Job Description

Family with main residence in Lake Forest, Illinois (North Shore suburbs of Chicago) is seeking a professional, experienced, creative, and detail-oriented full-time private chef. The schedule for position is on five to six days per week, which includes a combination of weekdays and weekends. Flexibility to work holidays and events is required for position. Private chef must be willing to live and work between residences throughout the year. Approximate schedule: Salt Lake City, Utah (January – March, second half of December = 14 weeks per year); Adirondack Mountains, New York (June – October = 20 weeks per year); Lake Forest, Illinois (April, May, November, first half of December, sporadically = 18 weeks per year). Private chef will receive schedule at least 2-3 months in advance. Private chef is expected to prepare meals for family from scratch for combination of breakfast, lunch and dinner (varies based on location / residence, family’s schedule, guests / family visiting, etc.). Candidates must be comfortable working collaboratively with family office and fully staffed informal to semi-formal residences (e.g., housekeepers, property manager, house manager, etc.). Ideal candidate has a culinary certificate or degree, bachelor’s degree, 5-10+ years of consistent and recent domestic experience as a full-time private chef, knowledgeable and experienced with clean and healthy cooking, experienced following specific allergies and dietary restrictions / preferences (e.g., Celiac Disease, etc.), understands the importance of maintaining discretion, discreet and calm demeanor, comfortable working around grown children and dogs, assertive, positive, proactive, organized, detail-oriented, service focused, kind, respectful, seeking longevity and has a flexible schedule. Uniform preferred by private chef is required (e.g., chef coat and pants, apron, etc.). Accommodations and vehicles will be provided for private chef at all locations / residences. This is a newly created position for growing domestic team. Start date is flexible for the right candidate.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Creativity in preparing healthy and clean meals that follow specified allergies and dietary restrictions / preferences (organic food required)

• Prepare foods based around specific dietary restrictions (e.g., gluten free, etc.)

• Keep up-to-date on the latest culinary trends and fads

• Experienced with planning menus for principals, various family members (grown children), and events

• Create lists, order ingredients, and shop for fresh foods

• Professional presence and experience in food presentation and table setting is mandatory

• All food preparation and kitchen related duties along with grocery shopping

• High standards of health and hygiene with food

• Properly storing ingredients and leftovers

• Coordinate cooking and serving times with principals, guests, and domestic employees

• Clean and tidy kitchen after each use

• Maintain all kitchen equipment

• Interactions with grown children, extended family, friends, and business associates for holiday meals, lunches, and events at residences

• Provide hospitality and service to visitors and guests (including more formal service when hosting small private events)

• Ensure pantry, refrigerator, and wine cellar are properly stocked in accordance with the family’s travel and entertaining schedules

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ability to travel domestically between residences whenever necessary

• Highly organized, detail oriented, proactive, excellent time management, efficient, and service focused

• Attentive to family’s preferences and style (intuitive to their needs)

• Ability to maintain discretion (confidentiality agreement is required)

• Ability to be discreet with respect for family’s privacy

• Professional presentation of self and great personality

• Ability to easily take direction

• Strong ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with principals, domestic staff, and family office

• Discreet and understand the importance of when to be present and when to be hidden

• Positive attitude and ability to handle private chef responsibilities with ease and calm demeanor

• Active and fit

• Non-Smoker

REQUIREMENTS:

• Culinary degree or certificate

• Bachelor’s degree

• 5-10+ years of consistent and recent full-time private chef experience

• 2-3+ references from domestic positions

• United States passport

• Driver’s license and clean driving record

• Extensive background checks, motor vehicle checks, drug tests, and psychological evaluation

• Seeking longevity / long term commitment (e.g., at least 2-5+ years)

• Comfortable working around grown children and dogs

COMPENSATION:

• $250K+ gross annual salary (based on experience and qualifications)

• Health insurance coverage / policy (including dental and vision) through family office 

• Four weeks (20 days) vacation paid

• Discretionary annual bonus and raise (performance evaluation required)

Please read the job description carefully and kindly apply with your cover letter, resume, references (email address and phone number), letter(s) of recommendation, professional photo, food portfolio or photos, and menu examples if you feel that you meet all of the requirements. We look forward to hearing from you!

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