Private Chef

Private Chef

Private Family Residence Dallas, Texas

Full-Time W-2 Employment Local Dallas-Area Candidates

DM Estate Staffing is delighted to represent a warm, active family of five in their search for a talented full-time Private Chef. This is a wonderful role for an accomplished culinary professional who takes real pride in cooking thoughtful, ingredient-driven food and the daily rhythm of a busy family home.

The chef will be responsible for preparing breakfast components, lunches, and dinners throughout the week, with a focus on fresh, wholesome cooking and the very best ingredients. The family entertains from time to time, so this role suits someone who is equally comfortable plating a quiet weeknight family dinner and orchestrating an elevated dinner party for guests.

The household is made up of two adults and three children, ages four, seven, and ten. The children are naturally curious in the kitchen, and the family would love a chef who enjoys including them in age-appropriate culinary projects and gently introducing them to new flavors and ingredients. A chef who finds genuine joy in nurturing young, growing palates would be ideal.

The family appreciates a healthy, balanced approach to cooking and values a chef who keeps wellness front of mind without sacrificing flavor or comfort. They enjoy a wide range of cuisines, with particular fondness for Japanese and the many regional cuisines of the Mediterranean.

One member of the family has a seafood allergy. While the family is in residence, no seafood of any kind is to be prepared or kept in the home, and the chef must be diligent about avoiding any cross-contact. When that family member is away other members of the family do enjoy seafood, and it may be prepared at those times. A chef with strong allergen awareness and disciplined kitchen habits is a must.

On most days, the chef will prepare a simple, fresh lunch for one to four people, followed by a family-style dinner for five to seven, served at approximately 6:00 p.m. Breakfast is generally prep-forward rather than fully cooked to order. The chef should also keep the refrigerator stocked with healthy, ready-to-grab snacks for the family throughout the day.

From time to time, the chef will prepare food to be dropped off at the nearby home of another family member. The chef is fully responsible for stocking and organizing the kitchens on the property, and for maintaining a clean, orderly, and sanitary work environment at all times. Kitchen sanitation and food safety are taken seriously in this home.

The family hosts intimate dinner parties roughly two to three times a month, typically three to four courses. A representative menu might open with a small bite, move to a soup, salad, or appetizer, continue to a main course, and finish with a dessert. For these gatherings, the chef will engage and oversee servers and kitchen assistants as needed.

On occasion, the family entertains larger groups of twenty to thirty guests, usually served buffet style. The chef will plan, staff, and execute these events with the same care and polish brought to everyday family meals.

Key responsibilities include:

• Plan and prepare fresh, healthy, ingredient-focused breakfasts, lunches, and dinners throughout the week.
• Serve lunch and dinner to the family, with dinner typically served around 6:00 p.m.
• Source the highest-quality seasonal products and build strong relationships with trusted purveyors and vendors.
• Keep the kitchens fully stocked, beautifully organized, and impeccably clean and sanitary.
• Maintain healthy, ready-to-eat snacks in the refrigerator for the family.
• Engage the children in age-appropriate culinary activities and thoughtfully introduce them to new foods.
• Strictly observe the household's seafood allergy protocol, including avoiding all cross-contact while the family is in residence.
• Plan, staff, and execute dinner parties of three to four courses, and larger buffet-style gatherings of twenty to thirty guests.
• Hire, brief, and supervise servers and kitchen assistants for larger events.
• Prepare and deliver meals to the nearby residence of another family member as requested.
• Manage kitchen inventory, track expenses, and keep clear, organized purchasing records.
• Communicate proactively with the principals on menus, preferences, and household needs. Create weekly menu proposals.

Qualifications include:

• Currently local to the greater Dallas area.
• Experience cooking in top-tier, nationally recognized restaurants.
• A minimum of two years of experience cooking privately for prominent families.
• Genuine command of healthy, ingredient-driven cooking across a range of cuisines, with particular strength in Japanese and Mediterranean styles.
• Skilled in grilling and smoking a variety of meats.
• Strong allergen management and food-safety practices; ServSafe certification is a plus.
• Proven ability to plan, staff, and execute both intimate dinner parties and larger buffet-style events.
• A valid driver's license and reliable transportation for sourcing and occasional meal drop-offs.
• Outstanding professional references and legal authorization to work in the United States.

The right chef is warm and personable yet understands and respects professional boundaries. They are service-minded, discreet, and highly professional, and they let exceptional food and quiet reliability speak for themselves rather than filling the home with chatter. They take ownership of their kitchen, anticipate the family's needs, and bring a calm, dependable presence to the household every day.

This is a full-time position, generally Monday through Friday, averaging forty to forty-five hours per week. Some weeks will require more hours and others fewer, depending on the family's calendar. A flexible attitude is essential, as occasional weekend work is needed when the family entertains, and some holiday work is required. No travel is required for this role.

Physical requirements include:

• Standing, walking, bending, and moving continuously for extended periods throughout the workday.
• Lifting and carrying groceries, supplies, and equipment, generally up to fifty pounds, with occasional heavier items.
• Repetitive hand and wrist motions associated with chopping, mixing, plating, and food preparation.
• Working safely around hot surfaces, open flames, grills, smokers, sharp implements, and commercial kitchen equipment.
• Reaching, kneeling, and stooping to access lower cabinets, ovens, and storage.
• Tolerating exposure to varying temperatures, including heat from cooking and cold from refrigeration and outdoor grilling and smoking.
• Maintaining the stamina and focus needed to execute longer service days during dinner parties and larger events.

Compensation is $150,000-$200,000 | commensurate with experience.

• Healthcare plan
• 10 paid vacation days
• 5 paid sick days
• 9 paid holidays
• Discretionary bonus

This is a position of significant trust within a private family home. The selected candidate must provide excellent professional references, successfully complete an in-depth background check, and sign a non-disclosure agreement. The home maintains a strict no-smoking and no-vaping policy.

Suitable candidates will be invited to a paid cooking trial. The family hopes to move quickly, and trials and hiring will be scheduled as soon as a strong match is identified.