Private Chef

Yosh; Al Nahyan; On-site; AED 167,000 - 257,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary work with private family

Job summary

Yosh in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, seeks an experienced private household chef to plan and prepare fresh, personalised meals reflecting the family’s preferences and lifestyle. You will maintain a clean, discreet kitchen environment and manage shopping within budget.

Responsibilities include menu planning, sourcing ingredients, and coordinating with household staff for events, travel and special occasions, while ensuring nutrition, safety and quality at all times.

Qualifications

• Private chef or senior chef experience in a private household or high-profile setting.
• Formal culinary training or relevant cookery qualifications.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition, menu planning and modern techniques.
• Knowledge of food hygiene and allergen management.
• Willingness to obtain a food hygiene certificate if required.

Responsibilities

• Plan and prepare daily meals, snacks and special menus aligned with the family’s preferences and schedule.
• Source fresh produce and manage shopping within agreed budgets.
• Maintain a clean, hygienic and well-organised kitchen and store areas.
• Coordinate with household staff and external suppliers for events and travel.
• Adapt menus for dietary requirements, allergies and cultural expectations.

Skills

Private chef experience

Menu planning

Food safety knowledge

Discretion

Supply management

Education

Formal culinary training

Job description

Job Summary

The successful candidate will provide high-quality, fresh and personalised culinary services in a private household, planning and preparing meals that reflect the family’s preferences, dietary requirements and lifestyle. The role requires strong culinary skills, excellent organisation and discretion, with the ability to maintain a clean, professional and efficient kitchen environment.

Key Responsibilities

Meal Planning and Food Preparation

• Plan and prepare daily meals, snacks, canapés and special menus in accordance with the family’s preferences and schedule.
• Create varied, balanced and nutritious menus using fresh, seasonal and high-quality ingredients.
• Cater for dietary requirements, allergies, intolerances and personal preferences with care and accuracy.
• Prepare meals for adults, children, guests and staff where required, adapting recipes and presentation appropriately.
• Prepare packed lunches, school meals, travel food and meals for events or entertaining when requested.
• Maintain consistent standards of flavour, presentation, portion control and timing.

Private Household Catering

• Source fresh produce, meat, fish, specialist ingredients and other kitchen supplies from suitable suppliers.
• Prepare accurate shopping lists and manage food purchasing within agreed budgets.
• Build positive relationships with local suppliers, markets, farms, delicatessens and specialist food providers.
• Check the quality, freshness and quantity of deliveries and report any issues promptly.
• Maintain accurate records of expenditure, stock levels, orders and household food requirements.
• Monitor food usage and minimise waste through effective menu planning, storage and stock rotation.

Kitchen Hygiene, Health and Safety

• Maintain a clean, hygienic, safe and well-organised kitchen, pantry, storage areas and food preparation equipment.
• Follow food safety, hygiene, allergen management, temperature control and safe food handling procedures.
• Store, label and rotate food correctly, monitoring use-by dates and preventing cross-contamination.
• Clean cooking equipment, utensils, work surfaces and kitchen areas after use.
• Report equipment faults, maintenance requirements, hazards or food safety concerns promptly.
• Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding the family, household, guests, routines and personal information.

Household and Event Support

• Keep kitchen supplies, utensils, crockery, glassware and equipment organised and ready for use.
• Coordinate with household staff, waiting staff, event professionals and external suppliers when required.
• Support travel, holidays, temporary residences and overseas assignments by prior arrangement.
• Prepare menus and food for guests with sensitivity to differing preferences, dietary requirements and cultural expectations.
• Assist with kitchen inventories, equipment selection and recommendations for improvements where appropriate.
• Work flexibly to meet changing household routines, including evenings, weekends, holidays and special occasions.

Qualifications and Experience

• Previous professional experience as a private chef, household chef, personal chef, sous chef or senior chef.
• Formal culinary training or relevant professional cookery qualifications are desirable.
• Strong knowledge of food preparation, nutrition, menu planning and modern culinary techniques.
• Knowledge of food hygiene, allergen awareness and UK food safety requirements.
• Experience catering for families, children, formal entertaining, private events or high-profile households is desirable.
• Current food hygiene certification, or willingness to obtain it where required.
• A valid driving licence may be required, particularly where regular shopping or travel is part of the role.
• The ability to provide suitable professional references and complete relevant background checks.

Key Competencies

• Highly skilled, creative and passionate about preparing excellent food.
• Organised, efficient and able to manage menus, budgets, stock and changing priorities.
• Discreet, trustworthy, reliable and professional in a private household environment.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to respond positively to feedback.
• Calm and adaptable when managing busy services, special requests or last-minute changes.
• Attentive to detail, presentation, cleanliness and consistently high standards.
• Able to work independently while collaborating effectively with family members, household staff and external suppliers.
• Flexible and available to work varied hours, including evenings, weekends, holidays, travel or special events, when required by the household.