Complex Executive Chef
About The Position
Restaurant Associates is seeking a highly creative, process-driven Complex Executive Chef to lead a dynamic, multi-unit culinary operation in New York City. The role oversees a diverse portfolio of upscale restaurants, cafés, catering operations, and high-profile events. The chef will bring innovation, hospitality, and culinary excellence while balancing operational efficiency across multiple business channels. This position offers significant visibility and impact in shaping the guest experience, elevating food offerings, and driving continuous improvement. The chef will build relationships with clients and teams and translate creative ideas into scalable culinary programs.
Requirements
- Executive Chef or multi-unit culinary leadership experience within corporate dining, restaurants, hospitality, catering, or luxury foodservice environments.
- Proven success overseeing complex, high-volume culinary operations across multiple outlets or business channels.
- Strong catering and events background, including large-scale and VIP experiences.
- Ability to balance culinary creativity with operational discipline and financial performance.
- Experience managing food and labor costs, purchasing programs, inventory controls, and budgeting.
- Collaborative leadership style with a track record of developing and retaining high-performing teams.
- Excellent communication skills and ability to engage with clients, stakeholders, and frontline associates.
- Strong organizational, planning, and project management capabilities.
- Passion for culinary innovation, hospitality, and creating memorable guest experiences.
Nice To Haves
- Culinary degree or equivalent professional culinary training.
- ServSafe Certification and knowledge of New York food safety regulations.
Responsibilities
- Provide strategic culinary leadership across multiple restaurants, cafés, catering programs, and event operations.
- Develop innovative, seasonally driven menus that reflect client expectations, market trends, and operational goals.
- Partner with operations, marketing, and hospitality teams to launch culinary concepts and initiatives.
- Lead, coach, and develop culinary teams, fostering collaboration, accountability, and continuous learning.
- Ensure consistent food quality, presentation standards, and guest experience across all locations.
- Oversee food cost, labor management, purchasing, inventory controls, and budget performance.
- Drive process improvement and operational excellence while maintaining creativity and flexibility.
- Manage large-scale catering programs and high-profile events with attention to detail.
- Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and workplace safety standards.
- Build strong client relationships through effective communication, responsiveness, and solution-oriented leadership.
- Analyze operational performance and implement strategies to enhance efficiency, profitability, and guest satisfaction.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Life insurance and AD&D
- Disability insurance
- Retirement plan
- Paid time off
- Holiday time off (varies by site/state)
- Associate Shopping Program
- Health and Wellness Programs
- Discount Marketplace
- Identity Theft Protection
- Pet Insurance
- Commuter Benefits
- Employee Assistance Program
- Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Personal Leave
- Eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable laws
- Annual performance bonus opportunity up to 25% of base salary
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Manager
Education Level
No Education Listed
