1

Estate Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

CA

$85 - $100/hr

Full benefits package DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

Yearly wage review DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

Personal Chef

Los Altos, CA · On-site

$75/hr

Guaranteed weekly hours offered DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

New

Head Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Serve as Head Chef, working in close partnership with the Estate Manager, who will retain oversight of the kitchen * Write and plan seasonal menus, prioritizing the freshest ingredients and minimal ...

Head Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Serve as Head Chef, working in close partnership with the Estate Manager, who will retain oversight of the kitchen * Write and plan seasonal menus, prioritizing the freshest ingredients and minimal ...

Private Chef

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Yearly wage review DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

CA

$85 - $100/hr

Full benefits package DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

Yearly wage review DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

CA

$85 - $100/hr

Full benefits package DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

Chef de Partie

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

Chef de Partie Location: Downtown Sonoma, CA Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday Compensation: $23 ... Guided by a partnership with Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyard & Winery, we source the vast majority ...

Chef de Partie

Sonoma, CA · On-site

$70K/yr

Chef de Partie Location: Downtown Sonoma, CA Schedule: Tuesday through Saturday Compensation: $23 ... Guided by a partnership with Stone Edge Farm Estate Vineyard & Winery, we source the vast majority ...

Personal Chef

Los Altos, CA · On-site

$75/hr

Guaranteed weekly hours offered DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

New

Personal Chef

Los Altos, CA · On-site

$75/hr

Guaranteed weekly hours offered DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

New

BANQUET CHEF

Temecula, CA · On-site

$75K - $80K/yr

Ponte Family Estate Winery opened in 2003 and is a California based company operating in the heart ... The Banquet Chef is the second-in-command for event culinary operations and a critical leadership ...

$200K - $215K/yr

DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, dedicated to ... chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just ...

Sous Chef

Oakville, CA · On-site

$64K - $78K/yr

Description The Sous Chef is a key culinary leader responsible for delivering exceptional food ... Incorporate seasonal estate-grown produce into menus while maximizing utilization through ...

Sous Chef

Oakville, CA · On-site

$64K - $78K/yr

Description: The Sous Chef is a key culinary leader responsible for delivering exceptional food ... Incorporate seasonal estate-grown produce into menus while maximizing utilization through ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Estate Chef information

What is an estate chef?

Estate chefs are professional culinary experts who work in private residences, estates, or for high-net-worth individuals and families. Their responsibilities include meal planning, grocery shopping, preparing daily meals, and accommodating special dietary preferences or restrictions. Estate chefs often manage kitchen staff, maintain kitchen inventory, and sometimes cater private events or parties hosted at the estate. They are expected to deliver high-quality, personalized dining experiences, often with discretion and flexibility to meet the needs of their employers.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an estate chef?

To thrive as an Estate Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, menu planning expertise, and experience in high-end or private kitchens, often supported by a culinary degree or professional chef certification. Proficiency with kitchen management systems, food safety standards, and specialized equipment is typically required. Exceptional organization, discretion, and adaptability are vital soft skills for catering to the unique preferences and schedules of estate owners. These abilities ensure consistently high-quality dining experiences, efficient kitchen operations, and seamless service in a luxury residential environment.

What are some common challenges an estate chef may face when managing private household kitchens?

Estate Chefs often navigate unique challenges such as adapting to the evolving preferences and dietary needs of household members, planning and executing menus for special events, and sourcing high-quality ingredients, sometimes on short notice. Additionally, they may manage a small kitchen team or coordinate with other estate staff, requiring strong communication and organizational skills. Flexibility and discretion are essential, as priorities can shift quickly in private households and confidentiality is highly valued.

What is the difference between Estate Chef vs Personal Chef?

AspectEstate ChefPersonal Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree, experience in high-end kitchensCulinary training, often certified, with personalized skills
Work EnvironmentLarge estate kitchens, private propertiesPrivate homes, individual clients
Employer & IndustryWealthy estate owners, luxury hospitalityPrivate individuals, families
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Estate Chefs typically work in large estate kitchens for wealthy clients, preparing meals for multiple guests and events. Personal Chefs focus on preparing customized meals for individual clients or families in private homes. While both roles require culinary expertise, Estate Chefs often have more experience with large-scale meal preparation and luxury settings, whereas Personal Chefs emphasize personalized service and tailored menus.

What are popular job titles related to Estate Chef jobs in California?

For Estate Chef jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Estate Chef jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Estate Chef jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Estate Chef jobs?

Cities in California with the most Estate Chef job openings:

Infographic showing various Estate Chef job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 88% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution.

$85 - $100/hr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Private Chef – Full-Time
This position is open to candidates already based in California. While there is a preference for local Bay Area candidates, the clients will consider Chefs in the LA market who are willing to relocate.

A private family in the San Francisco Bay Area is seeking a seasoned, full-time Private Chef to prepare daily family meals rooted in fresh, organic, California-forward cuisine. This is a weekday-focused role with guaranteed hours, highly competitive compensation, and a household that genuinely values the person in their kitchen.

The ideal candidate is a true culinary veteran, someone who has worked in the best of the best kitchens, both Michelin-starred restaurants and distinguished private homes, and brings that depth of experience to everyday family cooking without losing an ounce of creativity or technical precision. This Chef moves fluidly across cuisines and techniques, has a genuine well of creative ideas to draw from, and handles allergies, restrictions, and specific client preferences with total ease and confidence. Just as important, this person brings a grounded, no-ego approach: someone who takes direction graciously, maintains an immaculate kitchen, and finds real satisfaction in feeding people beautifully, every single day. Personality and collaboration matter here as much as what lands on the plate.

The family's culinary preferences center on clean, seasonal, California-inspired cuisine with a plant-based and allergen-conscious focus. Specific dietary details will be shared with qualified candidates.

Schedule: Monday through Friday, with occasional weekends. Guaranteed 40 hours per week.

Requirements

  • A minimum of 5+ years of private chef experience, paired with meaningful experience in Michelin-starred or otherwise top-tier restaurant kitchens, with strong, verifiable references
  • Demonstrated range and depth of culinary knowledge, with the creativity to bring fresh ideas to everyday cooking
  • Culinary degree preferred
  • Dairy-free, gluten-free, and plant-based cooking expertise
  • Genuine ease and confidence navigating allergies, dietary restrictions, and specific client preferences
  • Knowledge of California gardening and seasonal produce
  • Highly organized with immaculate kitchen habits
  • Warm, flexible, collaborative personality — no ego
  • Local to the Bay Area or in the LA area and willing to relocate
  • Legally authorized to work in the US
  • Willingness to sign an NDA and complete a background check

Compensation & Benefits

  • $85-$100+ per hour, DOE (guaranteed 40 hours)
  • Full benefits package

DM Estate Staffing is a domestic staffing firm headquartered in Silicon Valley, dedicated to connecting exceptional Private Service Professionals with private clients and family offices across the United States. Built over more than a decade on referrals and repeat clients, we have grown thoughtfully by doing one thing well: finding the right person for the right home.

Every member of our recruiting team has worked personally in the homes of prominent private clients, as estate managers, private chefs, household leaders, and more. That lived experience is what sets us apart. We don't just understand private service in theory; we've navigated its nuances, its demands, and its deeply personal nature from the inside. That perspective shapes every search we conduct and every candidate we represent.

We encourage you to regularly explore our job board and apply for any roles that align with your experience and aspirations. When your background aligns with what our clients are looking for, we will be in touch. We hope to have the opportunity to work with you soon.