From the first hello to your next great hire.
A simple, personal hiring process. You know your kitchen best. We help you meet the people who could be right for it.
Verified & trial-readyThe four-step chef hiring process
Tell us what you need
Share the role, cuisine, experience and salary range. We get to know your kitchen.
Meet your shortlist
Speak directly with 2–3 suitable candidates and find the people who feel like a fit.
Try before you hire
Choose a chef for a one-day trial. Hire when satisfied, or request another candidate.
We’re here for you
Get ongoing support and free chef replacements within your chosen plan duration.
Clear steps. Room to find your fit.
A closer look at the chef hiring journey, so you know what happens and when.
- 01
A conversation about your kitchen
Share your staff type, cuisine, required experience, salary range and location. For home cooks, discuss full-time live-in arrangements and household food preferences.
- 02
A relevant shortlist
We look for suitable chefs based on your brief. Every chef goes through a background check, skill test and interview. Cuisine, experience and salary expectations help guide the match.
- 03
Direct candidate interviews
Meet approximately 2–3 shortlisted candidates directly. Talk about the work, your menu and your expectations so you can decide whom you would like to trial.
- 04
Choose a plan and arrange the trial
Discuss the applicable chef or home cook plan with the team. The one-time service fee is collected in advance, before the trial begins. Confirm all payment terms before proceeding.
- 05
A one-day practical trial
Your selected chef joins for a one-day trial. Use the time to assess the food, relevant kitchen skills and everyday fit. If you are not satisfied, request another suitable candidate.
- 06
Make the final choice
You can try up to five different chefs before your final staff choice. Hire when you are satisfied. Service fees are non-refundable after the candidate is hired.
- 07
Hiring and ongoing support
We coordinate the hire and provide support throughout your plan duration. Our team offers 24/7 real-time assistance when you need to discuss your chef requirement.
- 08
Replacement support
If a chef is not working out, contact the team. Free chef replacements are included within your selected six-month or twelve-month plan duration.
A good brief makes a better match.
You don’t need to have every detail settled. These are useful starting points for our first conversation.
- Staff type and business or household requirement
- Primary cuisines and the dishes on your menu
- Experience level and preferred salary range
- Location, work schedule and live-in arrangements
For maids and gardeners: please confirm the applicable assessment process, fee and replacement terms directly. The chef trial process and published plans are not automatically extended to domestic staff roles.
Contact Instant Chefs for your staffing requirements
Whether you need a chef, a cook or domestic staff — we are here to help.
