Executive Chef –New Restaurant Opening

We are seeking a dynamic and visionary Executive Chef to lead the culinary direction of an exciting new restaurant opening within a newly developed San Diego hotel. This is a hands-on leadership role where you’ll shape the culinary identity of the restaurant, build and mentor a high-performing team, and establish best-in-class kitchen operations from the ground up.

In addition to overseeing the restaurant, you will lead culinary execution for the meeting and banquet space, a rooftop bar, and ensure a consistent, elevated guest experience across all outlets.

Competencies we look for

• A passionate culinary leader with creativity and a strong sense of ownership
• Proven success in pre-opening restaurant environments
• A confident, motivating leader who develops and retains top talent
• Detail-oriented with the ability to think strategically and execute at a high level
• Committed to delivering exceptional food and memorable guest experiences

Chef Responsibilities

• Develop innovative, memorable menus for both the restaurant and banquet operations
• Recruit, train, and inspire a cohesive and high-performing kitchen team
• Establish kitchen systems, standards, and workflows during the pre-opening phase
• Maintain exceptional quality, consistency, and presentation across all dishes
• Manage food costs, inventory, and vendor partnerships effectively
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation standards
• Oversee seamless day-to-day kitchen operations in a high-volume environment

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as an Executive Chef
• Experience overseeing hotel banquet or large-scale catering operations
• Proven success with menu creation, recipe costing, and food costs
• ServeSafe Certified
• Open availability
• Strong culinary expertise in Mediterranean cuisine
• Preferred Culinary Degree
• Proven success in building and managing high-performing teams
• Solid financial acumen, including food cost control, budgeting, and inventory management

Education & Certifications

• Culinary degree, apprenticeship, Red Seal, or equivalent professional training preferred

If you’re ready to play a key role in launching a standout culinary destination and grow with an exciting new concept, we’d love to connect. Please submit your resume for consideration.