Private Chef

ACS Group; Oxford; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Live-in accommodation

International travel

Job summary

ACS Group seeks an accomplished Private Chef for a prestigious private household, mainly in London with residences abroad. The role blends restaurant-quality cuisine with nutrition and highly personalised dining.

You will work with the House Manager, butler, and nutritionist to deliver dining experiences that meet dietary needs and daily routines. Responsibilities include menu planning, cooking, kitchen management, and sourcing premium ingredients, with international travel to Dubai and Cyprus

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Private Chef in a private household or UHNW setting.
• Excellent culinary skills and a refined palate with high presentation standards.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition, dietary balance, and allergies.
• Experience collaborating with nutritionists or health professionals is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Plan weekly and monthly menus tailored to preferences, dietary needs, and schedules.
• Prepare balanced, flavorful meals using premium ingredients and refined techniques.
• Maintain impeccable kitchen organisation, safety, and hygiene standards.
• Source ingredients, manage stock, and coordinate with suppliers and team.
• Provide staff meals and coordinate dining with the House Manager and team.
• Travel with Principals, adapt to international kitchens and markets.

Skills

Culinary excellence

Nutrition knowledge

Organization

Discretion

Travel readiness

Job description

ACS Group is seeking an accomplished Private Chef to join a prestigious private household based primarily in London, with additional residences and international travel requirements.

This opportunity is suited to a chef who combines exceptional culinary skills with a sophisticated understanding of nutrition, premium ingredients, and highly personalized private dining.

The successful candidate will be responsible for creating restaurant-quality cuisine tailored to the Principals’ individual preferences, dietary requirements, and daily routines, while maintaining impeccable standards of kitchen management, food safety, and presentation.

Working closely with the House Manager, Butler, and nutritionist, the Private Chef will ensure a seamless dining experience for the Principals and provide well-balanced meals for the household staff.

Key Responsibilities

Menu Planning & Personalised Nutrition

• Develop weekly and monthly menus tailored to individual preferences, dietary requirements, health goals, and schedules.
• Prepare balanced, flavourful meals with a strong understanding of nutrition, macronutrients, calorie awareness, and micronutrient requirements.
• Collaborate with the household nutritionist to adapt menus and support specific nutritional objectives.
• Create age-appropriate, nutritious meals for a young child, with careful attention to allergies, intolerances, and dietary safety.
• Accommodate different daily routines, including varied breakfast, lunch, and dinner times.
• Prepare and package meals for office use, travel, and off-site commitments, with clear labelling and reheating instructions where necessary.

Culinary Excellence & Food Preparation

• Deliver consistently exceptional cuisine using fresh, seasonal, and premium-quality ingredients.
• Demonstrate expertise in seafood, high-quality produce, and gentle cooking techniques that preserve flavour and ingredient integrity.
• Prepare homemade staples, including stocks, sauces, fresh pasta, breads, flatbreads, yoghurts, granola, and spreads.
• Maintain excellent standards of plating, presentation, and elegant food styling.
• Provide BBQ and outdoor cooking when required, using grills, kamado ovens, and other appropriate equipment.
• Continuously refine menus through research, tastings, recipe development, and exploration of new culinary techniques.

Kitchen Management & Supplier Relations

• Maintain an impeccably organised kitchen in accordance with the highest private household standards.
• Source premium ingredients and establish relationships with trusted suppliers.
• Inspect deliveries for freshness, temperature, quality, packaging integrity, and traceability.
• Manage stock levels, inventory, labelling, expiry dates, and first-in, first-out stock rotation.
• Maintain rigorous food safety and hygiene standards, including allergen management and the prevention of cross-contamination.
• Oversee kitchen cleaning routines and the appropriate care, storage, and maintenance of knives and equipment.

Household Dining & Staff Meals

• Prepare daily, well-balanced meals for the household staff, including the nanny and two housekeepers.
• Coordinate meal timings and service arrangements with the House Manager, Butler, and housekeeping team.
• Ensure that dining arrangements remain seamless, discreet, and aligned with the household’s daily schedule.

International Travel & Flexibility

• Travel with the Principals and work across international residences, including Dubai and Cyprus, as required.
• Adapt confidently to different kitchens, local markets, suppliers, and working environments.
• Maintain consistent culinary quality, sourcing standards, hygiene, and organisation while travelling.
• Coordinate ingredient procurement, equipment requirements, and temporary kitchen arrangements when necessary.

Candidate Profile

• Proven experience as a Private Chef in a private household, UHNW environment, luxury hospitality setting, or aboard a luxury yacht.
• Excellent culinary skills and a refined palate, with the ability to deliver consistently high-quality, personalised cuisine.
• Strong knowledge of nutrition, dietary balance, food allergies, and age-appropriate meals for young children.
• Experience working alongside nutritionists or other health and wellness professionals is highly desirable.
• Expertise in sourcing premium ingredients, particularly fresh seafood and seasonal produce.
• Strong organisational skills and exceptional attention to detail.
• High standards of food safety, kitchen hygiene, stock management, and cross-contamination prevention.
• Creativity, curiosity, and a genuine commitment to continuous culinary development.
• A calm, discreet, adaptable, and professional approach to working in a private residence.
• Excellent stamina and flexibility to accommodate demanding schedules and changing priorities.
• Willingness to travel internationally and work a rotational schedule.

Working Arrangements

• Rotational schedule: two weeks on duty followed by two weeks off.
• Daily working schedule during rotations, with no guaranteed days off during the working period.
• Working hours may begin around 08:00, with dinner service extending to 20:00–20:30 or later, depending on the Principals’ requirements.
• Occasional days off may be available at the Principals’ discretion but are not guaranteed.
• Live-in accommodation can be provided during working rotations.
• International travel is an essential part of the position.
• Strict confidentiality and adherence to household privacy standards are mandatory.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is more than an excellent cook. They are a highly organised culinary professional who understands the demands of a fully serviced private residence, values discretion, and takes pride in delivering exceptional food tailored to individual needs.

They combine refined culinary technique with a thoughtful, health-conscious approach, anticipate requirements before they arise, and maintain the highest standards of consistency whether working in London or abroad.