What Does it Take to Be a Private Cook?

Private Cook Example Prepare meals in private homes. Includes personal chefs.

What Do Private Cooks Do On a Daily Basis?

• Cool, package, label, and freeze foods for later consumption and provide instructions for reheating.
• Peel, wash, trim, and cook vegetables and meats, and bake breads and pastries.
• Shop for or order food and kitchen supplies and equipment.
• Create and explore new cuisines.
• Direct the operation and organization of kitchens and all food-related activities, including the presentation and serving of food.
• Plan menus according to employers’ needs and diet restrictions.

What Skills Do You Need to Work as a Private Cook?

Below is a list of the skills most Private Cooks say are important on the job.

Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Management of Material Resources: Obtaining and seeing to the appropriate use of equipment, facilities, and materials needed to do certain work.

Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

Active Learning: Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

Other Private Cook Job Titles

• Certified Personal Chef (CPC)
• Cooking Chef
• Personal Chef
• Culinary Worker
• Cook

Are There Job Opportunities for Private Cooks?

There were about 25,000 jobs for Private Cook in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.2% which is below the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 1,300 new jobs for Private Cook by 2026. There will be an estimated 3,700 positions for Private Cook per year.

The states with the most job growth for Private Cook are Nevada, Oregon, and Florida. Watch out if you plan on working in Pennsylvania, Oklahoma, or North Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Private Cook Make?

The average yearly salary of a Private Cook ranges between $25,610 and $62,600.

Private Cooks who work in California, make the highest salaries.

How much do Private Cooks make in each U.S. state?

What Tools do Private Cooks Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Private Cooks:

• Web browser software
• Email software
• Intuit QuickBooks
• YouTube
• WordPress
• Work scheduling software

How do I Become a Private Cook?

What kind of Private Cook requirements are there?

How many years of work experience do I need?

References:

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• College Factual
• O*NET Online

Image Credit: U.S. Army Europe Images via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic

More about our data sources and methodologies.