Chef de Cuisine

CHEF DE CUISINE — Italian, Chicago

An established Chicago restaurant group is looking for the right person to fill our CHEF DE CUISINE role as we expand. Paid vacation time along with educational travel opportunities to expand knowledge. Partnership opportunity for the right candidate with tenure. If you have always wanted to own your own restaurant, this is your chance. We are looking for dedicated professionals. A tasting will be required along with a stage.

The Restaurant

We are an Italian restaurant on Chicago's northwest side, built around the cooking of the lesser known regions in Italy. Pizza, pastas and seasonal dishes that are inspired by Italian seasonality and simplicity.

Full details on the company, the restaurant, and compensation will be shared with candidates as we move forward.

Summary of Essential Job Functions

• Ability to work with and lead a team-oriented environment
• Manage the kitchen with a positive attitude while being flexible and problem solving along the way
• Maintain standards set forth by the Executive Chef and Culinary Director
• Manage daily standards for kitchen as a whole
• Create an inclusive environment conducive to education and career advancement
• Oversee menu execution.
• Understand and oversee the pizza and pasta dough program: daily sourdough and final mixes, fermentation scheduling around our closed day, ball counts, and bake consistency at the oven
• Oversee whole-animal fabrication, yield tracking, and cross-utilization of trim across the menu
• Ensure dishwashers are properly trained and the dish area is being run effectively
• Maintain and upkeep of kitchen facilities, including the wood-fired oven
• Ensure cooks are properly trained and stations are fully set correctly daily
• Ensure daily and nightly cleaning procedures are being followed
• Ability to effectively order, receive, and control inventory, including daily fish and shellfish ordering against a moving market
• Effectively run service on a nightly basis, expediting 200+ covers on weekends in a timely and organized fashion
• Write weekly schedules and manage labor costs
• Oversee sous chefs
• Create standardized recipes
• Oversee and maintain current HACCP system in place for curing, fermentation, and raw shellfish service
• Control menu costing
• Create weekly specials and help seasonally drive the menu utilizing local produce and seasonal seafood as much as possible
• Uphold the highest standards of food safety, food handling and sanitation requirements to ensure the health and safety of staff and guests
• Keep the team involved, excited, and lead by example at all times
• Be comfortable with the onboarding and offboarding of employees
• Maintain company standards at all times
• Ability to execute and organize offsite events in a professional manner
• Has a flexible schedule with the ability to work mornings, mids or nights depending on the situation

What We Offer

In this fast-paced kitchen, we will hone in on your existing skills and give you plenty of opportunity to learn new ones and lead your team towards success; you will leave each day a better cook than when you walked in. Quick-learning, as well as a sense of urgency and drive, when it comes to your job here is essential.

Moreover, we recognize the significance of maintaining a healthy work-life balance. We deeply value your overall well-being. Fostering your personal and professional growth is our unwavering pledge. We offer comprehensive training, individualized attention, and continuous educational opportunities to support your journey with us.

Additionally, your dedication would come with optional benefits (with tenure):

• Health insurance
• 401k plan
• Paid time off

Ready to watch your culinary career grow and be a part of an exceptional team? Apply today and savor the opportunity to craft unique dishes in an exciting environment.

This position requires the candidate to be able to lift 50 pounds and stand on your feet for extended periods of time. 3 years minimum experience in a similar position required. Experience with raw bar, whole fish fabrication, or a dough/pizza program is strongly preferred. Must also have a "Food Handlers Certification."

For the right candidate, we would consider a compensated relocation package with tenure. Moving expense reimbursements after tenure for relocation offered.

If interested, reply with your resume as well as what you are looking for in your next career move.