A private family is seeking an experienced Chef & Front of House Couple to join their beautiful estate in Oxfordshire on a full-time, long-term basis. This is a hands-on position for a couple who take real ownership of their respective roles and enjoy becoming an integral part of a well-established private household.

The Chef will be responsible for all aspects of the family’s food, with a focus on healthy, fresh and varied cooking. Alongside preparing family meals and catering for entertaining, they will take full responsibility for menu planning, provisioning and orders, pantry management, freezer rotation and ensuring the kitchen is consistently organised and well stocked. The family are looking for a confident male Chef who is proactive and takes pride in having everything taken care of without needing to be prompted.

The Front of House position is very much a service and chief organiser role, rather than a traditional House Manager position. She will be responsible for welcoming guests, preparing the house ahead of the family’s arrival, drinks and table service, tablescapes for meals, restocking bathrooms and ensuring the house is organised and ready for entertaining. She will also work closely with the existing Housekeeping team, providing some direction where required, and keeping an eye on areas such as wardrobes and general household organisation.

There is already a House Manager/PA in place, who the couple will liaise closely with regarding anything required by the family. There is also a longstanding wider team across the estate, with many members of staff having been with the family for over ten years. They are therefore looking for a couple who can slot comfortably into an established team while taking complete responsibility for their own areas.

The family generally spend weekdays at another property in Oxford, before spending weekends at the main estate. The couple will need to work flexibly between the two properties. Food for the Oxford property will primarily be prepared and delivered rather than requiring formal service, with the Chef ensuring the house is stocked and meals are taken care of. The Front of House will also assist with household shopping and replenishment, taking the day-to-day pressure off the principals but no in house service is required.

On occasions when both parents are in London, the Front of House may be required to stay overnight at the Oxford property and be present for their teenage child, so someone comfortable with this element of the role is essential.

The main estate is busiest at weekends, so the couple should be comfortable working weekends when the family are in residence, with days off generally falling during the week. The family are away for much of August, offering some quieter periods, although flexibility around the overall schedule will be important.

The family also have dogs on the property, so both candidates should be comfortable around animals. Both will need to be confident drivers, and use of a car will be available when required.

A recently redecorated private cottage is provided on the estate, which can be offered furnished or unfurnished depending on the couple’s preference, with all household bills covered.

This would suit an experienced private household, estate, villa or superyacht couple who are genuinely hands-on, proactive and organised. The family are looking for people who see what needs doing and simply get on with it, rather than waiting to be directed.

Experience required: Previous private household, estate, villa or superyacht experience

Location: Oxfordshire, UK, with regular involvement at a second property in Oxford

Male/Female: Male Chef / Female Front of House

Start date: ASAP

Package: Salary DOE, private cottage provided with all bills covered, use of a car when required, 28 days holiday