a wide range of quality kitchen tools, from high-end chef knives to durable non-stick pans, catering to both novice home cooks and professional chefs.
By sourcing unique and reliable items, you could create an attractive storefront, either online or offline, that draws in cooking enthusiasts eager to upgrade their kitchen arsenal. A steady consumer base ensures continuous demand, as everyone needs kitchen tools to replace old ones or follow new trends.
This business could offer you the satisfaction of enhancing your customers' culinary experiences by providing them with essential tools that make cooking more enjoyable and efficient. If you enjoy the idea of helping others improve their kitchen skills with top-notch products, starting a kitchen supplies store might be the perfect side business or main venture for you.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $1,100,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,499 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Learn how Michael "Medium Rare" O'Donnell built Cave Tools into a $2 million per year brand selling high-quality barbecue tools and accessories, and expanded his business by launching Grill Master University, an online barbecue masterclass platform, all while traveling to and living in almost 40 different countries in just the last 3 years.
14. Start a woodworking business ($15.8K/month)
If you are a chef with an entrepreneurial spirit, starting a woodworking business could be a fantastic way to supplement your income or even transition to a fulfilling side business. With your keen eye for detail and creativity already honed in the kitchen, you could create custom wood pieces, such as unique cutting boards, kitchen utensils, or elegant furniture. These handmade items could fetch a premium price and cater to upscale kitchens and connoisseurs.
Additionally, you could teach woodworking classes, sharing your skills with others. This could be a rewarding way to connect with your community and offer workshops tailored for fellow chefs interested in creating their own kitchen tools. By leveraging your existing network within the culinary world, you could easily find an audience for your custom pieces and classes, making it a practical and potentially lucrative endeavor.
How much you can make: $1,000 — $40,001/month
How long does it take to build: 204 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 5 hours/week
Sasha Weekes, owner of Timber Grove Studios, turned her fine arts and cabinetmaking education into a successful home-based woodworking business that grew from a side project to netting 20-50% profits month-to-month and up to $10,000 in sales during peak periods through Etsy, with her company's growth continuing to increase through other social media outlets.
15. Start a specialty food business ($49.8K/month)
As a chef, starting a specialty food business could be an exciting way to supplement your income or even create an entirely new venture. Specialty foods, prepared in small quantities with premium and unique ingredients, not only stand out in the market but also allow you to showcase your culinary creativity and expertise. These quality ingredients often provide added health benefits and a range of micro-nutrients, enhancing the appeal of your products.
With the global specialty food ingredients market expanding at an impressive annual growth rate of 6.4%, there’s a growing demand for unique and high-quality foods. You could identify a niche that aligns with your passion and expertise, procure reliable suppliers, and take steps to officially register your business.
By offering specialty foods, you could carve out a distinct market for yourself, capitalizing on the trend towards healthier, high-quality eating options. Step into 2024 with a diversified income and the potential to turn your culinary skills into a thriving specialty food business.
How much you can make: $2,000 — $124,998/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
ChipMonk co-founders built a mail-order bakery selling low carb, gluten-free desserts, making around $25,000 a month with growth through e-commerce, and plans to tighten budgets and conserve cash in challenging times.
16. Start an activewear brand ($25.1K/month)
As a chef, you could leverage your unique understanding of comfort and functionality in a fast-paced environment to create a specialized activewear brand. Given the booming health and fitness industry, especially with more people working from home, there's a vast market for high-quality, stylish, and functional activewear. You could design pieces that emphasize durability and comfort, key elements that professionals like yourself value in everyday wear.
The key to success would be to focus on offering a quality product at a great price, coupled with amazing customer service. You could use your entrepreneurial mindset to identify gaps in the market, perhaps even incorporating eco-friendly materials or designs that cater to the unique needs of kitchen staff. By marketing your brand effectively, you could tap into the growing demand for activewear and create a successful side business or even a full-fledged company.
How much you can make: $650 — $125,000/month
How long does it take to build: 150 days (?)
Learn how a lawyer turned YouTube comedian turned gym apparel entrepreneur created a profitable side business selling gym apparel with designs based on his dark sense of humor and love of video games, reaching a monthly revenue of over $8,000 by capitalizing on his newfound YouTube popularity and keeping an eye on competitors.
17. Start a food & beverage company ($32.1K/month)
Starting a food and beverage company could be a natural extension of your culinary skills and creativity. Imagine producing and selling specialty snacks, gourmet meals, or organic juices—tapping into the ever-present demand for unique, high-quality food options. With your knowledge in developing unique recipes and maintaining high standards of quality, you can stand out in a crowded marketplace.
