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Live In Private Chef Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Domestic | Match

Private Chef

Menlo Park, CA · On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Must live within a commutable distance to Menlo Park * Strong longevity in current and past positions * 3-5 years of experience as a private chef in a UHNW home preferred * Strong vegetarian and ...

DM Estate Staffing

Private Chef

Menlo Park, CA

$150K - $175K/yr

Must live within a commutable distance to Menlo Park * Strong longevity in current and past positions * 3-5 years of experience as a private chef in a UHNW home preferred * Strong vegetarian and ...

Domestic | Match

Private Chef

Menlo Park, CA

$150K - $175K/yr

Must live within a commutable distance to Menlo Park * Strong longevity in current and past positions * 3-5 years of experience as a private chef in a UHNW home preferred * Strong vegetarian and ...

Friendly Franchisees Corp.

Private Chef

Newport Beach, CA · On-site

$30 - $35/hr

We are seeking a skilled and quick-thinking Private Chef to join a busy family household in Newport Beach. This role blends the fast-paced rhythm of a short order cook with the personal touch and ...

NORR KITCHEN

Be Seen First

NORR Kitchen | Private Dining & Event Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

NORR Kitchen | Private Dining & Event Chef Luxury Private Dining | High-End Events | Project-Based ... Comfortable working independently and making sound decisions in live event environments. * Calm ...

RMG Management Inc

Chef

Woodland Hills, CA · On-site

$27 - $33/hr

RMG Management, Inc. is seeking a creative and reliable Private Chef to prepare, cook, serve and ... Check equipment to ensure it is in good working order. * Load/unload the dishwasher. Hand wash any ...

Akua Behavioral Health Inc

Chef.

Costa Mesa, CA · On-site

$25 - $27/hr

Successful completion of Live Scan Fingerprinting or Background check * Ability to lift and carry ... in a professional kitchen setting (prep chef, line cook, catering, or personal/private chef ...

NORR KITCHEN

Be Seen First

NORR Kitchen | Private Dining & Event Chef | Palm Desert, CA

Palm Desert, CA · On-site

$30 - $40/hr

NORR Kitchen | Private Dining & Event Chef Luxury Private Dining | High-End Events | Project-Based ... Comfortable working independently and making sound decisions in live event environments. * Calm ...

SH Hotels and Resorts

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$58K - $79K/yr

... live in. Founded in 2006 by Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Hotels is a luxury hotel brand management ... private investment firm Starwood Capital Group. $80,000-$85,000 Starwood Hotels is an Equal ...

SH Hotels and Resorts

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA

$58K - $79K/yr

... live in. Founded in 2006 by Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Hotels is a luxury hotel brand management ... private investment firm Starwood Capital Group. $80,000-$85,000 Starwood Hotels is an Equal ...

1 Hotels

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$58K - $79K/yr

... live in. Founded in 2006 by Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Hotels is a luxury hotel brand management ... private investment firm Starwood Capital Group.$75,000-$80,000Starwood Hotels is an Equal ...

1 Hotels

Sous Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$58K - $79K/yr

... live in. Founded in 2006 by Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Hotels is a luxury hotel brand management ... private investment firm Starwood Capital Group.$75,000-$80,000Starwood Hotels is an Equal ...

Domestic | Match

Head Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Overview Head Chef | Private Residence | San Francisco We are seeking an exceptionally talented and adaptable Head Chef to lead the kitchen of a beautiful private residence in San Francisco ...

Domestic | Match

Head Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Overview Head Chef | Private Residence | San Francisco We are seeking an exceptionally talented and adaptable Head Chef to lead the kitchen of a beautiful private residence in San Francisco ...

DM Estate Staffing

Head Chef

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$160K - $175K/yr

Head Chef | Private Residence | San Francisco We are seeking an exceptionally talented and adaptable Head Chef to lead the kitchen of a beautiful private residence in San Francisco, California. This ...

Valley Goat

Executive Chef

Sunnyvale, CA

$83K - $115K/yr

... live in. Founded in 2006 by Barry Sternlicht, Starwood Hotels is a luxury hotel brand management ... global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group. $120,000 Starwood Hotels is an Equal ...

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All JobsLive In Private Chef JobsLive In Private Chef Jobs in California

Live In Private Chef information

See California salary details

$30.1K

$89.2K

$154.9K

How much do live in private chef jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for live in private chef in California is $89,203.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $51,800.00 and $118,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a live in private chef?

A Live In Private Chef is a professional cook who resides in a client's home and is responsible for preparing daily meals tailored to the client's preferences and dietary needs. They may also handle meal planning, grocery shopping, kitchen organization, and special event catering. This role often includes adapting to a family's schedule, maintaining a high standard of cleanliness, and sometimes traveling with the client.

What does a live in private chef do?

A typical day as a Live In Private Chef involves planning and preparing daily meals tailored to the household's preferences and dietary needs, grocery shopping or managing pantry supplies, and maintaining a clean, organized kitchen. You may also be responsible for accommodating last-minute changes in meal schedules and catering to special events or gatherings hosted at the residence. Collaboration is often required with household staff such as housekeepers or personal assistants to coordinate schedules and meal logistics. Flexibility is key, as meal times and requests can change unexpectedly, making adaptability a valuable asset in this role. Many chefs find the position rewarding due to the opportunity to build close client relationships and exercise creativity in daily cooking.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a live in private chef?

To thrive as a Live In Private Chef, you need advanced culinary skills, experience in menu planning, and a background in nutrition or hospitality management. Familiarity with kitchen appliances, food safety certifications (such as ServSafe), and sometimes knowledge of dietary management software are important. Strong soft skills include discretion, flexibility, time management, and excellent interpersonal communication. These abilities ensure you can deliver personalized dining experiences while adapting to your employer's preferences and maintaining a trustworthy, professional relationship in the private home setting.

What are the most commonly searched types of Private Chef jobs in California?

The most popular types of Private Chef jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Live In Private Chef jobs in California?

For Live In Private Chef jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Live In Private Chef jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Live In Private Chef jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Live In Private Chef jobs?

Cities in California with the most Live In Private Chef job openings:

Live In Private Chef jobs near you
Infographic showing various Live In Private Chef job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $89,203 per year, or $42.9 per hour.

Private Chef

Menlo Park, CA • On-site

Domestic | Match
See more jobs at Domestic | Matchexternal

$150K - $175K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago

Job description

Overview

Private Chef Job DescriptionFull-Time Private Chef | Menlo Park, California

Our client based in Menlo Park, California, is seeking a highly skilled, discreet Private Chef to join their household team. This role centers on dinner service and health-focused vegetarian cooking for a family who values genuine care in the kitchen as much as the food itself.

The ideal candidate is thoughtful and detail-oriented, someone who takes real pride and ownership in their workspace, keeping the kitchen clean and organized and personally seeing service through to clean-up. This is a wonderful opportunity for a Chef who finds meaning in cooking with intention and creating a warm, healthy rhythm within a family's home.

Schedule

  • Full-time, on-site 
  • Tuesday through Saturday, 1:00 PM to 9:00 PM
  • Primary focus on dinner service, with lunches prepped in advance
  • Start date: as soon as possible
  • Local candidates only

Key Responsibilities

  • Plan and execute vegetarian menus across a range of cuisines, including Thai, Italian, Mediterranean, Indian, and Mexican
  • Prepare daily lunches and dinners, accommodating specific dietary  needs within the household
  • Source high-quality, seasonal ingredients and manage grocery shopping
  • Incorporate produce from the property's edible garden into daily cooking
  • Maintain a clean, organized kitchen, including personally handling clean-up after service
  • Support casual weekend hosting, comfortable with both plated and family-style meals
  • Maintain the highest standards of cleanliness, presentation, and discretion at all times
  • Manage the edible garden in partnership with the gardeners and principal. 

Skills & Qualifications

  • Must be authorized to work legally in the United States
  • Must live within a commutable distance to Menlo Park
  • Strong longevity in current and past positions
  • 3-5 years of experience as a private chef in a UHNW home preferred
  • Strong vegetarian and plant-based cooking background, with comfort navigating dietary restrictions
  • Passion for farm-to-table cooking
  • Low-key, grounded personality; highly professional and discreet
  • Comfortable working independently in a home kitchen setting
  • Flexible to occasionally work holidays with advance notice
  • Must successfully complete an in-depth background investigation

Compensation & Benefits

  • $150,000-$175,000+ base salary | depending on experience 
  • Health, dental, and vision plan for employee
  • Retirement plan with match
  • 10 paid vacation days in the first year
  • Paid sick days
  • Paid holidays
  • Discretionary year-end bonus
  • Yearly wage review

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.

Job StatusActively Seeking Applicants!

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