Introduction:

The Culinary Director at Common Ground Hospitality is a cornerstone position within our operations team, focusing on the creative and operational aspects of our menu development process and operational excellence in our kitchens. This role is designed for a culinary visionary who excels in the art of recipe creation, ingredient sourcing, food costing, and menu innovation. The Culinary Director will work closely with the rest of the Operations Team, focusing on high-level culinary strategy without stepping into the day-to-day management of kitchen staff. This position requires a blend of creativity, operational skills, culinary expertise, and financial acumen to enhance our dining offerings and maintain our commitment to quality and sustainability.

Responsibilities:

● Recipe Development: Spearhead the creation of innovative and appealing recipes from inception to finalization, ensuring they align with our brand values and customer preferences.

● Ingredient Sourcing and Negotiation: Identify and negotiate with purveyors for the best quality ingredients, focusing on sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and supply chain efficiency.

● Costing and Menu Pilot Testing: Accurately cost recipes and collaborate on the creation of test pilot menus for selected locations. Analyze feedback and adjust recipes as necessary to meet quality and cost objectives.

● Collaboration with Operations Team: Work closely with the Operations Team to ensure seamless integration of new recipes and menus across locations. Provide expertise and support in training kitchen managers and line cooks on new culinary procedures and best practices.

● Operations Support: Provide ongoing assistance in day-to-day restaurant operations, ensuring accountability for BOH activities. Maintain knowledge of daily operations in each location and be prepared to step in on-shift as needed to maintain operational excellence.

● Culinary Training and Support: Develop and conduct training sessions for kitchen managers and line cooks to elevate culinary skills, introduce new techniques, and ensure consistent quality across all locations.

● Menu Innovation: Continuously research and implement innovative culinary trends and practices to keep our offerings fresh, appealing, and competitive.

● Catering and Events Assistance: Support catering preparation and assist with managing offsite catering events as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

● Proven experience as a Corporate Chef, Executive Chef, or in a similar senior culinary role, with a strong portfolio of developed recipes and menus.

● Culinary arts degree from a reputable institution or equivalent professional experience.

● Expertise in ingredient sourcing, recipe costing, and menu development.

● Strong negotiation skills with experience working with food suppliers and purveyors.

● Excellent communication and training skills, with the ability to work collaboratively across departments.

● Creative thinker with a passion for culinary innovation and quality.

● Knowledge of current culinary trends and best practices in kitchen management.

About Common Ground Hospitality:

Located in the Delmarva coastal community, Common Ground Hospitality is a passion-driven restaurant group that champions creativity, innovation, and honest hospitality. We are dedicated to developing unique dining concepts, fostering growth, and nurturing ideas. Our commitment extends to sourcing fresh, local ingredients and providing a high-service atmosphere for our community to relish in good food and company. At the heart of our mission is a deep-rooted dedication to our community.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

Common Ground Hospitality is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We believe in diversity and inclusion, and provide accommodations for those with disabilities. Our hiring decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and business needs, and we do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $73,751.00 - $78,602.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 10 years
• 11 years
• 3 years
• 4 years
• 5 years
• 6 years
• 7 years
• 8 years
• 9 years

Pay rate:

• Yearly pay

Shift:

• 10 hour shift
• 12 hour shift
• Day shift
• Evening shift
• Morning shift
• Night shift

Supplemental pay types:

• Bonus opportunities
• Yearly bonus

Weekly day range:

• Monday to Friday

Work setting:

• Bar
• Casual dining restaurant
• Upscale casual restaurant

Ability to Relocate:

• Bethany Beach, DE: Relocate before starting work (Required)

Work Location: On the road