Private Chef Full Time/Live Out

This full-time, salaried/exempt position is responsible for utilizing a deep passion and inventive approach to ensure a stunning culinary experience to the principals and their guests in Grand Rapids, MI. 

DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES
Culinary:
• Prepare and present meals, including appetizers, soups, entrees, sides, breads, fresh-baked desserts, snacks, and beverages, keeping presentation in mind.
• Ensure promptness, freshness, quality, and variety of dishes.
• Research and prepare diverse menus for Principals’ review, incorporating preferences, dietary restrictions, and seasonal changes; ensure repetition is minimal.
• Maintain journal of menu choices and preferences to ensure variety and reduce repetition.
• Research and implement new techniques and ingredients.
• Shop for groceries, beverages, and kitchen supplies; proactively maintain adequate inventory.
• Establish and maintain collaborative relationships with local vendors, artisans, and retailers.
• Maintain food and beverage products "in date" and discard expired items.
• Prepare fresh, high quality, “to go” meals on occasion.
Cleaning and Sanitation:
• Maintain clean and sanitary chef kitchen and chef pantry, ensuring the highest health, sanitation, safety, and food storage standards, including categorizing and label dating all food.
• Conduct daily cleaning of surfaces, sweep and mop floors as needed and after meal service.
• Maintain non-work surface stainless in a polished condition.
• Conduct daily and deep cleaning of stove, oven, fryer, ice machine, sinks, microwave,
refrigerators, freezers, exhaust hood and chef's dishwashers.
• Empty and clean interior of trash bins daily as needed.
• Keep pantry, shelves, cold storage, freezers, drawers, kitchen cupboards, and counters clean and organized in family and chef kitchens.

Service:
• Coordinate table settings, serve ware, and meal service themes with House Manager.
• Provide meal service, clearing, and clean up with or in the absence of other staff.
• Work with House Manager and staff to coordinate special dinner parties, events, and special occasions.

Other:
• Create exciting flavor combinations with an awareness of the highest quality ingredients.
• Superfood knowledge and health awareness a plus.
• Understanding of food sourcing in its purest form.
• Deep knowledge of organic products, balancing carbohydrates, proteins, and fats.
• Prepare high quality and tasty smoothies and smoothie bowls.
• Experience with vegetarian and vegan recipes and options.
• Provide principals and staff with written and verbal instructions on how to prepare meals when absent.
• Skilled at portion control to minimize waste and control budget.
• Stay abreast of food trends, cooking techniques and recipe research.
• Value quality over quantity.
• Efficiently communicate with other staff; attentively listen, accept direction, ask questions, work well with others, and demonstrate a desire to be part of a team.
• Ensure services are performed at the highest level of quality and hospitality.
• Ability to handle constructive criticism in order to grow, learn and improve.
• Arrive to work timely; fully utilize opportunities during downtimes to conduct research, recipe preparation, menu creation, clean and organize, and perform other administrative responsibilities.
• Assist with seasonal and crucial duties of manager and other staff.
• Produce, track and manage expense reports, paying close attention to and controlling budget within given restraints.
• Complete other projects as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Culinary experience required, including preparation and presentation of diverse foods and styles
• Culinary degree or educational track highly desired.
• Exceptional knowledge of household table etiquette, service, and entertaining protocol.
• Proven history of providing outstanding customer service, with a professional and tactful demeanor.
• Strong time management skills

ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

• Flexibility in schedule to meet six days a week requirements/needs; this includes day shifts, night shifts, weekends and holiday shifts as needed. At times may require a 7-day schedule.
• Preservation of a peaceful household atmosphere is essential.
• Ability to travel to and work at winter and summer homes; valid driver’s license required.
• Must be responsible, resolute, and dependable; neat and tidy in appearance; organized and dependable.
• Proper storing of opened food to ensure freshness and safety.
• Exemplify a cheerful outlook and demonstrate pride in service.
• Demonstrate an eye for details and aesthetics.
• The highest level of confidentiality and sensitivity to privacy must be always exercised.

Up to $150k/year