Full-time Asian Specialised, Michelin-Trained Private Chef

Montclair Chef • Dorado, PR

11d • Onsite

About The Position

A private family of four based in Dorado, Puerto Rico, is seeking a full-time, long-term Private Chef with an exceptional fine-dining or Michelin-starred background and strong expertise in authentic Asian cuisine. The family includes two adults and two children and occasionally hosts up to six people, including household staff. The role is based in Puerto Rico, with possible occasional international travel to destinations such as Japan, Europe, and the United States; the chef may accompany the family on some trips, but travel is not expected every time.

The family particularly enjoys Vietnamese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian cooking, including traditional Vietnamese dishes, fresh herbs and vegetables, beef and papaya salads, ramen, sushi, wagyu beef, shabu-shabu, and Singaporean specialities. They value authentic flavours, excellent ingredients, and refined cooking techniques over elaborate presentation. Meals should generally be healthy, protein-rich, and relatively low in sugar, featuring fresh vegetables, high-quality meats, and seafood. Dinner is the principal meal to prepare, usually Monday through Friday. The chef should be comfortable preparing meals in advance for reheating, offering occasional breakfast ideas and simple cooking techniques, and shifting between relaxed family-style meals and refined restaurant-quality cooking. Formal fine dining is not expected every day.

One child has a peanut allergy. Strict allergen management, safe food handling, and prevention of cross-contamination are essential. The chef must follow any instructions provided by the family's medical professionals regarding a possible medically supervised allergy treatment.

The anticipated schedule is approximately 30 to 40 hours per week, typically Monday through Friday, with weekends off. The family values privacy, independence, and a relaxed working relationship and does not expect the chef to remain on duty unnecessarily or follow a rigid service schedule. The chef will independently develop menus, source excellent seafood, meats, vegetables, herbs, and specialty Asian ingredients in Puerto Rico, and may work with local suppliers and established hospitality kitchens. A dedicated kitchen and dining space in an additional property is under consideration.

Annual compensation is stated as $250,000 to $300,000, including benefits, housing, and relocation arrangements. Final salary structure, payment frequency, and accommodation details will be agreed with the selected candidate. Housing will be provided or arranged in Dorado, potentially as a separate residence or dedicated living space; arrangements for a chef relocating with a partner may be discussed. Relocation assistance is available, and flights and accommodation for cooking trials can be covered. Any required visa or work authorisation arrangements must be confirmed. Formal employment through a US payroll arrangement may be considered subject to employment and work authorisation requirements. The role offers 6 to 8 weeks of annual paid leave and flexibility when the family travels without the chef.

The family seeks a confident, discreet, organised, professional, and creative chef who is passionate about cooking and can deliver exceptional, consistent food while maintaining a good work-life balance in Puerto Rico. Authentic Asian culinary expertise is especially important; experience in Michelin-starred restaurants or high-end Japanese or Vietnamese kitchens is highly valued. Applicants are asked to complete the application form and upload all required documents; applications by email or social media messages will not be considered.

Requirements

• Exceptional fine-dining or Michelin-starred culinary background.
• Strong genuine expertise in authentic Asian cuisine, particularly Vietnamese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian cooking.
• Ability to manage a peanut allergy with strict allergen management, safe food handling, and cross-contamination prevention.
• Ability to follow instructions from the family's medical professionals concerning allergy treatment.
• Resourcefulness in sourcing quality ingredients and specialty Asian ingredients in Puerto Rico.
• Required driving licence.
• Willingness to work in Dorado, Puerto Rico, with possible occasional international travel.
• Any necessary visa or work authorisation must be confirmed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in respected Asian restaurants or Michelin-starred kitchens.
• Experience in high-end Japanese or Vietnamese kitchens or exceptional Asian fine dining.
• Ability to relocate with a partner, with arrangements open for discussion.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop menus reflecting the family's preferences and the chef's culinary strengths.
• Prepare the family's main evening meal, generally Monday through Friday, for four family members and occasionally up to six people including household staff.
• Prepare authentic Asian cuisine, especially Vietnamese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian dishes.
• Prepare healthy, protein-rich, relatively low-sugar meals using fresh vegetables, high-quality meats, seafood, herbs, and other quality ingredients.
• Prepare meals in advance for the family to reheat when needed.
• Provide occasional breakfast ideas and simple cooking techniques the family can use themselves.
• Adapt between relaxed family-style meals and refined restaurant-quality cooking.
• Manage the child's peanut allergy through strict allergen controls, safe food handling, and prevention of cross-contamination; follow medical-professional instructions relating to any allergy treatment.
• Source excellent seafood, meats, produce, herbs, and specialty Asian ingredients in Puerto Rico, potentially coordinating with local suppliers and established hospitality kitchens.
• Accompany the family on occasional international trips when requested.
• Maintain a discreet, organised, professional, and flexible working relationship that respects the family's privacy and independence.

Benefits

• Annual compensation of $250,000 to $300,000, including benefits, housing, and relocation arrangements.
• Housing provided or arranged in Dorado, potentially in a separate residence or dedicated living space.
• Relocation assistance.
• Flights and accommodation for cooking trials can be covered.
• Six to eight weeks of annual paid leave.
• Weekends normally off and flexibility when the family travels without the chef.

What This Job Offers

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