Private Dining Chef

The Job
Tortello is looking for a Lead Chef of our Private Dining program to take a leadership role in our awarded Italian neighborhood restaurant, with secondary cross-training in our pasta program, pasta classes, and line cook to round out the role. This role requires a person who can cook at a high level to maintain the same level of food that people expect from the restaurant and manage the logistics that make private events go smoothly. This is a hybrid role: primarily chef and kitchen operator to organize, prepare and cook private dining events; and secondarily a cross-training opportunity to become a pasta pro and class teacher along with helping out on the line for the restaurant as needed. The private event menus are set, while there is opportunity to refine over time.

Benefits & perks
We do our best to support positive work/life with two days off every week, 2 weeks paid vacation, sick leave, and closure on major holidays. 100% health care coverage provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield, with options to upgrade to more comprehensive plans and add dental/vision coverage. Dining perks and a matching 401k plan.

Company Info
Tortello is an Italian-owned pasta shop & restaurant rooted in artisanal craft, simple exceptionally high quality ingredients, and the food traditions of Italy. A three-time Michelin Bib Gourmand winner and Wicker Park neighborhood gem, we are looking for truly passionate artisans to join our team. Tortello is committed to exceptional yet simple food. We arm the kitchen with only the very best – from the flour we import, to the eggs we collaborated on with a local farm to improve quality, to the scratch cooking of everything in-house. As a small, independent and family-owned business, our kitchen team has the opportunity to contribute to the menu, learn the craft of pasta-making with the best flour and tools in the city, and be more than a number. Tortello is committed to creating a positive, problem-solving and kind culture, and we will look to this person to set the example. Ideal candidates will have an appreciation for "Nonna’s cooking," a proven record of craft and leadership, and a contagious passion for our food and business.

Michelin Bib Gourmand 2022, 2023, 2024
Gambero Rosso 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025
Jean Banchet 2019 nominee for Best Counter Service
Chicago Magazine, Best New Restaurants, April 2020

As the Private Dining Lead Chef, you will:

• Cook and lead the kitchen for private events — execute menus for private dining and event bookings, maintaining consistency and quality across every event
• Organize the event kitchen — manage prep schedules, ordering, and kitchen flow so events run on time and without last-minute scrambling
• Staff BOH for events as needed — coordinate scheduling with head chef for larger events
• Plan for dietary restrictions - and be able to react to last minute changes when unavoidable
• Coordinate ordering — communicate ingredient and supply needs clearly and in advance to the restaurant's head chef, so ordering stays aligned across both kitchens
• Cross-train on pasta classes — learn our pasta class curriculum and be ready to step in and lead classes as needed
• Work the line at the restaurant as needed to round out full 40-45 hour work week
• Uphold excellent, consistent food quality
• Minimize labor and wastage to keep costs down without hurting guest experience
• Ensure standards for kitchen follows all Health Department Guidelines to ensure proper food handling
• Manage and execute opening and closing checklists

Requirements

• A flexible schedule with the ability to work day, evening and weekend hours as business needs require
• Thorough knowledge of the practices and procedures of the food and beverage, hospitality business
• 3-5 years of culinary management experience
• Fresh pasta experience is a plus
• Comfortable interacting with customers
• Ability to lift 50lb+ and be on your feet for up to 10 hour shifts
• We are an Equal Opportunity Employer