Chef de Cuisine | Elevated Italian Concept | Chicago, IL

Job Description

Job Description

Position: Chef de Cuisine

Compensation: $85,000 - $105,000 base salary plus 20% bonus potential

Schedule: Full-time | Evening, weekend, and holiday availability required

Benefits: Comprehensive benefits package including bonus opportunities, health coverage, paid time off, dining perks, and commuter benefits

Role Summary:

We are conducting a confidential search for a talented and driven Chef de Cuisine to support the culinary operations of a highly anticipated, chef-driven neighborhood restaurant concept.

This role works closely with executive culinary leadership to deliver elevated cuisine, maintain operational excellence, and foster a collaborative, high-performing kitchen culture. The Chef de Cuisine (CDC) will play a critical role in daily service execution, team development, inventory management, and maintaining the consistency and standards expected within a polished, high-volume environment.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader with strong operational instincts, a passion for hospitality, and experience working within refined, detail-oriented kitchens.

What you bring to the table:

• Strong ability to lead line operations while maintaining consistency, urgency, and attention to detail during service
• Experience with creative culinary menu innovations and seasonal menu design
• Experience supporting hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and development of back-of-house team members
• Hands-on leadership style with the ability to train, mentor, and motivate culinary teams
• Strong understanding of food quality, presentation standards, recipe consistency, and execution
• Experience monitoring labor costs, inventory levels, ordering, and waste reduction initiatives
• Ability to maintain high standards of sanitation, cleanliness, and kitchen safety compliance
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across BOH and FOH teams
• Experience conducting pre-shift meetings, managing service flow, and supporting operational planning
• Knowledge of food and labor costing, budgeting, and kitchen administrative functions
• Comfort operating in a fast-paced, high-expectation culinary environment

Why you’ll love working here:

• Opportunity to be part of a chef-driven, growth-oriented restaurant concept
• Collaborative and hospitality-focused culture that values creativity, teamwork, and professional development
• Quarterly and annual bonus opportunities
• Dining discounts and monthly cell phone reimbursement
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and parental leave benefits
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
• Commuter and additional lifestyle perks
• Opportunity to work alongside respected culinary leadership within a polished, high-energy environment

Required Work Experience:

• Minimum 3 years of experience in a culinary leadership or kitchen supervisory role
• Experience in high-volume, full-service restaurant environments
• Strong working knowledge of kitchen operations, food costing, labor management, and inventory control
• Prior experience training and developing culinary staff
• Familiarity with kitchen systems, equipment operations, and basic administrative functions

Preferred Work Experience:

• Background in elevated or chef-driven restaurant concepts
• Experience supporting ordering, vendor relationships, and operational process improvement

Personal Qualities:

• Passionate culinary professional with a strong sense of urgency and accountability
• Collaborative, team-oriented, and solutions-driven leadership style
• Organized and detail-focused with the ability to multitask effectively
• Calm and composed under pressure in fast-paced service environments
• Motivated to grow professionally within a dynamic hospitality organization
• Hospitality-minded leader who values consistency, mentorship, and operational excellence