Director of Culinary Operations

Director of Culinary Operations At MAF Hospitality, we believe food is more than something served on a plate-it is storytelling, culture, craftsmanship, and connection. We are seeking a visionary Director of Culinary Experience to lead the culinary direction across our growing portfolio of hospitality brands. This is not a traditional back-of-house leadership role. We are looking for a culinary entrepreneur, educator, and innovator who can elevate our guest experience, inspire our teams, and help define the future of our brands. From creating memorable seasonal menus and wine-paired experiences to teaching hands-on cooking classes for guests, this role sits at the intersection of hospitality, entertainment, education, and culinary excellence. What You'll Do Culinary Leadership Develop and oversee culinary strategy across all MAF Hospitality concepts. Create and execute seasonal menu changes that align with each brand's identity. Ensure consistency, quality, presentation, and profitability across all food offerings. Lead recipe development, testing, documentation, and implementation. Stay ahead of culinary trends while honoring our Italian-inspired roots. Guest Experience & Programming Design immersive culinary experiences that drive guest engagement and loyalty. Host and teach cooking classes, demonstrations, and culinary workshops for guests. Collaborate on wine dinners, tasting events, private experiences, and special programming. Serve as a culinary ambassador for the company at events, media appearances, and community engagements. Create experiences that transform dining into memorable moments. Team Development Mentor and develop teams. Establish culinary standards, training programs, and operational best practices. Foster a culture of creativity, accountability, and continuous improvement. Business & Operations Manage food costs, labor efficiency, and menu profitability. Partner with leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and growth initiatives. Evaluate vendor relationships and sourcing opportunities. Support new concept development and future location openings. What We're Looking For 7+ years of culinary leadership experience, preferably overseeing multiple locations or concepts. Proven ability to develop successful menus and guest experiences. Strong teaching and presentation skills with a passion for engaging guests through cooking classes and demonstrations. Deep understanding of Italian cuisine and hospitality traditions preferred. Experience leading and developing high-performing culinary teams. Strong financial acumen and understanding of restaurant operations. Creative thinker with an entrepreneurial mindset. Ability to travel between locations and support special events. What Success Looks Like Guests rave not only about what they ate, but what they experienced. Cooking classes become sought-after events that build community and loyalty. Menus remain fresh, profitable, and aligned with our brand vision. Culinary teams are inspired, trained, and consistently executing at a high level. Food becomes a defining pillar of the MAF Hospitality story. Why Join Us? This is a rare opportunity to shape the culinary vision of a growing hospitality company that blends restaurants, wine, retail, events, and immersive experiences. You'll have the freedom to innovate, the platform to influence multiple brands, and the opportunity to create experiences that guests remember long after the meal is over. If you're passionate about food, hospitality, education, and creating unforgettable experiences, we'd love to meet you.