Home Based Test Kitchen Recipe Development Chef Jobs in Washington

Overview

Private Chef | Washington, DC - Open to candidates nationwide!

This is a rare opportunity to join a quietly exceptional household culinary program. A discreet, established family based in Washington, DC is looking for a talented Private Chef to work within a close-knit culinary and hospitality team that takes its work - and its values - seriously.

This household runs on intention. Clean living isn't a trend here; it's a way of life. Everything that comes out of this kitchen is organic, thoughtfully sourced, and prepared with full consciousness of what goes into the body and the home. Zero plastic. Whole-home filtration. Relationships with farmers, butchers, and purveyors who share the same standards. If you've ever found yourself down a rabbit hole on EWG ratings, researching microplastic-free salts, or making bone broth just because it felt right, you already understand the ethos of this kitchen.

The cooking itself is equally compelling. The culinary style leans Italian, Mediterranean, and Californian, with a confident hand in protein-forward dishes that are executed simply and beautifully. The standard here is high, but the approach is grounded - ingredient-driven cooking where simplicity is intentional and execution is everything. Range matters here: the kitchen feeds everyone from a young child to health-focused adults with specific dietary preferences, and the ability to move fluidly across all of it is essential. This is the kind of cooking exemplified by test kitchens like Erewhon or Goop Kitchen: health-forward, nutrient-conscious, and rooted in real science, without ever sacrificing flavor or beauty on the plate. An understanding of bio-hacking principles and science-based culinary benefits is a strong plus. This isn't just a skill set, it's core to who you are as a Chef and as a person.

You will be working within an experienced culinary team, supported by a kitchen assistant and guided by a Lead Chef. The right person thrives with a high degree of independence in the kitchen, communicates clearly and consistently, and understands that being three steps ahead is not optional, it's the job. Menus are collaborative, documentation is thorough, and the handoff between shifts is treated with the same care as the food itself.

If you are someone who cooks with conviction, keeps a quiet and professional presence in a private home, and finds genuine meaning in feeding people well, this is a remarkable place to do that work.

Schedule

Most months, you can expect to spend 10 days traveling and cooking alongside the principals. The remaining 5 days are more flexible and can vary based on the family's needs. For example, those days may be spent working remotely from home on menu planning, ordering, recipe development, or R&D. This is a rotational schedule with roughly 15+ worked days per month. Fly in and fly out Chefs are preferred unless a candidate is local to Washington, DC.

Responsibilities

• Prepare daily meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a focus on clean, protein-forward, seasonally driven cooking
• Execute across a range of dietary preferences and protocols within the household, including gluten-free, low glycemic, and dairy-minimal preparations
• Maintain a consistent foundation of staples - bone broths, meal prep, and packed meals as requested
• Manage and direct the on-site kitchen assistant during your shift
• Maintain meticulous documentation in the team's shared culinary system, including recipes, weekly handovers, and shift notes - no detail too small
• Source and work with approved organic purveyors; uphold the household's strict standards around ingredients, packaging, and environmental consciousness
• Participate in menu development in collaboration with the Lead Chef; contribute new ideas thoughtfully
• Prepare for and support in-home dining events of up to 12 guests
• Prepare daily to-go meals for the principal
• Maintain a clean, organized, and zero-waste kitchen environment at all times
• Be flexible to accommodate a schedule that varies based on the rhythm and needs of the household
• Travel with the family as needed - for DC-based candidates, this is up to 15-20%; for candidates based elsewhere, travel will most likely be required whenever cooking for the family
• Coordinate and communicate with the estates and hospitality teams frequently - polished communication (and tech) skills are critical

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional training is strongly preferred
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a high-level culinary environment; candidates with both restaurant and private household experience will be prioritized
• Deep fluency in farm to table cooking, Italian, Mediterranean, Thai, Coastal and California cuisine; comfort with plant-forward, protein-focused, and clean cooking philosophies
• A genuine passion for wellness and nutrition is essential
• Genuine alignment with organic, sustainable, and health-conscious cooking - this is a non-negotiable aspect of the role
• Strong systems orientation: comfortable with documentation, Google Drive, Slack, and team communication protocols
• Calm, collaborative, and ego-free; equally comfortable taking direction and working independently
• Discreet and professional in a private home environment; understands the importance of a quiet, unobtrusive presence
• Open to occasional travel; valid driver's license required
• Willing to fly in and fly out of DC
• Legally authorized to work in the US
• Must be willing to undergo an extensive background check and have excellent employment references

Compensation

• $150,000++ base salary, commensurate with experience
• 100% paid health and dental coverage, including vision, for the employee and family
• 15 days of paid time off
• 12 paid holidays
• Paid sick days: 48 hours annually, up to 80 hours maximum
• 401(k) with up to a 6% match
• Discretionary bonus
• Performance reviews with opportunity for growth

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.