Role overview
Live-In Housekeeper Cook – Private Family
Oxshott, Surrey | £40,000–£45,000 gross per annum | Full-time, live-in
A lovely, informal and busy private family based in Oxshott, Surrey, is looking for an experienced, organised and enthusiastic Live-In Housekeeper Cook to join their household.
This is a wonderful opportunity for someone who genuinely enjoys family cooking, takes pride in keeping a home running smoothly and thrives in a lively household where no two days are the same! The family are warm, sociable and informal, they are looking for someone with a good sense of humour who will feel comfortable becoming part of the household and working closely with the existing team.
The Household
The family consists of a couple with two young children, aged five months and 18 months, alongside three older children who are at boarding school during the week and are generally home at weekends. There is also a nanny, a flexible weekend housekeeper who can provide additional support during the week when needed, a property manager and three small dogs.
It is a busy home, with family members and staff coming and going throughout the day. The successful candidate will therefore need to be proactive, highly organised and comfortable working as part of a team, while also being confident managing their own workload and taking initiative.
The Role
Cooking will be the main focus of the position, alongside daily housekeeping and helping to keep a busy family home organised, tidy and well stocked.
The family enjoy varied home cooking, and are looking for someone who loves preparing fresh, family friendly meals. The family are happy to eat a wide range of foods, so flexibility and a relaxed approach to cooking are important.
Key responsibilities will include:
Preparing and cooking daily family lunches and dinners, with lunch served at approximately 1pm and dinner around 6.30pm.
Planning varied, balanced family menus, with a particular emphasis on Italian dishes, pasta, steak, chips, Asian inspired meals, noodles, spring rolls, fish and a variety of proteins.
Managing food shopping and household stock levels, using the family's Ocado account and a dedicated staff phone to organise orders.
Keeping the kitchen clean and organised, including loading and unloading the dishwasher, food preparation and clearing away after meals.
Supporting with daily housekeeping, including vacuuming, mopping and maintaining a tidy, well-presented home.
Creating and maintaining practical systems so that everything has its place and the household runs efficiently.
Working collaboratively with the nanny, weekend housekeeper and property manager to ensure the family's needs are well supported.
Communicating effectively with the family and wider household team, including through WhatsApp groups.
Hours & Accommodation
Hours: Full-time, approximately 8am–8pm, with a two-hour lunch break.
Working pattern: Split shift, with lunch preparation and service followed by an afternoon break before returning to prepare and serve dinner.
Accommodation: Private, self-contained studio-style log cabin situated at the top of the garden, with a separate entrance to the side of the main house. The accommodation includes two double beds (one can be swapped out for a sofa), a WC, shower and a kitchen area.
Salary: £40,000–£45,000 gross per annum, depending on experience.
Driving: A driving licence would be an advantage but is not essential.