Director of Culinary Operations

City Winery is a distinguished entertainment and hospitality company that uniquely blends the art of winemaking, exquisite dining, and live music to craft an unparalleled cultural experience. Established in 2008 by Michael Dorf, a veteran and visionary in the music industry, City Winery has grown into a nationally recognized brand that offers much more than traditional dining or concert venues. With intimate concert settings, food and wine classes, private event spaces, and a fully functioning winery all housed under one roof, City Winery brings the wine country spirit to urban centers. This one-of-a-kind concept caters to a sophisticated clientele that cherishes fine food, high-quality wines, and vibrant cultural events. City Winery prides itself on its commitment to hospitality, creativity, and community, which has made it a beloved destination across multiple markets in the United States.

The Director of Culinary Operations plays a pivotal leadership role within City Winery’s national portfolio, overseeing all culinary functions and ensuring alignment with the company’s high standards for food quality and guest satisfaction. This full-time position partners closely with the National Research & Development Executive Chef to oversee menu development, seasonal offerings, wine dinners, and other culinary programming. The Director of Culinary Operations is responsible for the consistent operational execution of culinary standards across all properties, including overseeing Executive Chefs and collaborating with General Managers to optimize kitchen performance, food quality, and financial results.

A key aspect of this role involves managing food costs, inventory, purchasing, Department of Health compliance, and labor to maintain operational excellence. The Director conducts frequent site visits to provide coaching, perform operational audits, and identify opportunities for improvement in culinary and financial metrics. This position demands strong leadership skills to mentor and develop Executive Chefs across multiple locations, ensuring accountability and operational improvement. The Director also supports new property openings, leadership transitions, and the implementation of culinary initiatives.

Aside from standard culinary operations, the Director of Culinary Operations is integral to menu rollouts, working closely with the National R&D Executive Chef to launch new menus and limited-time features while providing comprehensive training to executive teams. This role requires exceptional project management, communication, and organizational abilities, enabling city-wide consistency in culinary execution and guest experience. The Director also partners cross-functionally with departments such as Operations, Beverage, Marketing, Finance, Private Events, and Property Leadership to support promotions, budget planning, and company-wide initiatives.

City Winery offers competitive pay and a robust benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, retirement plans with matching 401K contributions, and flexible spending accounts. Employees enjoy generous discounts on dining and retail wine purchases, free family meals, show tickets, and wellness programs designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. The company values diversity and inclusivity, fostering a welcoming work environment where creativity and passion for hospitality thrive. This role requires frequent travel to City Winery's markets nationwide to provide hands-on support and leadership.

Joining City Winery as Director of Culinary Operations presents a rare opportunity for culinary leaders who are passionate about hospitality, culinary innovation, and delivering exceptional guest experiences within a multi-unit, culturally rich environment. This position offers the challenge and reward of shaping the culinary direction of a rapidly expanding national brand that unites food, wine, and music in a truly unique way.