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Live In Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Executive Chef

Woodland Hills, CA · On-site

$75K - $104K/yr

... we Live, Breathe and Dream Steak & Wine! The soul of our brand is rooted in our Principles ... As a successful Executive Chef, you will be the key to fulfilling our promise to make every guest ...

Sous Chef

Laguna Beach, CA · On-site

$72K - $86K/yr

Live Your Passion. Add Your Magic. At Montage International, we are doing something different ... Execute all productions and plating in a timely manner * Assist in maintaining the overall food and ...

Sous Chef

Laguna Beach, CA · On-site

$72K - $86K/yr

Live Your Passion. Add Your Magic. At Montage International, we are doing something different ... Execute all productions and plating in a timely manner * Assist in maintaining the overall food and ...

$65K - $80K/yr

CDC/Sous Chef A natural born leader that is hungry to prove themselves and help lead a team {with ... in the bouldery mountains of San Diego's Sonoran Desert along Old Highway 80. Live music, art ...

Sous Chef

Temecula, CA · On-site

$49K - $67K/yr

... resident live a life ofpurpose and each of us plays a crucial role in doing so. We operate ... Sous Chef to join ourteam. Come help us create an environmentthat promotes a sense of well-being ...

Sous Chef

Temecula, CA

$49K - $67K/yr

... resident live a life ofpurpose and each of us plays a crucial role in doing so. We operate ... Sous Chef to join ourteam. Come help us create an environmentthat promotes a sense of well-being ...

$65K - $80K/yr

CDC/Sous Chef A natural born leader that is hungry to prove themselves and help lead a team {with ... in the bouldery mountains of San Diego's Sonoran Desert along Old Highway 80. Live music, art ...

$65K - $80K/yr

Opportunity for advancement CDC/Sous Chef A natural born leader that is hungry to prove themselves ... in the bouldery mountains of San Diegos Sonoran Desert along Old Highway 80. Live music, art ...

SOUS CHEF

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$53K - $72K/yr

LA Live - 1011 South Figueroa Street, Suite B 101, Los Angeles, CA 90015. Note: online applications ... Wolfgang Puck Catering is committed to recruiting individuals who express an interest in and ...

PASTRY CHEF

San Diego, CA · On-site

$23 - $27/hr

Pastry Chef - The Wild Thyme Company San Diego, CA | Full-Time | Creative • Professional • ... in a creative, supportive environment Who We Are At The Wild Thyme Company, we live by our "High 5" ...

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Live In Chef information

See California salary details

$9

$24

$44

How much do live in chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 9, 2026, the average hourly pay for live in chef in California is $24.30, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $30.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Live In Chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Live In Chef, you need strong culinary skills, menu planning expertise, and a background in food safety, often supported by culinary school training or chef certifications. Familiarity with kitchen equipment, dietary management software, and inventory systems is typically required. Excellent organizational abilities, discretion, and the capacity to adapt to clients' preferences are standout soft skills for this role. These skills are crucial for delivering high-quality meals, maintaining a harmonious household, and meeting the specific needs of clients in a private setting.

What are live-in chefs?

Live-in chefs are professional cooks who reside at their employer's residence to prepare meals on a full-time basis. They are responsible for planning menus, shopping for ingredients, and cooking daily meals tailored to the household's preferences and dietary requirements. In addition to meal preparation, live-in chefs may also handle kitchen organization, staff management, and special event catering. This arrangement offers families the convenience of personalized, high-quality meals without needing to dine out or cook themselves. Live-in chefs often work for private households, estates, or high-profile individuals.

What are some unique challenges a Live In Chef may face compared to traditional restaurant chefs?

A Live In Chef often navigates the balance between privacy and professionalism, as they work within a client's home and may have to adjust to the household's routines and preferences. Unlike restaurant chefs, they typically manage all aspects of the kitchen, including meal planning, grocery shopping, and maintaining the kitchen's cleanliness. Flexibility is crucial, as schedules can change and dietary needs may shift quickly. Building strong communication and trust with the household is essential for success and long-term satisfaction in this role.

What is the difference between Live In Chef vs Personal Chef?

AspectLive In ChefPersonal Chef
CredentialsCulinary degree, certifications often preferredCulinary training, certifications optional
Work EnvironmentResides on client’s property, works full-timePrepares meals at client’s home, flexible hours
Employer & IndustryLuxury households, private estatesIndividuals, families, small groups
Search & Comparison IntentLooking for full-time, on-site culinary staffSeeking personalized, on-demand meal services

Live In Chefs typically reside on the client’s property, working full-time and providing daily meal preparation. Personal Chefs usually work on a part-time basis, preparing meals in the client’s home without residing there. Both roles require culinary skills, but Live In Chefs often need additional certifications and experience for full-time residence and duties.

