Can I claim meal expenses while being a chef?

[Tiki]

Yes, under certain circumstances you are able to deduct expenses for meals as a chef as a business expense. To deduct the expenses, they must be ordinary and necessary as defined by the IRS. Meaning, "an ordinary expense is one that is common and accepted in your trade or business" and a "necessary expense is one that is helpful and appropriate for your trade or business."

If the meals were for personal purposes for yourself and friends, they are not deductible. However, if the expenses were incurred as part of recipe development or other business related expenses, they are deductible Job-Related expenses (if you are an employee) or Schedule C (if you are self-employed).

For more information, please see the IRS publication on Deducting Business Expenses.