Job Details

Full-Time Private Chef | Kentfield, California
Schedule: Full-time, five days a week
Anticipated Start: August 2026 (or earlier for the right candidate)
Open to local Bay Area candidates!

A close-knit, food-loving family in Kentfield, California is seeking an experienced full-time Private Chef to join their household. The family values good food and time together, even with a busy schedule that doesn't always allow everyone to sit down for dinner at the same time. They want a Chef who keeps the kitchen stocked with prepared meals so family members can cook for themselves when needed, and who brings fresh lunches and dinners to the table four-five days a week. The ideal Chef enjoys perusing local farmers markets and sourcing high quality ingredients, and is warm, engaging, friendly, and professional, with the range to move easily between casual, everyday cooking and a more elevated plated dinner for the occasional party or event.

Communication is key. Menus should be shared a week in advance to allow for some back and forth, and the Chef should always communicate what's for dinner that day. Some evenings the family may want to hop into their outdoor kitchen and cook what the Chef has prepped, while other nights the Chef will cook a meal fully from start to finish and serve it family style.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare lunch and dinner five days a week.
• Prepare lighter lunches, typically salads with a protein.
• Cook a variety of cuisines including but not limited to Mediterranean, Italian, and Asian cuisine, with an emphasis on fresh produce and proteins.
• Keep healthy grab-and-go snacks stocked for the family throughout the week.
• Communicate weekly menus in advance and stay responsive to the family's day-to-day questions about that evening's dinner. Some days you will prep dinner and other days you will cook and serve family-style dinner.
• Shop at local farmers markets and select seasonal, high-quality ingredients.
• Cater small gatherings two to three times per quarter, including personal celebrations and events, coordinating with outside service staff brought in for those events as needed.
• Maintain a clean, organized kitchen and manage food inventory.
• Work one or two Saturdays per month as needed.
• Be open to traveling and working holidays as requested.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5+ years of professional cooking experience and 2+ years of private chef experience. A culinary degree is strongly preferred.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to plan menus in advance.
• A warm, easygoing personality that fits naturally into a relaxed family household.
• Open to holiday and weekend work when requested.
• Open to travel if requested.
• Local to the Bay Area.
• Legally authorized to work in the United States.
• Willingness to undergo a detailed background check.
• Must have strong employment references.

Compensation & Benefits

• $160,000++ base salary | depending on experience
• Full benefits package

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.