Executive Chef

Cobalt Smoke & Sea is an established upscale restaurant located in Creve Coeur, known for its coastal cuisine, modern American cooking, and innovative use of live-fire and smoked elements. The restaurant emphasizes the use of seasonal ingredients, craft cocktails, and providing a warm yet polished hospitality experience to its guests. This unique combination has positioned Cobalt Smoke & Sea as a notable dining destination in the St. Louis area, where guests can enjoy creative dishes that highlight the best in local and coastal flavors. The establishment prides itself on maintaining a thoughtful and engaging environment, both in its kitchen culture and overall guest service.

The Executive Chef role at Cobalt Smoke & Sea is a rare opportunity for a culinary leader looking to make a significant impact beyond traditional kitchen management. This position offers creative authority to shape the culinary identity of the restaurant, working closely with ownership to uphold strong financial and operational standards while delivering extraordinary dining experiences. The ideal candidate will be responsible not only for menu creation but also for building and mentoring a high-performing kitchen team, fostering a respectful and inspiring kitchen environment.

This executive-level position offers an opportunity to lead all aspects of back-of-house operations, including the development of seasonal menus for lunch, dinner, brunch, happy hour, and special events. The Executive Chef will create standardized recipes, maintain food quality, manage food and labor costs, oversee vendor relationships, and implement systems for inventory, purchasing, and waste control. Beyond kitchen management, the role involves community engagement through chef’s dinners, wine events, and collaborations with culinary schools and apprenticeships, which support the growth of culinary talent and the restaurant’s brand reputation.

The successful candidate will bring a strong background in upscale casual, fine dining, or chef-driven environments, with proficiency in seafood, meat, sauce, pasta, and vegetable preparations. Experience with live-fire or wood-fired cooking techniques is highly valued. This leadership role demands someone who is confident yet approachable, passionate about mentoring, and capable of balancing creativity with financial discipline. The Executive Chef will work hands-on with the team and help develop effective kitchen systems to ensure consistency, efficiency, and high standards. This is not a corporate role with rigid menus, but rather a chance to innovate and create a culinary experience that encourages repeat visits and elevates the Cobalt Smoke & Sea dining concept.

In the first 90 days, the new Executive Chef will be expected to immerse themselves in the current operations, evaluate staffing and systems, establish clear kitchen standards, complete recipe costing and documentation, and develop a strategic menu plan that aligns with the restaurant’s identity. They will also implement effective inventory and labor control processes and build trust with both kitchen and front-of-house teams, setting the stage for ongoing growth and success. The position is ideal for a culinary professional ready to lead with integrity and vision, contributing meaningfully to the restaurant’s exciting new chapter.