Head Chef

Overview

Char Restaurant is seeking an experienced, motivated, and hands-on Head Chef to lead our kitchen team and uphold the quality, consistency, and presentation that define the Char dining experience.

Our menu, recipes, and kitchen procedures have been thoughtfully developed to establish Char's unique identity. We are looking for a culinary leader who takes pride in executing these standards while bringing the leadership, organization, and creativity needed to help our restaurant thrive.

The Head Chef will work closely with ownership to maintain our established menu, refine kitchen operations, introduce seasonal features and fresh ideas, and ensure Char remains a memorable dining destination.

The ideal candidate understands that great food is about more than creativity. It's about consistency, attention to detail, teamwork, and delivering an exceptional experience to every guest, every time.

Responsibilities

Kitchen Leadership & Operations

• Lead, supervise, and support kitchen staff while maintaining a professional, organized, and respectful working environment.
• Manage daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, cooking, plating, and timely execution of orders.
• Coordinate kitchen stations and oversee service to maintain efficiency, accuracy, and communication during busy periods.
• Train and mentor kitchen employees, ensuring every team member understands their responsibilities and performance expectations.
• Establish accountability while promoting teamwork, professionalism, and a positive kitchen culture.
• Assist with staff scheduling, station assignments, and maintaining appropriate staffing levels.

Food Quality & Consistency

• Execute and enforce Char's established recipes, preparation methods, portion sizes, plating standards, and kitchen procedures.
• Ensure every dish leaving the kitchen meets Char's expectations for flavor, quality, temperature, and presentation.
• Maintain consistency across all kitchen stations and shifts.
• Monitor food preparation and service to identify opportunities for improved efficiency without compromising quality.
• Uphold established menu specifications while collaborating with ownership on potential improvements.

Menu Collaboration & Creativity

• Work directly with ownership to maintain and enhance Char's culinary identity.
• Collaborate on seasonal specials, featured dishes, and new menu ideas that complement Char's existing offerings.
• Bring creative suggestions and culinary expertise while respecting established recipes and menu direction.
• Evaluate guest feedback, seasonal ingredients, and dining trends to help keep Char's menu fresh, relevant, and memorable.
• Test and implement approved menu additions and recipe adjustments while ensuring proper documentation and staff training.

Inventory & Cost Management

• Oversee product ordering, inventory management, and proper food storage.
• Monitor food costs, portion control, waste, and product utilization to support profitability.
• Maintain appropriate inventory levels while ensuring ingredient freshness and availability.
• Work with ownership to identify opportunities for cost savings without sacrificing food quality.
• Help establish efficient preparation procedures and inventory practices.

Food Safety & Sanitation

• Maintain high standards of kitchen cleanliness, organization, and sanitation.
• Ensure compliance with Vermont food safety regulations and established food handling procedures.
• Monitor proper food storage, labeling, rotation, temperatures, and equipment sanitation.
• Train kitchen staff on food safety practices and maintain accountability for compliance.
• Identify maintenance concerns and communicate equipment or operational needs to ownership.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a Head Chef, Executive Chef, Sous Chef, or similar kitchen leadership position.
• Strong hands-on culinary skills with the ability to lead by example during active service.
• Experience managing kitchen staff, coordinating multiple stations, and maintaining efficient service.
• Demonstrated ability to follow and consistently execute established recipes, portion specifications, and presentation standards.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory management, and food cost control.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain calm, focused, and professional in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
• Willingness to collaborate with ownership and contribute ideas while respecting Char's established culinary direction.
• Experience with restaurant inventory systems, ordering, and kitchen scheduling preferred.
• Culinary education or certification is a plus, but practical experience, leadership, and demonstrated ability are most important.

What We're Looking For

We're looking for more than someone who can prepare great food. We need a leader who takes ownership of the kitchen, develops a dependable team, and understands the importance of delivering the same exceptional quality with every plate.

The right candidate will respect the foundation we've established while working alongside ownership to continually improve operations, explore new ideas, and make Char a place guests look forward to returning to.

Join the Char Team

At Char, we believe a great dining experience is built on quality food, thoughtful presentation, strong teamwork, and genuine hospitality.

If you're an experienced culinary professional who enjoys leading a team, maintaining high standards, and collaborating on fresh ideas, we'd love to hear from you.

Pay: From $65,000.00 per year

Experience:

• Culinary: 3 years (Required)

Work Location: In person