Occupation · SOC 35-2013
Cooks, Private Household
Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.
Median wage
$44,530
$38,240–$92,480
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
900
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
344 mapped
Core skills
Critical ThinkingService OrientationTime ManagementSpeakingSocial PerceptivenessReading ComprehensionMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningWritingManagement of Material ResourcesCoordinationActive LearningPersuasionLearning StrategiesManagement of Personnel ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsOperations AnalysisNegotiationInstructingTroubleshootingEquipment SelectionTechnology DesignScienceProgrammingRepairingInstallationEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Customer and Personal ServiceFood ProductionSales and MarketingAdministration and ManagementProduction and ProcessingMathematicsEnglish LanguageEconomics and AccountingEducation and TrainingAdministrativePublic Safety and SecurityCommunications and MediaChemistryComputers and ElectronicsTransportationPersonnel and Human ResourcesPsychologyLaw and GovernmentTelecommunicationsBiologyDesignPhysicsForeign LanguageMechanicalSociology and AnthropologyMedicine and DentistryFine ArtsEngineering and TechnologyGeographyTherapy and CounselingHistory and ArcheologyPhilosophy and TheologyBuilding and Construction
Technology & tools
APPCA Personal Chef OfficeCooking e-booksCost tracking softwareEmail softwareFood inventory softwareIntuit QuickBooksWeb browser softwareWordPressWork scheduling softwareYouTube
Representative tasks
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkGetting InformationEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsThinking CreativelyMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationHandling and Moving ObjectsScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicSelling or Influencing OthersProcessing InformationJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersTraining and Teaching OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesControlling Machines and ProcessesWorking with ComputersCoaching and Developing OthersOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentAnalyzing Data or InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Vegetable and meat preparation — peel, wash, trim, and portion raw ingredients under direct supervision in a private household kitchen.Basic cooking techniques — follow employer-provided recipes to prepare simple meals with guidance from a supervising household manager.Bread and pastry basics — assist with baking tasks such as measuring, mixing, and monitoring oven temperature under close direction.Food storage procedures — cool, package, and label prepared foods for freezer storage according to household protocols with supervisor oversight.Kitchen sanitation — stock, organize, and clean cooking utensils and work surfaces following established hygiene standards in a residential kitchen.Menu awareness — review employer-provided menus and identify ingredients needed for daily meal preparation under direction.Grocery list support — compile basic shopping lists from approved recipes and replenish staple pantry items when instructed by the employer.Dietary restriction recognition — identify common dietary restrictions such as allergies or preferences and flag concerns to the employer before cooking.Record-keeping basics — record daily meal costs and ingredient usage in a provided template or logbook with supervisor review.Employer communication — listen attentively to and confirm household food preferences and meal timing instructions before beginning preparation.
developing
Full-meal execution — prepare complete family meals across breakfast, lunch, and dinner with minimal oversight, adapting to daily household schedules.Vegetable and protein cookery — peel, trim, cook, and plate vegetables and meats consistently to employer taste standards in a private residence.Baked goods production — bake breads and pastries independently, adjusting recipes based on seasonal ingredients or employer feedback.Freeze-ahead meal preparation — cool, package, label, and freeze batch-cooked meals and provide written reheating instructions for household staff use.Menu planning — plan weekly menus that reflect employer preferences, dietary restrictions, and nutritional balance with limited consultation required.Procurement coordination — shop for or place orders for food, kitchen supplies, and equipment, comparing prices to stay within a household budget.Kitchen organization — maintain organized pantry, refrigerator, and equipment storage systems, restocking supplies on a routine schedule.Financial record management — maintain accurate records of food expenditures and receipts using a spreadsheet or accounting software for employer review.Meal service direction — coordinate timing and presentation of dishes so that meals are served at appropriate temperatures and in correct sequence.Household staff liaison — communicate meal schedules and food handling instructions clearly to other household staff involved in serving or cleanup.
proficient
Customized meal programming — design and execute rotating weekly menus that address complex dietary restrictions, health goals, and culinary preferences autonomously.Advanced cooking techniques — apply professional-level preparation methods for vegetables, meats, breads, and pastries across diverse cuisines without supervision.Comprehensive food preservation — manage a systematic freeze-ahead cooking program, including labeling, rotation, and detailed reheating instructions calibrated to each dish.Strategic procurement — source specialty ingredients, evaluate vendor quality, and negotiate pricing to maintain household food standards within budget constraints.Inventory management — operate inventory management software to track pantry levels, generate purchase orders, and prevent waste in a private household setting.Nutritional and dietary expertise — independently research and incorporate medical or lifestyle dietary requirements, consulting authoritative sources to ensure compliance and variety.Financial oversight — maintain detailed financial records of kitchen expenditures using accounting software, producing monthly summaries for employer review.Kitchen operations management — direct all food-related activities including preparation workflows, presentation standards, and serving logistics for routine and special occasions.Problem-solving under pressure — identify and resolve non-routine challenges such as ingredient unavailability or sudden guest additions without disrupting meal quality or timing.Employer relationship management — exercise social perceptiveness to anticipate evolving household preferences and proactively adjust menus, purchasing, and service approach accordingly.
advanced
Culinary program leadership — establish the full culinary vision for a private household, setting quality standards, signature menus, and long-term meal planning frameworks.Staff development and training — train, mentor, and evaluate junior cooks or kitchen assistants, building their technical skills and professional judgment over time.Complex event execution — plan, budget, and execute multi-course formal dinners or large private events, directing all food preparation, presentation, and service operations.Vendor and supply chain strategy — cultivate relationships with premium suppliers, farms, and specialty purveyors to ensure consistent quality and sustainable sourcing for the household.Technology integration — introduce and configure scheduling, inventory, and communication software platforms that streamline kitchen operations and reporting across a large private estate.Financial governance — develop and oversee comprehensive kitchen budgets, identify cost-saving opportunities, and present financial analyses to employers or estate managers.Health and wellness consulting — collaborate with physicians, dietitians, or personal trainers to translate complex medical or performance nutrition protocols into practical household menus.Operational policy development — author kitchen operating procedures, food safety protocols, and household culinary standards that guide all staff and ensure regulatory compliance.Cross-functional household coordination — align culinary operations with housekeeping, events, and travel schedules across a principal's multiple residences or properties.Culinary innovation and research — independently research emerging food trends, preservation techniques, and ingredient innovations to continuously elevate the household's dining experience.
Also known as
15 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Certified Personal Chef (CPC)CookCooking ChefCulinary ArtistCulinary ChefCulinary SpecialistCulinary WorkerDinner CookHoliday Food PrepperHousehold CookPersonal Certified Chef (PCC)Personal ChefPersonal Private ChefPrivate ChefPrivate Executive Chef