About the company

Utopia is an ultra-luxury hospitality and lifestyle brand creating a integral ecosystem of properties and experiences.

We develop private villa retreats in beautiful locations around the world, each with high-end service. Utopia also offers a wider ecosystem of leisure experiences and services available both to those staying on property and to external visitors.

Utopia designs and builds its properties in-house. Our team works across the full journey: from concept and architecture to construction, interiors, landscape, guest experience, and long-term operation. For architects and designers, this means working on properties from the ground up, with the ability to influence how each place is planned, built, and experienced. For hospitality professionals, it means joining a brand where service is personal, attentive, and built around each guest’s stay.

We’re a young, ambitious team with high standards and a hands-on approach. We value strong ideas, practical thinking, attention to detail, and people who are ready to take responsibility for their part of the work. If you’re interested in architecture, design, hospitality, or guest experience, we invite you to grow with Utopia.

About the role

A private family residence near Barcelona is seeking a Sous Chef to work alongside its Head Chef. This is a permanent, full-time position cooking for one family — two principals and four children.

The kitchen follows a strict dietary framework: all cooking is done in clarified butter, industrial seed oils and processed foods are excluded, bread and pastries are not served, and salads are always served undressed with dressings on the side. Everything is made from scratch on the day, from produce sourced that morning.

You will run mise en place, hold the station, maintain full HACCP documentation,



and — critically — be able to cover the entire family day on your own when the Head Chef is absent. That does not change because someone is on leave.

We are looking for a Sous Chef with at least three years at Sous or strong Chef de Partie level, who is calm, precise, and understands that in a private household consistency matters more than creativity. Current HACCP and food-handler certification required. Absolute discretion is a condition of employment.

This is a freelance / on-call position, active during the principals' stays at the property. The frequency and duration of engagements may vary throughout the year. Candidates must be available to commit to confirmed dates and deliver the same level of excellence on every occasion, regardless of duration. There is potential for this role to evolve into a permanent position for the right candidate. Occasional travel may also be required as part of the engagement.

Key responsibilities

- Support the Head Chef in the preparation and execution of daily meals, private dinners, and special events to the highest standard.
- Step up and lead the kitchen confidently and autonomously during the Head Chef's absence, maintaining full continuity of quality and service.
- Assist in menu development, ingredient sourcing, stock control, and supplier coordination, ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently at all times.
- Uphold the strictest food safety, allergen management,



and kitchen hygiene protocols — non-negotiable in a private household environment.
- Anticipate needs, propose improvements, and bring a proactive mindset to daily operations — contributing ideas before being asked.
- Adapt flexibly to the household's schedule, including events.

Requirements

- 3+ years of experience in a luxury hotel, fine-dining restaurant, or private household kitchen, with demonstrated ability to work at a senior level.
- Fluency in both English and Spanish — essential for communication within the household team.
- Solid expertise across multiple cuisines, with strong knowledge of dietary requirements, allergens, and seasonal cooking.
- Ability to work seamlessly as part of a small, close-knit team with a collaborative, ego-free attitude.
- Absolute discretion and professionalism — the ability to operate within a confidential private household with maturity and integrity.
- A proactive, detail-driven approach — someone who takes ownership, anticipates problems, and consistently raises the bar.

Benefits

- Exclusive environment: work within one of Barcelona's most prestigious private residences
- Build and shape the kitchen culture and culinary identity from the ground up
- High-profile exposure: serve an elite private household within the international luxury circuit
- Competitive package: remuneration aligned with the exceptional level of this role.

Due to the nature of this placement, the client's identity is kept strictly confidential. Full details will be shared with shortlisted candidates at the appropriate stage of the process.

By submitting this application, I agree that my personal data will be collected, processed, and retained by the company solely for the purposes of managing and assessing my candidacy.

📌 Private Sous Chef (España)
🏢 UTOPIA
📍 España