Executive Chef

Job Description

Job Description

About us:

From innovative menus and striking design to impeccable service and critical attention to detail, at Great Performances, we weave our mission into all we do. Serving New York City for over four decades, Great Performances has evolved from a waitress staffing agency to the leading catering, events, and hospitality companies in the greater New York area. We provide food services in an array of celebrated New York City cultural institutions, including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Wave Hill, and The Apollo Theater. We are known for full-service catering and events, corporate workplace dining and amenity programs, and large-scale event and festival production. Great Performances is the nation’s first caterer to own and operate an organic farm, Katchkie Farm, located in Kinderhook, NY. Progressive from the start, we consistently set the pace for industry best practices.

We are seeking highly motivated and talented individuals to join our team and to support our vision, mission, and values through everything they do. If you share our passion and want to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply. 

Our Vision: Building Community to Better Our World

Our Mission: Unleash Joy through Genuine Hospitality

Our Core Values:

Craftsmanship: developing new menus, designs, and moments to deliver engaging experiences to our clients and guests.

People: creating fair access, opportunity, and advancement for everyone. Our employees are our greatest asset.

Sustainability: upholding and elevating standards for sustainable behaviors that support our planet.

Collaboration: aligning with our clients’, colleagues’, and community’s visions to execute a successful experience.

Doing Good through Food: engaging in action around food access, health and wellness, education, and philanthropy.

Join our team as an exceptional Executive Chef and lead a high-performing kitchen and Back of House (BOH) team in delivering outstanding dining experiences. This role is responsible for managing all aspects of kitchen operations, including team leadership, hiring, training, scheduling, food production, inventory, purchasing, and labor and food cost control. The ideal candidate is a passionate, hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment, upholds the highest standards of food quality and safety, and fosters a culture of teamwork, accountability, and operational excellence.

Responsibilities

Culinary Excellence & Kitchen Operations

• Ensure the timely preparation, freshness, quality, and consistency of all dishes served. 
• Maintain high standards for food presentation, plating, and execution across all services. 
• Assist with menu development, recipe creation, and seasonal culinary initiatives. 
• Monitor kitchen operations to ensure efficiency, organization, and smooth daily service. 
• Oversee all food production to ensure recipes, portion sizes, and presentation standards are consistently followed.
• Ensure all menu items are prepared in accordance with established recipes, quality standards, and guest expectations.
• Coordinate kitchen production and workflow to meet service demands while maintaining efficiency and minimizing waste.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and manage all aspects of the kitchen and Back of House (BOH) operations, ensuring efficient daily execution, operational excellence, and a collaborative, high-performing work environment.
• Lead, motivate, and develop a high-performing kitchen team in a fast-paced environment.
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and mentor cooks, food preparation staff, and dishwashers.
• Coordinate staff schedules, assignments, and daily workflow to meet operational needs.
• Establish and maintain performance standards that promote accountability, consistency, teamwork, and exceptional culinary execution.
• Foster a positive, inclusive culture focused on employee engagement, professional development, open communication, and continuous improvement.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Maintain strict compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health department regulations. 
• Implement and enforce hygiene, cleanliness, and workplace safety procedures. 
• Monitor kitchen equipment and workspaces to ensure cleanliness, functionality, and operational efficiency. 

Inventory, Purchasing & Administrative Management

• Manage inventory levels and oversee the ordering of food, supplies, and kitchen equipment. 
• Submit purchase orders and maintain accurate inventory and cost controls. 
• Purchase products from company-approved vendors while ensuring quality and budget expectations are met. 
• Support operational and financial goals through effective labor and resource management. 

Collaboration & Guest Experience

• Partner closely with the General Manager and front-of-house leadership to ensure strong communication and seamless service execution. 
• Address guest or client concerns related to food quality and service in a professional and timely manner. 
• Continuously seek feedback to improve culinary offerings and the overall guest experience. 

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of restaurant management experience in a high-volume hospitality environment. 
• Strong culinary background with professional references required. 
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and kitchen operations best practices. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Microsoft Excel. 
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills. 
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities. 
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with kitchen, service, and leadership teams. 
• Professional demeanor with a positive attitude and strong work ethic. 
• NYC Food Handler’s Certificate preferred.  

Location: New York, NY

Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site

Schedule: Monday - Friday

Base salary: $110,000 - $115,000 per year, based on experience.

Benefits: PTO, 401(k), medical, dental, and vision insurance, transit benefits, paid and unpaid safe and sick leave, and an FSA (Flexible Spending Account).

Must be able to provide valid documentation that you are legally eligible to work in the United States.

Great Performances is an equal-opportunity employer. At Great Performances, we employ qualified individuals based solely on their ability, training, and experience. Great Performances does not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment or promotion based on race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.