Private Chef

Full-Time Private Chef — San Francisco, CA

A warm family of five in San Francisco is looking for a full-time Private Chef to take ownership of what the family eats day to day, thoughtfully, healthily, and with real attention to the kids' evolving palates. This is less about elaborate cooking and more about consistency, creativity within a family's real life, and genuinely caring about the people you're cooking for. Two of the three children are selective eaters, so a meaningful part of this role is building a reliable rotation of kid-approved meals while gently expanding their palates over time.

There is also a smaller, thoughtful piece to this role: preparing simple, healthy meals as requested for a neighbor. This is a modest addition to the role, essentially cooking a bit of extra food and dropping it nearby, and shouldn't significantly add to the workload.

The schedule is primarily Monday through Friday, with some weekend meal prep as needed. This isn't meant to be a full in-home presence all day; the chef will cook efficiently on-site using the family's separate guest house kitchen, prep thoughtfully, and leave well-organized meals behind, including some meals prepared for drop-off, rather than lingering in the home unnecessarily.

Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of what the family eats: planning, shopping, stocking the pantry, and preparing meals independently
• Prepare dinners, snacks, and breakfast items for the week, plus some weekend meal prep
• Prepare simple, healthy meals for a neighbor as requested 
• Build and refine a consistent rotation of kid-friendly dinners while gradually introducing new foods and flavors
• Prepare some meals for drop-off/pickup in addition to on-site cooking
• Cook for the parents' broader tastes as well, including Thai cuisine and other adult favorites
• Involve the kids in the kitchen from time to time as a shared, connective activity
• Occasionally support smaller gatherings or special occasions
• Stay attentive to the family's evolving tastes and adjust the approach as the kids grow
• Maintain a clean and organized kitchen at all times 

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience as a Private Chef for a family, ideally with children
• Strong track record cooking for picky or selective eaters
• Comfortable managing pantry stocking, grocery shopping, and kitchen organization independently
• Skilled in casual, healthy, high-quality home cooking, not overly formal or elaborate
• Experience with meal prepping and packaging for drop-off or later consumption
• Genuine warmth and comfort around children
• Efficient, self-sufficient, and comfortable with a lighter on-site footprint
• Reliable, discreet, and easy to have as part of the household rhythm
• Legally authorized to work in the United States
• Local to the San Francisco Bay Area (out-of-area candidates will not be considered)
• Willing to undergo an in-depth background check and provide excellent employment references

Compensation

• $150,000++ base salary, depending on experience
• Benefits including: 
  • Healthcare stipend
  • 10 days of paid vacation
  • 5 paid sick days
  • Discretionary bonus
  • Access to a retirement plan

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.