Executive Chef

This job position is for a Lead Chef role at a growing coastal-inspired restaurant group that operates locations along both the East and West coasts of the United States. With established venues in key markets such as New York City and Philadelphia, the company is in an expansion phase, moving into the Washington DC area. This particular role is for their newer brand situated in the greater Philadelphia suburbs, presenting an exciting ground-floor opportunity for a culinary professional eager to take on leadership responsibilities and grow alongside the company. The restaurant group is known for its polished casual dining experience, focusing on coastal cuisine that emphasizes fresh and quality ingredients. Their culinary offerings are crafted to ensure consistency, quality, and a refined yet approachable dining experience. This employment is a full-time position offering a competitive salary range of $70,000 to $75,000, supplemented by performance bonuses. The role calls for a hands-on Lead Chef who will manage daily kitchen operations by working directly on the line. This is not just a managerial role but a highly engaged leadership position requiring direct involvement with kitchen activities, quality control, and team development. The Lead Chef will be responsible for overseeing and mentoring a team comprising line cooks and a sous chef. This includes fostering a positive and productive teamwork environment, emphasizing training on proper culinary techniques, and skill development. Additionally, this person will contribute to the menu design by partnering on the development of the regular menu items and creating daily and weekly specials that reflect the brand's coastal culinary focus. Furthermore, the Lead Chef will have comprehensive responsibility for managing kitchen operations including controlling food costs, labor management, inventory, and ensuring adherence to quality and safety standards. This role combines leadership, culinary expertise, operational management, and the enthusiasm to be part of an expanding and dynamic restaurant group. As such, the ideal candidate is someone with a strong background in polished casual or upscale casual dining, possessing several years of high-volume kitchen experience and proven leadership skills. This position is ideal for a culinary leader passionate about coastal cuisine, who thrives in a fast-paced kitchen environment, and who is ready to contribute creatively and strategically to a growing brand's success.