Kitchen Confidential with Chef David

I’m David, I became a chef 12 years ago and have never looked back. Studying my apprenticeship through Westminster Kingsway College with internships at the Gordon Ramsey group gave me a great foundation.
I began in restaurants in London, Barcelona and New York and slowly moved to high-end events then into private houses.
Within this blog, you will learn a little more about the life of a private chef plus some lessons I have learnt along the way.

What are the 5 top tips you would give a candidate wishing to start a career as a Private chef?

1. Work in a clean, tidy manner at all times and be thoroughly organised, it’s an absolute must!
2. Be flexible and prepared for things to often change very last minute, stay calm under pressure, keep your cool and use your initiative.
3. You must keep up to date with current food trends, working as a private chef can make you tunnel-visioned.
4. A confident all-round cook, from healthy breakfasts to Michelin star level desserts.
5. Personality, you must be polite, well mannered, responsible and respectful of a clients privacy.

How would you advise a client when choosing the right private chef for their household?

1. Does the food you enjoy eating match the cuisine the chef enjoys cooking. (This is important for longevity)
2. Does the chef have a well-rounded skill set, from butchery to pastry, desserts to healthier diet ideas?
3. Do they have relevant experience to cater to tastes, preferences and lifestyle? (if you don’t have time to nurture), are your expectations and standards reflected in their past successful posts?

An invaluable piece of advice

People love the kitchen, it is often the hub of every private house, so be prepared to work while holding conversations. You can’t be head-down in silence like in a restaurant kitchen.

A new skill you have learned whilst working as a Private Chef

Be prepared to be more than a chef, don’t be surprised to become a waiter, barista, porter, driver, nanny, security, gardener and a whole load more of other random exciting opportunities. You really are joining a family however always remember you are staff, not family, always remain professional and don’t overstep the line.

Your career highlight

Winning Young Spanish Chef of the Year which gave me the opportunity to work at El Bulli is something only a very small handful of people can ever say they got to do and it really started my career. It’s something very special and hard to top!

To hire a Private Chef on a temporary or full-time basis, please contact the agency and our specialist team will assist you +44 (0)203 669 7726 / office@thestaffdirectory.com

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