Career Opportunities >> Private Chef
Private Chef
Summary
Title:Private Chef
ID:1115
Location:Grand Rapids, MI
Department:Private Household
Description

This full-time, salaried/exempt position is responsible for utilizing a deep passion and inventive approach to ensure a stunning culinary experience for the Principals and their guests.

 

Reporting relationship: Manager of Domestic Services

 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Culinary:

  • Prepare and present meals, including appetizers, soups, entrees, sides, breads, fresh-baked desserts, snacks, and beverages, keeping presentation in mind.
  • Ensure promptness, freshness, quality, and variety of dishes.
  • Research and prepare diverse menus for Principals’ review, incorporating preferences, dietary restrictions, and seasonal changes; ensure repetition is minimal.
  • Maintain a journal of menu choices and preferences to ensure variety and reduce repetition.
  • Research and implement new techniques and ingredients.
  • Shop for groceries, beverages, and kitchen supplies; proactively maintain adequate inventory.
  • Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with local vendors, artisans, and retailers.
  • Maintain food and beverage products "in date" and discard expired items.
  • Prepare fresh, high-quality, “to go” meals on occasion.

Cleaning and Sanitation:

  • Maintain a clean and sanitary chef kitchen and chef pantry, ensuring the highest health, sanitation, safety, and food storage standards, including categorizing and labelling all food with dates.
  • Conduct daily cleaning of surfaces, sweep and mop floors as needed, and after meal service.
  • Maintain non-work surface stainless steel in a polished condition.
  • Conduct daily and deep cleaning of stove, oven, fryer, ice machine, sinks, microwave, refrigerators, freezers, exhaust hood, and chef's dishwashers.
  • Empty and clean the interior of trash bins daily as needed.
  • Keep pantry, shelves, cold storage, freezers, drawers, kitchen cupboards, and counters clean and organized in family and chef kitchens.

Service:

  • Coordinate table settings, service ware, and meal service themes with the Manager.
  • Provide meal service, clearing, and clean up with or in the absence of other staff.
  • Work with the Manager and staff to coordinate special dinner parties, events, and special occasions.

Other:

  • Create exciting flavor combinations with an awareness of the highest quality ingredients.
  • Superfood knowledge and health awareness are a plus.
  • Understanding of food sourcing in its purest form.
  • Deep knowledge of organic products, balancing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
  • Prepare high-quality and tasty smoothies and smoothie bowls.
  • Experience with vegetarian and vegan recipes and options.
  • Provide Principals and staff with written and verbal instructions on how to prepare meals when absent.
  • Skilled at portion control to minimize waste and control budget.
  • Stay abreast of food trends, cooking techniques, and recipe research.
  • Value quality over quantity.
  • Efficiently communicate with other staff; attentively listen, accept direction, ask questions, work well with others, and demonstrate a desire to be part of a team.
  • Ensure services are performed at the highest level of quality and hospitality.
  • Ability to handle constructive criticism in order to grow, learn, and improve.
  • Arrive at work on time; fully utilize opportunities during downtimes to conduct research, recipe preparation, menu creation, clean and organize, and perform other administrative responsibilities.
  • Assist with seasonal and crucial duties of the Manager and other staff.
  • Produce, track, and manage expense reports, paying close attention to and controlling the budget within given restraints.
  • Complete other projects and duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

  • Culinary experience required, including preparation and presentation of diverse foods and styles.
  • Culinary degree or educational track highly desired.
  • Exceptional knowledge of household table etiquette, service, and entertaining protocol.
  • Proven history of providing outstanding customer service, with a professional and tactful demeanor.
  • Strong time management skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:

  • Flexibility in schedule to meet six days a week requirements/needs; this includes day shifts, night shifts, weekends, and holiday shifts as needed. At times may require a 7-day schedule.
  • Must be flexible to accommodate lunch and dinner times that change on occasion.
  • Preservation of a peaceful household atmosphere is essential.
  • Ability to travel to and work at winter and summer homes; valid driver’s license required.
  • Must be responsible, resolute, and dependable; neat and tidy in appearance; organized and dependable.
  • Proper storing of opened food to ensure freshness and safety.
  • Exemplify a cheerful outlook and demonstrate pride in service.
  • Demonstrate an eye for details and aesthetics.
  • The highest level of confidentiality and sensitivity to privacy must always be exercised.

ESSENTIAL PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Ability to remain standing for lengthy periods of time.
  • Ability to grab, reach, push, pull, bend, stoop, kneel, and crouch to retrieve and/or replenish merchandise and/or cooking equipment.
  • Ability to use hands to seize, hold, grasp, turn, or otherwise, to chop, whisk, slice, stir, juice, and/or other techniques.
  • Ability to work at a physically demanding pace.
  • Ability to lift thirty (30) pounds to a maximum height of six (6) feet.
ApplicantStack powered by Swipeclock