Director of Culinary

Gastamo Group is a dynamic and rapidly growing multi-concept restaurant company dedicated to delivering exceptional dining experiences across a diverse portfolio of brands, with a strong emphasis on quality, culture, and operational excellence. Known for its innovative approach to culinary arts, the group manages a range of establishments including MEX Brands, Park Burger, Park and Co, Homegrown, and First Street Farms. Gastamo Group prides itself on fostering a collaborative culture that supports growth, creativity, and a genuine commitment to exceptional guest experiences in the Denver market and beyond.

The role of Director of Culinary at Gastamo Group is a critical field-first leadership position that reports directly to the VP of Food & Beverage. This role is primarily focused on maintaining and elevating culinary standards, team culture, and menu integrity across the MEX Brands portfolio while also providing culinary partnership and innovation support to the group’s other brand concepts. With a strong field presence requirement, the Director of Culinary is expected to spend significant time in the restaurants—working alongside the kitchen teams during service to ensure consistency, quality, and accountability in real time. The success of this position is measured by the day-to-day culinary excellence achieved through leadership by example and by fostering a culture of high performance across all kitchen operations.

In addition to being hands-on in restaurant operations, the Director of Culinary leads menu innovation efforts grounded in operational reality, ensuring new dishes and updates are executable by the teams, consistent across locations, and contribute to profitability. The role includes leading menu development efforts at MEX to align with brand identity and guest expectations in Denver, while also influencing the culinary direction for Park Burger, Park and Co, and Homegrown as a culinary thought partner. The Director additionally supports menu ideation for First Street Farms, extending Gastamo Group's culinary vision in unique and creative ways.

A strong focus is placed on team development, with the Director responsible for building and retaining high-quality kitchen talent, implementing effective training and onboarding programs, and cultivating a culture of accountability, teamwork, and consistency. This leadership extends to performance management and strategic collaboration with General Managers and Multi-Unit Leaders to ensure kitchen readiness and operational excellence.

From a financial accountability standpoint, the Director of Culinary owns food cost performance across MEX kitchens, partnering with operational leaders to optimize costs, reduce waste, and apply menu engineering principles that support profitability. Regular communication with the VP of Food & Beverage and cross-functional collaboration ensures alignment on culinary vision, operational goals, and guest satisfaction.

This role demands a hands-on, operationally minded leader with a culinary background and proven experience in multi-unit environments. A passion for teaching, strong communication skills, and an entrepreneurial spirit are essential for thriving in the fast-paced, evolving restaurant landscape at Gastamo Group. This position offers competitive compensation in the range of $110,000 to $140,000 and benefits that support employee well-being and career development. Candidates must possess reliable transportation and a valid Colorado driver’s license due to frequent travel between locations. The Director of Culinary role is ideal for culinary professionals seeking a meaningful leadership position grounded in both operational execution and creative menu innovation within a respected hospitality group.