While it's true that starting such a company demands hard work, including navigating complex health regulations and building a strong supply chain, the potential rewards are significant. Establishing a recognizable brand and achieving distribution in stores or online could be a highly fulfilling entrepreneurial pursuit. If you have a passion for food, creativity in the kitchen, and an entrepreneurial mindset, this could be your recipe for success.
How much you can make: $500 — $80,000/month
How long does it take to build: 135 days (?)
How Andy Hayes built a 7-figure online loose leaf tea business, with one of the largest tea subscription boxes and a curated selection of tea accessories, generating half of their revenue from a la carte tea sales and half from their popular tea of the month club community.
18. Start a healthy snack food business ($438K/month)
Healthy Snack Food Business
Starting a healthy snack food business could be a fantastic way for you to supplement your income and turn your culinary skills into profit. Given the growing demand for healthier food options, your expertise as a chef would allow you to create delicious, nutritious snacks that stand out in a crowded marketplace.
The global healthy snacks market is expected to reach $152 billion by 2030, reflecting the increasing consumer focus on healthier eating habits. With your knowledge of ingredients and flavor profiles, you could develop a range of products that cater to various dietary preferences, from protein bars to gluten-free cookies. This venture could quickly become a lucrative side business or even grow into a full-time endeavor, capitalizing on the strong market trends.
How much you can make: $15,000 — $3,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 270 days (?)
Neuro co-founders Kent Yoshimura and Ryan Chen developed their functional gum and mint products to offer a portable, healthy, and efficient alternative to energy drinks and supplements, hitting 12M pieces sold and generating ~$500k in monthly revenue with over 25% repeat customer rate and retail presence in over 6,500 locations including 5,000 CVS stores.
19. Start an eBikes business ($540K/month)
If you're a chef looking to supplement your income or start a side business, an eBikes business could be a unique and lucrative opportunity. With eBikes' rising popularity among millennials for their health benefits and ability to reduce urban traffic, you could tap into a growing market. The demand has already seen annual sales exceed 880,000 eBikes, indicating a thriving potential customer base.
Given your likely connections in the local community through your culinary career, you could leverage these relationships to promote your eBike business. You might even consider combining your passions by offering local food tours on eBikes, providing a distinctive experience that blends your love of food with fitness and eco-friendly transportation. This could allow you to diversify your income while staying connected with your core culinary interests.
How much you can make: $110,000 — $1,200,000/month
How long does it take to build: 120 days (?)
Tower Electric Bikes is a direct-to-consumer eBike brand co-founded by Stephan Aarstol and Mark Cuban, which has done over $36 million in sales since its $150,000 investment in 2012, and produced and sold everything from paddleboards to electric bikes for half the retail price, with the aim of creating the world's first famous eBike brand.
20. Start a handmade chocolate business
Starting a handmade chocolate business could be a delicious way to supplement your income and channel your culinary expertise into a creative venture. As a chef, you possess the skills to develop unique and mouth-watering chocolate recipes, allowing you to craft high-quality artisanal treats that stand out in the market. You could easily set up a workspace with basic equipment like chocolate, molds, and other essential ingredients to commence production.
By leveraging social media and other online platforms, you could effectively market your delectable creations to a broader audience, or even collaborate with local stores and events to boost your reach. This side hustle or full-time enterprise not only lets you express your passion for chocolate but also offers potential for a profitable endeavor that aligns well with your culinary talents. Expanding your repertoire to include handmade chocolates could be the sweet income boost your chef career needs.
21. Start a seeds distribution business
Starting a seeds distribution business could be a lucrative side venture or even a full-time endeavor for chefs looking to expand their professional horizons. As a chef, you could leverage your knowledge of herbs, vegetables, and specialty plants to provide high-quality seeds and growing supplies to local farmers and home gardeners who are eager to grow their own fresh, organic produce. Your culinary expertise could give you a unique edge in understanding which seeds are most desirable and in demand within the culinary world.
To begin, you could partner with a local seeds company or a seedlings distribution business, offering logistics solutions to deliver their products to customers more efficiently. Over time, you could establish your own online seed store, providing an array of options tailored to culinary needs. This venture not only supplements your income but also reinforces your brand as a chef who is deeply involved in sustainable and farm-to-table practices.
How much you can make: $400,000/month
True Leaf Market, an independent seed company offering heirloom, non-GMO, and organic seeds, growing supplies, and starter kits, has grown to a profitable $400k/month business, with revenue diversified across their website, 3rd party online sellers, Amazon, eBay, brick and mortar health food stores, and fulfillment services, and plans to continue growth through acquisitions and onboarding 50 to 100 new SKUs monthly.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
