KP801 - Full-Time Live-Out Chef - Manhattan, NY

The family seeking to employ a full-time private chef resides in Manhattan, New York, an area known for its vibrant culinary scene and fast-paced lifestyle. This private family values professionalism, discretion, and culinary excellence, aiming to find a highly skilled chef who can independently manage all culinary operations within their household. The household features a large, modern, fully equipped open-plan kitchen designed to support high-end meal preparation. As a well-established private residence with children, the family emphasizes a nurturing environment where nutrition and dietary needs are paramount. This unique setting offers an excellent opportunity for an experienced chef to exercise creativity and expertise, particularly in child-focused menu development and nutrition.

This full-time position entails working directly for the family with a schedule that alternates between five days on with two days off one week, and six days on followed by one day off the subsequent week. The family is flexible and open-minded about scheduling for the right candidate, reflecting their willingness to accommodate a committed and long-term fit. Prior to a formal employment offer, candidates will participate in a paid trial period of two to three working days, providing a chance to demonstrate their skills and compatibility with the household's needs.

The chef's core responsibilities involve creating custom weekly menus tailored to the family’s health goals, personal preferences, and seasonal ingredient availability. This includes preparing daily meals—breakfast, lunch, dinner—and nutritious snacks for both adults and children, ensuring a balanced variety of dishes with consistency in quality and presentation. A notable and critical aspect of the role is designing and maintaining child-focused menus for two children aged 2.5 and 9 years old. This requires the chef to develop nutritious, age-appropriate meals that cater to different textures, portion sizes, and preferences, aligned with pediatric nutrition guidelines. The role also involves creating elevated versions of classic child-friendly dishes to foster positive eating habits in the children.

The chef will independently manage all kitchen operations, ensuring an organized workflow and adhering to the highest standards of cleanliness, hygiene, and food safety. They will establish clear preparation and storage zones and coordinate maintenance of kitchen equipment as necessary. Additionally, the role demands sourcing premium ingredients from quality grocery outlets and local organic suppliers, with an emphasis on seasonal fresh produce, proteins, and seafood. Inventory management, food rotation, cost control, and minimizing waste fall squarely under the chef’s purview.

Service extends beyond day-to-day meal preparation; the chef will also be responsible for the presentation and setup of meals and table settings. When requested, the chef will plan and execute small private dinners, family celebrations, and holiday meals, showcasing an ability to cater to special occasions with exceptional culinary skill and style.

Preferred education includes culinary credentials from prestigious institutions such as Le Cordon Bleu, Culinary Institute of America, ALMA, Basque Culinary Center, or Ritz Escoffier. Professional certifications like ACF Certified Personal Chef (CPC), ServSafe Food Protection Manager, HACCP Certification, WSET, Plant-Based Nutrition, or Functional Nutrition are highly regarded. Minimum experience required is three-plus years as a Private Chef or Head Chef in a private household or upscale restaurant setting, with proven versatility in cuisines such as Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, and plant-forward diets. Experience cooking for children within a private household is especially valued.

Professionalism is essential: the successful candidate must maintain discretion, reliability, and uphold confidentiality by signing a Non-Disclosure Agreement. Comfort in working alongside household staff, particularly nannies, is important for coordination of daily routines. The chef must demonstrate a strong commitment to health and safety protocols, including regular medical check-ups and abstinence from alcohol and drugs.

Finally, the candidate must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license with a clean driving record to handle provisioning duties and be willing to undergo a comprehensive background check. The family offers competitive compensation ranging from $160,000 to $180,000 annually, depending on experience, alongside health insurance, holiday pay at 150% of the daily rate for public holidays, paid time off, support for ongoing professional development, and meals during working hours. Access to a modern, fully equipped kitchen complements this rewarding role, offering an ideal environment for a dedicated private chef to thrive and contribute to the well-being and happiness of a dynamic family in Manhattan.