Russian-Speaking Rota Chef – Holland Park, London
Salary: £75,000–£100,000 gross per annum, depending on experience
Schedule: One week on / one week off
Hours: 9:00am–5:30pm
Location: Holland Park, London
Travel: Monaco, the Caribbean and other international travel as required
Start Date: ASAP
The Role
A long-standing private client based in Holland Park is seeking an experienced Russian-speaking Family Chef to join their household on a one-week-on, one-week-off rota.
This is very much a family cooking position rather than a fine-dining role. The family values fresh, simple and nutritious food, with an emphasis on creating enjoyable meals for young children without relying on salt or sugar.
The Chef will prepare lunch and dinner for three adults and a 2½-year-old child, as well as fresh daily purées for an 8-month-old baby. The adults eat the same meals as the children, so the successful candidate must be particularly skilled at making simple, child-friendly food varied and flavourful.
Typical meals include steamed or grilled meat and fish, fresh vegetables and fruit plates. Restaurant-style presentation and elaborate à la carte cooking are neither required nor desired.
Travel & Rota
The position operates on a one-week-on, one-week-off rotation, working alongside a second Chef to provide continuity for the family.
International travel forms an important part of the position. The family typically spends:
July and August in Monaco
December and January in the Caribbean
The Chefs travel with the family on rotation. Flexibility with working arrangements will therefore be required while the family is abroad.
Christmas is worked on an alternate-year basis.
Key Responsibilities
Preparing fresh, nutritious lunches and dinners for three adults and a 2½-year-old child.
Preparing fresh daily purées suitable for an 8-month-old baby.
Creating varied and flavourful meals without added salt or sugar.
Preparing simple steamed and grilled meat, fish and vegetables to a consistently high standard.
Providing age-appropriate meals that support the children’s developing tastes and nutritional needs.
Menu planning and ensuring appropriate variety within the family’s preferred style of eating.
Sourcing and managing fresh, high-quality ingredients.
Maintaining excellent kitchen hygiene, organisation and food-safety standards.
Working collaboratively with the second Chef and wider household team.
Travelling internationally with the family during rota periods as required.
Adapting to the family’s routine and requirements while travelling.
Candidate Requirements
The successful candidate must:
Be a fluent Russian speaker with strong English.
Have proven experience working as a Chef within a private household.
Be confident preparing baby purées and nutritious toddler meals.
Understand how to create flavourful, appealing food for young children without relying on salt or sugar.
Be genuinely comfortable with straightforward family cooking rather than restaurant-style or Michelin-standard cuisine.
Be happy working a one-week-on, one-week-off rota.
Be flexible and comfortable with regular international travel.
Be prepared to work Christmas on alternate years.
Have the right to work in the UK.
Hold a recent DBS check and provide fully checkable references.
Be comfortable around animals, as the family has two much-loved cats.
The family offers a respectful and appreciative working environment and is looking for a Chef who will become a trusted and valued member of their household team.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced private Family Chef who enjoys producing simple, fresh and nutritious food for both adults and young children, rather than formal or restaurant-style cuisine.
