Do you place chefs with specific dietary specializations?

Yes. Plant-based, allergen-restricted, performance nutrition, and specific cuisine specializations are common calibration points, and we screen the shortlist against them before the tasting round.

Do you place chefs who can travel with the principal?

Yes. Travel-heavy roles are common in our engagements, and we calibrate travel expectations and compensation before sourcing.

How long does a Private Chef search take?

A retained Private Chef search typically runs six to ten weeks from kickoff, including tasting and trial periods.

← All roles

Private

Private Chef

Culinary leadership for the household.

Private Chefs vetted for training, discretion, and household fluency — capable of daily family service, dietary specialization, and elevated entertaining.

Typical compensation · $130K–$225K

Responsibilities

01Plan and execute daily menus tailored to family preferences
02Manage kitchen inventory, procurement, and vendor relationships
03Support entertaining, travel meal service, and special events
04Collaborate with house managers, nutritionists, and trainers

Ideal for

·Full-time family households
·Principals with specific dietary or performance needs
·Households that entertain regularly

What the role actually is

Beyond the job description.

A Private Chef leads the culinary operation of a household — planning and executing daily menus tailored to the family's preferences, managing kitchen inventory and procurement, supporting entertaining and travel meal service, and collaborating with House Managers, nutritionists, and trainers. The best private chefs combine training with discretion and household fluency; the technical bar is high, but the fit is usually decided on temperament and adaptability.

When to hire one

Most principals hire a Private Chef when family meal service has become a daily coordination burden, when specific dietary or performance nutrition needs require professional attention, or when entertaining has become frequent enough that outside catering is no longer efficient or private enough.

Vetting process

Every Private Chef we place completes a paid tasting or trial period at the principal's residence before an offer is extended. Prior to that, finalists complete working conversations on menu planning and household integration, third-party background verification, and personally conducted reference calls with prior principals wherever tenure allows.

Compensation

Private Chefs typically earn $130,000 to $260,000 base plus benefits, with the top of the range going to chefs with strong training, specific dietary specialization, or travel-heavy roles supporting principals across multiple residences. Full benefits and paid time off are standard.

Common mistakes

What we see fail.

01Hiring on résumé alone without a tasting or trial period at the residence.
02Under-scoping entertaining and travel meal service in the mandate.
03Failing to clarify the working relationship between the chef, House Manager, and Personal Assistant.
04Skipping personally conducted reference calls with prior principals.

Frequently asked

Private Chef searches.

Do you place chefs with specific dietary specializations?: Yes. Plant-based, allergen-restricted, performance nutrition, and specific cuisine specializations are common calibration points, and we screen the shortlist against them before the tasting round.
Do you place chefs who can travel with the principal?: Yes. Travel-heavy roles are common in our engagements, and we calibrate travel expectations and compensation before sourcing.
How long does a Private Chef search take?: A retained Private Chef search typically runs six to ten weeks from kickoff, including tasting and trial periods.

Where we place

Private Chef search, nationwide.

Ready to open a Private Chef search?

Every engagement starts with a private consultation.

Request consultation