How a Private Chef Business Startup Grew to 48 States
A private chef business startup can begin with a simple idea and grow into something much bigger. In this episode of Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes, host Jamie Seeker speaks with chef and entrepreneur Michael Casciello about how his private chef business startup, Food Fire + Knives, expanded from a few side gigs into a nationwide platform operating in 48 states.
The conversation explores the journey from restaurant kitchens to entrepreneurship, how the company hires and supports chefs across the country, and the leadership lessons that come with building a people powered business.
If you are a founder building a service based company or exploring how to scale a marketplace, Michael’s story offers practical insights into what it truly takes to grow.
From Produce Stand to Culinary Career
Michael Casciello’s passion for food started early. At just 14 years old he worked at a local produce stand where he learned about fresh ingredients, seasonal foods, and the importance of working with urgency.
That early exposure to the food industry eventually led him into restaurant kitchens where he began as a dishwasher before moving into cooking roles. Over time he attended culinary school and built a career working in professional kitchens.
Like many chefs, the restaurant industry taught him discipline, creativity, and resilience. It also showed him the physical demands and long hours that come with the profession.
Those experiences would later influence the idea behind his private chef business startup.
How the Idea for Food Fire + Knives Started
The concept for Food Fire + Knives did not begin as a large scale company.
It started as a simple side hustle.
After moving to Charleston, South Carolina, Michael began accepting private chef gigs during evenings and weekends. To make booking easier he created a simple website that allowed clients to request private dining experiences.
The turning point came when he received two bookings on the same night.
Instead of canceling one event, he asked a chef friend to take the job.
The event went well and the chef loved the opportunity. That experience sparked the idea to turn the side hustle into a platform that could connect chefs with clients across different cities.
Launching the First Version of the Platform
Building the first version of the platform required a significant investment.
After discussing the concept with a developer, Michael was quoted about $30,000 to create the initial website. At the time it felt like a huge financial risk.
Soon after receiving that quote he received a loan offer for nearly the same amount. He decided to take the risk and invest in building the platform.
The business began with just two or three chefs on the network.
Today the company works with hundreds of chefs across the United States and continues to expand the reach of the private chef business startup.
Hiring Chefs for a Customer Facing Experience
One of the unique aspects of this private chef business startup is that chefs interact directly with customers. Unlike restaurants where chefs typically work behind the scenes, private chefs must create an engaging dining experience for guests.
Because of this, the hiring process focuses on both cooking ability and personality.
Michael uses interview questions designed to reveal how chefs communicate with people. One of his favorites is asking candidates to share their favorite kitchen story.
This approach helps determine whether chefs can connect with guests and tell stories about their food and experiences.
The hiring process also includes background checks, social media reviews, and sometimes multiple interviews before chefs are accepted onto the platform.
Creating Culture in a Nationwide Network
Scaling a service business across dozens of markets requires strong communication systems.
Food Fire + Knives uses Slack to connect chefs, staff, and leadership. The platform allows chefs to ask questions, share ideas, and collaborate with each other even though they are located across different states.
The company also hosts regular virtual meetings where chefs can discuss challenges, share tips, and stay connected with the team.
This intentional communication helps build culture and consistency even though the chefs are independent contractors rather than traditional employees.
Time Management Lessons for Entrepreneurs
As the company grew, Michael realized that protecting his time was one of the most important skills he needed to develop as a founder.
Early in his journey he felt pressure to accept every meeting or opportunity that came his way. Over time he learned that evaluating whether a meeting is truly valuable allows him to focus on the priorities that matter most.
He also emphasizes the importance of maintaining balance outside of work.
If founders neglect their personal lives, burnout can quickly follow.
Learning how to protect both time and energy allows leaders to sustain long term growth.
What It Takes to Be a Business Owner
When asked what it takes to run a business, Michael explains that his philosophy centers on doing the right thing.
For him, that means building a company that supports chefs and helps them create better work life balance.
The company continuously looks for ways to improve compensation structures and create opportunities for chefs to grow professionally.
However, he also acknowledges that leadership can be uncomfortable at times.
Making decisions that are best for the business may not always be popular.
But acting with integrity and long term intention helps guide those decisions.
Key Takeaways From the Episode
Starting a business often begins with solving a real problem.
Hiring should focus on both technical skills and communication ability.
Strong communication systems help maintain culture in distributed teams.
Protecting your time as a founder allows you to focus on meaningful work.
Doing the right thing for your team and business builds long term trust.
Listen to the Full Episode
You can listen to the full conversation with Michael Casciello on Business Owners Tell All: What It Takes to learn more about building a private chef business startup and scaling a people powered company.
Learn more about the platform at
https://www.foodfireknives.com
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