Washington, D.C. private chef jobs
Tiny Spoon Chef is hiring full-time, W-2 personal chefs to cook in client homes across Washington, D.C. The schedule is Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., with evenings and weekends free. You keep the craft and the client relationships. We handle the business side, from matching and scheduling to billing and support.
The work at Tiny Spoon stays personal, even in a city that moves fast. You cook in real client kitchens, build relationships with the people you cook for, and work with ingredients that change with the season. Grocery shopping can be part of the job when a client asks; Tiny Spoon handles the scheduling, billing, and client matching behind the scenes.
Independent vs. Tiny Spoon for Washington, D.C. chefs
Working independently gives you control, but it also gives you a second job: finding households, answering inquiries, planning routes, sending invoices, chasing payments, and finding coverage when you need time off. Tiny Spoon puts a team behind the business side, so a day off can actually mean an afternoon at the National Gallery of Art or dinner out, not another afternoon catching up on invoices.
Washington, D.C. private chef jobs available right now
Check the live board for current Washington, D.C. roles. If your preferred opening is not posted today, get on the list and we’ll stay in touch as opportunities change.
- Own a weekly rotation of 4–6 regular clients
- Plan and prep made-from-scratch meals in clients' home kitchens
- Shop for groceries with a provided budget
- Tailor menus to each household's tastes and dietary needs
- 3+ years professional kitchen experience
- Consistency and organization across multiple clients
- Food handler / ServSafe certification (or willing to earn)
- Reliable transportation and a valid driver's license
Four questions, sixty seconds, uncomfortable honesty optional but encouraged.
Is this the right fit?
Frequently asked questions
W-2, no asterisks. Ever wonder why 1099 gigs pay more per hour but somehow feel like less? Self-employment tax. You're covering both the employee and employer share yourself. As our employee, we pick up half of that for you. That's real money back in your pocket, every paycheck.
Yes. We only build full-time rosters, no part-time patchwork.
Monday through Friday, 8am to 6pm. Evenings and weekends are yours. Want extra weekend work anyway? It's on the table, but never required.
Nope. We find them, vet them, and match them to your style. You just show up and cook.
Yes. You’ll shop for groceries and cook in client homes, so reliable transportation is required. Travel details depend on the Washington, D.C. roster you’re matched with; the hiring team can explain the likely radius for a specific opening.
Most Tiny Spoon chefs cook for 8–9 households each week. That gives you variety without the volume and pace of a restaurant line.
Yes, and it's a real list, not just health insurance and a pat on the back:
- Retirement plan, 401k and 401k matching
- Health, dental and vision insurance
- Short and long term disability
- Life insurance
- Accident and critical illness insurance
- Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
- Dependent Care Account (DCA)
- Paid time off
- Profit sharing
At least two years of culinary experience, and someone ready to trade restaurant chaos for a real schedule.
Washington, D.C. withholding may affect your paycheck alongside applicable federal withholding. If you’re hired, the payroll team can explain the forms needed to set it up.
We reply within two business days and match you to the Washington, D.C. roster.