A long outdoor dining table with neutral linen and flowers; a photograph of a previous myCHEF setting, shown as context.
A full-time private chef needs days off, leave and sick days like anyone else, so plan how the household eats before the first gap, not on the morning of it. The simplest plan is to agree the days off in advance and cook ahead for them. If you are considering a full-time private chef in Dubai, settle this in the first conversation.
What to settle first
Check the days off and leave terms in your own agreement with the chef or provider. This page gives planning ideas, not employment advice. Then decide what the household does on each kind of gap: the regular weekly day off, planned annual leave and unplanned sickness.
Cover options compared
| Option | Works well when | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Chef cooks ahead before the day off | The household is happy to reheat | Fridge and freezer space, clear labels and reheating notes |
| Simple meals from a menu card | A family member or helper can cook easy dishes | A card short enough to follow, with the chef's agreement |
| Ordering in or eating out | The gap is one or two meals | Dietary rules and allergies still apply |
| A visiting or temporary chef | Leave lasts more than a few days | A full briefing, kitchen access and an introduction |
Handover checklist
- Put the days off in the household calendar so nobody plans a dinner party for the chef's day off.
- Ask for a cook-ahead plan a few days before, listing meals, portions and storage.
- Make storage space. Clear a shelf and label containers by meal, not just by dish.
- Write reheating notes in plain words on each container or on one sheet.
- Share the allergy and dietary list with whoever covers, in writing.
- Name a cover contact for questions while the chef is away.
- Review on return. Ask what worked and adjust the next plan.
A worked example (hypothetical)
The chef's days off are Sunday and Monday. On Saturday afternoon the chef cooks three dinners, labels each container with the meal and day, and leaves a sheet with reheating notes. The family reheats on Sunday and Monday and orders in only if plans change. The following week the chef notes which meals were popular. This shows the method; it is not a service promise.
Longer gaps and sick days
Cooking ahead covers days off but not a week of leave. For longer gaps, decide in advance whether you will use a temporary chef, a weekly cooking visit or ready meals. Compare the approaches in weekly meal prep versus a full-time chef and the guide to booking a chef monthly.
Next step
Add a cover line to your chef brief, covering days off, leave and sickness, before you sign or start. To discuss a chef for your household, see the full-time private chef page.