A family of four in New York City is seeking an experienced, health-conscious Private Chef to prepare fresh, high-quality meals for two adults and two young children, ages 1.5 and 3.5. The family is looking for someone who genuinely enjoys healthy cooking, is creative and collaborative, and takes pride in providing consistently delicious meals in a private-home environment.
The core schedule will be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, with additional days during the week and occasional Saturday or Sunday coverage as needed. The chef will generally begin around 11:30 a.m., have lunch ready by 1:00 p.m. or earlier, and remain through dinner service and cleanup, typically finishing around 7:30 p.m.
The family's preferred cooking style is clean, healthy, and centered around high-quality whole foods. Meals should not rely heavily on butter, salt, or processed ingredients. The family enjoys a variety of cuisines and is especially interested in Chinese, Vietnamese, American, and Italian dishes. Examples include beef or chicken with broccoli, noodle soups with protein, pho and other fresh Vietnamese dishes, kale and homemade Caesar salads, pesto pasta, bolognese, and other simple but flavorful meals.
The chef should enjoy introducing new recipes and ingredients while remaining receptive to the family's preferences and feedback. They are looking for someone who can collaborate on menus while also taking initiative to suggest and plan meals for the week.
The chef will also prepare age-appropriate meals for the family's two children. For the 1.5-year-old, this will include protein, vegetable, and fruit purées that can be portioned, frozen, and stored for future use. The 3.5-year-old enjoys simple, kid-friendly meals such as breaded chicken breast sandwiches, pesto pasta, and similar dishes with approachable flavors.
Responsibilities include menu planning, meal preparation, use and care of the family's kitchen and equipment, and complete cleanup following service. The chef will be responsible for leaving both the kitchen and dining areas clean and reset. On occasion, an additional meal may be requested for the family's nanny. The family also entertains friends or relatives approximately once or twice per month, typically adding around two guests for lunch or dinner.
The ideal candidate has a positive and pleasant demeanor and understands the importance of being a good presence within a private home. They should be reliable, punctual, organized, clean, and highly consistent. The family values someone who is collaborative and receptive to feedback rather than rigid in their approach to cooking. Creativity and curiosity are encouraged, particularly when paired with a strong understanding of healthy cooking and multicultural cuisines.
Candidates should ideally have at least five years of professional culinary experience in private households, restaurants, or a comparable professional kitchen environment. Prior experience preparing meals for young children is strongly preferred.
There are no known food allergies in the household.
Occasional travel may be requested approximately once or twice per year. Travel will primarily be domestic, including destinations such as the Hamptons and other vacation homes, with the possibility of occasional trips to destinations such as the Bahamas or Hawaii. Travel is expected to be planned rather than frequent or last-minute.
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