$20,000 a month, a mansion, flying private, a client who treats you like family—being a private chef has its perks, but a life of your own isn’t one of them. (Photo by Alef Morais.)
For a few years, my friend worked as a private chef for a very wealthy man, cooking for him, traveling with him, and orienting her life around his. Below, we have her story in her own words, edited and condensed for clarity and length. For obvious reasons, it’s been totally anonymized. (When it comes to private chefs—good boss, bad boss—it doesn’t really matter: They all sign NDAs.) I’ve also omitted or obscured details that might identify her, her former client, or the places they lived. The particulars may be vague by design, but the experience is hers. —Chris Crowley
It started when I got a cold call at like 1:00 a.m., and this girl said, “Can you meet at 4:00 p.m. for an interview to be a private chef?” And I was thinking, Yeah, I am broke. I have negative dollars, so let’s go. I could be getting kidnapped right now and I don’t care. I’d just come back from a long trip abroad, during which I’d spent all of my money.
I got hired on the spot. I’m in his huge home, I was told this was where he lives, and he asks, “Can you start today?” I was like, What the fuck? So I went grocery shopping and cooked for him. It was just him, no family, but lots of friends.
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