Private Chef
Location: Aba, Abia
Employment Type: Full-time
Main Function
- The Private Chef is responsible for planning, preparing, and serving high-quality meals tailored to the preferences, dietary requirements, and lifestyle of the principal and household. The Chef will be responsible for preparing a wide variety of continental and local dishes, maintaining exceptional food quality and presentation, and ensuring the kitchen operates to the highest standards of hygiene, cleanliness, and organization.
- The ideal candidate must be an experienced and versatile chef with excellent knowledge of both Nigerian cuisine and international/continental dishes, strong attention to detail, discretion, and the ability to provide personalized culinary service in a private household.
Role Responsibilities
Meal Preparation and Cooking:
- Prepare high-quality breakfast, lunch, dinner, snacks, desserts, and other meals as required.
- Prepare a wide variety of local Nigerian and continental/international dishes.
- Ensure meals are prepared according to the preferences and dietary requirements of the principal and household members.
- Maintain consistency in taste, quality, portion sizes, and presentation.
- Prepare meals for private functions, family gatherings, and special occasions when required.
Menu Planning:
- Develop daily and weekly menus based on the household's preferences and nutritional needs.
- Introduce new and creative dishes while maintaining familiar favourites.
- Plan balanced and varied meals using fresh and quality ingredients.
- Adjust menus according to seasonal ingredients, special occasions, and dietary requirements.
Local and Continental Cuisine:
- Demonstrate strong knowledge and practical experience preparing Nigerian dishes from different regions.
- Prepare continental dishes such as pasta, steaks, grilled dishes, salads, soups, seafood, rice dishes, breakfast options, and other international cuisines.
- Demonstrate versatility in adapting recipes to the preferences of the principal.
- Maintain high standards of presentation for both local and continental meals.
Grocery and Kitchen Inventory Management:
- Prepare shopping lists and communicate food and kitchen supply requirements.
- Assist with the sourcing and selection of fresh, high-quality ingredients.
- Monitor food supplies and kitchen inventory.
- Ensure proper storage and rotation of food items using FIFO principles.
- Minimize food waste and avoid unnecessary expenditure.
Food Safety and Hygiene:
- Maintain exceptional standards of kitchen cleanliness and personal hygiene.
- Ensure proper handling, preparation, storage, and preservation of food.
- Monitor food temperatures and prevent cross-contamination.
- Ensure kitchen equipment, utensils, work surfaces, refrigerators, and storage areas are kept clean and sanitary.
- Comply with applicable food safety and hygiene standards.
Kitchen Management:
- Maintain an organized, clean, and efficient kitchen environment.
- Ensure kitchen equipment and appliances are properly used and maintained.
- Report damaged or faulty equipment promptly.
- Monitor the condition and availability of cooking utensils and kitchen supplies.
Personalized Service:
- Understand and maintain a record of the principal's food preferences, dislikes, allergies, and dietary requirements.
- Prepare meals according to specific instructions and preferences.
- Maintain flexibility to accommodate changes in meal schedules and requests.
- Ensure meals are served on time and presented appropriately.
Special Events and Entertainment:
- Prepare menus and meals for private dinners, family celebrations, business meetings, and other household events.
- Cater for guests when required while maintaining the same high standards of quality and presentation.
- Coordinate food preparation and service requirements for special occasions.
Confidentiality and Professionalism:
- Maintain strict confidentiality regarding the principal, household, guests, activities, and personal information.
- Exercise discretion and professionalism at all times.
- Respect household rules, privacy, and boundaries.
- Maintain a professional and respectful relationship with household staff and guests.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Quality and consistency of meals prepared
- Principal and household satisfaction
- Variety and creativity of menus
- Timeliness of meal preparation and service
- Compliance with food safety and hygiene standards
- Effective management of food supplies and kitchen inventory
- Reduction of food wastage
- Kitchen cleanliness and organization
- Ability to meet special dietary and meal requests
- Professionalism, discretion, and reliability
Experience / Qualification
- Certificate, Diploma, HND, or Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts, Catering, Hospitality Management, or a related field is an added advantage.
- Minimum of 5 years' experience working as a Chef, preferably as a Private Chef, Personal Chef, Executive Chef, or in a high-end hospitality environment.
- Proven experience preparing both continental and local Nigerian dishes is required.
- Experience working for a private household, luxury hotel, fine dining restaurant, or high-profile client is highly desirable.
- Knowledge of food safety and hygiene standards is required.
- Culinary certification is an added advantage.
Important Recruitment Criteria:
Candidates should demonstrate:
- Excellent cooking skills in both continental and local Nigerian dishes.
- Ability to prepare a wide variety of meals to a high standard.
- Previous experience working in a private household, luxury hotel, fine dining restaurant, or similar high-end environment.
- Good communication skills and ability to understand and follow specific instructions.
- Professional appearance, discretion, and trustworthy character.
- Flexibility to work according to the household's schedule.
- Willingness to reside at the provided accommodation where required.
Competencies / Skills:
- Excellent culinary and food preparation skills
- Strong knowledge of Nigerian/local and continental cuisine
- Menu planning and recipe development
- Strong knowledge of food safety and hygiene
- Excellent food presentation and plating skills
- Grocery purchasing and inventory management
- Ability to prepare meals according to dietary requirements
- Strong organizational and time-management skills
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Good communication and interpersonal skills
Behavioural Qualities / Other Competences:
- Professional, neat, and well-groomed
- Discreet and trustworthy
- Respectful and courteous
- Highly organized and detail-oriented
- Flexible and adaptable
- Creative and passionate about cooking
- Calm and composed under pressure
- Punctual and reliable
- Honest and accountable
- Strong work ethic and service-oriented attitude
Application Closing Date
31st August, 2026.
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should forward their CVs and cover letters to: recruitment@domeoresources.org using "Chef - Aba" as the subject of the mail.
Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.