What is Private Chef Cook?
Private Chef Job Description
A private chef is a trained cook that is employed to prepare meals for an individual or a single household. Not to be confused with a personal chef who often caters to several clients, a private chef is sometimes a permanent resident of the house where he or she works.
Private chefs are becoming increasingly common in households recruiting domestic staff.
A private house chef will usually possess a high level of training and experience. These are generally graduates of well-reputed culinary schools and institutes, or they may have served under top Michelin-starred chefs.
Others may have gained experience working in the corporate sphere, before moving on to private placements.
Most of our chefs have extensive experience in a range of different national and regional cuisines, such as traditional British, Mediterranean, French, Asian, Oriental and Japanese. Many are also keen innovators, exploring more experimental and exotic culinary methods of preparing and presenting food.
A private chef usually works for an individual or a family in their residence. However, they may be expected to prepare food in various locations if the employer is a frequent travellor. Locations may also vary depending on the client's property portfolio. Individuals with multiple homes, chalets, yachts, private aircrafts etc. may wish to take their favorite foods with them, and that also means taking the chef.
Private chefs are becoming increasingly common in households recruiting domestic staff.
A private house chef will usually possess a high level of training and experience. These are generally graduates of well-reputed culinary schools and institutes, or they may have served under top Michelin-starred chefs.
Others may have gained experience working in the corporate sphere, before moving on to private placements.
Most of our chefs have extensive experience in a range of different national and regional cuisines, such as traditional British, Mediterranean, French, Asian, Oriental and Japanese. Many are also keen innovators, exploring more experimental and exotic culinary methods of preparing and presenting food.
A private chef usually works for an individual or a family in their residence. However, they may be expected to prepare food in various locations if the employer is a frequent travellor. Locations may also vary depending on the client's property portfolio. Individuals with multiple homes, chalets, yachts, private aircrafts etc. may wish to take their favorite foods with them, and that also means taking the chef.
Where Do Private Chefs Practice?
Private chefs practice in a range of environments. They are typically employed as a personal chef for a reasonably wealthy individual or family, and will therefore cater to all the meals.
Private Chefs who are employed by the very wealthy are sometimes a part of that person’s retinue, traveling wherever they go and preparing all of the meals. Preparing meals on yachts and at holiday homes is also not an impossibility.
Private Chefs who are employed by the very wealthy are sometimes a part of that person’s retinue, traveling wherever they go and preparing all of the meals. Preparing meals on yachts and at holiday homes is also not an impossibility.
What are the responsibilities of a Private Chef ?
A private chef is responsible for overseeing stock and supply operations, designing menus and preparing high quality food for their employer(s) and guests. They will also be expected to have a sound knowledge of their suppliers and sources, and be able to give an eloquent presentation of the products they use.
A good private chef should also be flexible, open to new input, creative, and have a good understanding of his or her employer’s culinary needs and tastes. They should have an excellent eye for detail and a sympathetic understanding of different dietary requirements, allergies and health issues. While it is often preferable for a private chef to have a good knowledge of health and healthy eating in order to properly advise his or her employers, it is absolutely essential that they have expert knowledge in regards to hygiene.
In certain cases, a chef's responsibilities may extend beyond cooking and cover general management and training of all kitchen staff.
Equally, private chefs may also be requested for some key events, such as dinner parties, grand breakfast buffets, birthday meals, outdoor events such as garden parties, barbequeues and much more.
Private chefs may work within a team of kitchen and/or other household staff, or be expected to work entirely or partially autonomously. In households with large kitchen squads, other senior members may be responsible for staff management and delegation. In both cases, private chefs are generally responsible for managing kitchen budgets and accounts.
The vast majority of our private chefs learnt their substantial skill-set from years of hands-on experience and have usually been trained in various different types of cuisine. This may include catering specifically for children, providing classical well-balanced family meals, and catering for very large numbers of people. However, all qualified professional chefs must be capable of organising deluxe dinners for large numbers of guests, even at short notice.
