Share this post

Avoiding a Recipe For Trouble

A family evaluating a few private chefs checks into their backgrounds first.
Problem icon
The Problem

Conducting a background check when hiring household staff is an important step that families often skip. After interviewing several candidates for family chef, our client narrowed the field to three individuals and then decided they wanted in-depth background checks conducted before asking the finalists to prepare a meal for them at their estate. They asked us for help.

Solution icon
The Solution

Our investigation included a search of criminal records and civil orders of protection naming the subjects, a search of the national sex offender registry and other major watch lists, and a cursory review of social networking sites and local and national media. Two of the candidates came up clean. The third didn’t. The investigative team’s search uncovered criminal records involving a felony for unlawful use of a weapon, a misdemeanor for sexual abuse and a charge for disorderly conduct. The team’s social media research also found online posts in which the candidate used derogatory language.

Results icon
The Results

The family was relieved to get this information. They eliminated the third candidate from their short list and, after enjoying the demonstration meals cooked for them by the other contenders, chose their favorite and offered her the position.