KP844 - Part-Time Chef - Woodside, CA

Overview

A private family in Woodside, CA, is seeking an experienced, part-time chef to prepare fresh, healthy, and family-friendly meals for a household with teenagers and adults. This is a relaxed, semi-formal private home. The family appreciates high-quality food and excellent service but is not looking for a formal, white-glove dining experience. The family has Mediterranean and Italian heritage and enjoys traveling throughout Europe - they are foodies who enjoy fresh, seasonal ingredients, farm-to-table cooking, and thoughtful interpretations of classic dishes/ traditional recipes. 

The schedule will be 2 days per week to start, to include 3 grab-and-go lunches and 2 dinners (plated, not served). There will be 4 adults/household members to account for each day, and there is a dedicated chef's kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Prepare healthy, fresh, and enjoyable lunches and dinners for the family of four.
• Prepare approximately three days of grab-and-go lunches and 2 fresh dinners.
• Focus on meals that are nutritious, balanced, and appropriate for both teenagers and adults.
• Prepare food that can be easily reheated or enjoyed as leftovers.
• Stock the refrigerator with prepared lunches and meals for the family to grab throughout the week.
• Handle grocery shopping and sourcing of high-quality, fresh ingredients.
• Plan menus in collaboration with the family and adapt to their preferences.
• Incorporate seasonal, farm-to-table ingredients whenever possible.
• Bring creativity to Mediterranean, Italian, and classic American-inspired dishes.
• Put a fresh, modern spin on traditional family recipes.
• Keep the kitchen clean and organized throughout the cooking process.
• Complete kitchen cleanup before leaving.
• Breakfast preparation is generally not required, except for special occasions or events.
• Dinner does not need to be formally served; meals should be prepared and ready for the family to enjoy when convenient.
• Be comfortable working alongside other household professionals, contractors, and service providers who may come and go throughout the day.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a private chef, family chef, or in a comparable high-end culinary environment.
• Strong understanding of healthy, balanced, and nutritious family cooking.
• Comfortable cooking for both teenagers and adults.
• Creative and confident with fresh, seasonal ingredients.
• Strong Mediterranean and/or Italian cooking skills are a plus.
• Experience with farm-to-table cooking and high-quality ingredients preferred.
• Able to create meals that are both sophisticated and approachable.
• Comfortable preparing leftovers and meals designed for easy reheating.
• Highly organized and able to efficiently prepare multiple meals during a single shift.
• Comfortable grocery shopping and managing household food inventory.
• Professional, discreet, and respectful of privacy.
• Warm, personable, and easy to have in the home.
• Able to work independently with minimal oversight.
• Comfortable in a home where multiple household vendors and professionals may be present.

Requirements

• Must be comfortable working in a private family residence.
• Must have excellent discretion and professionalism.
• Must be comfortable around teenagers and adults.
• Must be able to prepare healthy, family-friendly meals without making the food overly restrictive or complicated.
• The family is not gluten-free and has relatively straightforward dietary preferences.
• Lobster allergy must be observed.
• The family is health-conscious but does not follow an overly restrictive diet.
• Must be comfortable working around multiple household pets, including a dog, cat, alpaca, and house-trained bunny.
• Must be comfortable working as a 1099 independent contractor.
• No regular travel is required.

The family is looking for someone who takes pride in excellent food and presentation but understands that the household wants approachable, delicious meals rather than elaborate fine dining every evening.

Salary and Benefits

• Competitive compensation DOE
• Part-time schedule beginning at 2 days per week
• Potential to remain on retainer for 2–3 cooking days per week
• 1099 engagement
• Potential bonus structure and/or additional benefits may be considered for the right long-term candidate