Culinary Director

Stew Leonard's Kitchen Culinary Director Stew Leonard's, a family-owned and operated fresh food store founded in 1969, has locations in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey. Stew's earned its nickname, the "Disneyland of Dairy Stores" because of its country-fair atmosphere, with costumed characters and animated entertainment throughout the store that keep children entertained while parents shop. Full Time Salary $80,000- $90,000 depending on qualifications and experience Must be at least 18 years and older Position Description: The Culinary Director is a salary position responsible for overseeing all aspects of culinary production and ensuring that the organization's systems and standard operating procedures are met across Kitchen, BBQ, Pizza, and Hoedown operations. This position requires a flexible availability including weekends and holidays. This includes menu planning, recipe development and building, and leading a diverse team in the preparation of high-quality food products for the hot bar and shelves. The ideal candidate will maintain a professional demeanor with customers and team members while driving innovation and operational excellence in Stew Leonard's dynamic kitchen environment. Key Responsibilities: Daily Operations: Ensure accurate daily and monthly inventory management. Lead and manage day-to-day kitchen operations with attention to efficiency and quality. Communicate effectively and delegate tasks within a large, diverse team. Maintain adherence to food safety standards and uphold a Department of Health "A" rating. Recipe Development and Culinary Innovation: Develop new recipes and build creative menu ideas that align with customer preferences and market trends. Collaborate with the team to test and refine recipes, ensuring consistent quality and taste. Incorporate seasonal ingredients and global flavors into menu planning to keep offerings fresh and innovative. Utilize knowledge of wine and food pairings to create unique culinary experiences. Customer Engagement: Deliver exceptional customer service that aligns with the mission statement, "The Customer is Always Right." Represent the department with professionalism, fostering a positive experience for customers. Team Leadership: Cultivate a high-performing team with cross-training opportunities across kitchen areas. Manage team morale and support professional development initiatives. Build relationships with local culinary schools to create internship opportunities. Innovation and Efficiency: Introduce labor-reducing equipment and streamline processes. Monitor labor costs and adjust schedules for maximum efficiency. Lead projects focused on culinary improvements and new product launches. Strategic Planning: Oversee production planning and execution for large-scale catering and buffet-style operations. Utilize strong project management skills to launch new menu items and culinary initiatives. What You Bring to the Team: Education: Bachelor's degree from a recognized culinary institute (e.g., CIA graduate preferred). Experience: 5+ years in kitchen and catering management with a well-regarded organization known for high culinary standards, innovative concepts, or large-scale operations. Extensive culinary knowledge, including global cuisines and food trends. Expertise in recipe development, building innovative menu ideas, and wine/food pairings. Skills: Exceptional customer service and communication skills. Proficiency in food safety and sanitation certifications. Advanced math and computer skills for inventory and scheduling management. Strong ability to work under pressure and adapt to labor constraints. Working Conditions: Frequent standing, walking, and occasional lifting (up to 45 lbs). Exposure to confined spaces, extreme kitchen heat, and noise. Fast-paced environment requiring adaptability and strong organizational skills. In addition to top-tier pay, we offer a comprehensive total compensation package that includes: Significant Bonus Potential: Earn a substantial annual bonus based on your performance and the company's success Exceptional Insurance Benefits: Access affordable and comprehensive insurance coverage for yourself and your family. Secure Your Future: Plan for retirement with our robust 401(k) savings plan, featuring a generous company match to help your investments grow. Dedicated Management Retirement Plan: Benefit from our exclusive Management Retirement Plan, which includes both profit-sharing and a company contribution, further enhancing your long-term financial security. Supporting Your Life Outside of Work: Enjoy paid time off to help you achieve a healthy and fulfilling work-life balance. Empowering your Growth: We are committed to your professional growth through our educational assistance program, and we provide ongoing training initiatives to support your further development and advancement within the company. Join Stew Leonard's as a Culinary Director and lead our kitchen team to deliver exceptional culinary experiences while driving innovation, recipe development, and operational excellence. Satisfy: Greet customers with a friendly smile and positive attitude, ensuring that each customer feels welcome and appreciated. Teamwork: Collaborate with team members to ensure the smooth operation of the store, offering assistance and support where needed. Excellence: Improve and maintain the efficiency of the store in order to reach success. Wow: Be a positive ambassador for the store, representing our S.T.E.W. values in all interactions with customers and team members. You are the biggest WOW! Why you'll love working here! Family Oriented: We respect the personal balance between work and family with career opportunity and growth- over 80% of our managers have been promoted from within. Benefits: High value, high quality Medical, Dental, and Vision coverage, 401 K plan for FT & PT team members, family & personal time, life insurance, and more! Environment: Have you seen the Avocado Girls? Chiquita Banana? Or the singing Parrot? Pay Day: We're thrilled to offer our employees Dayforce Wallet a new way to get paid. Say bye-bye to pay day and hello to pay your way. Get your pay as soon as you earn it, at no cost to you It's your money, why should you have to wait? Request your pay as you earn it. We take pride in the power of diversity, inclusion, and being socially responsible to the communities, which we live and do business Apply today and start as soon as 1 week! Stew Leonard's is an equal opportunity at will employer and does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of age, race, religion, color, disability, sex, sexual orientation or national origin.