Executive Chef

The hiring establishment is a distinguished fine dining restaurant based in San Francisco, CA, specializing in an elevated Middle Eastern and Mediterranean culinary concept. This restaurant is set to offer a sophisticated dining experience, blending the rich, diverse flavors of Middle Eastern cuisine with contemporary fine dining techniques and presentation. Known for its commitment to excellence and high service standards, the establishment aims to become a landmark for those seeking a unique yet refined culinary experience in a bustling metropolitan environment. The company operates within a structured and professional framework, ensuring that quality, consistency, and customer satisfaction remain at the forefront of its mission. It offers a supportive work environment with a focus on building strong teams and sustainable operational practices. The employment type for this position is full-time, accompanied by a competitive base salary of $120,000 annually and relocation assistance of up to $5,000 to ensure a smooth transition for candidates relocating to San Francisco.

We are seeking a highly skilled and disciplined Executive Chef to lead the entire culinary program for this new restaurant concept. The Executive Chef will be responsible for balancing refined culinary execution with the demands of high-volume operations, delivering consistent, exceptional quality that reflects the elevated standards of fine dining combined with authentic Middle Eastern flavors. This role requires more than just culinary expertise — it demands a systems-driven leader who thrives in a structured kitchen environment and has proven experience managing operational complexity in structured restaurant groups. The successful candidate will be pivotal in creating and nurturing a strong kitchen culture, establishing operational infrastructure and standard operating procedures from the ground up, and leading the kitchen team to success.

The ideal Executive Chef will bring a blend of technical culinary refinement and operational discipline, along with strong leadership capabilities centered around team development, accountability, and culture building. Experience leading kitchens with meaningful volume is essential, as is proficiency in managing food costs, labor, purchasing, and inventory systems. While experience with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern cuisine is highly valued, candidates without direct experience who possess a genuine, informed passion for this cuisine and a solid understanding of its ingredients, culinary techniques, and cultural significance will also be considered.

The role demands a leader who can thrive both in hands-on execution—ensuring each dish meets the highest standards—and in strategic oversight—scaling quality while maintaining consistency and efficiency. The Executive Chef will play a crucial role in hiring and training kitchen staff, developing and enforcing SOPs and operational frameworks, and ensuring a high level of culinary consistency and quality in every dish that leaves the kitchen. Overall, this position offers an exciting opportunity for a seasoned culinary professional to imprint their creativity, leadership, and operational expertise on a promising new fine dining concept with strong growth potential in San Francisco’s vibrant food scene.