tipping a private chef

I rented a private house last time I was there and it came with a private chef (if wanted). He ended up being really great and not only cooked for us..breakfast and dinner...but brought us mid-morning blended drinks by the pool..put away our groceries...cleaned up dirty glassed etc. He was supposed to give us a bill at the end and of course I would add a tip..but he gave us an empty envelope and said "whatever you think" It was hard to figure out...not used to such luxuries when I travel !! Going back soon and would love some feedback from others...

The min should be 10% of your rental amount. So if you paid $2000 US for your stay his tip at the very least should be $200US

Thanks sammyb...that's part of my problem...I got such a good deal if I figured it that way it would only be $15 a day ! What would be your daily ballpark figure? I want to be generous but don't want to go crazy with it ! If I could give him "whatever I think" as opposed to what I can afford I would give him a whole bunch because it was awesome! I'm more afraid I'll overpay as under!

How many days? How many hours per day did he put in for you?

We have a cook and house cleaner that comes with the rental but we tip $20 per day . Many people don't tip at all !

He comes early morning till about noon..then comes back makes dinner and cleans up then he would hang out a few hours...keep beers rotating in the freezer...blended drinks...made brownies! Since he's optional I don't think he gets paid thru the renting of the house...There is a housekeeper too and she was great and I tipped her well...just never been pampered with a private chef! This visit will be 15 days:)

I'd probably leave him $200-250

Ok... lets do some math .... $200.00 US /15 days = just over $13.00 /day
Now ... lets up this to $25.00 per day X 15 = $375.00 US
If he's there for 5 hours per day ... that = $5.00 /hr... which to me sounds ...about right

The new minimum wage in JA is $1.30US, $1.85US for security guards. I'm not sure how people can survive on that.

US - Min. wage - $7.25 / hr
Ontario Canada-$10.30 /hr

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Originally Posted by Slightly Stoopid

US - Min. wage - $7.25 / hr
Ontario Canada-$10.30 /hr

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Illinois is $8.25US/hour. Chicago's is $10US going up to $10.50US in July. So I guess it depends on where you live.

I would give him 25-$30 per day so, $375-$450 and I would ask half way through the visit if he wanted a portion of his tip

Thanks for all the input! I'm thinking $400 sounds good...fair for him and keeps me on budget!