Executive Chef for New Opening

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Now Hiring: Executive Chef for an Upscale European-Inspired Eatery & Wine Mercantile

We're on the hunt for a passionate and driven Executive Chef to lead the opening of an all-new culinary destination—a modern European-inspired café and artisanal wine mercantile—where casual elegance meets curated flavors. This concept will blend rustic charm with refined hospitality, offering chef-driven seasonal menus, boutique wines, and a warm, community-forward atmosphere.

This unique concept will operate with a focus on brunch, lunch, and cocktail hour, with a light extension into early dinner service. Think morning pastries and espresso, vibrant mid-day fare, and early evening small plates paired with exceptional wine.

As our opening Executive Chef, you’ll have the rare opportunity to craft a kitchen culture from the ground up, play a key role in the restaurant’s identity, and partner closely with ownership on everything from menu development to team building and sourcing partnerships.

What We're Looking For:

• A culinary leader with a creative but clean approach to seasonal cooking—think house-made pastries, vibrant small plates, elegant sandwiches, and rustic European-style entrees.
• Proven experience in scratch kitchens, especially in cafe/bistro, wine bar, or market-style dining environments.
• Strong business acumen: experience with food/labor cost control, vendor relationships, and inventory systems.
• A calm, composed leadership style that fosters a positive, high-performing kitchen.
• Experience with openings is a huge plus—we want someone who thrives in building from the ground up.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead all back-of-house operations, from daily prep and service to hiring, training, and mentoring the culinary team.
• Collaborate on menu design focused on quality, seasonality, and pairing synergy with our curated wine selections.
• Develop prep systems and SOPs to ensure smooth execution and consistent quality.
• Partner with FOH and ownership to create an outstanding guest experience rooted in hospitality and food integrity.

The Vibe:

Imagine a neighborhood gathering space that blends the relaxed soul of a European café with the thoughtful offerings of a boutique wine shop. This is a place where locals stop in for a glass and small plate, stock up on charcuterie and wine for the weekend, or linger over brunch with friends.

Location: Columbia – urban, walkable, and community-focused.

Service Hours: Brunch, lunch, cocktail hour, and light early dinner—no late-night grind.

Ready to Create Something Special?

This is more than just another chef gig—it’s a chance to shape a destination. If you have the vision, leadership, and culinary chops to bring this concept to life, we want to meet you.

Submit your resume and a short note about what excites you about this opportunity.

At Goodwin Recruiting, we are committed to our core values and providing world class customer service. We are committed to helping our clients navigate and comply with the complex and ever-changing labor laws as well as help ensure that in every hiring decision, internally and with our client partners, that all viable candidates are considered, and the most qualified candidate is offered the role. We evaluate the knowledge, skills, and abilities that meet the requirements of the position and aim to open doors and change lives. We value all people, understanding that uniqueness and diversity foster a stronger team that is innovative and brings varying perspectives to the table. We put our money where our mouth is and are proud of our efforts to identify a broad slate of candidates, with many hiring success stories to share.

JOB ID: 161445

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Robert Goebel

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