Private Chef

Private Chef Job Description
Full-Time Private Chef | Menlo Park, California

Our client based in Menlo Park, California, is seeking a highly skilled, discreet Private Chef to join their household team. This role centers on dinner service and health-focused vegetarian cooking for a family who values genuine care in the kitchen as much as the food itself.

The ideal candidate is thoughtful and detail-oriented, someone who takes real pride and ownership in their workspace, keeping the kitchen clean and organized and personally seeing service through to clean-up. This is a wonderful opportunity for a Chef who finds meaning in cooking with intention and creating a warm, healthy rhythm within a family's home.

Schedule

• Full-time, on-site 
• Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
• Primary focus on dinner service, with lunches prepped in advance
• Start date: as soon as possible
• Local candidates only

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute vegetarian menus across a range of cuisines, including Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, Indian, and Mexican
• Prepare daily lunches and dinners, accommodating specific dietary  needs within the household
• Source high-quality, seasonal ingredients and manage grocery shopping
• Incorporate produce from the property's edible garden into daily cooking
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen, including personally handling clean-up after service
• Support casual weekend hosting, comfortable with both plated and family-style meals
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, presentation, and discretion at all times
• Manage the edible garden in partnership with the gardeners and principal. 

Skills & Qualifications

• Must be authorized to work legally in the United States
• Must live within a commutable distance to Menlo Park
• Strong longevity in current and past positions
• 3-5 years of experience as a private chef in a UHNW home preferred
• Strong vegetarian and plant-based cooking background, with comfort navigating dietary restrictions
• Passion for farm-to-table cooking
• Low-key, grounded personality; highly professional and discreet
• Comfortable working independently in a home kitchen setting
• Flexible to occasionally work holidays with advance notice
• Must successfully complete an in-depth background investigation

Compensation & Benefits

• $150,000-$175,000+ base salary | depending on experience 
• Health, dental, and vision plan for employee
• Retirement plan with match
• 10 paid vacation days in the first year
• Paid sick days
• Paid holidays
• Discretionary year-end bonus
• Yearly wage review

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.