Position Title: Private Home Cook / Family Chef
Location: Chembur, Mumbai (On-site)
Employment Type: Full-time (Live-in preferred, or dedicated day shift covering all meal services)
Household Size: Regularly cooking for 2 to 4 family members (plus occasional hosting for dinner guests)
Cuisine Specialty: Authentic Malayali Cuisine (Christian traditional & coastal specialties) + Pan-Indian & Non-Vegetarian
Position Overview
An affluent family based in Chembur, Mumbai, is looking for a skilled, hygienic, and reliable Private Home Cook. The family enjoys authentic Malayali cuisine—with a robust preference for traditional Christian recipes and seafood—alongside a variety of Indian regional and contemporary dishes.
The cook will be responsible for preparing fresh, wholesome, and delicious meals from scratch for breakfast, lunch, evening tea, and dinner. The household primarily consists of 2 members, expanding to 4 when their college-aged children visit from abroad, with occasional intimate gatherings for friends and extended family.
Key Roles & Responsibilities1. Authentic Kerala & Non-Vegetarian Culinary Preparation
- Prepare traditional Malayali Christian dishes to an authentic standard, including beef/mutton roasts, chicken stew, duck roast, fish curries (kudampuli/coconut milk styles), meen pollichathu, fish fry, pork roast/curry, appam, idiyappam, puttu, porotta, and regional biryanis.
- Prepare traditional vegetable accompaniments such as thoran, avial, olen, pachadi, and fresh seasonal salads.
- Handle and clean fresh seafood, poultry, and meats with high standards of sanitation and authentic marination techniques.
2. Multi-Cuisine Versatility & Menu Expansion
- Cook popular North Indian, Coastal, and pan-Indian home-style dishes (e.g., phulkas, dal varieties, paneer preparations, tandoori/pan-grilled items, and curries).
- Demonstrate an active willingness to learn, adapt, and follow new recipes, YouTube cooking demonstrations, or family-specific preparations requested by the family.
- Prepare healthy breakfast options, fresh juices, and light continental or Asian dishes on request.
3. Fresh Meal Scheduling & Routine
- Cook every meal fresh daily—strictly avoiding serving stale or re-heated leftovers unless specifically instructed.
- Prepare and serve:
- Breakfast: Morning tea/coffee, fresh fruit/juice, and traditional hot breakfast.
- Lunch: Balanced, freshly cooked afternoon meal.
- Evening: Tea/coffee and light snacks.
- Dinner: Wholesome, fresh evening meal adjusted to individual dietary preferences.
- Tailor salt, oil, and spice levels according to family members' wellness and taste requirements.
4. Serving Etiquette & Dining Presentation
- Set the dining table neatly with clean cutlery, crockery, napkins, and serving spoons prior to meal times.
- Present dishes cleanly and garnish appropriately, serving hot food directly to the table with a polite and courteous demeanor.
- Accommodate staggered meal timings during workdays or when the children have varying schedules.
5. Kitchen Hygiene, Sanitization & Pantry Care
- Maintain spotless kitchen cleanliness, deep cleaning the gas range, countertops, chimney, appliances, and sink after every cooking cycle.
- Inspect, clean, and organize the refrigerator and freezer weekly, labeling and rotating stored items to prevent spoilage.
- Maintain clean dishwashing standards or supervise the domestic utility helper assisting with kitchen cleanup.
- Maintain strict personal hygiene, including clean attire/apron, trimmed nails, and hair covering while cooking.
6. Inventory & Grocery Coordination
- Conduct daily checks of pantry stocks, spices, and fresh perishables.
- Prepare daily/weekly vegetable, meat, and grocery lists for the Household Manager or direct online ordering.
- Ensure traditional Kerala ingredients (e.g., coconut oil, kudampuli, shallots/cheriya ulli, curry leaves, specialty spices)
are properly stocked and stored.
7. Occasional Entertaining & Festive Cooking
- Plan and cook multi-course menus for festive occasions (e.g., Easter, Christmas, birthdays) and private weekend dinner parties for 8–15 guests.
- Assist in serving buffet-style or sit-down dinners smoothly during family events.
Candidate Profile & Experience
- Culinary Experience:
- 4–8+ years of experience as a home cook for private families, guest houses, or boutique dining establishments.
- Proven expertise in traditional Malayali Christian non-vegetarian cuisine.
- Prior experience working in high-standard households, service apartments, or hospitality setups is strongly preferred.
- Cuisine Knowledge: Strong grasp of Kerala cuisine, with solid working knowledge of general Indian regional cooking and an eagerness to experiment with new dishes.
- Habits & Conduct: Non-smoker, strictly sober habits, clean personal background, respectful communication, and punctual.
- Languages: Working knowledge of Malayalam, Hindi, or English to take cooking instructions smoothly.
Compensation & Work Conditions
- Salary: Attractive and above-market monthly salary, commensurate with experience and cooking trial results.
- Accommodation & Food: Comfortable live-in accommodation with meals provided (or a dedicated day-shift arrangement if living nearby in Mumbai).
- Benefits: Annual festival bonus, performance incentives, paid time off / monthly leaves (coordinated with the family), and medical assistance for family emergencies.
Selection Process
- Initial phone screening and background discussion.
- In-person interview and comprehensive paid cooking trial at the Chembur residence (demonstrating authentic Kerala dishes, a non-veg specialty, and basic Indian items).
- Reference checks from previous employers and police background verification prior to joining.
To apply: Please call or WhatsApp +91-XXXXXXXXXX] or email [
[email protected]] with details of past cooking experience.
Pay: ₹5,000.00 - ₹15,000.00 per month
Work Location: In person
📌 Home Cook/Chef (Chembur)
🏢 The Side Project
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