A private chef is usually an experienced cook who works for a family, providing them with tasty dishes each day in line with their dietary requirements. Private chefs will work from the family’s residence, but may also be based on jets, yachts or holiday homes. Some upmarket holiday companies will also employ private chefs to stay in far-away villas for the season and cater to each family who visits.
But why become a private chef in the first place and how difficult is it to become one? We have the answers here or here – as well as a place you can find cook jobs.
Why Work As a Private Chef?
Most chefs at one point in their career consider working as a private chef. The promise of better working hours, a greater connection between the food you prepare and the people you serve it to, as well as often better pay, all turn cook’s heads.
These are all excellent reasons why becoming a private chef trump working at a restaurant – even the finest ones. However, one of the greatest pulls for experienced chefs to become a cook working for a family is that it allows them more creative freedom.
You no longer have to prepare and serve the same menus each season as you get room to be creative and switch dishes regularly, in line with your employers’ preferences, of course.
How to Become a Private Cook?
Unfortunately for most cooks, they will not be able to walk into a private chef job after a few years of service in the hospitality industry. High-income professionals are more likely to request a private chef, and this means they have high standards and expectations.
Most personal chefs will have worked as head cooks in well-known restaurants or have opened their own successful restaurant. Without these experiences, along with qualifications and a blot-free personal record, you are unlikely to be a successful candidate for a cook vacancy.
Where Can You Find A Cook Job?
You are less likely to find a private chef job on your usual job site. Of course, some of these roles will be advertised there, but private cooks are not as often hired by businesses. They are being retained by families who need a reliable private chef for their home.
This means families are using specialist companies that have the experience and skills to find them the chef that matches their expectations. If you want to land a job as a private chef, then you need to be connected with these specialist companies.
HazeltonClive is one of them and can help the best cooks get a contract with a family as a cook. For more information and the chance to grow your culinary experiences in exclusive and even sun-drenched locations, start hiring a chef today!
If you want to work as a private chef, please review our cook vacancies here.