Executive Chef

Hive Bakery and Café | West Palm Beach, FL | Full-Time

Hive Bakery and Café is seeking a passionate, creative, and experienced Executive Chef to lead our culinary team. This role is ideal for a dynamic leader with a deep love for scratch-made food, a flair for seasonal, elevated menus, and a desire to shape the heart of one of West Palm Beach’s most beloved culinary destinations.

Hive Bakery and Café is part of the Hive Collective—a family of design-forward, lifestyle-focused businesses based in West Palm Beach. Our café is known for its warm hospitality, beautiful ambiance, and exceptional food. We pride ourselves on quality ingredients, beautiful presentation, and an experience that delights our guests at every turn.

What You’ll Do

• Lead and inspire the culinary team, setting the tone for professionalism, creativity, and excellence.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus that reflect Hive’s brand of refined, approachable, and ingredient-driven cuisine.
• Ensure consistent food quality, portion control, and presentation in alignment with Hive standards.
• Oversee all back-of-house operations including prep, line, bakery coordination, scheduling, and inventory.
• Maintain a culture of cleanliness, organization, and food safety.
• Collaborate with front-of-house leadership to ensure seamless guest experiences.
• Manage food and labor costs to support overall café profitability.
• Stay on top of culinary trends and local sourcing opportunities to keep menus fresh and inspiring.
  
  

Succeeding in this role will require strong skills in:

Culinary Expertise

• Mastery of scratch cooking, seasonal ingredients, and elevated yet approachable cuisine
• Strong background in menu development, food styling, and recipe execution
• Ability to balance creativity with consistency and guest appeal
  
  

Leadership & Team Development

• Inspires and mentors a team with clarity, professionalism, and positivity
• Models a high standard of work ethic, respect, and accountability
• Skilled at building a strong kitchen culture that values communication, collaboration, and growth
  
  

Operational Excellence

• Proficient in managing kitchen operations including scheduling, prep flow, inventory, and vendor relationships
• Able to manage food and labor costs while maintaining quality and efficiency
• Highly organized with attention to cleanliness, safety, and systems
  
  

Guest-Centered Mindset

• Committed to delivering an exceptional guest experience through thoughtful food, timing, and presentation
• Works closely with FOH leadership to ensure seamless service and hospitality
• Understands and upholds the brand aesthetic and standards at every touchpoint
  
  

Creativity & Innovation

• Brings fresh, relevant ideas to the table while honoring the Hive brand
• Stays current on culinary trends and regional sourcing opportunities
• Continuously refines and elevates the menu experience
  
  

Composure & Problem Solving

• Able to stay calm, flexible, and solutions-oriented in a fast-paced environment
• Proactively addresses challenges in the kitchen before they affect quality or morale
• Quick decision-maker with a steady hand under pressure
  
  

Benefits For You:

• Dynamic and supportive work environment that values and prioritizes God, family, and work.
• Opportunities for professional growth and development.
• Engaging and collaborative company culture.
• 50% Hive Collective employee discount for you and immediate family members.
• Paid holidays, personal/sick days, and vacation after an initial employment period; No work on Sundays.
• After 90 days of full-time employment: Option to join Hive’s healthcare plan.
• After 1 year of full-time employment: 10 paid vacation days and option to join Hive’s 401k plan with 3% matching.
  
  

Requirements:

• Minimum 5 years of experience as a Executive Chef or similar position in a high-volume kitchen
• Culinary degree or equivalent experience.
• Deep knowledge of seasonal ingredients, menu development, and scratch cooking.
• Strong communication, organizational, and leadership skills, with the ability to train and mentor a diverse team.
• A passion for hospitality and delivering an exceptional guest experience.
• Availability to work early mornings, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Able to lift and carry up to 50 pounds and carry short distances; Able to stand and walk during 8-10 hour shift
• It is a plus if you can communicate clearly (written and verbally) in both English and Spanish