Private Chef

About the employer

Zimbabwe Maids Centre is a household staffing agency that matches families with dependable and capable domestic workers. The agency focuses on thoughtful placements that fit each home’s needs, with an emphasis on trust, respect, and long-term suitability for both clients and staff.

Role overview

This is an on-site private chef position for a client in Arlington Estate, Harare. The role is described as a permanent stay-in arrangement, and the chef will be responsible for preparing daily meals in line with the household’s preferences, dietary needs, and the availability of seasonal ingredients.

Key duties

The chef will handle meal planning and preparation, shop for groceries, keep track of kitchen stock, and maintain a clean, well-organized cooking space. The role also includes creating menus for special occasions, syncing meal timing with the household routine, and serving food in an attractive and professional way. Clear communication with the household, flexibility to changing needs, and a courteous, discreet manner are essential.

Skills and qualifications

Applicants should have prior experience working as a private chef, professional cook, or in a comparable culinary role, ideally in private homes or hospitality environments. They need strong ability in menu design, cooking, and plating, along with the confidence to prepare different cuisines and accommodate diets such as vegetarian, gluten-free, and low-sodium.

A solid understanding of food hygiene, safety, and kitchen sanitation is important, as is the ability to manage shopping, source ingredients cost-effectively, and control inventory while limiting waste. The role also calls for dependable time management, strong organization, independence, and composure when working under pressure. Good communication, interpersonal professionalism, and discretion are required. Culinary training or a cooking course is helpful, and a formal culinary school qualification is an added advantage but not compulsory. The position may require variable working hours, standing for long periods, and carrying out typical kitchen physical tasks.

Additional information

The role is stay-in and based on site in Harare, Zimbabwe. No salary or stipend amount was specified.