Inside UHNW Households: Trust & Private Chef Hiring | Chris Demaillet (Factory Feature Ep. 5)

Inside ultra-high-net-worth households — and why trust, discretion, and fit matter in private chef hiring. In the fifth episode of Factory Feature, Colten Ratz sits down with Chris Demaillet, Founder & CEO of Montclair Chef, to explore a side of the family office ecosystem that is rarely discussed — what happens inside the private household. Chris spent nearly a decade working as a private chef for one of the world’s top billionaires after training in Michelin-starred kitchens and working across luxury residences and superyachts globally. Today, he works with high-net-worth families, estate managers, and family offices to place elite private chefs into some of the most trusted private environments in the world. The conversation explores what people often misunderstand about ultra-high-net-worth households, how private service differs from traditional hospitality, and why trust, discretion, personality, and long-term fit can matter just as much as technical skill. Throughout the discussion, Chris shares what families should think about before hiring a private chef, the common mistakes that can lead to misalignment, and how the right placement depends on understanding both the family’s needs and the chef’s ability to operate inside a highly personal environment. Key Takeaways: UHNW households are often more focused on simplicity, comfort, and consistency than people assume Private household service requires a very different mindset than restaurant hospitality Trust, discretion, and personality are critical in highly private environments Technical ability matters, but fit often determines long-term success Families need to clearly understand what they want before hiring A chef’s online presence can impact how they are perceived by recruiters and families The best private chefs know how to adapt to the rhythm of the household Hiring mistakes often happen when expectations are unclear Private service is about more than food — it is about operating inside someone’s daily life Long-term alignment matters when bringing anyone into a private family environment Connect With Chris: LinkedIn:   / chrisdemaillet   Montclair Chef: https://www.montclairchef.com The Private Chef Guide: https://www.amazon.com/Private-Chef-G... If you found this conversation valuable, feel free to share it with someone in your network and subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes of Factory Feature. #familyoffice #familyoffices #privatewealth #uhnw #estatemanagement #privatechefs #luxury