Job Description

Private family seeks an accomplished Private Chef to lead all culinary operations within their primary residence in Manhattan, with seasonal relocation to Massachusetts and periodic travel to Florida. This is a highly mobile role that includes extensive travel and frequent, high-level entertaining within a private household environment. The position requires a chef with exceptional fine-dining training and a proven ability to execute both refined daily family meals and sophisticated entertaining with confidence, precision, and consistency.

This is a full-time, live-out position primarily based in New York City, with substantial travel and seasonal relocation aligned with the family’s annual schedule. During winter and early spring months, the Chef will travel to Florida based on a mutually agreeable schedule, typically one week in Jan, Feb and April plus two weeks in March. Late spring and fall are primarily New York City based, with occasional weekend entertaining and select short travel commitments. Summers are spent in Massachusetts, where the Chef will live on-island in provided staff accommodations for the duration of the season, with use of a staff vehicle.

This position generally follows a Monday through Friday schedule, including occasional weekends and select holidays including Christmas, Rosh Hashana, Columbus Day and Thanksgiving. Dinner is typically served between 7:00–7:30pm, with frequent events requiring advanced planning, strong pacing, and flawless execution. Responsibilities include daily lunch and dinner service, menu development, sourcing, provisioning, and comprehensive kitchen management across all residences. The Chef must be able to independently manage complex dinner parties, intimate gatherings, and larger-scale events, including formal and informal entertaining, without disruption to the household.

The ideal candidate will be highly organized, creative, and service-oriented, with the discretion, polish, and composure required to support guest-forward entertaining at a very high level. This position is well suited for a chef who thrives in an open-kitchen environment and understands the pace, flexibility, and professionalism expected in a private residence.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Execute daily lunch, dinner, snacks and staff meals with consistency and refinement
• Plan and deliver high-level entertaining, including formal dinners, casual gatherings and special occasions
• Develop sophisticated, seasonally driven menus for approval, specializing in clean, healthy Mediterranean and Asian cuisine while maintaining a broad, global repertoire
• Manage all aspects of kitchen operations including inventory, ordering, stocking, and organization
• Maintain fully stocked refrigerators and pantries based on family preferences and travel schedules
• Prepare and pack travel-friendly meals as requested
• Menu planning to accommodate entertaining needs, teen and guest preferences and dietary requirements
• Maintain a clean-as-you-go approach, ensuring the kitchen and dining areas are returned to pristine condition immediately after every service
• Establish and maintain a chef archive of recipes and a household inventory list of frequently used products
• Collaborate seamlessly with the family’s assistant, house manager, and household staff
• Identify and report any damages, maintenance issues, or equipment needs; source, maintain, or replace kitchen tools and service items as needed
• Uphold the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, storage, and leftover management
• Set the tone for a calm, creative, professional, and inspired kitchen environment

Requirements:

• Strong command of English language; superior communication skills, both written and verbal
• Excellent references required from both current and previous employers
• Minimum 5 years of Michelin-level or equivalent fine-dining experience
• Demonstrated success executing high-level entertaining in a private or high-touch environment
• Polished, poised, and professional demeanor with the utmost discretion at all times
• Exceptional organization, kitchen management, pacing, and leadership skills
• Proficient with menu planning and inventory management systems
• Calm, confident presence with the ability to lead service under pressure
• Service-oriented, team player, highly attuned to household dynamics
• Comfortable working flexible schedules, including weekends, holidays, and extended hours
• Demonstrated ability to support a highly mobile role that includes frequent travel and seasonal relocation across multiple residences
• Proven experience executing high-level, guest-forward entertaining in a private or high-touch environment
• Willing to work either December 24 or December 25 as part of required holiday coverage
• Comfortable with short travel commitments tied to holidays and long weekends, including Memorial Day, Rosh Hashana, Columbus Day and Thanksgiving
• Agreeable to take a scheduled vacation period during the last two weeks of June
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs and stand for extended periods (up to 12 hours)
• Valid Driver’s License required
• Legally authorized to work in the United States for any employer

Salary: $160,000–$200,000 annually, depending on experience

Benefits: Health insurance + Bonus

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