You're a guest and a professional — both at once

Working in someone else's home is a privilege that requires more social awareness than a commercial kitchen. You're seeing their family routines, their mess, their kids, their habits. Discretion is non-negotiable.

Kitchen etiquette

  • Leave it cleaner than you found it. Not "about the same" — cleaner. Counters wiped, dishes done, trash taken out or bagged. This is the single behavior that gets mentioned most in positive client reviews.
  • Don't rearrange their kitchen. Use their space as organized, even if it's inefficient. Ask before moving anything permanently.
  • Bring what you need. Don't assume you can use their olive oil, spices, or tools unless it's been discussed. Over time, some clients will offer — let them initiate.
  • Communicate about supplies. If you notice they're low on something you use regularly (containers, foil, a staple ingredient), mention it rather than silently running out mid-cook.

Privacy

  • What you see stays private. Family dynamics, financial clues, health information, arguments, parenting — none of it is your story to tell. Not to other clients, not on social media, not to friends.
  • Children and pets: be friendly, be safe, and don't discipline or comment unless asked. If a pet is in the kitchen during cooking and it's a concern, bring it up gently with the client — once.
  • Other household staff: cleaners, nannies, assistants. Be polite, stay in your lane, and coordinate scheduling if needed. You're not competing.

Photos and social media

  • Ask before photographing anything — food, kitchen, setup. Some clients are fine with it; some are private. Never assume.
  • Never photograph identifiable details of the home — addresses, family photos visible in background, kids, art, security systems.
  • If you post: generic food shots with no client identification. "Today's prep for a family of four" is fine. "Cooking for the Johnsons in their gorgeous Westlake kitchen" is not.
  • Get permission in writing if you want to use a client's name, quote, or detailed story in your marketing — even anonymized, some details are identifiable.

When something goes wrong

You will eventually break a dish, stain a counter, or make a mistake. The right move:

  1. Tell the client immediately — don't hide it or hope they won't notice.
  2. Offer to replace or repair.
  3. Move on without drama. How you handle mistakes builds more trust than never making them.

Before you continue

Write your personal house rules — standards you hold yourself to in every client's home. Keep it short (5–7 items) and review it when you start with a new client.