Chef

RDV Corporation•Grand Rapids, MI

12d•Onsite

About The Position

The Chef is responsible for providing exceptional daily dining experiences and overseeing all kitchen operations for the Principal. This role manages menu planning, food preparation and presentation, daily meal service, special events and dinner parties, provisioning, inventory, and kitchen maintenance. The Chef develops a strong understanding of the Principal’s preferences, routines, dietary needs, and lifestyle and uses that knowledge to anticipate needs and provide thoughtful, highly personalized service. The role requires culinary creativity, flexibility, discretion, strong organizational skills, and the ability to consistently maintain the highest standards of quality, freshness, sanitation, safety, and presentation.

Requirements

Degree or formal training from a recognized culinary arts program preferred.
Significant professional culinary experience with demonstrated expertise in fresh, high-quality, health-conscious meal preparation.
Previous experience as a Private Chef or Personal Chef supporting a Principal in a private household environment strongly preferred.
Broad culinary knowledge and the ability to prepare a diverse range of cuisines, styles, and dining experiences.
Exceptional ability to learn and remember the Principal’s preferences, routines, dietary needs, and service expectations and anticipate needs without requiring extensive direction.
Experience planning and executing both everyday meals and intimate or larger dinner parties, holidays, and special events.
Strong knowledge of private household dining etiquette, table service, entertaining protocols, wine, and beverage service.
Exceptional attention to detail, organization, cleanliness, and presentation.
Demonstrates culinary creativity while remaining responsive to the Principal’s preferences and desired dining experience.
Professional, gracious, and service-oriented, with the ability to provide attentive service while respecting the Principal’s privacy and personal space.
Excellent communication and listening skills with the ability to receive and incorporate feedback.
Highly dependable, self-motivated, resourceful, and able to work independently while contributing positively to a collaborative household team.
Demonstrates exceptional judgment, discretion, integrity, and respect for privacy at all times.
This position performs services primarily within the private residences of the Principal and requires a genuine commitment to providing highly personalized, thoughtful, and discreet service.
A high degree of schedule flexibility is essential. Work hours and days will vary based on the Principal’s schedule, travel, entertaining, and household needs and may include evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional last-minute changes.
Travel is required to support the Principal at various residences and destinations, which may include domestic and international locations.
Must be able to appropriately manage purchasing and household resources and maintain accurate records and expense documentation as required.
The Principal’s privacy and security are of critical importance. The highest level of confidentiality and discretion regarding the Principal’s personal, business, financial, travel, household, and other private matters must be maintained at all times.
Must comply with all household policies, procedures, safety requirements, and confidentiality obligations.

Responsibilities

Plans, prepares, and serves daily meals for the Principal, including brunch, lunch, dinner, snacks, and other meals as requested. Prepares and stocks meals for consumption on non-working days when needed.
Develops thoughtful, varied menus based on the Principal’s preferences, dietary needs, schedule, seasonal ingredients, and special requests.
Provides nutritious, visually appealing, and well-balanced meals using a broad range of culinary techniques and cuisines while adapting to the Principal’s individual tastes and preferences.
Anticipates dining needs based on the Principal’s daily schedule, travel, activities, guests, and entertaining plans.
Plans, coordinates, and executes food preparation and service for personal guests, dinner parties, holidays, business meetings, cocktail hours, and special events ranging from casual gatherings to formal dining.
Prepares creative appetizers, hors d’oeuvres, baked goods, desserts, birthday cakes, holiday treats, and other specialty items as requested.
Provides meal and refreshment service for the Principal and guests, including personal and business gatherings held within the residence.
Demonstrates excellent knowledge of private household dining etiquette, table service, and entertaining protocols, with careful attention to presentation and the overall dining experience.
Coordinates with trusted caterers, specialty vendors, and other culinary professionals when additional support is needed for events or larger gatherings.
Maintains knowledge of wine, beverages, and cocktail trends and assists with wine selections and pairings based on the Principal’s preferences.
Maintains wine cellar inventory and sources wines and beverages as requested.
Oversees all aspects of kitchen operations, ensuring kitchens are consistently organized, fully stocked, clean, safe, and ready for the Principal’s use.
Sources and selects high-quality, fresh ingredients, including meat, poultry, seafood, produce, specialty products, and other food items.
Manages grocery shopping, provisioning, receiving, storage, labeling, rotation, and inventory of food and kitchen supplies.
Anticipates the Principal’s household and entertaining needs and maintains appropriate inventory levels while minimizing unnecessary waste and controlling costs.
Ensures proper food storage, handling, sanitation, and safety practices are consistently followed.
Orders, receives, and maintains appropriate levels of kitchen equipment, cleaning products, paper goods, and related supplies.
Maintains glassware, dinnerware, serving pieces, and kitchen equipment to ensure items are clean, organized, properly stored, and regularly utilized.
Operates kitchen equipment safely and coordinates routine maintenance in accordance with manufacturer recommendations.
Ensures kitchens at all residences are appropriately provisioned and fully prepared prior to the Principal’s arrival.
Coordinates seasonal kitchen openings and closings, including stocking, organization, cleaning, and storage.
At the conclusion of stays, ensures kitchen areas are thoroughly cleaned, organized, and appropriately closed or prepared for the next visit.
Travels with or in advance of the Principal to residences and other destinations as needed to provide culinary support and maintain a consistent dining experience.
Coordinates food, beverages, snacks, breakfast items, and other provisions in advance of the Principal’s travel and transitions between residences.
Anticipates culinary and provisioning needs based on the Principal’s schedule, travel plans, guests, activities, and events.
Works collaboratively with household teams at each residence to ensure kitchens and dining areas are prepared for the Principal’s arrival and maintained throughout the stay.
Maintains flexibility to accommodate changing travel schedules, last-minute requests, and evolving needs.
Works closely with the Household & Property Manager and other household staff to coordinate meals, entertaining, special events, travel, and daily household activities.
Communicates proactively regarding menus, schedules, provisioning needs, events, dietary considerations, and other relevant information.
Builds positive and collaborative working relationships with household staff, vendors, caterers, and service providers.
Maintains a high degree of flexibility in work schedule and hours based on the Principal’s needs. Evening, weekend, holiday, and travel responsibilities will be required.
Supports general household readiness and performs reasonable end-of-day responsibilities when appropriate, including ensuring culinary and dining areas are properly secured and prepared for the following day.
Completes special projects and other responsibilities as requested to support efficient household operations and an exceptional Principal experience.