From Private Chef to Recruiter What UHNW Clients Really Need to Know

Here is the full transcript of the episode:

From Private Chef to Recruiter: What UHNW Clients Really Need to Know Episode transcript | The Luxury Staffing Podcast by Morgan & Mallet Guest: Runet van Heerden, recruiter, Morgan & Mallet, Dubai Host: Ben Washington.

Ben W: Hello there podcast listeners. In today’s episode of the Morgan and Mallet podcast, we’ve got Runet. She’s from South Africa and she’s been with Morgan and Mallet for quite a while. She’s going to give us a bit of an introduction first, to her story, her life, and how she got started with Morgan and Mallet. So welcome to the podcast, Runet. How are you doing today?

Runet van Heerden: Thank you for having me. I’m great, thanks.

Ben W: Super. Right then, let’s jump straight into it. Before we get into some questions that our clients will be very interested in hearing, could you tell us first — my understanding is that you started off as a private chef and a trainer for high-end clients. Is that right?

Runet van Heerden: That is correct. To be fairly honest, my journey actually started off in the yachting industry as a stewardess, and I just fell in love with how the chef was cooking. I was like, this is what I want to do. So I studied cheffing after that and ended up in a private household in Dubai, working for an amazing family. I studied nutrition after that, and I kind of fell in love with how the body works and how you feed it. That’s how I went into fitness. I was like, this would just be a great combination. And that is how I ended up, in a nutshell, being a private chef and a personal trainer.

Ben W: Wow. And what inspired you to move from service into recruitment?

Runet van Heerden: I think it was the routine. In the industry, when you’re working on the yachts or in a private household, it turns into a lifestyle. It’s not just a job. I preferred being on land. And when it’s a lifestyle, you need flexibility. Working for a high-end client, you’re always on the clock, which is not a bad thing — but yeah, I think that is why I chose to move into recruitment and just have a bit more routine. I’m getting old. I need to start a family.

How frontline experience shapes better recruitment

Ben W: How do your past roles help you understand clients and candidates better today?

Runet van Heerden: I feel like I understand what candidates go through in the whole process and what’s expected of them. From the client side, I just understand everything better. You understand what clients are looking for because you’ve worked with these high-end clients, and you know what to look for in candidates. It helps you match the right people together.

Ben W: When you said you know what to look for, what they expect – could you give us an example?

Runet van Heerden: The yachting industry and the private staffing industry are all different. The standards in yachting are definitely very different from housekeeping standards in Dubai, for example. But high-end clients in Dubai are still looking for yachting service standards, which you sometimes need to explain to them is not always what they will get here. Maybe in Europe, where the yachting industry is a bit bigger, that is the type of service you will find. There is a very fine line – it is the same industry, but the standards of service are different in all the different places.

Ben W: Laurine has spoken very highly of staff who have come from yachting and moved into domestic roles as house managers or butlers. She said it is probably one of the best backgrounds to have because it is so demanding. What lessons from your time as a private staff member do you still use now in recruitment?

Runet van Heerden: Attention to detail, adaptability, and professionalism at all times. In private service, the small things matter most, and that is something I carry into recruitment every day.

Ben W: Could you give me an example?

Runet van Heerden: It comes down to personality, the way you handle things, the way you look at things. When I look at candidates and clients, there are a lot of things that go into the mix. Coming from the yachting industry into a household service role, you just clean differently. If I get anybody else to come and do a deep clean, it will never reach yachting standards. That’s the reality of it. It can go to physical small things, or just how to deal with clients, how to look at things.

What families should understand before hiring a private chef

Ben W: What is one thing you wish principals or family offices understood about recruiting private chefs or wellness staff?

Runet van Heerden: The perfect candidate on paper does not always translate into the right fit in reality. Personality, communication style, and lifestyle alignment are just as important as experience. High-end clients always want the perfect candidate, but there is never always going to be that. You wanted A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and realistically we can get you A, B, D, C, E, F.

Ben W: And how do you spot the right personality fit between a client and the household team?

Runet van Heerden: It comes down to understanding both sides deeply. When I do my interviews with candidates, I take it very seriously. It is a serious process for me, and likewise with the client. I am very honest with both. I look at how the candidate communicates, their level of flexibility, and how they have handled previous roles. Then I match that against the client’s environment, expectations, and pace of life.

Ben W: You mentioned the candidate’s flexibility. How do you determine that in an interview?

Runet van Heerden: You can immediately see if somebody is going to go the extra mile or not. I promise you, I do not know how, but it is just a talent I have. You can immediately spot the difference between somebody who has a passion for their job and somebody who is really doing it because it brings in money. You can definitely see that immediately.

Ben W: Are the people who have that passion far rarer and more difficult to find?

Runet van Heerden: Definitely. There are still a lot of people out there who have a passion for working like that. But you handle things differently when that is the case. I feel like I am one of them, honestly.

What makes a great employer

Ben W: What makes a truly good employer in this industry?

Runet van Heerden: Clarity, respect, and consistency. The best employers set clear expectations and communicate openly. They also treat their staff as professionals. You do not always see that, which is truly sad. In some countries I would rather not name, you interview staff and they say they did not get a day off last month. That is illegal. It comes down to this: the way you treat your staff is the service you will get in return.

Ben W: And how can clients create an environment that helps staff deliver their best?

Runet van Heerden: When staff feels respected and understood, they know what is expected and they can focus on delivering a high level of service without uncertainty. That comes back to clear communication. I have a few clients I love working with because they go straight to the point. They tell you exactly what they want, what they do not like, in a very respectful way. I always tell the candidates, if I was still a private chef, this is a client I would want to work with. There is no space for error, but they give you everything you need upfront. You do not have to figure out whether they want this or not.

Ben W: And these clients who communicate that clearly — are they the ones who keep coming back?

Runet van Heerden: Yes, they do. And I take that as a compliment. At the end of the day, they come to Morgan and Mallet to get a service, and I still value high service everywhere even though I am no longer in private staffing myself.

Runet’s client base and what is ahead

Ben W: You are based in Dubai at the moment, is that right?

Runet van Heerden: Yes, I am.

Ben W: And most of your clients are based in Dubai, or are you serving clients from other countries?

Runet van Heerden: I have got clients from India, from Saudi, a lot of Qatar, Egypt. We are kind of all over. And a small little bird told me we are also reopening South Africa at the moment. So whenever this goes online, that is an exciting part too.

Ben W: And you will be dealing with people from your own country.

Runet van Heerden: I am so excited. I know I will be speaking English, but here and there a South African word will drop. My first language is Afrikaans.
Ben W: Honestly, I had no idea. Your English is perfect.

Final message to clients

Ben W: Last question. Is there anything I did not ask you that you feel clients should know?

Runet van Heerden: Just value your staff more. That is the one thing I have really picked up in the last few months working for Morgan and Mallet — understanding the difference between candidates and clients. Respecting and valuing your staff is going to go a very, very long way.

Ben W: Excellent. Great points. Right then, that is the end of this episode. Thank you very much, Runet. You have been absolutely fantastic. For our listeners, if you could subscribe if you enjoyed this, and share it with someone you think would benefit. And if you need a candidate for whatever role, even if you are uncertain, head over to householdstaff.agency, fill out the form or give us a call, and we will get back to you within 24 hours. Thank you for listening and have a super day.

Runet van Heerden: Thank you, Ben.