What Kind of Chef is Right for You?
How do you decide what kind of chef is right for your home? One size does most definitely not fit all when it comes to food, so it naturally follows that there is a veritable smorgasbord of chefs to prepare it. Some people might require a full time live-in chef, others someone very flexible and used to travelling with a family, and others a very formal chef with Royal protocol experience. For athletes it’s incredibly important what they use to fuel their bodies, and there is a whole sector of specialist chefs and nutritionists to cater to their needs.
Is your home a country estate, manor or a large complex property?
In residences of this nature, it’s quite typical to have a live in chef, usually in a full time role. This works well, as it’s likely that there will be space for the chef (and possibly their family) to live on site. You could expect the chef to provide round-the-clock attention (within reasonable limits of course), as well as catering for dinner parties and events. The level of service required varies enormously according to the principal’s wishes – some will require a multi-course meal regularly, whilst others prefer simple, healthy cuisine for their family.
A live-in chef will usually not only cook, but also manage the kitchen and pantry, ensuring that the inventory is stocked as required and that food products (and sometimes wine too) are of the appropriate quality.
Is your home formal and fully staffed?
If so, you might want a chef who has worked in a very formal household before, possibly with experience of Royal protocol. A chef of this nature will know how to properly address the family and their guests, and adhere to a strict code of dress and etiquette.
This chef will be experienced in fine dining, potentially within Michelin-starred kitchens, will usually manage a team of sous chefs etc. and the rest of the kitchen staff, and will certainly be able to plan and execute a five-star-standard formal dinner or event on demand.
Do you live in a city, without the space for a live in chef at home?
It might well come as no surprise therefore that a live-out part or full time chef could suit you well. This has the added advantage of flexibility – you can decide on the level of service that suits you best. For example, a certain number of lunches or dinners every week, plus special events; and/or a mixture of fine dining or more relaxed family meals as appropriate.
Depending on the other staff you employ, the chef would likely work closely with the housekeeper, PA or principals themselves.
Do you have specific dietary or health requirements?
If so, you might want a chef with an excellent understanding of nutrition, perhaps with appropriate qualifications in this area. They’ll probably have experience of working with clients with particular dietary requirements, and understand the care that needs to be taken as a result. For example, a principal with allergies or a specific health concern in their family will require close attention to be paid to ingredients. A strict vegan principal will probably want an experienced vegan chef.
Are you a sports professional?
You’ll probably be looking for a performance chef who specialises in this realm, with expertise in nutrition, health and fitness optimisation.
These chefs are focussed on supporting athletes of all ages on how to correctly fuel and hydrate their bodies for their specific sport. They will tend to be very flexible, as dictated by the athlete’s needs.
Whatever kind of private chef you might require, Pembury Partners can assist anywhere in the world.
