Private Chef onboarding at a glance

Week one covers orientation, safety and shadowing. Days 1–30 build vocabulary and supervised practice on core procedures; days 31–60 move to independent work with competency sign-offs; days 61–90 focus on full productivity, cross-training and a credential plan.

Before day one

Confirm start date, schedule, pay and supervisor in writing
Verify required credentials: ServSafe Food Protection Manager, Personal Certified Chef (as applicable)
Prepare equipment and access: knives and portable kitchen kits; cookware; food storage containers and labels; menu planning software
Assign a buddy or preceptor
Enroll the new hire in Private Chef training so foundations are covered before or during week one

Week one: orient and protect

Workplace tour, emergency procedures and incident reporting
Follow strict allergen control
Cool and store food safely
Drive safely and transport food at safe temperatures
Use knife and burn safety
Shadow an experienced private chef through a full shift
Training modules 1–3: role foundations, a day on the job and essential vocabulary (15 terms)

Days 1–30: learn

Goal: perform core tasks safely under supervision.

Supervised practice: hold a new-client menu consultation
Supervised practice: prepare a week of meals
Supervised practice: cook a dinner party in a client’s home
Training modules 4–7: duties, step-by-step tasks, tools and safety
30-day check-in: confidence, questions and early wins

Days 31–60: contribute

Goal: handle a regular workload independently.

Plan menus around client preferences and diets: independently
Shop for groceries and specialty ingredients: independently
Prepare daily meals or weekly meal plans: independently
Cook for parties and events: independently
Competency sign-offs completed (see checklist below)
Training final knowledge check and certificate of completion
60-day check-in

Days 61–90: own

Goal: full productivity and a growth plan.

Meet productivity and quality targets for the role
Begin cross-training on a secondary task
Agree on a credential goal (for example, ServSafe Food Protection Manager)
Discuss the career path: Line Cook or Caterer → Personal Chef → Private Household Chef
90-day review

Competency checklist

Skill or task	Trained	Observed	Signed off
Hold a New-Client Menu Consultation
Prepare a Week of Meals
Cook a Dinner Party in a Client’s Home
Cooking techniques
Menu planning
Special diets
Food safety

How to measure onboarding success

Days to independent shifts
Health inspection and audit results
Guest satisfaction and review scores
30- and 90-day retention

How Private Chef training maps to this plan

Introduction to the Private Chef Role
A Day on the Job
Essential Private Chef Vocabulary
Core Duties and Responsibilities
Common Tasks, Step by Step
Tools, Equipment and Technology
Safety, Compliance and Professional Standards
Skills Employers Look For
Launching Your Private Chef Career
Final Knowledge Check

Get team pricing

Private Chef Onboarding Plan (30-60-90 Days)