Live-in Domestic Couple – Private Chef & Hostess/Household Lead
A private family on a beautiful Oxfordshire estate near Chipping Norton is seeking an exceptional, hands-on domestic couple. This is a long-term opportunity for a highly accomplished Private Chef and an exceptionally organised Hostess/Household Lead who will work closely together and alongside the wider household team.
The family is particularly interested in candidates from private household, luxury estate or superyacht backgrounds who combine high standards with a flexible, practical and genuine “muck-in” attitude. Both candidates must drive and have the right to work in the UK.
Private Chef
The chef must be genuinely top-level, confident managing the family’s complete food operation as well as producing outstanding day-to-day meals and event catering.
- Plan and prepare nutritious, beautifully presented, restaurant-quality meals for the family.
- Create creative, seasonal menus around the family’s preferences, dietary needs, schedule and entertaining requirements.
- Cater for relaxed family dining, formal lunches and dinners, shoot days and estate events, including occasions for up to 30 guests with additional support where required.
- Manage all food shopping and source excellent seasonal ingredients.
- Take full ownership of menus, nutrition, kitchen purchasing, budgets and stock control.
- Organise and manage the store cupboards, refrigerators and freezers to an exceptional standard.
- Prepare and arrange food to be sent to the family’s additional Oxford residence when required, working with their partner to coordinate this smoothly.
- Maintain impeccable kitchen organisation, cleanliness, hygiene and food-safety standards.
- Work collaboratively with the Hostess/Household Lead and wider estate team.
- Travel with the principals to other residences or on holiday when required.
The Ideal Chef
- Substantial experience within private households, luxury estates, superyachts, Michelin-level kitchens or high-end hospitality.
- An excellent all-round chef capable of both nutritious family cooking and sophisticated entertaining.
- Highly organised, proactive and confident taking full responsibility for the household’s culinary operation.
- Calm, discreet, personable and adaptable, with a practical can-do attitude.
- Full UK driving licence and right to work in the UK.
Hostess / Household Lead
The Hostess/Household Lead will combine polished front-of-house service with hands-on household organisation and team supervision. The successful candidate must be meticulous, naturally tidy and highly organised, with the confidence to ensure standards are maintained throughout the home.
- Provide exceptional front-of-house service for the family and guests.
- Prepare elegant table settings and deliver professional food and beverage service.
- Support entertaining, shoot days, estate events and guest hospitality.
- Create and arrange flowers and ensure the home is presented beautifully.
- Organise gifts and, where appropriate, create or assemble thoughtful gifts and presentation items.
- Organise and maintain tableware, glassware, cutlery, serving pieces, table linens and dining essentials.
- Oversee and manage the existing housekeeper, providing clear direction and ensuring consistently high housekeeping standards.
- Undertake household and entertaining shopping and assist wherever required.
- Collect a family member from Oxford on evenings when the principals are away.
- Stay overnight in the main residence one night per week, replacing the current overnight support arrangement.
- Work closely with the chef to coordinate food and household requirements across the estate and the family’s additional Oxford residence.
- Travel with the principals when required.
The Ideal Hostess / Household Lead
- Proven experience in a private household, luxury estate, superyacht or similarly high-standard service environment.
- Exceptionally organised, meticulous and detail-focused, with a natural instinct for order and presentation.
- Confident supervising another housekeeper while remaining fully hands-on.
- Polished and service-oriented, yet flexible and willing to muck in across the household.
- Discreet, warm, proactive and able to anticipate the family’s needs.
- Full UK driving licence and right to work in the UK.
Working Pattern
- Five days per week: Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday.
- Regular days off: Tuesday and Wednesday.
- Additional weekends and holiday periods off when the family is away, subject to the household schedule.
- Flexibility will be required around entertaining, estate events and travel.
Accommodation & Benefits
- Beautiful separate two-bedroom property provided on the estate.
- Long-term opportunity within a welcoming private household and professional estate team.
- A varied role combining exceptional family dining, household organisation, luxury hospitality and high-end entertaining.
Location: Private estate near Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire
Salary: £75,000–£80,000 gross per annum, depending on experience
Reference: S&W#3634893
