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

07/16/24 • 56 min

The Private Chef Podcast - Serving the 1%

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

Previous Episode

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

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

Next Episode

Episode 96: The Business Side of Being a Private Chef: Managing Finances and Work-Life Balance

From starting as a server at a country club to achieving financial stability through private chef work, this episode follows a journey driven by a passion for the kitchen and a desire to join the private service sector. Our guest, Chef Michael Molleda, shares his inspiring career transition, emphasizing the benefits of controlling his schedule and earning potential. He also discusses the importance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance, prioritizing family time, and implementing sound financial planning strategies.
Chef Michael is a full-time private chef for two families and a sought-after caterer for weekend parties.

Tune in to gain insights and inspiration from Chef Michael's experiences and journey.

Listen to this brand new episode of The Private Chef Podcast on:
Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-96-the-business-side-of-being-a/id1648363134?i=1000663086567Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1oK28KY8FEJfQA0HmvqZ35
Youtube - https://youtu.be/mthXd0KnNzo
Connect with Chef Michael Molleda on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/michael-molleda-1561b5132/
Follow him on Instagram @spoonfulbychefmichael
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
[00:00:31] Culinary career beginnings
[00:05:30] Culinary industry career transitions
[00:07:19] Private chef creative freedom.
[00:14:41] Engaging children in cooking.
[00:17:40] Private Chef Work
[00:19:59] Family finances and career balance
[00:26:31] Opening a restaurant struggles
[00:32:48] Work-life balance in the kitchen
[00:35:16] Chef's Disability Insurance
[00:38:20] Chefs balancing cooking and admin
[00:45:25] Charging what you're worth
[00:49:36] Being proactive in communication
[00:52:21] Personal skills in the culinary industry

Sound Bites
"It sounds a little bit like the story of the fisherman, that story of the fisherman that meets the businessman.
"There's way more to life than just working the line."
"It's not worth the money for me to leave my family for months in time or weeks in time When I can earn the same where I'm at now doing with two different families."
"I realized I could charge more for my time. I found a client that was willing to pay for that."
"That's the thing about being a private chef. We have to be good every day. This is the one career where you have to be good every day."
#theprivatechefpodcast #privateservice #privatechef #yachtchef #personalchef #restaurantchef #careershift #mindset #financialplanning #careerjourney #cheflife #worklifebalance