Episode 94: Chef Donna Goldman’s Unique Path into the Private Chef Industry

07/11/24 • 28 min

The Private Chef Podcast - Serving the 1%

In this episode, Chef Donna Goldman takes us on her career journey from the music industry to becoming a private chef. Discover how she fell in love with cooking, her stint on public access TV, and her current role cooking for a philanthropic couple. Donna shares her secrets to success and also opens up about the challenges and rewards of being a private chef, highlighting the power of mindfulness and the importance of referrals and networking.
Tune in to hear a unique and inspiring path into the private chef industry!
Listen to this brand new episode of The Private Chef Podcast on:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-94-chef-donna-goldmans-unique-path-into-the/id1648363134?i=1000661920007Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5DQDxARCIfMPvMA0neDLXc
Youtube - https://youtu.be/MmkACqjmOl8
Connect with Chef Donna on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-goldman-a50366/
Visit her website https://www.recipes4survival.com/
Seeking a mentor to navigate the private service industry?
Email me at [email protected]
Join our growing community of chefs and get your FREE e-book HERE https://www.privatechef.cc/joinusLet's stay connected to get the latest updates, tips, learning resources, and job opportunities:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannes-hennche/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hanneshennche/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/privatechefcc
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@hanneshennche
Time Stamps

00:01:21 - Donna's Early Career in the Music Industry
00:01:54 - Transition to Cooking and Food Network Aspirations
00:04:24 - Foundation of Recipes for Survival
00:04:45 - Struggles and Applying for Private Chef Jobs
00:06:53 - Landing a Job with a Philanthropic Couple
00:07:33 - Why Donna Was Chosen as a Private Chef
00:08:30 - Tasting Trials and Background Check
00:09:03 - Impact of Donna's Cooking on Clients
00:13:48 - Meditation and Mindful Cooking
00:15:40 - New York's Unique Opportunities
00:16:51 - Interconnectedness and Networking
00:19:35 - Challenges for Private Chefs in Networking
00:20:18 - Importance of Referrals and Networking
00:21:02 - Heritage Recipes and Cooking Quantities
00:21:39 - Abundance in Private Dining
00:22:11 - Food Waste During Thanksgiving
00:23:19 - Cooking with Available Ingredients
00:25:01 - Becoming Part of the Family
00:25:53 - Confidentiality and Client Relationships
00:27:00 - Persistence and Finding Your Path
Sound Bites
"Cooking is a mindful meditation. Some people like to walk and meditate. I do cooking."

"Forget the how, as you do what you're meant to do, the pieces fall in place."
#theprivatechefpodcast #privatechef #chef #yachtchef #personalchef #privateservice #careertips ##culinary #culinaryjourney #mindfulcooking

Previous Episode

Episode 93: Revolutionizing Household Management and Private Service with Nines

In this episode, Mohamed Elzomor shares his career journey from private fitness trainer to working in private service for billionaires, CEOs, and celebrities. Co-founder of Nines, an award-winning household management software, Mohamed discusses the complexities of overseeing high-profile households and emphasizes the importance of efficient systems. Nines streamlines property, personnel, and project management, enabling estate managers and private chefs to deliver impeccable service. Through his community, EaseMakers, Mohamed cultivates a supportive network where estate and house managers exchange insights and foster collaboration.
Tune in to hear how Mohamed revolutionizes the private service industry through technology and community-building.

Connect with Mohamed Elzomor on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohamed-elzomor-6bb77647/
Visit Nines website to learn more about their household management technology and community https://ninesliving.com/about-nines/
Listen to this brand new episode of The Private Chef Podcast on:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-93-revolutionizing-household-management-and/id1648363134?i=1000661100567Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/5hOi6dHuqijIdMhGAlLaVp
Youtube - https://youtu.be/l8RB4aiAiUU
Seeking a mentor to navigate the private service industry?
Email me at [email protected]
Join our growing community of chefs and get your FREE e-book HERE https://www.privatechef.cc/joinusLet's stay connected to get the latest updates, tips, learning resources, and job opportunities:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannes-hennche/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hanneshennche/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/privatechefcc
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@hanneshennche
Sound Bites
"I think if you are managing a home, it should have some name like Nines."
"You keep your best people if you don't burn them out in the process."
"If you are operating in the 21st century and you have a way of quickly understanding what needs to be done, when it has to get done, how it needs to get done, you're allowing for fewer mistakes to happen."
"Add value first, always like go out of your way to add value."
"When you get the opportunities, you will run with them and you do everything in your power to make that person proud and make them think, you know what, I made the right decision, you know, investing time and money into an individual."
#theprivatechefpodcast
#privateservice
#privatechef
#estatemanager
#estatemanagement
#Nines
#easemakers

Next Episode

Episode 95: Recruiter's Tips and Red Flags for Hiring Private Chefs

In this latest episode of The Private Chef Podcast, Scott Munden shares his journey into private service and the founding of Portico Inc., a boutique recruiting company renowned for its discerning placements of private service staff across North America and beyond. Scott shares his invaluable expertise from over 30 years of catering to UHNW families, offering insights on the recruitment and hiring process, along with expert tips for both employers and candidates in the private service industry.

Listen to this brand new episode of The Private Chef Podcast on:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-95-recruiters-tips-and-red-flags-for-hiring/id1648363134?i=1000662398845Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/3shj5qFylLpLAY4STf7aWf
Youtube - https://youtu.be/HaT9OgGZv14
Connect with Scott Munden on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/scott-munden/
Visit his website https://www.porticostaff.com/
Seeking a mentor to navigate the private service industry?
Email me at [email protected]
Join our growing community of chefs and get your FREE e-book HERE https://www.privatechef.cc/joinusLet's stay connected to get the latest updates, tips, learning resources, and job opportunities:
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannes-hennche/
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hanneshennche/
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/privatechefcc
Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@hanneshennche
Time Stamps

00:06:04 - Moving into Recruiting
00:08:04 - Founding Portico
00:12:27 - Differences in Private Service Recruiting
00:15:09 - Building Relationships with Recruiters
00:16:03 - Challenges of Mass Resume Submissions
00:19:02 - Advocating for Candidates
00:19:50 - Entering Private Service as a Chef
00:27:34 - Demographics of Employers
00:28:09 - Preferences of Established Families
00:30:08 - Characteristics of Successful Private Chefs
00:31:26 - Client Expectations for Kitchen Cleanliness
00:32:09 - Differences in Household Expectations
00:35:07 - Unrealistic Expectations from Clients
00:37:03 - Understanding Client Needs
00:41:01 - Client Reactions to Realistic Expectations
00:42:07 - Avoiding Unrealistic Clients
00:43:09 - Candidates Recognizing Unrealistic Jobs
00:46:04 - Salary Comparisons Across Markets
00:47:08 - Cultural Differences in Private Service
00:50:09 - Warning Signs from Clients
00:51:02 - Red Flags from Candidates
00:53:02 - Situational Questions in Interviews
00:54:07 - Quirky Interview Techniques
Sound Bites
"Understand the power of no."
"Stick with that recruiter because they'll serve you well."
"Check off the things you need to do and eventually meet the employer who recognizes your efforts."
"Look for the qualities, the character traits that will be successful in a private kitchen."
"Clean as you go. That's a big one."
"You can't generalize. There will always be exceptions."
#theprivatechefpodcast #privateservice #privatechef #yachtchef #personalchef #recruitment