Freelance Italian Village Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Private Chef Temporary (with Potential for Full-Time Employment) West Village, Manhattan
Anticipated Schedule: Approximately Two Weeks On / Two Weeks Off
Compensation Commensurate with Experience
 
We are seeking an experienced Private Chef to support his private residence in Manhattan's West Village.
This is an exceptional opportunity for a culinary professional who enjoys preparing fresh, healthy, restaurant-quality meals in a refined private home environment. The successful candidate will prepare daily lunch and dinner for the principal and occasional guests while working closely with the household staff to ensure every meal is thoughtfully planned, expertly prepared, and beautifully presented.
 
The principal's culinary preferences lean toward healthy Mediterranean, Italian, and contemporary American cuisine prepared with premium seasonal ingredients. Meals should reflect refined technique, balance, and simplicity, emphasizing quality over unnecessary complexity. Creativity is welcomed within this clean, ingredient-driven style.
The position is anticipated to begin as a freelance rotation of approximately two weeks on and two weeks off, providing coverage in coordination with another chef. For the right candidate, there is potential for the role to transition into a full-time position as the principal's needs evolve.
 
Schedule flexibility is essential. While the schedule is generally predictable, occasional evenings, weekends, holidays, and schedule adjustments may be required based on the principal's calendar, travel, entertaining, and household needs.
 
While this position is based primarily in Manhattan, there may be occasional opportunities to travel to the principal's Los Angeles residence, particularly during the winter months, to prepare the home for arrival, stock the kitchen, source local ingredients, provide meal service, or assist with special projects. Travel flexibility is welcomed but is not required.
 
Primary Responsibilities
The Private Chef will oversee all aspects of the household's culinary program, including:

• Preparing fresh, healthy lunch and dinner daily for the principal
• Preparing meals for occasional guests and intimate dinner gatherings
• Planning seasonal menus tailored to the principal's preferences
• Sourcing premium seasonal ingredients from specialty markets, fishmongers, butchers, farmers' markets, and local purveyors
• Grocery shopping and maintaining a fully stocked kitchen, pantry, refrigerator, and freezer
• Replenishing household staples, including fresh fruit, yogurt, eggs, milk, vegetables, beverages, snacks, coffee, tea, condiments, and pantry essentials
• Preparing light breakfasts, fresh juices, and snacks as requested
• Coordinating with the House Manager, Executive Housekeeper and/or household staff regarding schedules, guests, travel, and entertaining
• Preparing meals in advance when appropriate
• Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, cleanliness, and kitchen organization
• Ensuring all cookware, appliances, countertops, grills, and workspaces are maintained in pristine condition

Success in this role extends beyond preparing outstanding meals. The ideal chef anticipates the principal's preferences, keeps the kitchen and pantry fully stocked and organized, and ensures the home is always prepared for everyday living or unexpected guests.
 
Preferred Culinary Style
The principal appreciates healthy, seasonal cuisine with Mediterranean and Italian influences, emphasizing premium ingredients, thoughtful preparation, and understated elegance.
The ideal chef is comfortable creating menus that evolve with the seasons while maintaining a clean, ingredient-driven approach. The focus is on exceptional seafood, simply prepared meats and poultry, fresh vegetables, soups, salads, and lighter fare that showcases the quality of the ingredients rather than elaborate techniques.
Presentation should be elegant, refined, and intentional without becoming overly intricate. The ideal chef understands that exceptional dining is achieved through premium ingredients, precise execution, and impeccable timing, ensuring every dish is served beautifully presented and at its optimal temperature.
The chef should enjoy sourcing the finest seasonal ingredients while continually introducing fresh ideas that remain consistent with the principal's preference for healthy, approachable cuisine.
 
Qualifications
The ideal candidate will possess:

• Extensive experience as a Private Chef or Executive Chef in luxury private residences
• Strong background in Mediterranean, Italian, and contemporary American cuisine
• Excellent knowledge of seafood, seasonal produce, and premium ingredients
• Experience sourcing from specialty markets, fishmongers, butchers, farmers' markets, and local purveyors
• Passion for live-fire cooking using a traditional charcoal grill, with demonstrated experience preparing seafood, meats, poultry, and seasonal vegetables
• Outstanding organizational and time management skills
• Experience managing kitchen inventories and household grocery purchasing
• Meticulous sanitation and kitchen management practices
• Professional demeanor with absolute discretion and confidentiality
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively with household staff
• Excellent communication and organizational skills
• Flexibility to adapt menus and schedules as needed
• Experience serving high-profile or ultra-high-net-worth principals preferred
• Willingness to travel occasionally to the principal's Los Angeles residence is welcomed but not required
• Interest in building a long-term relationship with the principal and household, with the opportunity to transition into a full-time position

The Right Person
Just as important as culinary experience is the kind of person you are.
We're seeking a chef who is calm, organized, thoughtful, and takes genuine pride in creating memorable dining experiences. You understand that the highest level of private service is often understated. You enjoy sourcing outstanding ingredients, preparing consistently excellent meals, maintaining an immaculate kitchen, and delivering gracious, unobtrusive service.
You naturally notice when household staples are running low, keep the kitchen and pantry meticulously organized, and anticipate the principal's preferences before they are expressed. You communicate well with the household staff, adapt easily to changing schedules, and understand the importance of professionalism, discretion, and complete confidentiality when working in a private residence.
 
Compensation & Benefits

• Compensation commensurate with experience
• Freelance position with an anticipated two-week-on/two-week-off rotation
• Potential opportunity to transition into a full-time position for the right candidate
• Schedule flexibility, including occasional evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Opportunity for occasional travel to the principal's Los Angeles residence, particularly during the winter months
• Long-term opportunity with a sophisticated private household and collaborative team