Live-in Housekeeper/ Cook

For a lovely HNWF client we are looking for a competent Live-in Housekeeper/ Cook to care for her and her beautiful properties (part-time residences) in Kensington, London and in the South of France. Drivers only and must be a confident cook. The role has reasonable but longer working hours when Principal is visiting and less so when not.

**The client has an outstanding employer record for keeping current Housekeeper/ Cook for over 30 years.

The London property is a 6 bedrooms house (2 bedrooms are for this role) with a small garden. The ground floor comprises a drawing rooms, dining room and kitchen. The first floor is the Principal´s domain and the third floor is the guest area with 3 bathrooms/ bedrooms as well as a sitting room. The attic and garage are used for storage. A bedroom, sitting room, bathroom and kitchenette are provided for the housekeeper/ cook and are located on the lower ground floor (with daylight) where there is also a laundry room but no separate entrance.

In London, a gardener comes once a week for ½ day. A cleaner comes 4 hours every weekday (1-5pm), and works alongside the Housekeeper/ Cook. A window cleaner cares for the windows. There are no pets.

In the South of France, the sea fronted property has 4 bedrooms, a sitting room and terraces and is set within a garden. In a separate building are 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms (one each) with shared outside space. The location necessitates the use of a car which is provided for work. There is one other staff member to help and food is provided in France. There are places to go to locally by bus, on foot or by boat.

The Principal spends only around 120 days in the UK and approx. 2 ½ -3 months in the South of France spread over 4 months over the summer season. Her visits are entirely flexible ranging from several days to several weeks with ample notice given of her arrival. This means that longer hours will be needed when the Principal is visiting which is taken back when the London house is empty, however during this time the property still needs to be cared for, kept safe and should be deep cleaned.

The Housekeeper/ Cook prepares breakfast (served on a tray), light lunches and dinners (often soups) served around 7.30pm/ 8pm, cooking simple, fresh food, well prepared, River Café style. Candidates must be able to cook for the occasional 3 course dinner party (when the cleaner stays on in order to assist).

The duty of the Housekeeper/ Cook is to keep both properties to high standards. The households are run friendly yet formal.

The duties of the Housekeeper/ Cook:

• All housekeeping duties (mopping, vacuuming, dusting, cleaning, wiping)
• Laundry care incl. hand wash delicate items
• Wardrobe management and assist with packing
• Taking care of dry cleaning
• Shopping for, storing and preparing fresh high quality produce daily meals (which are discussed in the morning)
• Serving meals on trays or at the table
• Planning and cooking to dinner party standard (max approx. 8-10)
• Be familiar with a Mediterranean diet
• Sweeping outside areas and keeping areas tidy
• Wiping outside surfaces when needed (pigeons)
• Watering flower pots outside
• Overseeing security alarm, keeping properties secure at all times
• Readying rooms for visitors according to requirements
• Laying table daily
• Deep cleaning whilst Principal travelling (cleaning cupboards, curtains, blinds, shoes, handbags, wardrobes, drawers etc.).
• Reporting any issues
• Handling petty cash and receipts
• Running errands

The requirements of the Housekeeper/ Cook:

• A min of 5 years experience having worked in a private high end household (live-in)
• Must be legal to work in the UK (UK passport or EU passport with Pre/ Settled Status), visa costs are covered if required for France
• Fluency in English (Portuguese or French speakers welcome)
• Excellent housekeeping skills including laundry care
• Competent cooking skills to dinner party standards and be familiar with the Mediterranean Cuisine
• Excellent organizational skills and a high degree of flexibility when Principal is visiting
• Must be security conscious at all times
• Ideally have longevity in past roles
• Must be able to take initiative and work autonomously
• Excellent written references from past private families
• A recent DBS security check (to be obtained if not current)

We are looking for a highly responsible Housekeeper/ Cook who is able to care for the properties well and to high standards, using common sense and their experience. Candidates should be easy going, good communicators, take pride in their work and be able to care for the properties with expertise and detail. This must be their sole employment so focus can be entirely on the properties.

The current Housekeeper/ Cook retires after over 30 years on medical grounds and is able to provide an extensive handover. The role becomes available when the new person is found.

This role is a long term role and a paid trial is anticipated.

***Please note, client interviews will only take place in person in London.

Hours: When London property not visited by Principal, 5 days a week.

When Principal is visiting the UK or French property, 6 days a week, approx. 8am-2pm and 5pm till 8pm (with flexibility when entertaining)

Salary:£55K- 60K gross a year (negotiable), UK permanent contract with 28 days holidays (incl. the bank holidays), plus travel expenses and accommodation in both locations provided (all bills included), in France food is provided

To apply please send a SHORT cover letter to outline your experience relevant to this job and your up to date CV. Thank you.