Head Chef - New Austin Location Opening!

Head Chef Position at Five Iron Golf

Backed by Callaway Golf and Danny Meyer's Enlightened Hospitality Investments, Five Iron blends world-class technology with hospitality-driven service across its sports bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues. With 35 locations open and more than 50 in the pipeline worldwide, the brand is expanding its reach while remaining rooted in innovation, inclusivity, and community connection.

The Austin location is a new-store opening, currently targeted for Q1 2027, though the opening may occur earlier than planned. Before the venue opens, this role will provide limited, planned culinary support to select new-store openings and existing locations as needed. Travel prior to the Austin opening will be limited and scheduled around business needs. Once the Austin location opens, the Head Chef will transition into the full onsite leadership role for that venue while continuing to serve as a multi-unit culinary mentor for chef leaders across the country.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

Pre-Opening / Limited Travel Support Phase:

• Provide limited, planned support to select new store openings, including kitchen setup, staff training, and initial service execution.
• Provide targeted culinary support to existing locations experiencing leadership gaps, performance challenges, or operational need, as business needs require.
• Serve as a mentor and coach to culinary leaders (Head Chefs, Sous Chefs) across the country, reinforcing Five Iron's culinary standards, systems, and brand identity.
• Partner with regional and corporate culinary leadership to identify support priorities and set travel schedules that account for the potential earlier Austin opening.
• Maintain flexibility for occasional, limited nationwide travel prior to the Austin opening, as determined by operational needs.
• During non-traveling time, update, ideate, enhance, and provide critical feedback on existing training and support materials to improve their overall effectiveness.

Ongoing / Post-Opening Leadership (Austin):

• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing kitchen team, fostering a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Hire and oversee onboarding of culinary team members.
• Create and maintain a culture of accountability, setting clear expectations and holding team members responsible for their performance.
• Coach and develop Sous Chef and other kitchen staff to ensure consistent and high-quality food preparation and presentation.
• Set the standard for culinary excellence and hold the team accountable for maintaining these standards.
• Oversee all aspects of kitchen operations, including inventory management, purchasing, scheduling, and food safety compliance.
• Ensure efficient and effective kitchen operations during all service periods, maintaining a smooth and timely flow of service.
• Partner with the General Manager - Social to align kitchen operations with overall business goals, including maintaining budgeted food cost, labor cost, and successful execution of events in space.
• Continuously enhance and update the in-house event menu to reflect current culinary trends and guest preferences, while maintaining Five Iron Golf's brand identity.
• Develop and test new recipes, ensuring they meet quality and cost standards.
• Collaborate with the beverage program to create complementary food and drink pairings.
• Develop and execute innovative and high-quality culinary offerings for events, including corporate functions, private parties, and special occasions.
• Collaborate with the events team to design menus and ensure seamless execution of all culinary aspects during events.
• Maintain a high standard of presentation and service to deliver exceptional event experiences.
• Deliver an exceptional dining experience by ensuring all dishes are prepared and presented to the highest standards.
• Address guest feedback and concerns promptly and professionally, using feedback to improve the culinary offering.
• Foster a culture of hospitality within the kitchen team, ensuring all interactions with guests are positive and engaging.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and vendors to ensure the best quality ingredients and cost-effective purchasing.
• Work closely with the General Manager and VP of Culinary to develop and implement strategic initiatives that drive business growth and profitability.
• Act as a brand ambassador for Five Iron Golf, representing the company at industry events and in the community.

Required Qualifications:

• Culinary school degree or professional certifications such as CEC, or commensurate work experience.
• Minimum 5 years significant culinary leadership experience in a high volume and fast-paced environment.
• Proven track record of building and leading high-performing kitchen teams.
• Experience with or readiness to take on a multi-unit mentorship role, supporting and developing culinary leaders across multiple locations nationwide.
• Willingness and ability to travel on a limited, as-needed basis nationwide prior to the Austin location's opening.
• Comfort operating in ambiguity and fast-changing environments consistent with new-store opening support.
• Strong culinary expertise, with a passion for food and innovation.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work effectively under pressure.
• Working knowledge of Google suite applications and restaurant management software.
• English fluency required; Spanish language skills are a plus.

Benefits (*Applies only to full-time employees):

• Health, Dental, and Vision insurance*
• Long and Short-Term Disability*
• Accident and Critical Illness Insurance*
• 401(k)*
• Meals while working are included for free

Pay: $85K95K/year

Job Type: Exempt, Full time

Schedule: Nights and weekends required; limited nationwide travel may be required during the pre-opening phase

Five Iron Golf is committed to celebrating diversity and creating an inclusive environment for employees of all backgrounds. Five Iron Golf provides Equal Employment Opportunity to everyone and complies with all applicable Federal, State and Local laws governing nondiscrimination in all locations. Five Iron Golf will consider all requests for reasonable accommodations as required.