Staffing Your Kitchen
Hiring a private chef – or team of chefs – might at first appear to be a straightforward decision: you want someone to cook for you? Hire a chef. However this is not the whole picture – there are many factors it is necessary to consider. For example:
- Is your home formal or relaxed in style?
- How many of your family members will the chef be cooking for regularly?
- Do you or your family have particular dietary requirements?
- What are your food preferences, likes and dislikes?
- Do you prefer perfectly plated cuisine, or “family style” meals to share?
- Do you have a preference for fine dining, or a wholesome rustic style?
- Will you require a chef for all family meals, or just the evening meal perhaps?
- How many courses do you expect, and at which mealtimes?
- Will you need to offer accommodation? Take into consideration that a remote country residence will be harder to reach than a city dwelling.
The size of the household, both in terms of the residence itself and those within, as well as the lifestyle and tastes of the principals are also very important. For example a large, formal home which often caters for large, formal events might require a team of chefs; whereas a smaller family household with occasional visitors or dinner parties might need just one. Of course it’s possible to have one (or more) permanent chef/s, and bring in assistance as needed.
Individuals or families with a taste for fine dining may well look for a chef with Michelin starred experience, who can present plates which are as beautiful as they are delicious. Those who favour a particular cuisine, such as authentic Japanese or classical French, could seek a chef specialising in that area. Others might favour rustic, family-friendly fare for all to share, and eschew formality altogether.
There are many principals and their families with a particular interest in health and wellbeing, or with common dietary preferences such as vegetarianism or veganism. There are also professional athletes, who depend upon their sports performance chefs to meet their specific nutritional needs without compromising on flavour or variety.
Some of the Varieties of Chef
With a wide requirement for different foods, nutritional value, culinary beliefs and worldwide cuisines, there are many different chefs to fulfil the niches. To name a few:
- Live-In Chef
- Typically found in large private households, estates, manor houses and palaces. Naturally there must be sufficient accommodation to house not only the chef but potentially their family as well.
- These are almost always full-time roles – those principals requiring a live-in chef can often expect round-the-clock attention.
- Not only cooking for the principal and their family on a regular basis, a live-in chef will often cater for large events and parties.
- A senior role, a live-in chef will often manage the kitchen, as well as the pantry and kitchen gardens.
- He or she will liaise with other members of staff, particularly in respect of parties and events, and take particular care of the wine cellar.
- Live Out Chef
- Typically fulfilling similar duties to a live-in chef, however with the difference (as the name suggests) that they do not live on site.
- Most will live near the household where they are employed, in order to be able to give the required flexibility to the principals.
- A live-out chef is generally preferred by those families who cannot – or do not wish to – provide accommodation within the household or estate.
- Part Time Chef
- Not all families who wish to employ a chef will require them 100% of the time.
- Some families travel frequently, and others might only require a chef for certain days of the week, or particular meals and/or special events.
- In some cases, a chef employed on a part-time basis will prepare meals for the whole week during the days they are on site. The principals can then easily heat dishes up or finish them off as necessary, according to their needs and their schedules.
- Michelin-Starred Chef
- Those chefs with experience in Michelin-starred restaurants – and particularly those who themselves hold the stars – are in high demand in the private households of UHNW (Ultra-High Net Worth) families.
- This is a common step after working at such a restaurant, or in some cases on a short-term contract basis in between other commitments.
- Michelin-starred chefs command a high salary. They are typically sought after by those principals who are well versed in fine dining and entertain regularly.
- Vegetarian and Vegan Chefs
- Specialising in this type of cuisine, vegetarian and vegan chefs are desirable to those principals adhering to these principles.
- Almost always strict vegetarians or vegans themselves, it is very common for the chef to share the same culinary beliefs as their employers.
- Travelling Chef
- As well as providing everything that a “normal” private chef would, a travelling chef will have extended responsibilities.
- Co-ordinating with the principal’s PA or travel secretary, they’ll ensure exactly the right meals are delivered at the right time, wherever in the world they might find themselves.
- Adaptability is key – a travelling chef might work one day in a home, the next on a yacht, and the next on a private jet.
- They might also need to manage the budget, shopping, storage and transportation of exotic foodstuffs.
- Needless to say this is not a 9-5 role – UHNW individuals’ schedules can be hectic and unpredictable. Long or unusual working hours are to be expected.
- Sports Performance Chef
- Pivotal amongst the entourage of a professional athlete, the performance chef is responsible for ensuring the correct nutrients are fuelling their employer.
- Through careful planning, monitoring and optimisation of nutrition they are able to improve athletic performance.
- As well as actually cooking, one important task is to educate the athlete, and other members of support staff, on how the dietary strategy undertaken can enhance the athlete’s performance.
- Other tasks and requirements include menu planning, understanding the science behind fuelling the body, and of course consistently producing a variety of creative, healthy and delicious meals.
How to Choose the Chef that is Right for You
- Don’t just pick someone out of a book. Meet with chefs, speak to them and see if your tastes, principles and culinary outlooks align.
- There is no “one size fits all” when it comes to chefs. Finding the right fit for you and your family is really important to ensure a long – and delicious – relationship.
- When you’ve found a chef (or several chefs) that you like, invite them to produce a trial meal for you. If they’re relatively local, ask them to prepare a 3-course dinner, allowing them to showcase their style, skill set and culinary expertise.
- If inviting a chef from abroad, 2 or 3 days is recommended for a visit. This will allow you to get a proper feel for whether the chef fits in with your family and the rest of your household, and likewise gives the chef a chance to show their best.
Whatever your gastronomic needs, be assured that there is a chef out there who is a perfect fit for you. At Pembury Partners, we can help you find them. Bon appétit!
