Job Details

Private Chef | Northern California

A private family in Northern California is seeking an experienced full-time Private Chef who brings culinary range, a health-conscious approach, and genuine hospitality instincts. They are adventurous eaters who appreciate global cuisines – Mediterranean, Californian, Mexican, Italian, Middle Eastern, Japanese, Chinese, and Indian – with a strong preference for local, organic, and seasonal ingredients, and have specific dietary preferences that will be shared with qualified candidates.

This is as much a hospitality role as it is a culinary one. They are looking for someone who cooks innovative, sophisticated, and flavorful food and is equally comfortable in the room – checking in on guests, refreshing waters, anticipating needs, and making everyone feel genuinely taken care of. Cool, calm, and collected under pressure, with the social confidence and warmth to engage with principals and guests naturally. Someone who loves people as much as they love food.

• Schedule: Full-time; Four days per week across multiple properties in the Bay Area.

Responsibilities

• Prepare two to three plated courses for family dinners
• Develop health-conscious menus, incorporating fresh produce from the family's garden
• Cook for occasional guests one to two times per week
• Support larger events when requested
• Manage menu planning, procurement, and presentation
• Provide attentive tableside service and kitchen cleanup

Requirements

• A minimum of 5+ years in fine dining and private service combined; candidates without private chef experience will not be considered
• Strong references and demonstrated longevity
• Culinary degree required
• Local to the Bay Area with reliable transportation
• COVID-19 vaccination required
• Legally authorized to work in the US
• Willingness to sign an NDA and complete a background check
• Willingness to travel with the family if requested

Compensation & Benefits

• $160,000++ per year, DOE
• Full benefits package offered, including 401k

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.