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How We Work 

Step One: Get in Touch
Reach out via email or call Caroline directly for a personal conversation.

Step Two: Understanding Your Needs
Over a phone call or Zoom, Caroline will ask a few key questions to understand exactly what you’re looking for. These may include:
 

  • Number of guests

  • Dates and duration

  • Location and kitchen setup

  • Dietary needs or allergies

  • Children to be catered for

  • Food styles you love (and anything to avoid)
     

Step Three: Confirming the Brief
Caroline will ask you to confirm your requirements in writing. Once received, she’ll send her terms and conditions and begin the search for your ideal private chef.
 

Step Four: Chef Introduction
Within 48 hours, Caroline will introduce you to a carefully chosen private chef by email. You’ll be able to arrange a chat to ensure it’s the right fit. 

If you're happy, the chef will take it from there. They will be planning menus and prepping behind the scenes.

If not, Caroline will continue the search (though her instinct for matching chefs to households is rarely wrong).
 

Step Five: Payment
Two weeks before the booking, you’ll receive an invoice for our finder’s fee. After your event, Caroline would love to hear your feedback — she’s always keen to know how everything went.

Step One: Get in Touch
Reach out via email or call Caroline directly for a personal conversation.

Step Two: Understanding Your Needs
Over a phone call or Zoom, Caroline will ask a few key questions to understand exactly what you’re looking for. These may include:
 

  • Number of guests

  • Dates and duration

  • Location and kitchen setup

  • Dietary needs or allergies

  • Children to be catered for

  • Food styles you love (and anything to avoid)
     

Step Three: Confirming the Brief
Caroline will ask you to confirm your requirements in writing. Once received, she’ll send her terms and conditions and begin the search for your ideal private chef.

Step Four: Chef Introduction
Within 48 hours, Caroline will introduce you to a carefully chosen private chef by email. You’ll be able to arrange a chat to ensure it’s the right fit. 

If you're happy, the chef will take it from there. They will be planning menus and prepping behind the scenes.

If not, Caroline will continue the search (though her instinct for matching chefs to households is rarely wrong).

Step Five: Payment
Two weeks before the booking, you’ll receive an invoice for our finder’s fee. After your event, Caroline would love to hear your feedback — she’s always keen to know how everything went.

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Let's Work
Together

Office  01794 301 534

Mobile  07718 888 687

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© 2025 Caroline Yates

Office  01794 301534

Mobile  07718 888687

We place private chefs in homes where food is part of the rhythm of daily life. We can help with almost anything from a one-off chef to cook for a dinner party to private chefs for ski chalets and holiday villas. Each chef placement is handled personally by our founder, Caroline Yates, ensuring a seamless match between household and chef. 

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How We Work

Dessie _yates_founder

Caroline's Story 

 

In 1999, a redundancy gave me the rare chance to pause and reflect. Rather than return to corporate life, I knew I wanted to build something of value - a business rooted in hospitality and excellence. I found myself drawn back to the kitchens and tables that had once defined my early career. I had discovered true pleasure in catering for ski chalets, yachts, shooting lodges, and private dinner parties. I remembered the satisfaction of watching families gather over beautifully prepared food. I wanted to return to what I loved most: people, food and service. 

More than two decades later, The Good Cook Company is just that. A trusted private chef service grounded in strong relationships and a commitment to excellence. Many of my chefs have been with me from the beginning. I’m proud to have watched them grow, including Marianne Lumb (MasterChef finalist, 2009) and Dan Lee (MasterChef champion, 2021). Today my network of chefs is truly global. I’ve placed chefs in private Caribbean islands and ski resorts in the French Alps. But no matter where in the world you need a private chef, my approach to care and quality remains the same.

I never underestimate the importance of finding the right chef to enter a private space. This is your home and your sanctuary. The person in your kitchen needs more than just skill. They must be emotionally intelligent, discreet, and attuned to the pace of your daily life. 

A great match goes beyond menus and ingredients. It’s about personality, presence, and work ethic. I take the time to understand how you like to live, not just how you like to eat. I work directly with every client and I personally vet every private chef. There’s no middleman, and no crossed wires. The Good Cook Company is about clear, calm communication and fast, discreet results. 

Clients know me for my reliability and responsiveness. In over 20 years, no one’s ever had to chase me. My catchphrase is, “No problem — leave it with me.” From that moment, you can relax knowing you’re in safe, capable hands.

"I cannot thank you enough for finding Emma for us.  She was without doubt the nicest girl we have ever had to cook as well as being a brilliant one.  She just got on and if anything needed doing offered her help."

"You've done it again Caroline and supplied us with a super cook who made our holiday unforgettable - thank you so much!"

"A million thanks for getting us organised with Melissa – she was really fab and made the holiday for me (I’m not going to go on holiday again without a cook!). It was just great."​

 "I cannot thank you enough for Richard - OMG he was brilliant, his food was outstanding and he was a complete joy to have around. I don’t have a single criticism, AMAZING!!!!"

"Alex was amazing - we can't praise him highly enough. The food was 'out of this world' and he was just so calm and charming. He had many offers of "please can you come and live with us?" The 6 course dinner on Sat evening was fabulous - better than the tasting menu at Gidleigh Park!"

"Thank you so much for the introduction to Leo, who cooked up the most incredible feast last night for dinner. It was jaw dropingly good and somehow he managed to magic it out of nowhere and also clear it away without any hint of being around in the first place! He is utterly delightful, wonderfully unflappable and was a complete joy to have around. His food was really VERY good (and I am a harsh critic!). A huge success - thank you."

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The Good Cook Co.

Office - 01794 301534
Mobile - 07718 888687

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