The Hampstead Kitchen

What The Hampstead Kitchen does

The Hampstead Kitchen is a private chef and bespoke catering studio founded in 2012 by Saima Khan, headquartered in North Norfolk, United Kingdom, with continued service across London and international destinations. The company delivers full-service private dining experiences for affluent private clients, corporate customers, and micro-wedding couples, handling menu curation, food preparation, table setting with signature ceramics, service, and cleanup. Its product portfolio has expanded from the core chef-and-cater offering to include The Pantry (a curated meal delivery service with table-setting and collection, launched in 2022), a Private Members' Dining Club, a Cookery School with a Cookbook Club launching April 2026, and Curated by Saima (a 2025 lifestyle and interior design consultancy spin-off). International work spans private jets, villas in Lake Como, Monaco, Tuscany, and engagements in NYC, Dubai, Qatar, and other locations.

The business operates without proprietary technology platforms, APIs, or software products, functioning as a labor-intensive, human-delivered service business. Revenue is generated per event for bespoke catering, per delivery/order for The Pantry, and through recurring membership fees for the dining club. Pricing is opaque and quote-based, determined by event type, guest count, menu complexity, and service level. The company is founder-owned, self-funded, and has no disclosed institutional investment, debt, or external shareholders. Distribution is direct-to-client via word-of-mouth, social media (notably Instagram), an editorial blog and newsletter, earned media coverage in FT Weekend, Harper's Bazaar, Tatler, House & Garden, and The Times, and a portfolio of venue partnerships including an in-house chef role at Kelling Estate and collaborations with Voewood Estate, Wolterton Hall, and The Chestnut Group.

Name

The Hampstead Kitchen

Legal name

The Hampstead Kitchen

Website

https://thehampsteadkitchen.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2012

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Hampstead Kitchen is a UK-based private chef and bespoke catering studio serving high-net-worth individuals, corporate clients, and micro-wedding couples across London, North Norfolk, and international destinations. Founded in 2012 by Saima Khan, it offers full-service private dining, a delivery concept, and a members' dining club.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Private Chef and Event Catering

NAICS

Caterers (722320), Caterers (72232)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYHSACAGAE

Private Chef & In-Home Dining Services

Home & Personal Services/Event & Personal Concierge Services/Catering Coordination & Food Service (Non-restaurant)

SECONDARYHSACAGAA

Full-Service Catering (Off-Premise)

Home & Personal Services/Event & Personal Concierge Services/Catering Coordination & Food Service (Non-restaurant)

SECONDARYTHAJALAH

Private Culinary Experiences (Chef’s Table, Home Dining, Market-to-Meal)

Travel & Hospitality/Tours, Attractions & Experiences/Private & Custom Experiences (VIP, Bespoke Itineraries)

Keywords

• Private chef services
• Event catering services
• Private dining catering
• Prepared meal delivery
• Culinary workshops

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Private Chef & Event Catering: Full-service private chef and catering for events ranging from intimate dinners to micro weddings and corporate functions. Revenue is earned per event with customized menus and full service delivery.
2. The Pantry - Delivery Service: Curated meal delivery service launched Autumn 2022. Fully prepared meals delivered in signature ceramics with table setting and collection. 66% retention rate with organic growth. Billed per delivery/order.
3. Private Members' Dining Club & Cookery School: Monthly intimate dining events at their Norfolk barn location and cookery workshops. Monthly membership-style events plus cooking classes and upcoming Cookbook Club launching April 2026.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

The Hampstead Kitchen is a private chef and catering studio providing bespoke private dining and event catering at clients' homes, private estates and venues in London, Norfolk and beyond. The team curates menus, prepares and serves food, provides table settings and professional staff, and handles event execution and cleanup for private dinners, celebrations, weddings and corporate functions.

Product overview

The Hampstead Kitchen operates as a private chef and culinary studio offering a portfolio of catering and dining services. The core offering is bespoke private dining experiences featuring Persian and Mediterranean cuisine, delivered by founder Saima Khan and her team at clients' homes and venues. Supporting services include The Pantry delivery service (launched 2022) for at-home dining with table setting, Curated by Saima (launched 2025) as a lifestyle design offshoot, a Private Members' Dining Club, Cookery School, The Hampstead Social blog/newsletter, micro wedding catering, and bespoke event services for unique locations including private jets and wilderness retreats. The business serves clients in London, Norfolk, and beyond, having expanded its geographic footprint after relocating to North Norfolk.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Curated by Saima: A bespoke design and lifestyle consultancy offshoot of The Hampstead Kitchen, extending the company's hosting and styling expertise into interior and home design services. Launched in 2025.

