Café Head Chef

Mountainside Cafe • Canaan, CT

9d • $62,000 - $65,000 • Onsite

About The Position

Are you a passionate culinary leader who loves creating fresh, seasonal cuisine and leading a high-performing team? We're seeking an experienced Café Head Chef to oversee all aspects of our kitchen operations while bringing creativity, innovation, and exceptional quality to every meal served.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a mission-driven café focused on wholesome, thoughtfully prepared food made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients whenever possible. You'll have the freedom to develop seasonal menus, mentor kitchen staff, maintain the highest culinary standards, and create an outstanding dining experience for our guests.

If you're a hands-on chef who thrives in a collaborative environment, enjoys mentoring others, and takes pride in delivering exceptional food and service, we'd love to meet you.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; culinary degree preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of progressive culinary experience, including leadership responsibilities in high-volume kitchen environments.
• ServSafe certification required.
• Demonstrated knowledge of culinary techniques, menu development, food costing, inventory management, and kitchen operations.
• Strong understanding of local, state, and federal food safety, sanitation, and health regulations.
• Proven ability to lead, train, and develop kitchen staff while fostering a positive and collaborative team culture.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional food quality, guest experiences, and service standards.
• Ability to stand for extended periods, perform frequent bending and lifting, and regularly lift up to 50 pounds.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel occasionally for deliveries, meetings, or visits to other company locations.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor's degree in Hospitality Management, Food Science, Culinary Arts, or a related field preferred.
• Experience with Point-of-Sale (POS) systems and basic administrative functions preferred.

Responsibilities

• Create and execute seasonal menus featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients and healthy, flavor-forward cuisine.
• Develop and maintain recipes, portion standards, and presentation guidelines to ensure consistency and quality.
• Oversee food purchasing, inventory management, invoice approvals, and cost controls to maximize efficiency and minimize waste.
• Lead, train, mentor, and supervise kitchen staff, ensuring adherence to company policies, safety standards, and performance expectations.
• Maintain compliance with all local, state, and federal health, sanitation, and food safety regulations, including proper food storage and temperature controls.
• Ensure kitchen equipment, facilities, and workspaces are clean, organized, and properly maintained.
• Support front-of-house operations and uphold exceptional guest service standards.
• Complete required reports, schedules, inventories, and administrative documentation accurately and on time.
• Collaborate with leadership to achieve operational goals and maintain efficient daily operations.
• Integrate recovery clients into appropriate kitchen responsibilities while fostering a supportive and professional environment.
• Step into operational roles as needed to support the team and ensure an exceptional guest experience.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefit package
• Paid Time Off (which increases after 1 year with Mountainside)
• Paid holidays including a Multicultural Holiday
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Free meals while working
• Monthly $75.00 wellness reimbursement. Our Wellness Reimbursement benefit is meant to encourage employees to engage in productive self-care to avoid burnout and compassion fatigue.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree