Private Chef Recruitment for Families and UHNW Households
Michelin-trained private chefs, international chefs and executive chefs for UHNW families, private households, family offices, villas, yachts and prestigious residences
Very Important Personnel is an international agency specialising in private chef recruitment for British, European and globally mobile millionaires, billionaires, entrepreneurs, investors and UHNW families across London, Monaco, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain and worldwide.
We recruit private family chefs, Michelin-trained chefs, former Michelin-starred restaurant professionals, executive chefs, wellness chefs and international culinary specialists for daily family dining, private offices, country estates, villas, superyachts, seasonal residences, international travel and exclusive events.
Private Chefs We Recruit:
Private Family Chef
A private family chef manages the family’s daily dining, including breakfast, lunch, dinner, children’s menus and special diets. Responsibilities may also include sourcing premium ingredients, grocery shopping, monitoring food quality, managing suppliers and maintaining an immaculate private kitchen.
The chef creates bespoke menus reflecting the principals’ preferences, medical guidance, dietary requirements, lifestyle, residence schedule and household routine.
Michelin-Trained Private Chef
A Michelin-trained private chef brings the technique, creativity and presentation standards associated with Michelin Guide restaurants into the family residence. Candidates may have experience in Michelin-starred kitchens, luxury hotels, private members’ clubs or acclaimed restaurants recognised by The World’s 50 Best Restaurants, Gault & Millau and La Liste.
These chefs can create bespoke tasting menus, refined daily cuisine, chef’s table experiences, formal dinners and signature presentations while adapting restaurant-level excellence to the discretion, flexibility and personal service required in a private household.
Private Executive Chef
A private executive chef is ideal for principals who expect exceptional restaurant-quality cuisine at home. The chef can design seasonal menus, prepare fine-dining dishes and organise family dinners, VIP receptions, tasting menus and private celebrations.
Private Office Chef for an Executive
A private office chef prepares tailored meals for an entrepreneur, investor, executive, family members, business partners or distinguished guests. Responsibilities may include daily dining, business breakfasts, working lunches, private dinners, coffee breaks and catering for confidential meetings.
International Chef
An international chef may provide authentic regional cuisine, contemporary fine dining, wellness menus, plant-based dishes, Ayurvedic meals or Japanese, Italian, French, Indian, Chinese, Thai, Greek, Spanish and Mediterranean cuisine. We can also source chefs experienced in kosher, halal and culturally appropriate food preparation.
Chef for a Villa, Yacht or Private Residence
A chef working in a European villa, superyacht, Alpine chalet, country estate or private residence plans menus around seasonal stays, guests, international travel, local produce, household requirements and the family’s expected standard of service.
What Makes an Exceptional Private Chef
An exceptional private chef is more than an accomplished culinary professional. Discretion, impeccable hygiene, confidentiality, flexibility, awareness of household dynamics, respect for personal boundaries and the ability to collaborate with estate managers, butlers and other private staff are essential.
We consider each candidate’s Michelin Guide or luxury hospitality background, professional experience, culinary portfolio, personality, communication style, attention to detail, international mobility and ability to adapt menus to the principals’ lifestyle. Our service reflects the standards expected by private clients whose financial affairs may be advised by Goldman Sachs Private Wealth Management, Barclays Private Bank, J.P. Morgan Private Bank or Rothschild & Co.
Private Chef Responsibilities
A private chef may manage the entire dining process, including menu planning, premium ingredient sourcing, food preparation, quality control, allergy management, children’s and dietary meals, supplier coordination, wine-pairing collaboration, guest dining and kitchen organisation.
For families with specialist requirements, we recruit chefs experienced in wellness, gluten-free, lactose-free, low-carbohydrate, plant-based, sports nutrition, detox, Ayurvedic and other personalised nutrition programmes.
Chefs for Wellness, Dietary and Children’s Menus
Many private families require more than excellent cuisine: they expect carefully designed nutrition aligned with their health, performance and longevity objectives. We recruit chefs experienced in specialist diets, food intolerances and personalised meal plans developed with doctors, nutritionists, wellness consultants and personal trainers.
For families with children, particular importance is placed on responsibility, food safety, knowledge of children’s nutrition and the ability to create healthy, appealing dishes tailored to each child’s age, routine and dietary requirements.
International Recruitment Locations
Our agency recruits private chefs for positions in London and across the United Kingdom, Monaco, Switzerland, France, Italy, Spain and other European destinations, as well as the United States, the Middle East, Singapore, Asia and major global wealth centres.
When a family requires a chef for a Mediterranean villa, superyacht, Alpine chalet, country estate, seasonal residence or international travel, we source candidates comfortable with global schedules, private aviation and working across multiple jurisdictions.
Private Chef Screening and Due Diligence
Recruiting a chef for an UHNW household requires rigorous screening. Beyond culinary skill, technique and portfolio quality, clients value food safety, reliability, immaculate hygiene, confidentiality and the ability to work respectfully within a private environment.
We review each candidate’s employment history, Michelin-starred restaurants or luxury hospitality experience, professional references, culinary portfolio, specialist expertise, food-safety knowledge, schedule availability, international travel readiness and suitability for the principal’s expectations.
How Private Chef Recruitment Works
We begin by clarifying the position’s requirements: a chef for a family, family office, private investment office, estate, villa, yacht, seasonal appointment, exclusive event or international travel.
We then create a bespoke candidate profile, conduct a targeted search through our agency database and international network, screen applicants, assess portfolios and references, present a carefully selected shortlist, arrange interviews and paid trial days, and support the placement through the chef’s start date.
Submit a Private Chef Recruitment Request
If you require a Michelin-trained private chef, family chef, residential executive chef, private office chef, international chef, villa chef or superyacht chef, Very Important Personnel will provide a bespoke and confidential recruitment service aligned with your culinary preferences, lifestyle and international residences.