Products and services

• Private Chef & Catering Services
• The Pantry - Delivery Service
• Curated by Saima
• Private Members' Dining Club
• Cookery School
• Micro Wedding Catering
• Bespoke Events and Destination Catering
• Menu Development & Branding Consultancy

Quantifiable outcome

• 66% retention rate for The Pantry delivery service
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers14 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kelling EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected as in-house private chefs for all Kelling Estate residential cottages - an exclusive service for guests, from a chef who actually lives on the estate. Ongoing collaborative relationship.
• Voewood EstatecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted a private dinner at the esteemed Voewood Estate. Collaborative relationship with estate owners Simon Finch & Martha Fiennes.
• Norfolk Natural LivingminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborative retail event with founder Bella Middleton, featuring their products alongside Hampstead Kitchen catering.
• The Chestnut Group (The Maltings)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted an intimate Persian sharing feast with The Maltings at Weybourne, part of The Chestnut Group hospitality portfolio.
• Wolterton HallminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted a Middle Eastern banquet at Wolterton Hall - a stately home recently featured in major fashion campaigns and the FT.
• Palestine On A PlateminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnique collaboration celebrating commonality of Food in the Middle East & Persia with Palestine On A Plate founder Joudie Kalla.
• TayyabsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTeamed up with Tayyabs Whitechapel at Meatopia UK festival. Managed communications, logistics, and front of house for their stall. Partnership has continued for 3 years.
• ArganicminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooked Persian dishes using Arganic's argan oil at Maltby Street Market. Collaboration with founder Dana who left corporate job to set up the company.
• West ElmminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted styling workshop and banquet at West Elm London store using their tableware. Combined dressing table workshop with Mezze banquet, with proceeds going to Food Chain charity.
• The Big IftarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational initiative promoting neighbourliness during Ramadan. Collaborated on Arabesque Iftar event bringing together communities of different faiths.
• The Food ChainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeld annual summer social to help raise funds for The Food Chain charity. Jay Rayner was one of the patrons at this event.
• The Butcher & Hampstead Butcher & ProviderminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooking Demo collaboration on Marinating & Roasting Masterclass to create the perfect roast.
• AirbnbminorGTM or Marketing PartnerFounder Saima Khan was an Airbnb Superhost and became the face of their campaign. Sharing concept present in both business and personal life.
• UNICEF Next GenminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted event supporting Serena and UNICEF's initiative. Raised funds through ticket sales and donations.
• The PennyAppealminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDuring Arabesque Iftar event, raised £1.2K for The PennyAppeal which fed 1200 children for each day during Ramadan.
• Nisa-NashimminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosted special evening for Jewish & Muslim women. Part of Nisa-Nashim organization connecting women across faiths.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• The Admirable Crichton: UK bespoke event catering company specializing in high-end private parties, weddings, and corporate functions. Comparable as a similarly positioned full-service caterer operating at the premium end of the UK events market.
• Zafferano: Premium London catering company focused on high-end private events and weddings. Directly comparable as a London-based premium caterer competing for the same HNW wedding and private-event clients.
• Social Pantry: London-based bespoke catering and events company serving corporate and private clients. Comparable as a similarly positioned London premium caterer with a comparable service model and customer base.
• My Private Chef: UK-wide private chef booking platform connecting clients with vetted chefs for in-home events. Directly comparable as an alternative channel for the same premium private-dining demand The Hampstead Kitchen serves.
• The Private Chef Company: UK private chef service offering bespoke in-home dining experiences for private clients and corporate events. Directly comparable as a similarly positioned UK private chef operator competing for the same affluent clientele.
• London Private Chef: London-based private chef service providing tailored in-home dining and event catering. Overlaps directly with The Hampstead Kitchen on service format (private chef at client's home), target customer (HNW London), and bespoke menu model.

Broad incumbents

• Searcys: Long-established UK premium hospitality brand operating restaurants, bars, and event catering at landmark venues. Comparable as a much larger incumbent in the same premium catering space, though it operates primarily through owned venues rather than in-home private chef delivery.
• Rhubarb Food Design: UK luxury event catering and hospitality group serving corporate, private, and venue clients. Comparable as a larger incumbent in premium catering, with overlapping HNW and corporate client base but broader venue-based operations.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/hampstead.kitchen
• Instagraminstagram.com/hampsteadkitchn
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/the-hampstead-kitchen

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Hampstead Kitchen