Executive Chef - Fine Dining Steak & Seafood Opening

Job Description

Job Description

$120,000 – $135,000 + Bonus | Full-Time | Denver Tech Center, CO
New Restaurant Opening – Hiring Begins Late July | Fall 2026 Opening

We are opening an elevated, upscale steak and seafood restaurant in the Denver Tech Center and are seeking a Chef de Cuisine to lead the culinary program from pre-opening through launch and beyond.

This is a flagship opening backed by an established, award-winning hospitality group known for high-volume excellence, refined dining experiences, and strong culinary leadership.

We are looking for a hands-on, driven culinary leader who thrives in opening environments and brings a strong foundation in fine dining execution, team building, and operational discipline.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a restaurant from the ground up, building the kitchen, the team, the systems, and the culinary identity from day one.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all kitchen operations for a high-end, full-service restaurant opening
• Drive pre-opening execution including hiring, training, and kitchen setup
• Build, train, and lead a strong, disciplined culinary team
• Develop seasonal menus focused on premium steak, seafood, and elevated American cuisine
• Establish BOH systems: prep flow, ordering, inventory, and cost controls
• Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, timing, and presentation
• Manage food cost, labor, and operational efficiency
• Create a strong kitchen culture rooted in accountability and excellence
• Partner with FOH leadership to ensure a seamless guest experience

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership (Chef de Cuisine, Executive Sous Chef, or Executive Chef level)
• Strong background in upscale dining, fine dining, steakhouse, or seafood concepts
• Proven experience with new restaurant openings or major launches
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to lead under pressure
• Scratch kitchen expertise with strong fundamentals (sauces, proteins, butchery, plating)
• Solid financial understanding of food cost and labor management
• Ability to recruit, develop, and retain culinary talent
• Passion for high standards, consistency, and hospitality excellence

What We Offer

• $120K–$135K base salary
• Bonus potential
• High-impact leadership role in a flagship opening
• Real influence over menu direction and kitchen culture
• Career growth within a respected restaurant group
• Opportunity to build a kitchen from the ground up

Why This Role

This is a true opening Chef de Cuisine opportunity , where your leadership will directly define the success, culture, and culinary identity of the restaurant.

If you are a proven kitchen leader who thrives in building teams, executing at a high level, and launching standout dining experiences, this is an opportunity to make a real mark in the Denver market.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.