How do private chefs work ?

​A private chef is a cook entirely dedicated to the preparation of meals for a household. But how does this professional work on a daily basis? 

Does a private chef need a licence?

First and foremost you have to know all the health standard since you will be in charge of the meals of a family/guest. You will need a license or simply buying liability insurance. In addition to the ability to cook you will need to have knowledge in finance, whether you’ll be the entrepreneur or hired by a family it will be your responsibility to handle the budget.
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What constitute being called a chef?

To be called a chef, you must have a culinary degree and if it is not the case and if you are called a chef anyway, it is because you have been trained under a famous chef and climb the ranks in the kitchen. If you don’t have this experience, you will be called a cook. That doesn’t mean that you can’t work in a private family, but you will have fewer
responsibilities. Because to be a chef is not only to make recipes, but it is also to know how to make unexpected, changes on a recipe because of an intolerance of one of the guests.
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How much experience do I need?

At Morgan & Mallet International, you need an experience between three and five years within a family, to become a private chef. It is very important to have forbearance because it will allow you to achieve the excellence expected in large families. Sometimes having an experience in a Michelin Star restaurant can be a real advantage. Any cuisine specialty can be a plus. Indeed, some of our client are looking for a chef that are specialized in Indian cuisine, other in Chinese cuisine. This experience will also be analyzed.
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A chef for a day or a chef everyday ?

You can decide to be a private chef for parties or to be a private chef that will work regularly for a same family. The responsibilities are different. Indeed, in one part you will have to elaborate menus in the long term, to balance the calories and to propose meals with coherence. In the other hand, while being a chef for a punctual event, it is not the same responsibilities regarding the balance.
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What expectation for a private chef?

​A private chef has, of course, the responsibility of the meals, but we also expect them to elaborate the menus, to go grocery shopping for those meals or to communicate the list of the ingredient to the governess. To manage the stocks, the budget and insure the well-kept of the kitchen.

In some position, it is also expected for the chef to have managerial qualities, if they have to manage staff in the kitchen. For important reception, for example. Moreover, we expect a chef to be able to cook for any diet. Wether it's gluten-free or keto.