Private Event Chef Daylish Personal Chef & Events Wilmington, NC Job Details Part-time | Contract $20 - $25 an hour 1 day ago Benefits Opportunities for advancement Flexible schedule Food provided Qualifications Kitchen health and safety standards Recipe adherence Teamwork Maintaining an organized workspace Food service health code compliance Food service workstation cleanliness Cleaning kitchen areas Attention to detail Plating Organizational skills Knife skills Kitchen stations Communication with kitchen staff Full Job Description About Daylish At Daylish Personal Chef & Events, we create restaurant-quality dining experiences directly for our clients. From intimate private dinners and celebrations to catered events and special experiences, our goal is to make every occasion feel thoughtful, personal, and memorable. We believe hospitality is more than serving great food. It is how we make people feel. We are looking for skilled culinary professionals who share that belief and want to bring the Daylish experience to life at events throughout our markets. The Opportunity The Event Chef is responsible for the successful culinary execution of Daylish events from preparation through service and breakdown. You will prepare, cook, finish, plate, and present food according to Daylish recipes and standards while working in a variety of environments—including private homes, event venues, vacation properties, and other non- traditional kitchens. This is a hands-on culinary role for someone who is confident in the kitchen, organized under pressure, comfortable adapting to new environments, and genuinely enjoys hospitality. The right person understands that the food matters—but the experience matters just as much. What You'll Do Culinary Execution Execute Daylish menus, recipes, and culinary standards with consistency and attention to detail. Prepare, cook, finish, and plate food according to event specifications. Execute plated dinners, family-style meals, buffets, tastings, and other event service formats. Manage mise en place, cooking timelines, service pacing, portioning, temperature, and presentation. Maintain consistent quality and presentation throughout service. Work efficiently while maintaining a clean, organized, and professional workstation. Event Operations Arrive on time and fully prepared for assigned events. Review event details, menus, recipes, timelines, and culinary responsibilities before service. Set up and operate temporary event kitchens and culinary workstations. Safely transport food, equipment, and supplies when assigned. Maintain proper food storage, temperature control, sanitation, and food-safety procedures. Assist with event setup, breakdown, cleaning, and equipment organization as needed. Adapt to different kitchens, venues, equipment, layouts, and event conditions. Hospitality & Guest Experience Represent Daylish with professionalism, warmth, confidence, and care. Interact appropriately and professionally with clients and guests. Answer questions about menus, ingredients, and preparation when appropriate. Maintain awareness of the guest experience while performing culinary responsibilities. Respect clients' homes, properties, venues, belongings, and personal spaces. Maintain a polished and professional presence throughout the event. Help create an environment where guests feel welcomed, cared for, and confident in the Daylish team. Teamwork & Communication Collaborate with the Executive Chef, Event Coordinators, servers, prep cooks, and other event team members. Communicate clearly before, during, and after events. Identify potential culinary or operational issues early and communicate them to the appropriate team member. Remain calm and solution-oriented when timelines, guest needs, venue conditions, or event plans change. Provide feedback after events that can help improve future culinary execution and operations. When assigned to lead culinary execution, provide direction and support to other culinary team members. What We're Looking For We are looking for a chef who is skilled, dependable, adaptable, professional, and hospitality-minded. Required 2+ years of professional culinary experience preferred. Strong cooking, knife, and plating skills. Ability to execute recipes and menus accurately and consistently. Strong understanding of kitchen organization, sanitation, and food safety. ServSafe certification or willingness to obtain certification. Reliable transportation. Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods. Ability to work independently in an event environment with limited direct supervision. Strong communication and teamwork skills. Reliable, punctual, and prepared for every assignment. Availability for evenings, weekends, and occasional holidays based on event schedules. Preferred Catering or banquet experience. Private-chef or private-dining experience. Fine-dining experience. Experience working in private homes or unfamiliar kitchens. Experience executing plated dinners, family-style meals, buffets, tastings, or other catered experiences. Experience working directly with clients or guests. Experience leading or directing other culinary team members. Culinary education or formal culinary training. The Daylish Standard Every Daylish team member contributes to the experience our clients receive. For our Event Chefs, that means: Culinary Excellence We take pride in food that is flavorful, properly prepared, beautifully presented, and consistent. Hospitality We treat clients, guests, teammates, and their spaces with genuine care and respect. Professionalism We arrive prepared, communicate clearly, maintain high standards, and follow through on our commitments. Adaptability No two events—or kitchens—are exactly alike. We expect our team to think clearly, remain composed, and find solutions. Teamwork Exceptional events require people who communicate, support one another, and understand that everyone's role contributes to the guest experience. Ownership When you are on-site representing Daylish, you are responsible for your part of the experience and expected to take pride in the outcome. What You Can Expect from Daylish $20-$25 per hour, based on experience, culinary ability, and level of responsibility. Flexible, event-based scheduling. Opportunities to work private dinners, catered events, tastings, celebrations, and other special experiences. Opportunities to work alongside experienced culinary and hospitality professionals. Opportunities to develop skills in private dining, catering, event execution, and hospitality. Opportunities for increased responsibility and advancement based on performance. A collaborative, supportive environment where your ideas and contributions are valued. Potential for tips on qualifying events. Opportunities for recurring event work based on availability, performance, and business needs. Schedule & Work Environment This is a part-time, contract, event-based position.
Events may take place:
Weekdays Evenings Weekends Occasional holidaysWork environments may include: Private residences Event venues Vacation properties Corporate locations Outdoor or temporary event kitchens Other client-selected locationsBecause every event is different, flexibility and adaptability are essential. How to Apply Please submit your resume and a brief introduction. As part of the application process, we may ask you to share: Your previous professional culinary experience The types of kitchens or events you've worked in Your general availability Your experience with private dining, catering, fine dining, or events An example of a time you adapted quickly to a challenge during service, or created a standout guest experience through food If you have a culinary portfolio, photos of your work, sample menus, or other examples of your experience, we welcome you to include them. We're looking for chefs who don't just know how to cook—they know how to create an experience. Join Daylish and help us express hospitality through food, service, and care.
Pay:
$20.00 - $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
Flexible schedule Food provided People with a criminal record are encouraged to apply Application Question(s): How many years of experience do you have, and what types of hospitality or service environments have you worked in? Have you worked in a client's private home or private residence before? Do you have reliable transportation to and from event locations?