What are the most commonly searched types of Chef jobs in California? The most popular types of Chef jobs in California are:
What are popular job titles related to Live In Chef jobs in California? For Live In Chef jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Live In Chef jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Live In Chef jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Live In Chef jobs? Cities in California with the most Live In Chef job openings:
Infographic showing various Live In Chef job openings in California as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 79% Full Time, and 21% Part Time. Highlights an 86% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 12% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,554 per year, or $24.3 per hour.
Executive Chef - EC

Executive Chef - EC

Montage Hotels & Resorts

Laguna Beach, CA • On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Full-time

Posted 25 days ago


Job description

Live Your Passion. Add Your Magic.

At Montage International, we are doing something different, something exciting and it takes passionate people to bring our vision to life. We have built a culture that leads with the important notion we live by every day; do what you love. If this resonates with you, we look forward to receiving your application.

We welcome applicants with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations as needed to our applicants. Please discuss with our hiring managers during our selection processes.

If you are an internal applicant, please log into Workday and apply for your application to be considered.

Please Click Here to apply internally.

Executive Chef

SUMMARY

The Executive Chef will provide the highest quality culinary experience to our guests. The Executive Chef is responsible for the development and oversight of the overall strategic visionof the culinary program, including profitable financial management, effective leadership of sous chefs, excellent customer service skills, and supervision of department requirements and standards.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Job duties include, although are not limited to:

  • Accountable for ensuring all aspects of the Hotel kitchens including but not limited to: training, supervision and scheduling of all line associates, execution of all menu items, ordering, proper storage, organization and inventory of all products, training and implementation of all sanitation procedures, developing menu items, menu matrix andrecipes while managing food and labor costs.
  • Responsible for enhancing the quality of food product that is presented to guests.
  • Make changes that respond to the marketplace and to guests' needs, both present and anticipated.
  • Recommend changes to the food product.
  • Use market research to develop new products and ensure consistency in food delivery and standards.
  • Be a primary representative in media outlets, both print and televised, for food and beverage offerings at the Hotel.
  • Provide support of a specialist nature to the Executive Committee, particularly to the Director of Food & Beverage, and the Food & Beverage Managers and Directors.
  • Work in support of team goals and measures effectiveness through the Food & Beverage profit and service performance of the hotel.
  • Responsible for the selection, training and development of the personnel within the department.
  • Control the elements that determine profit and loss.
  • Responsible for all major operating expenses.
  • Set margins and manage the business against projections.
  • Make decisions that relate to profit and loss.
  • Responsible for the financial management of the operation.
  • Create custom menus
  • Create sustainable menu options
  • Responsible for following BEOs and ensuring any changes are made
  • Attend operational meetings

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Minimum threeyears' experience as an ExecutiveChef in a comparable hotel environment.
  • Expertise in food product, presentation, quality and preparation along with menu concept and menu design required.
  • Previous experience with creating schedules, labor costing, payroll administration, employee performance management required.
  • Strong interpersonal and problem solving abilities.
  • Must be able to work well under pressure in a fast paced environment, and focus attention on guest needs, remaining calm and courteous at all times.
  • Requires good communication skills, both verbal and written.
  • Must possess basic computational ability.
  • Knowledge of computer accounting programs, math skills as well as budgetary analysis capabilities required.
  • Extensive knowledge of menu development, insight into marketing, cost and wage control.
  • Thorough knowledge of food products, standard recipes and proper preparation.
  • Ability to analyze, forecast data, and make judgments to ensure proper payroll and production control.
  • Ability to supervise large staff and accomplish goals on a timely basis.
  • Ability to conduct meetings, menu briefings and maintain communication lines between line staff and Executive Assistant Manager, Food & Beverage.
  • Ability to effectively deal with internal and external customers some of whom will require high levels of patience, tact and diplomacy and collect accurate information to resolve conflicts.
  • Ability to create recipes and support material, i.e., recipe cards, descriptions, and pictures, and to read and visualize same.
  • Artistic ability to create theme menus, ideas for ice carvings, decorations, etc.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Constant standing and walking throughout shift. Occasional environmental exposures to cold, heat, and water. The individual must be able to transport up to 50 pounds on occasion and up to 35 pounds regularly.

The pay scale for the Executive Chef ranges from $150,000.00 to $180,000.00. The pay scale is the base salary or hourly wage range, exclusive of incentive pay such as commissions, piece rates, gratuities, and the like, that Montage reasonably expects to pay for the position. Please let us know if you have any questions.

In the United States we are proud to be an EEO employer M/F/D/V. We maintain a drug-free workplace and perform pre-employment substance abuse testing.