For chefs who crave adventure as much as culinary excellence, becoming a travel-ready chef opens the door to some of the most exciting and rewarding global placements in hospitality. From luxury yachts to private estates and international resorts, UHNW clients and top properties seek chefs who can deliver world-class cuisine anywhere on the globe.
Here’s how to build a career around global placements and thrive as a travel-ready chef.
Why Global Placements Are on the Rise
UHNW Clients Value Flexibility
Ultra-high-net-worth families, celebrities, and business leaders live across multiple homes, travel by private jet, and spend months aboard yachts. They expect their chefs to:
- Travel with them between residences
- Provide consistent, personalized meals on land and sea
- Adapt to regional ingredients and international service expectations
Resorts and Yachts Need Top Culinary Talent Year-Round
Luxury resorts, expedition cruises, and private yachts follow global seasons. They regularly hire chefs for seasonal or rotational placements to maintain culinary excellence wherever their guests go.
Building a Global Chef Career: Key Steps
Start with the Right Experience
Clients and recruiters look for chefs with:
- Michelin-star or five-star hotel experience
- Private chef placements with UHNW families
- Yacht chef background with provisioning expertise
- Adaptability across multiple cuisines (Mediterranean, Asian, wellness, plant-based)
If you’re new to global placements, taking a seasonal role on a yacht or at a resort can help you build the right foundation.
Get the Necessary Certifications for Global Placements
For chefs working aboard yachts or traveling internationally, certain certifications are required:
- STCW Basic Safety Training (mandatory for yacht chefs)
- Food safety and hygiene certifications recognized globally
- Visas or work permits for key regions (EU, US, Caribbean, Asia)
Recruiters like The Chef Agency can guide you on what’s needed for each type of placement.
Build Travel-Readiness Into Your Profile
Clients want chefs who are truly ready to travel—not just willing. Make sure your resume and cover letter reflect:
- Experience in multiple countries
- Ability to adapt to local markets and source ingredients
- Flexibility with scheduling and last-minute deployments
- Languages spoken (a plus for certain international roles)
Embrace the Lifestyle
Travel-ready chefs thrive when they fully embrace the lifestyle. Expect:
- Rotational or seasonal contracts
- Long periods away from a home base
- Opportunities to live in extraordinary locations (private islands, superyachts, chalets)
- A close-knit, high-performing team culture
Where Travel-Ready Chefs Work
Global Placements on Private Yachts
Chef positions aboard superyachts offer global travel with elite clients. You’ll need:
- Impeccable provisioning skills
- Ability to execute five-star cuisine in a compact galley
- Discretion and flexibility, as itineraries change frequently
Global Placements on Private Estates
UHNW families often maintain homes across continents. Private chefs may be asked to:
- Travel between properties
- Cook for family and guests at any location
- Oversee local market shopping and kitchen setup in new environments
Luxury Resorts and Retreats
Global resort groups frequently hire chefs for:
- Seasonal placements in flagship properties
- Culinary leadership for pop-up concepts or special events
- Wellness retreats requiring highly personalized cuisine
How to Find Global Placement Chef Jobs
Work with a Specialist Recruiter
Partnering with a luxury placement agency like The Chef Agency gives you access to:
- Exclusive global chef placements
- UHNW private chef roles
- Yacht and expedition cruise opportunities
- Seasonal luxury resort contracts
An experienced recruiter also helps you navigate:
- Contract negotiation
- Visa and travel logistics
- Client expectations and onboarding
Stay Connected and Visible
In addition to working with an agency, build your profile by:
- Maintaining an up-to-date resume highlighting travel-readiness
- Showcasing global culinary experiences in your portfolio
- Joining professional networks within the yacht and private service industries
Final Thoughts on Global Placements for Chef Jobs
For chefs who are passionate about both exquisite cuisine and global adventure, building a career as a travel-ready chef offers unmatched rewards. You’ll work in some of the most beautiful and exclusive environments in the world—while cooking for clients who expect the very best.
If you’re ready to explore global chef placements and take your career to the next level, The Chef Agency can help you secure roles that match your talent and your sense of adventure.