Private Chef jobs in Basel typically pay CHF 49–CHF 99 an hour (about CHF 8,500–CHF 17,150 a month full time). Both live-in and live-out positions are offered, with a usual schedule of full-time, often rotational. Employers ask for fine-dining or Michelin-level experience and an identity check. Register with AvailJob to be matched with families hiring in Basel.
- Typical pay
- CHF 49–CHF 99
- per hour
- Full-time monthly
- CHF 8,500–CHF 17,150
- about 40 hours a week
- Live-in
- Sometimes
- accommodation provided
- Schedule
- Full-time
- often rotational
- Open now
- 0
- register to be matched
Open private chef positions in Basel
No open position is listed for Basel today. New private chef jobs are added as families hire. Register once and we will match you to the next opening near you.
Register as a Private ChefAbout private chef jobs in Basel
Working as a private chef in Basel means joining a private household. The private chef runs the kitchen of a private residence or estate to fine-dining standards, often travelling with the family, and families across Basel Trinational Region hire for this role all year round.
Basel is known for pharmaceuticals, life sciences, chemicals, and logistics, and many of the families who hire domestic staff here work for employers such as Roche, Novartis, Lonza, Syngenta, and University Hospital Basel. Basel hosts the global headquarters of two of the world's largest pharmaceutical companies within walking distance of each other.
Main duties
- Create bespoke menus for the principal and guests
- Cook for dinner parties and formal events
- Manage kitchen staff, suppliers and wine pairings
- Travel to secondary residences or yachts when required
- Maintain discretion and confidentiality
Private Chef pay in Basel
Household incomes in Basel are shaped by an average local salary of around CHF 110,000, which is why private chef pay here sits above the Switzerland average. Pay rises with experience, references, live-in flexibility and extra duties such as driving or cooking.
Indicative ranges for 2026 based on local salary levels and published household pay; individual offers vary.
A day as a private chef
- 7:00Breakfast service
- 9:30Shopping & prep
- 12:30Lunch
- 15:00Batch cooking
- 18:30Dinner & clean-down
Why work in Basel?
The local job market is growing at 3.2% annually, so demand for reliable household staff keeps rising as more dual-income families move to Basel.
Basel is often described as “The World's Pharmaceutical Headquarters City”, and its households expect a professional standard of service.
Requirements
What families ask for
- Fine-dining or Michelin-level experience
- Private service references
- Food safety certificate
- Flexibility to travel
Working in Switzerland
- Right to work in Switzerland: Workers from outside the EU/EFTA face strict quotas, so most household staff hold existing permits or EU/EFTA citizenship.
- Checks: employers usually ask for an identity check, references, a residence and work permit check and, for childcare, a private criminal record extract (Strafregisterauszug).
- Minimum pay: wages must meet the minimum wage set in the standard employment contract for domestic workers.
- Contract: A written contract is strongly recommended and must respect the federal and cantonal standard employment contracts.
Live-in or live-out?
Most private chef roles in Basel are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days. Ask whether travel time between homes, evenings or weekends are paid at a higher rate.
How to get hired
- Register
Create your profile with your private chef experience, availability and references.
- Verification
Complete Switzerland right-to-work and background checks.
- Interview & trial
Meet the family and work a short, paid trial day.
- Contract & start
Agree pay, hours and leave in writing before you start.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a private chef earn in Basel?
Private Chef jobs in Basel typically pay CHF 49–CHF 99 an hour (about CHF 8,500–CHF 17,150 a month full time). Experience, live-in arrangements, hours and extra duties move pay within this range.
Are there live-in private chef jobs in Basel?
Both live-in and live-out positions are offered. Most private chef roles in Basel are live-out, paid by the hour and booked for regular days.
What do I need to work as a private chef in Switzerland?
Employers ask for fine-dining or Michelin-level experience, private service references and an identity check. You must also have the right to work in Switzerland.
What does a private chef do day to day?
A private chef runs the kitchen of a private residence or estate to fine-dining standards, often travelling with the family. Typical duties include create bespoke menus for the principal and guests, cook for dinner parties and formal events, manage kitchen staff, suppliers and wine pairings.
How do I apply for private chef jobs in Basel on AvailJob?
Register your profile with your experience, availability and references. When a family in Basel hires for this role, you are matched and contacted.
What hours does a private chef work?
A typical schedule is full-time, often rotational. Hours, days off and overtime should be written into your contract.