Private Chef

 

 

A private household in Toorak is seeking a highly skilled, full-time Private Chef to manage all aspects of in-home dining (working Monday to Friday).   This is a dynamic, hands-on role suited to a creative and organised chef who thrives in a fast-paced family environment. The kitchen sits at the centre of the home and there is a lot of activity throughout the day with family members, visitors and work-related entertaining. The chef plays an important role not only in cooking but in creating a well-run, organised kitchen that reduces the mental load on the household.   You’ll be responsible for preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner for the family, crafting fortnightly menus to suit preferences and dietary needs, and ensuring the kitchen runs smoothly and efficiently. The ideal candidate will be passionate about wholesome, seasonal, gluten-free, and dairy-free cooking, and enjoy creating meals that are as beautiful as they are nourishing. The household enjoys plated lunches and family-style shared dinners, with an emphasis on organic produce, balance, and flavour.   The family entertains frequently throughout the week, so the role requires someone who is adaptable, calm under pressure, and able to maintain composure while working in a dynamic household setting. This is a hands-on, creative role requiring excellent organisation, flexibility, and discretion within a busy family setting that includes children and pets.   What You’ll Be Doing

• Menu planning two-weeks in advance (and based on seasonal produce and family preferences)
• Preparing daily plated lunches for two adults and one toddler using fresh or pre-prepped components
• Cooking and serving shared-style family dinners in a relaxed, generous format
• Preparing components for school lunches, weekend meals, and batch-cooked dishes for busy periods
• Creating a rotation of healthy snacks and breakfast options suitable for both adults and young children
• Grocery sourcing and supplier management
• Maintaining an immaculately clean, well-organised and guest-ready kitchen and pantry
• Monitoring inventory and rotating pantry stock
• Cooking for frequent dinner guests and supporting intimate celebrations such as birthdays or anniversaries
• Confidently managing split meal times when needed (e.g. children served earlier than adults)
• Occasionally assisting with weekend events as required

What We’re Looking For

• Warm and friendly, while also understanding professional boundaries in a private home
• Proven experience as a private chef or in a high-end hospitality environment
• Strong nutritional knowledge with expertise in gluten and dairy free meal planning
• Excellent kitchen hygiene, organisation and time management skills
• Professionalism, discretion and respect for privacy
• Reliable and adaptable with a positive “can do” approach
• Proactive - able to think ahead and be prepared
• Comfortable working in a household where activity and guests can be unpredictable
• Flexibility for occasional travel
• Current food safety certification

  If you are passionate about nourishing food, love working with high-quality seasonal ingredients, and enjoy being part of a warm family environment, we would love to hear from you.   Please note this role involves working evenings.