Chef de Cuisine

5 days ago
Company Goodwin Recruiting
Employment Type Full-time
Posted on September 10, 2026
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Job Description

Chef de Cuisine (CDC)


We are seeking a Chef de Cuisine to help launch a high-volume Mexican restaurant concept. This is an excellent opportunity for a talented culinary leader looking to grow into an Executive Chef role as the company expands.

The ideal candidate will bring strong operational discipline, a deep understanding of food and labor costs, and experience leading prep-intensive kitchens. While Mexican cuisine experience is highly preferred, candidates with backgrounds in Hawaiian, Japanese-influenced, or French-trained kitchens will also be considered.

The kitchen operation is compact and efficient, with a small team focused on preparation, execution, and consistency during high-volume service.


Responsibilities

Culinary Leadership

  • Lead all kitchen operations, including prep, service, and team development.
  • Recruit, hire, train, and mentor kitchen staff.
  • Manage a team consisting of line cooks, prep cooks, expo, and dishwashers.
  • Ensure consistency, quality, and execution during high-volume service.

Financial & Operational Management

  • Monitor food costs, labor costs, and prime costs.
  • Partner with ownership to implement systems such as MarginEdge and inventory controls.
  • Assist with purchasing, ordering, and vendor management.
  • Maintain cleanliness, safety, and food quality standards.

Collaboration & Culture

  • Work closely with the General Manager and bar team to create a seamless guest experience.
  • Foster a collaborative environment between the front and back of house.
  • Support beverage operations, including fresh juices and prep for the cocktail program.
  • Help establish systems and processes that can scale with future growth.
Qualifications
  • 3+ years of culinary leadership experience as a Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or Executive Sous Chef.
  • Experience in high-volume Mexican cuisine strongly preferred.
  • Professional culinary training or equivalent experience required.
  • Strong understanding of food cost, labor management, and kitchen financials.
  • Experience with prep-intensive kitchens and streamlined service models.
  • Familiarity with inventory and costing software such as MarginEdge is a plus.
  • Pre-opening experience preferred.
This role offers a clear growth path into an Executive Chef position as the company continues to expand.