Montecito Private Chef

Elite Private Chefs • Montecito, CA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Elite Private Chefs is seeking a full-time Private Chef for a household of four in Montecito, California. The chef will prepare lunch and dinner Monday through Friday in a relaxed family-style setting. The household includes a 6-year-old and occasionally hosts extended-family dinners for up to 14 people. The role is suited to an experienced chef who enjoys variety, maintains a rotating repertoire, and works well with an established household team.

The workday generally begins around 9:30 AM after morning grocery shopping and continues through dinner service and kitchen reset; the family dines by 6:00 PM. Weekend event coverage is rare, and the schedule lightens when the family travels. The primary residence is in Montecito, with occasional meal drop-offs to a second family home a few miles away. Compensation is $150,000 annually, with a 401(k) after one year and mileage reimbursement. The expected start date is the end of November.

The chef will handle daily shopping, meal preparation, food and beverage purchasing, pantry and refrigerator organization, and kitchen cleanup. The household values fresh, organic, and locally sourced ingredients, discretion, reliability, flexibility, and strong communication with the principal and estate manager. Elite Private Chefs describes its placement support as including logistics, contracts, and negotiations, access to an exclusive client network, ongoing placement opportunities, industry events and educational support, and an emphasis on lasting chef-client relationships.

Requirements

• Proven experience as a Private Chef; private-household experience is ideal.
• Strong cooking repertoire across Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, French, Mexican, and California cuisines.
• Experience cooking with organic, locally sourced ingredients and accommodating allergies and dietary restrictions.
• Reliable personal transportation for daily shopping and local meal drop-offs.
• Comfort communicating directly with the principal and estate manager by text or WhatsApp.
• Discretion and a strong commitment to client privacy and confidentiality.
• Exceptional cleanliness, organization, and attention to detail.
• Flexibility, proactivity, and ability to adapt to changing household schedules and needs.
• Friendly, team-oriented approach and excellent communication skills.

Nice To Haves

• French cooking experience.

Responsibilities

• Shop each morning for fresh ingredients before arriving, using the household credit card.
• Prepare the principal’s daily protein shake upon arrival.
• Prepare lunch for household staff and the principal, typically a protein-rich salad or homemade soup.
• Prepare flavorful, well-balanced dinners from a rotating repertoire, primarily featuring chicken and some red meat, with more seafood incorporated over time.
• Cook across Italian, Mediterranean, Asian, French, Mexican, and California cuisines.
• Accommodate dietary needs, including a household seafood allergy and gluten-free meals for drop-offs.
• Prepare occasional meals for drop-off at a nearby family home.
• Serve meals family- or buffet-style, with plated service for occasional dinner parties.
• Scale cooking for extended-family dinners of up to 14 guests.
• Purchase and stock food and beverages, including staples, snacks, specialty items, and bar and cellar items, and place orders as needed.
• Organize the refrigerator and pantry, including regular refrigerator cleanouts and restocking.
• Maintain a tidy, organized kitchen and assist with cleanup after dinner service.

Benefits

• 401(k) after one year
• Mileage reimbursement
• Placement support with logistics, contracts, and negotiations
• Access to an exclusive network of clients
• Ongoing placement opportunities
• Industry mixers, educational events, and collaborations supporting professional development

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed