Personal Chef

Personal Chef — Chinese Specialty

Palo Alto, CA (relocating to Menlo Park, CA)

Part-Time · W-2 Employment · Bay Area Candidates Only

Position Overview

Our client, an executive couple, has just launched their search for a talented, detail-oriented Personal Chef with a specialty in Chinese cuisine. The family resides in Palo Alto and will be relocating to Menlo Park within the coming months. This is a part-time role — three days per week, Wednesday through Friday — and is well-suited for a culinary professional who takes genuine pride in preparing wholesome, fresh, family-style meals in a private home setting.

The principals are a busy professional couple with no children or pets at home. They eat primarily Chinese food and appreciate clean, fresh, and unfussy cooking. One principal is dairy-free; no other significant dietary restrictions are in place. The family values consistency, warmth, and a chef who treats their home with the same care and respect they would their own.

Schedule

• Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday — weekly
• On Fridays, the chef will prepare sufficient food to carry the household through the weekend
• Consistent compensation will be provided even during periods when the principals are traveling or away

Cuisine Focus & Style

• Primary cuisine: Chinese (must be a true specialty — authentic, confident, and varied)
• Supporting cuisines: Asian-inspired dishes and Italian. Preferred background in Cantonese / Southern Chinese cooking
• Cooking style: family-style, fresh, organic, and approachable — not formal or overly elaborate
• All organic ingredients required; no dairy in any cooking for one of the principals
• Dishes should be flavorful but not heavily spiced
• Lunch and dinner service daily on scheduled workdays

Core Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare lunch and dinner on each scheduled workday
• Submit weekly menu proposals to the principals in advance for review and approval
• Set the table and serve each meal with care and attentiveness
• Thoroughly clean the kitchen and cooking areas after each meal service
• Maintain a well-organized, sanitary kitchen environment at all times
• Manage grocery shopping and sourcing of organic, high-quality ingredients
• Monitor pantry, refrigerator, and freezer inventory; maintain a running shopping list
• Assist in stocking and organizing the kitchen in the new Menlo Park home during the upcoming relocation — including placement of cookware, equipment, pantry staples, and supplies
• Support occasional private events and dinner gatherings as requested — light event service may include plated presentation and timing coordination
• Communicate proactively about menu ideas, ingredient sourcing, and any scheduling needs

Compensation & Benefits

• $80-$100 per hour, commensurate with experience
• Consistent weekly compensation, including during principal travel or absence
• W-2 employment
• Paid sick leave and accrued paid vacation
• Access to a company retirement plan
• Annual performance-based discretionary bonus
• Annual wage review
• Paid trial period for qualified finalists

Requirements

• Must be a local Bay Area resident — no relocation candidates
• Demonstrated expertise in Chinese cuisine is essential; please be prepared to speak in depth about your experience
• Strong working knowledge of Italian and broader Asian cuisines
• Thorough understanding of organic cooking and dairy-free preparation
• Prior experience in private household or estate settings strongly preferred
• Exceptional personal presentation, discretion, and professionalism at all times
• Willingness to undergo an in-depth background investigation
• Strong, verifiable references from previous employers — private household references are a significant plus
• Non-smoker / no vaping
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation
• The family has a cat-no cat allergies please

Physical Requirements

• Ability to stand and remain on your feet for extended periods during meal preparation and service
• Comfortable lifting grocery bags, cookware, and kitchen equipment — up to approximately 30 lbs
• Manual dexterity required for precise knife work, portioning, and plating
• Ability to work in a warm kitchen environment for sustained periods
• Ability to bend, reach, and organize kitchen storage areas, including lower cabinets and high shelving
• Sufficient mobility to assist with the physical setup of the new kitchen during relocation