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We are seeking an accomplished Director of Culinary to lead culinary innovation, kitchen operations, and financial performance for a growing, chef-driven restaurant group. This is a hands-on executive leadership opportunity for a creative, business-minded chef who thrives in restaurant kitchens, develops exceptional culinary teams, and understands how to translate culinary innovation into measurable revenue and profitability.
Responsibilities
- Lead culinary strategy, menu innovation, and quality standards across multiple restaurant locations.
- Develop structured R&D programs, seasonal menus, recipe specifications, and menu engineering initiatives.
- Create revenue-generating culinary experiences, including wine dinners, special events, and seasonal programming.
- Oversee food costs, back-of-house labor, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen operating budgets.
- Manage kitchen equipment, smallwares, and operating-supplies budgets for new restaurant openings.
- Negotiate vendor contracts, establish product specifications, and improve purchasing efficiencies.
- Recruit, train, coach, and develop Executive Chefs and culinary leadership teams.
- Partner with executive leadership, operations, marketing, and training teams.
- Maintain a hands-on presence in restaurant kitchens while supporting company-wide growth.
Qualifications
- 8+ years of senior culinary leadership experience at Executive Chef level or above within a multi-unit restaurant environment.
- Proven P&L accountability, including food cost, BOH labor, and kitchen operating budgets.
- Strong culinary R&D, menu development, and recipe standardization experience.
- Direct experience with new restaurant opening capital budgets, equipment, and operating supplies.
- Demonstrated success developing profitable culinary events and special dining experiences.
- Experience negotiating vendor contracts and managing purchasing across multiple locations.
- Proven ability to develop Executive Chefs and build high-performing culinary teams.
- Strong financial acumen, organizational skills, and executive-level communication.
- Comfortable working hands-on in restaurant kitchens.
- Ability to travel approximately 20–25%.
- Formal culinary education preferred; equivalent professional experience considered.
What Makes This Opportunity Unique
- Executive leadership role with significant culinary influence.
- Opportunity to shape culinary innovation within a growing restaurant organization.
- Direct involvement in new restaurant openings and expansion.
- Ability to mentor and develop Executive Chefs across multiple locations.
- Hands-on restaurant leadership rather than a traditional corporate office role.
JOB ID: 182431
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Darryl Downs