Kitchen Manager

Kitchen Manager | Lead the Kitchen at a Hartford Barbecue and Southern Cuisine Favorite

Make an Impact:

Bring your leadership skills, culinary standards, and operational know-how to Black-eyed Sally’s. Known for great barbecue, Southern hospitality, catering, private events, and live music, we offer an energetic restaurant environment where every shift brings something different. As Kitchen Manager, you will lead the back of house, maintain food quality, build a dependable kitchen team, and help create memorable guest experiences. This is an in-person leadership position in Hartford, Connecticut, for a hands-on restaurant professional looking to grow as a kitchen leader, culinary manager, back-of-house manager, or restaurant operations manager.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead daily back-of-house operations, including prep, cooking, service, closing responsibilities, and kitchen readiness for busy shifts.
• Maintain excellent food quality and consistency across barbecue and Southern cuisine menu items, with a strong focus on scratch cooking and thoughtful preparation.
• Coach, schedule, support, and hold kitchen team members accountable while fostering a respectful, efficient, team-focused work environment.
• Manage food costs, inventory, ordering, portion control, and waste reduction to support profitable, high-quality operations.
• Work closely with front-of-house leaders to address guest concerns, improve service, and support smooth dining, catering, and private-event experiences.
• Maintain food safety and sanitation standards by overseeing proper food handling, storage, cleaning practices, and kitchen compliance during every shift.

What You’ll Bring:

• Proven experience leading a high-volume restaurant kitchen, ideally as a Kitchen Manager, Sous Chef, Executive Sous Chef, Culinary Manager, or Back-of-House Manager.
• Strong knowledge of food cost management and restaurant operations, with organized systems for managing inventory, labor, quality, and waste.
• Confidence as a hands-on cook and a real commitment to scratch cooking, consistent execution, and strong food presentation.
• A leadership style built around accountability, guest service, and clear communication with both kitchen and front-of-house teams.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and safe food handling practices. ServSafe certification is strongly preferred.

Nice to Have:

• Experience supporting catering, private events, banquets, or high-volume special-event food service.
• Experience with Southern cuisine, barbecue, smoked meats, or comfort-food menus. A strong interest in learning is equally welcome.
• A valid driver’s license and flexibility to assist with catering-related operational needs.

Compensation:

This Kitchen Manager position offers a salary of up to $65,000 annually , based on experience and qualifications.

About Black-eyed Sally’s:

Black-eyed Sally’s is a Hartford, Connecticut restaurant serving barbecue and Southern cuisine, along with catering, private events, and live music. You’ll join a lively, community-focused team where hospitality, flavorful food, and memorable experiences are central to what we do. It’s a great fit for culinary professionals who enjoy variety, value teamwork, and want to make a visible impact on both the kitchen and the guest experience.

Equal Opportunity:

Black-eyed Sally’s is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes candidates from all backgrounds. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, experience, and business needs.

Apply Today:

Ready to lead a talented kitchen team and continue building your restaurant management career in Hartford? Apply today for this Kitchen Manager opportunity.