Chef de Cuisine

Rooster & Owl is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Washington, DC offering a seasonal, contemporary American menu shaped by the diverse backgrounds and experiences of our team. Our menu is constantly evolving, with an emphasis on creativity, thoughtful technique, seasonality, and collaboration. We are seeking an experienced and ambitious Chef de Cuisine to lead our kitchen. We're looking for someone with a strong culinary foundation who is ready to take ownership, develop a team, and continue growing as both a chef and leader. Responsibilities Lead daily kitchen operations while maintaining high standards of food quality, execution, cleanliness, and organization Recruit, hire, train, mentor, and develop the culinary team Lead by example with a hands-on approach, delegating and developing others while stepping in wherever needed Collaborate on menu development, seasonal changes, tastings, and culinary R&D Manage food cost, labor, ordering, inventory, waste, and scheduling to established targets Build effective systems for consistency, training, and accountability Identify problems proactively and take ownership of solutions Work closely with ownership and management on restaurant goals and continued improvement What We're Looking For Strong culinary technique and a well-developed palate Leadership experience in a high-quality restaurant kitchen Reliability, accountability, organization, and sound judgment A genuine interest in teaching and developing others A hands-on leadership style and strong communication skills Financial awareness and comfort managing food cost, labor, and budgets Coachability, curiosity, and openness to feedback Someone who thrives on a frequently evolving menu and continuous creative development rather than the comfort of a static menu Ambition to make an impact while respecting Rooster & Owl's identity and standards Compensation & Benefits $95,000–$105,000 salary, based on experience Up to 10% year-end performance bonus, based on performance and cost management Consistent five-day workweek with Sunday and Monday off 2 weeks PTO Health insurance fully covered for employee and spouse Annual R&D stipend for dining, books, education, and professional development We're looking for a chef who wants to lead, keep learning, develop a great team, and play a meaningful role in the continued evolution of Rooster & Owl.