Personal Chef — Chinese Specialty
Palo Alto, CA (relocating to Menlo Park, CA)
Part-Time · W-2 Employment · Bay Area Candidates Only
POSITION OVERVIEW
Our client, an executive couple, has just launched their search for a talented, detail-oriented Personal Chef with a specialty in Chinese cuisine. The family resides in Palo Alto and will be relocating to Menlo Park within the coming months. This is a part-time role — three days per week, Wednesday through Friday — and is well-suited for a culinary professional who takes genuine pride in preparing wholesome, fresh, family-style meals in a private home setting.
The principals are a busy professional couple with no children or pets at home. They eat primarily Chinese food and appreciate clean, fresh, and unfussy cooking. One principal is dairy-free; no other significant dietary restrictions are in place. The family values consistency, warmth, and a chef who treats their home with the same care and respect they would their own.
SCHEDULE
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday — weekly
- On Fridays, the chef will prepare sufficient food to carry the household through the weekend
- Consistent compensation will be provided even during periods when the principals are traveling or away
CULINARY FOCUS & STYLE
- Primary cuisine: Chinese (must be a true specialty — authentic, confident, and varied)
- Supporting cuisines: Asian-inspired dishes and Italian. Preferred background in Cantonese / Southern Chinese cooking
- Cooking style: family-style, fresh, organic, and approachable — not formal or overly elaborate
- All organic ingredients required; no dairy in any cooking for one of the principals
- Dishes should be flavorful but not heavily spiced
- Lunch and dinner service daily on scheduled workdays
CORE RESPONSIBILITIES
- Plan and prepare lunch and dinner on each scheduled workday
- Submit weekly menu proposals to the principals in advance for review and approval
- Set the table and serve each meal with care and attentiveness
- Thoroughly clean the kitchen and cooking areas after each meal service
- Maintain a well-organized, sanitary kitchen environment at all times
- Manage grocery shopping and sourcing of organic, high-quality ingredients
- Monitor pantry, refrigerator, and freezer inventory; maintain a running shopping list
- Assist in stocking and organizing the kitchen in the new Menlo Park home during the upcoming relocation — including placement of cookware, equipment, pantry staples, and supplies
- Support occasional private events and dinner gatherings as requested — light event service may include plated presentation and timing coordination
- Communicate proactively about menu ideas, ingredient sourcing, and any scheduling needs
COMPENSATION & BENEFITS
- $80-$100 per hour, commensurate with experience
- Consistent weekly compensation, including during principal travel or absence
- W-2 employment
- Paid sick leave and accrued paid vacation
- Access to a company retirement plan
- Annual performance-based discretionary bonus
- Annual wage review
- Paid trial period for qualified finalists
REQUIREMENTS
- Must be a local Bay Area resident — no relocation candidates
- Demonstrated expertise in Chinese cuisine is essential; please be prepared to speak in depth about your experience
- Strong working knowledge of Italian and broader Asian cuisines
- Thorough understanding of organic cooking and dairy-free preparation
- Prior experience in private household or estate settings strongly preferred
- Exceptional personal presentation, discretion, and professionalism at all times
- Willingness to undergo an in-depth background investigation
- Strong, verifiable references from previous employers — private household references are a significant plus
- Non-smoker / no vaping
- Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
- The family has a cat-no cat allergies please
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability to stand and remain on your feet for extended periods during meal preparation and service
- Comfortable lifting grocery bags, cookware, and kitchen equipment — up to approximately 30 lbs
- Manual dexterity required for precise knife work, portioning, and plating
- Ability to work in a warm kitchen environment for sustained periods
- Ability to bend, reach, and organize kitchen storage areas, including lower cabinets and high shelving
- Sufficient mobility to assist with the physical setup of the new kitchen during relocation