A good private chef should also be flexible, open to new input, creative, and have a good understanding of his or her employer’s culinary needs and tastes. They should have an excellent eye for detail and a sympathetic understanding of different dietary requirements, allergies and health issues. While it is often preferable for a private chef to have a good knowledge of health and healthy eating in order to properly advise his or her employers, it is absolutely essential that they have expert knowledge in regards to hygiene.
In certain cases, a chef's responsibilities may extend beyond cooking and cover general management and training of all kitchen staff.
Equally, private chefs may also be requested for some key events, such as dinner parties, grand breakfast buffets, birthday meals, outdoor events such as garden parties, barbequeues and much more.
Private chefs may work within a team of kitchen and/or other household staff, or be expected to work entirely or partially autonomously. In households with large kitchen squads, other senior members may be responsible for staff management and delegation. In both cases, private chefs are generally responsible for managing kitchen budgets and accounts.
The vast majority of our private chefs learnt their substantial skill-set from years of hands-on experience and have usually been trained in various different types of cuisine. This may include catering specifically for children, providing classical well-balanced family meals, and catering for very large numbers of people. However, all qualified professional chefs must be capable of organising deluxe dinners for large numbers of guests, even at short notice.
What Are Typical Earnings for a Private Chef?
As with most jobs in the service sector, the salaries of private chefs are often directly proportional to the scope of training and the years of experience they have. Usually paid in the hour, private chefs may make anywhere between 35 to 150 dollars an hour depending on experience, and this equates to a range of between 50,000 and 150,000 dollars yearly. The average annual wage for a private chef in the United States as of 2019 is about 75,000 dollars. Those chefs with the most training and experience are highly sought-after by the wealthiest clients.
Training, Studies, and Experience Requirements for a Private Chef
Most personal chefs receive training at a culinary school, or are educated in a 4-year college and have degrees in the culinary arts. Others may start as line cooks in restaurants and gain experience there. Chefs are required to possess extensive knowledge of not just cooking, but also menu planning, kitchen, and pantry organization, and sanitary procedures in food handling and preparation.
Chefs with professional certification and at least 5 years of experience are the most in-demand.
Due to the current world climate, the market for private chefs is seeing an increase in demand. For families and individuals that have the means, employing private chefs is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury.
Chefs with professional certification and at least 5 years of experience are the most in-demand.
Due to the current world climate, the market for private chefs is seeing an increase in demand. For families and individuals that have the means, employing private chefs is becoming more of a necessity than a luxury.
What accommodation can you expect as a Private Chef ?
Accommodation will very much depend on the type of contract on offer. If the employee is expected to travel with the employer then he or she will generally benefit from live-in accommodation (for example, a chef serving aboard a private yacht will generally be offered a room).
In cases where no accommodation is offered, we advise our candidates to seek living arrangements within close proximity to their employer’s premises in order to reduce travel time and expenses.
All our Private chefs are required to:
Morgan & Mallet International places and recruits private chefs for temporary, seasonal or permanent contracts. Our recruitment consultants are always available to answer your questions.
In cases where no accommodation is offered, we advise our candidates to seek living arrangements within close proximity to their employer’s premises in order to reduce travel time and expenses.
All our Private chefs are required to:
- Hold a clean criminal record in both their country of employment and country of origin
- Present all certificates and qualifications from training centres and/or schools they attended
- Successfully pass two interview stages
- Provide at least three positive references from previous employers
- Present a portfolio of their recipes and meals
- Complete a professional dossier containing: CV, cover letter, proof of identity (photocopy or scan), proof of address, proof of the right to work in the country of employment (if applicable), driving license and pay slips from previous professional placements. Candidates should be aware that other documentation may also be required.
Morgan & Mallet International places and recruits private chefs for temporary, seasonal or permanent contracts. Our recruitment consultants are always available to answer your questions.