Chef De Cuisine - Culinary Events & Private Dining

The Sustain Network; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Villa Kitchen in the luxury dining scene produces intimate dinners and private events in villas and estates. You design seasonal multi-course menus emphasizing origin and craft, with vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free variants as needed, and build relationships with small farms and specialty purveyors.

Lead end-to-end execution from tastings to on-site production, curate tabletop details, manage a small event team, maintain rigorous food safety and post-event wrap.

Qualifications

• 3–5+ years in fine dining, high-end catering, private chefing, or chef de partie/sous roles.
• Portfolio with plated dishes; sample menus welcome.
• ServSafe (or equivalent) required; valid driver’s license and reliable transport.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs and work evenings/weekends as events demand.
• Categories – Private Dining, Events, Luxury Events, Private Chef, Villa / Estate Chef

Responsibilities

• Design seasonal, multi-course menus that spotlight origin and craft.
• Source responsibly: build relationships with small farms and specialty purveyors; write provenance cards for dishes.
• Lead end-to-end execution: tastings, prep, packing, on-site production, plating, and impeccable service flow.
• Curate tabletop details (handcrafted ceramics/linens) and finishing touches that read as editorial luxury.
• Manage a small event team (assistants/servers) when required; set kitchen standards and timelines.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, costing, and post-event wrap (inventory, cleaning, feedback notes).
• Represent the brand with warmth and professionalism in client communications.

Skills

Mise en place

Timing

Plate presentation

Storytelling

Host skills

ServSafe

Tools

ServSafe

Job description

About The Sustain NetworkWe specialize in giving job seekers life changing career opportunities with the best organizations in the hospitality and restaurant industry. From fine dining, to private dining, to quick service and fast casual - world class organizations trust The Sustain Network to find great talent, and great talent trusts us to match them with culture-forward organizations.

This job is an opportunity to work for Villa Kitchen | Dinner Club Concierge | Luxury Conscious Travel

ABOUT THE ROLE

Join a chef-led collective producing intimate, high-end dinners and private events in villas, estates, and design-forward spaces. We pair culinary excellence with provenance—working with BIPOC and Indigenous growers, fisherfolk, and makers—to tell cultural food stories through refined, modern menus. If you’re a disciplined, ambitious chef who loves ownership, hospitality, and beautiful details, this is your stage.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Design seasonal, multi-course menus that spotlight origin and craft (with vegetarian/vegan/gluten-free variants when needed).
• Source responsibly: build relationships with small farms and specialty purveyors; write short “provenance cards” for dishes.
• Lead end-to-end execution: tastings, prep, packing, on-site production, plating, and impeccable service flow.
• Curate tabletop details (handcrafted ceramics/linens) and finishing touches that read as editorial luxury.
• Manage a small event team (assistants/servers) when required; set kitchen standards and timelines.
• Maintain rigorous food safety, costing, and post-event wrap (inventory, cleaning, feedback notes).
• Represent the brand with warmth and professionalism in client communications.

Requirements/Responsibilities

• YOU ARE –A systems-minded chef who thrives under pressure and cares about mise en place, timing, and plate consistency.
• A storyteller: you can translate heritage, technique, and sourcing into a compelling guest experience.
• Calm, coachable, and hungry for growth; you take feedback and raise the bar every event.
• A gracious host—equally comfortable behind the pass or in front of guests.
• QUALIFICATIONS -3–5+ years in fine dining, high-end catering, private chefing, or chef de partie/sous roles.
• Portfolio with plated dishes (link or PDF); sample menus welcome.
• ServSafe (or equivalent) required; valid driver’s license and reliable transport.
• Ability to lift 40 lbs and work evenings/weekends as events demand.Bonus: experience with tasting menus, wine pairings, fermentation/preservation, or open-fire cookery.
• Categories – Private Dining, Events, Luxury Events, Private Chef, Villa / Estate Chef