HN444 - Full-Time Family Chef - West Village, NYC

Overview

A warm, close-knit family of five living in the West Village, is seeking a skilled and thoughtful private chef to join their household. Their three children are all under the age of five, and they place the highest priority on nourishing, carefully prepared food that supports their growth and their family’s well-being.

The Chef to hire will be responsible for the daily preparation of lunch, dinner, snacks, and baked goods, with a strong emphasis on nutrient density and high-quality ingredients. Every item that enters their kitchen is chosen with care, and they value a chef who shares this intentional approach.

Their preferred cuisine is simple, homey, and deeply nourishing. They rarely use spices, favoring instead fresh herbs (when available) and salt. They appreciate clean, straightforward cooking that lets high-quality ingredients shine.

The job does not currently require any travel nor do they have any pets. The chef would work in their home kitchen which is open to the living space and is not very large. Therefore, it is very important that the chef feels comfortable around their family and young children. They have a housekeeper who resets the kitchen every morning after breakfast so the Chef would arrive to a clean space most days.The schedule is Monday through Friday and the hours are 12pm-8pm. They eat around 6/6:30pm and desire dinner service/plating. Lunches for the next day will be prepared the day before; as well as snacks and occasional baked goods to have on hand. The children eat the same meals as the adults, just more so tailored for them as they are all under 5. They eat homey simple meals–think French or Italian countryside with a protein, vegetable, carb/grains, a well-rounded meal. The Chef to hire will keep the kitchen as their primary domain, sourcing of ingredients, keeping pantry and fridge stocked; part of this role is having kitchen ownership, keeping up food supply always around and organized. A Chef who is great working around children, perhaps a former family assistant/house manager who pivoted into Chef work and culinary school would be great because they understand homes/households/families and not just restaurant environments. The Chef to hire must have excellent hygiene and diligence with cooking/food prep and food-safety. Must have current ServSafe certification. The Chef to hire must know their way around local farmer’s markets, local vendors, have relationships with the butchers, etc. Sourcing fantastic food and ingredients because they understand the local food-community/resources well and strike up relationship with those working in those fields.

Responsibilities

• Preparing 3 children’s lunches and 2 adult lunches each day (lunches are prepared the evening before while dinner is being served). The children eat the same meals as the parents, just tailored to them.
• Creating baby- and toddler-friendly versions of family meals as neededPreparing dinner, snacks, and occasional baked goods
• Maintaining a clean, orderly kitchen after each meal service; they have a housekeeper who resets the kitchen every morning after breakfast so the chef would arrive to a clean space most days.
• Sourcing and working with high-quality ingredients that meet their standards for nutrient density
• One family member follows a strict gluten-free diet, and another has a lactose sensitivity. Experience with gluten-free and lactose-free cooking is essential. You will be expected to prepare meals that accommodate these needs without compromising flavor or quality for the rest of the household.

Requirements

• They are seeking a chef who is both highly competent and genuinely warm—someone who takes pride in creating a calm, well-ordered kitchen while bringing a respectful, kind presence into their home
• Reliability, attention to detail, and a collaborative spirit are essential
• You will be an important part of the daily rhythm of their household, and they value someone who approaches the role with care, professionalism, and a genuine interest in supporting a young family.
• If you take pride in thoughtful, nourishing cooking and enjoy the steady, meaningful work of caring for a family’s table, they would be delighted to have you apply!

Salary and Benefits

• Annual salary starts at $120k+
• Benefits TBD