Chef de Cuisine

Copper Vine is a polished casual, wine-forward pub and inn located in the heart of New Orleans. Operating out of a historic three-story building on the corner of Poydras Street dating back to the late 1800s, Copper Vine offers a unique blend of historic charm and contemporary culinary excellence. This establishment is known for its inviting atmosphere, a carefully curated wine list, and a menu that celebrates both local flavors and sophisticated techniques. The restaurant has built a reputation for delivering exceptional guest experiences, blending the warmth and character of an old New Orleans neighborhood spot with creative cuisine and impeccable service.

As a polished casual dining establishment, Copper Vine places a strong emphasis on quality, both in the food served and the overall dining experience. The pub and inn cater to a broad audience, from locals and regular visitors to travelers seeking an authentic taste of New Orleans. The dining experience is elevated by a thoughtfully developed wine-forward approach, which guides the menu planning and enhances the dishes. Copper Vine’s dedication to excellence extends beyond the kitchen into every aspect of the guest experience, creating a beloved destination within the city.

Copper Vine is currently seeking a Chef de Cuisine to take full ownership of the kitchen and lead the culinary team on a day-to-day basis. This role is a critical leadership position within the restaurant, responsible for maintaining high culinary standards while managing the operational aspects of the kitchen. The ideal candidate will have a strong culinary foundation and technical skill set, along with a proven track record of leadership in high-volume kitchens. This role requires someone who excels in managing not just line cooks but also managers, demonstrating the ability to guide and develop a leadership team effectively.

The Chef de Cuisine will be expected to stay steady under pressure, think clearly in fast-paced environments, and lead sustainably to foster a positive and productive kitchen culture. The role involves overseeing daily kitchen operations, ensuring food quality, consistency, and presentation, and stepping into any station as needed to maintain service standards. Beyond cooking, the Chef de Cuisine will lead the kitchen’s leadership team, developing Sous Chefs, Lead Line cooks, and the HOH team to build a stronger, more independent operation.

Additionally, this position requires a systems-driven approach to managing prep, ordering, and inventory, maintaining accurate order guides and product usage, and continuously improving systems to increase efficiency while reducing waste. The Chef de Cuisine will also manage labor and food costs by overseeing hiring and training programs, building schedules aligned with business levels, and balancing standards with profitability.

Communication is a key part of this role, with close partnership expected with the General Manager to align on performance goals and priorities. The Chef de Cuisine will maintain strong front-of-house and back-of-house collaboration to deliver an excellent overall guest experience. This role also supports the creative side of the restaurant by collaborating on menu updates and features, participating in tastings and menu development, and ensuring new items are properly trained and executed.

The position offers a salary range of $65,000 to $80,000 with a performance-based bonus related to labor, food cost, and overall restaurant performance. In addition to competitive compensation, Copper Vine provides health, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan, paid time off, and other benefits reinforcing the company’s commitment to its team members. The opportunity is ideal for a culinary professional seeking a leadership role in a respected, growing company with a collaborative environment and direct access to senior leadership. There is strong support from HR, ownership, and the leadership team, alongside opportunities for continued education, creative input on menu development, and advancement as the company expands to additional locations.