Private Chef

Full-Time Private Chef | Palm Beach, Florida
Schedule: Full-time, Tuesday - Saturday
Local candidates only!

A warm, food-loving couple in Palm Beach, Florida, is seeking an experienced full-time Private Chef to take full ownership of their kitchen and culinary program. This is a casual but polished household, and the right Chef is just as comfortable plating a beautiful dinner party for six as they are putting together ham and cheese sandwiches on homemade sourdough for an afternoon get-together. Above all, this is a personality-driven role. The ideal Chef brings good energy, warmth, and genuine hospitality, and has a gift for making the family feel completely at home in their own kitchen.

This couple appreciates great food, but they are not looking for anything fussy. They love quality ingredients prepared simply, think a perfectly grilled piece of fish or a good hamburger, and they are not fans of heavy sauces, drizzles, crumbles, or overly composed plates. The Chef who thrives here knows how to let a few excellent ingredients shine rather than over-engineering a dish. Cooking style leans Mediterranean and Italian, with regular homemade sourdough bread, fresh pasta, and fresh fish and vegetables.

Dinner parties are a significant part of this role, with weekly dinner parties and occasional large events. The Chef owns these events fully: arriving, setting up, cooking, plating, presenting the food at the table, and cleaning up alongside kitchen support. Quality, presentation, and pacing between courses matter a great deal, and the right Chef stays calm, organized, and personable under pressure rather than stressed. For larger events, the family brings in additional catering staff, and the Chef oversees food quality and execution while collaborating with that outside team. On quieter nights when it is just the couple, the environment turns casual, sometimes meals are served right at the kitchen island, and the Chef should be just as comfortable in that low-key setting.

Communication and collaboration matter just as much as culinary skill. The ideal Chef has no ego, asks for support when it is needed (extra hands for a big event, for example), and partners easily with the rest of the household team.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of the kitchen, including planning, prepping, cooking, plating, and cleanup.
• Prepare a few courses for most meals, typically an appetizer and main, with dessert on occasion.
• Plan and execute weekly dinner parties for a minimum of six guests including setup, service, and cleanup.
• Personally present food at the table and speak knowledgeably about each dish.
• Manage timing and pacing between courses, keeping the kitchen clean and organized throughout service.
• Stay calm, organized, and personable during dinner parties and busy service.
• Oversee food quality for larger events when outside catering staff are brought in.
• Prepare simple, casual meals for the couple on non-event nights.
• Bake fresh sourdough bread and make homemade pasta on a regular basis.
• Prepare homemade gelato and always have it on hand.
• Use the grill frequently, including for proteins and vegetables.
• Source high quality, fresh ingredients and take care in how they're presented (removing stickers, washing produce, etc.).
• Manage pantry inventory and kitchen organization.
• Use non-event days for tasks like deep cleaning, batch cooking, baking, and freezer prep.
• Travel with the family if requested.

Qualifications

• 5-7+ years of private chef or fine dining experience, with strong technique in Mediterranean and Italian cuisine.
• Equally comfortable preparing elevated, plated dinners and simple, casual fare.
• Skilled in bread baking, fresh pasta, and gelato making.
• Experience planning and executing dinner parties, including presentation, pacing, and table-side service.
• Comfortable working independently and collaborating with outside catering staff for larger events.
• Strong communication skills and comfortable asking for support when needed.
• Calm, organized, and even-tempered, especially during busy service.
• Warm, easygoing personality with no ego, and a genuine ability to make clients feel comfortable in their own home.
• Strong kitchen management habits, including cleanliness and inventory upkeep.
• Open to occasional travel with the family.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Local to the Palm Beach area or within a commutable distance.
• Willingness to undergo an in-depth background check.
• Must be able to provide strong employment references.

Compensation & Benefits

• $160,000+ | depending on experience.
• 15 days of paid time off.
• Paid sick days.
• Health, dental, vision, life insurance - 50% paid.
• 401k with 4% match.
• Discretionary bonus.

DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, dedicated to connecting exceptional Private Service Professionals with private clients and family offices across the United States. Built over more than a decade on referrals and repeat clients, we have grown thoughtfully by doing one thing well: finding the right person for the right home.

Every member of our recruiting team has worked personally in the homes of prominent private clients, as estate managers, private chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just understand private service in theory; we've navigated its nuances, its demands, and its deeply personal nature from the inside. That perspective shapes every search we conduct and every candidate we represent.

We encourage you to regularly explore our job board and apply for any roles that align with your experience and aspirations. When your background aligns with what our clients are looking for, we will be in touch. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you soon.