The Opportunity
This position is responsible for providing healthy and flavorful meal options for a busy family, with an informal, personal, and creative style. 

Culture of Care
As an employee of RDV Staffing, you will experience a workplace that is founded on the respect and well-being of others - our employees, their families, and the families that we serve. Our goal is to simplify the life of the family we serve and facilitate each household working effectively together to make a positive impact in all of their communities, near and far. We are a team of highly competent professionals who are gracious, trustworthy, and the best at what we do.

Duties and Responsibilities

Food Prep

• Develops menus and recipes supporting the family's preferences, tastes, and style.
  • Communicates on a regular basis with head of household and family members on needs for upcoming week(s); gathers feedback and ideas.
• Forecasts food items required; keeps household stocked with fresh food items and beverages for planned meals, snacks, and impromptu consumption.
  • Purchases food items on a regular basis from local markets and/or other preferred vendors.
• Prepares and serves daily meals for family.
  • Prepares and stocks easy to prepare meals for family's use on days/times when Chef is not working, as needed.
• Prepares meals and hors d'oeuvres for family entertaining, as requested.  Some evening and weekend events with 5 to 15 guests.
  • May engage with outside vendors and/or independent contractors for some special events.
  • Coordinates entertainment/special events planning with Household Coordinator/Personal Assistant and/or other household staff.

Food Preference

• Food Type
  • Family lives and prefers a healthy lifestyle and food selections that fit that lifestyle.  Lots of fresh proteins, seafood, vegetables, fruit, herbs, fresh breads.  Simple and natural preparation techniques.  Outdoor grilling in summer.
  • Light and healthy beverages.  i.e., flavored sparkling water, juices, tea
• Meal Type
  • Prepares dinner daily.  Some days will be full meal preparation and presentation.  Some days will be preparing dinner for family to cook themselves in the evening.  i.e., purchase and prep steaks for grilling by family, prepare salad and sides and place in fridge for presentation and cooking by family.
  • Prepares items for breakfast and lunch for family to cook themselves.  i.e., chop salads, wash and cut fruit, wash and chop vegetables, mix fresh salad dressings, fresh bread selections on hand, fresh pastries and baked items

Family Culture

• Family lives an active and healthy lifestyle.  Adults and teenage/young adult children are active with work endeavors, sports, travel, and family engagements.  The family prefers an informal and personal approach, not stuffy.  While they realize and appreciate they have "household staff" and the relationship this represents, the residence should always feel like a family home, not a business.  Chef will interact with family members in the kitchen and during events.
• If chef travels with the family, it would be expected that the chef participate in some group activities.  i.e., skiing, yoga, SUP, conversing by the fire after dinner, etc.
• Special events are typically family and friends; informal gatherings.  Family does not host many external or formal guests for dinner or special events. 
• If an informal happy hour occurs, the family members will serve themselves.  Keeping a supply of simple preferred beverage items on hand is appreciated.
• Works with staff at other properties to ensure appropriate food inventory and menu planning.
• Takes initiative to coordinate and advise other staff on family dietary needs and preferences when family is on vacation. i.e., yacht crew, aviation crew.  Researches regionally available cuisine and food availability for family vacations.  Suggests dining options and/or arranges for food items to be stocked at vacation location.  May travel with family 1-2 times per year

Kitchen Maintenance

• Ensures kitchen, dining areas, and equipment are safe and sanitary.
  • At end of workday, tidies up kitchen and dining areas. 
  • Runs dishwasher(s), washes certain dishes and equipment by hand, and puts away items, ensuring all are 100% clean and dry.
  • Runs load of laundry for any dirty dish towels and kitchen linens.
  • Follows safe operating procedures of all equipment, utensils, and machinery.  Completes daily maintenance and notifies property manager of equipment and machinery issues for repair.
  • Ensures food and supplies are stored/maintained under proper conditions.
• Ensures pantry, refrigerator, beverage fridge(s) are stocked at all times with fresh and healthy snack and miscellaneous items the family enjoys.  Ensures cleaning, food preparation, and paper supplies are stocked.
  • Anticipates needs of family members throughout the week and solicits feedback.
  • Controls food costs by establishing purchasing, storage, and waste procedures.
  • Ensures supplies are utilized properly and cost effectively.

Elements of Success

• Degree from a post-secondary culinary arts training program.
• Variety of culinary and catering experience with healthy and natural meal preparation techniques.  Ensures a variety of meals offered and demonstrates flexibility in accommodating individual tastes and dietary requirements.  Plans meals that will be enjoyed by adults and teenagers.  Personal chef experience in a private household setting not required.
• Warm and engaging personality.  Able to converse with all members of the family from heads of household to teenagers.  Informal and steady approach.  Focus is on supporting family in their healthy lifestyle, not to create the most amazing award winning restaurant quality dishes.
• Must demonstrate professionalism, enthusiasm, and graciousness in service; display good listening skills.
• Must be a responsible, dedicated, and dependable person of highest integrity; self-motivated.
• Responsibilities are conducted in the home(s) of the family.  While an employer/employee relationship exists, employee must be genuinely committed to being part of the team of household staff whose shared goal is to offer exemplary personal service and to positively contribute to a healthy, active, and loving home environment.
• The family's privacy is of critical importance; therefore, the highest level of confidentiality in the family's business and personal matters must be exercised at all times.
• Willingness to be flexible in days and hours worked, as well as occasional last-minute scheduling is essential.
• Employee will be required to travel at various times to Michigan, X and X in order to provide services at various residences of client; other travel locations may also be required.