Personal Chef

Part-Time Personal Chef
Los Altos, CA

A family of three in Los Altos, California is looking for a part-time Personal Chef who specializes in Asian cuisine, specifically Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. The family also enjoys Italian and American cuisine, but a healthy rotation of Asian dishes is a true must for this role, and it happens to be the surest way to the 8-year-old's heart.

The family values their privacy and their space, so the right Chef will be mindful and low-key while in their kitchen: efficient with time, clean as they go, and quiet while working.

Schedule

3 days a week, ideally Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with some flexibility. Dinner is served at 6pm. Occasional weekend availability for dinner parties is a plus.

Culinary Focus

Strong fluency in Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cooking is a must, with Italian and Californian American as nice additions. On cooking days, the chef prepares a fresh dinner plus a prepped meal, breakfast items, and snacks for the day or two after.

Favorite dishes include Japanese curry with tonkatsu, Korean-style grilled meats with lettuce wraps and rice, short rib stew, and soba or udon dishes. Breakfast and snack items (yogurt parfaits, frittatas, mini muffins, protein bites, easy grab and go snacks) should stay stocked through the week.

What Matters Most

Efficiency and high-quality, flavorful meals. Simple, well-executed comfort food most nights is exactly the goal, with more labor-intensive dishes welcome occasionally.

Responsibilities

• Menu plan a week ahead to share with the family
• Thoughtfully shop for high-quality ingredients 
• Prepare fresh dinners three days per week, with an emphasis on Japanese, Korean, and Chinese cuisine, plus prepped meals, breakfast items, and snacks for the days in between, labeled for freshness and reheating as needed
• Work efficiently, delivering flavorful, well-executed meals without excessive prep time
• Maintain high standards for food safety and cleanliness
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen during and after cooking, this is important
• Work comfortably around children and contribute to a calm, low-key household environment
• Operate with excellent discretion and professionalism at all times, respecting the family's privacy and space

Qualifications

• Strong experience cooking Asian cuisine (Japanese, Korean, Chinese), plus Italian/Californian
• A minimum of 3+ years of experience working as a Private Chef 
• Comfortable receiving general preferences/feedback rather than detailed instructions, and enjoys the creative freedom that comes with it
• Trustworthy, reliable, and detail-oriented (a clean, verifiable background and strong references are essential)
• Legally authorized to work in the US
• Within a commutable distance to Los Altos (no out of area candidates will be considered)

Compensation:

• $75+ per hour | commensurate with experience
• Guaranteed weekly hours offered 

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.