Chef

Executive Chef – Restaurant, Bar & Lounge | Toluca Lake

A highly anticipated new Restaurant, Bar & Lounge opening in the heart of Toluca Lake is seeking an experienced and passionate Executive Chef (or #2 that is ready to step up to the #1 role) to lead the culinary vision and build an exceptional kitchen team from the ground up.

This unique hospitality concept will blend an elevated culinary offerings, craft cocktails, vibrant social energy, and unforgettable guest experiences. We are looking for a chef who thrives in a leadership role—someone who can inspire, mentor, and develop a strong culinary culture while delivering creative, high-quality cuisine that complements a dynamic restaurant and bar environment.

The ideal candidate is both operationally disciplined and creatively driven, with a genuine passion for hospitality, innovation, and collaboration. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape a new destination from day one and make a lasting impact on one of Toluca Lake's most exciting new openings.

Executive Chef Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations, including menu development, recipe execution, and kitchen leadership
• Create innovative, seasonal, and guest-driven menus that support the restaurant's vision and brand
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing culinary team
• Foster a positive, professional, and respectful kitchen culture
• Ensure all food meets the highest standards of quality, consistency, and presentation
• Manage food costs, labor costs, budgets, forecasting, and inventory controls
• Oversee purchasing, vendor relationships, and product sourcing
• Maintain best practices for kitchen safety, sanitation, and health department compliance
• Collaborate with ownership and management on special events, promotions, and business initiatives
• Drive operational excellence while maintaining creativity and innovation

Executive Chef Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of experience as an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Kitchen Manager, or comparable leadership role in a high-volume restaurant
• Proven success opening new restaurant concepts is highly preferred
• Strong background in scratch cooking and ingredient-driven cuisine
• Creative culinary perspective with a pulse on current food trends and seasonal ingredients
• Expert knowledge of P&L management, inventory systems, purchasing, and cost controls
• Strong organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-energy restaurant and bar environment
• Commitment to excellence in cleanliness, food safety, and team development
• Flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive Base Salary
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• Opportunity to be part of an exciting new hospitality concept from the ground floor

If you're a passionate culinary leader who wants to build something special and help create Toluca Lake's next great dining destination, we'd love to hear from you.