An experienced private chef is required for a formal household for a family of 4. 3–4 weekday evenings + ad hoc weekends. The chef on weekdays will prepare the meal/food and then leave – hours approx. 12-8pm or 1pm-7pm. Weekend hours may vary, and will be given in advance.
Days of the week will depend on the chefs availability, but must have availability for 3-4 weekday evenings. The chef needs to be London based.
Job Role:-
• Prepare light, healthy, family-style evening meals 3–4 times per week for a family of four (numbers may vary)
• Accommodate dietary intolerances and any specific preferences - the family are lactose intolerant
• Prepare healthy snacks and lighter bites as needed
• Cook for dinner parties and entertaining when required, with the ability to elevate menus for guests
• Prepare lunch for the Principals if they are working from home when the chef is working (salad or similar on request)
• Prepare breakfast for the family to eat the next day (overnight oats, chia puddings, fruit platters)
• Fridge prep required for meals for the next day if the chef is not coming in the next day
• Confident use of a BBQ during the summer months
• Take full responsibility for grocery shopping and ingredient sourcing
• Source high-quality, fresh produce from appropriate suppliers
• Be resourceful in using existing pantry ingredients to minimise waste
• Manage the food budget economically and efficiently
• Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness and hygiene at all times
• Take exceptional care of the kitchen environment, including:
— Marble countertops (use of appropriate boards and trivets; no direct cutting or placing of hot items) — Flooring (clean up spills immediately; no dragging of equipment)
— Appliances and cookware (handle with care; clean and store correctly after use)
• Leave the kitchen spotless after every session
• Ensure food safety standards are followed throughout
The candidate must be able to:
• Liaise with the family on weekly schedules, guest numbers, and any changes
• Provide advance notice of menu plans where required
• Be responsive and flexible to last-minute adjustments
• Maintain discretion and respect the family's privacy at all times
Essential:
• Proven experience as a private or personal chef, and significant experience in a professional kitchen
• Experience working in a private household
• Strong repertoire of healthy, family-friendly cooking
• Ability to elevate cooking for dinner parties and entertaining
• Experience handling dietary intolerances
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail
• Economical and resourceful approach to shopping and meal planning
• High standards of cleanliness and kitchen care
• Flexible and adaptable approach to scheduling
• Strong communication skills
• Self-sufficient and comfortable working independently
• Holds relevant food hygiene certification - essential
The chef must have an in date DBS Check – essential
Additional:-
Other staff: they have a housekeeper and will be hiring a House Manager, but the House Manager will finish at 6pm so will not be there for service. They prefer privacy. Service is not required for weekdays
They usually eat their evening meal at 7pm (if a dinner party this will be different)
Formal home
This is a trial and if it works it will be until the end of June, potential to re start again after the summer
To start asap for trials
Evening meals (when not a dinner party) they have one course, plus pre dinner snacks (crudites and other healthy options)
Adults and teenagers eat the same
They are happy for the meal to be prepared for them to serve themselves, but it depends on the menu
Dinner Parties would be three course plus canapes, FORMAL
They would prefer the chef to offer the clients first refusal for weekend work (so if they are asked by someone else to work for them please check if the principal needs you first)
The chef on weekdays will prepare the meal/food and then leave – hours approx. 12-8pm or 1pm-7pm
3 members of the family are lactose intolerant so chef must use lactose free ingredients
They prefer organic or high welfare and free range produce
The chef must prepare all food in the house
Healthy after school snacks to be prepared for the children to have 4-4.30pm
Meal/Fridge prep to be done for an additional day (ie a day the chef is not working)
For dinner parties, these will be for a maximum of 8 people
This is an initial self employed freelance position while they work out their requirements
The chef must work cleanly and with care
If you are interested in this role, please send a menu based on the above requirements:
Lactose Free
Bfast, lunch (prepped for fridge), healthy snacks and dinner
Dinner Party food
Please also send a full bio describing your chef career and journey to date, plus images of your food
Please send your Food Hygiene certificate and copy of DBS
If you are not registered with us/done jobs for us before you must have recent contactable private client references available
Copy of your passport/UK visa
Please also send your expected day rate
Applications that do not send all the above information will not be considered
Email to send the above info to: ella@sugarellacooks.co.uk