Executive Chef

Description

Are you ready to turn up the heat and lead a kitchen that sizzles with creativity, teamwork, and mouthwatering flavors? Iacofano’s is searching for a bold, energetic Chef who loves coaching others, building a rock-star team, and delivering unforgettable culinary experiences. If you’re a natural leader with soft skills to match your cooking prowess, we want YOU to join our family!

Why You’ll Love Working With Us

• Lead a Kitchen Crew: Mentor, train, and inspire a talented team of cooks, preppers, and support staff. Your leadership will set the tone for quality, speed, and a whole lot of fun.
• Cultivate Culinary Passion: Bring your genuine enthusiasm for food to the table—literally. We want our customers (and staff) to feel your love of cooking in every bite.
• Shape the Future: This position is designed for growth. You’ll start as our go-to Chef, with a path toward becoming the Kitchen Manager and beyond. Your leadership can transform the entire culinary operation.
• Work-Life Balance: We believe great chefs deserve time to rest and recharge. Help us plan and execute schedules that keep our kitchen happy, healthy, and humming.

Key Responsibilities

1. Staffing & Scheduling

• Build Your Dream Team: Identify staffing needs, post accurate and compelling job ads, and onboard new hires efficiently.
• Be a Mentorship Maestro: Train staff on cooking techniques, safety procedures, and new recipes—ensuring everyone is set up for success.
• Smart Scheduling: Create work schedules at least five days in advance, matching the right talent to the right tasks.

2. Leadership & Soft Skills

• Inspire & Empower: Foster a culture of respect, motivation, and open communication. Offer positive reinforcement and constructive feedback to help your team shine.
• Coach Under Pressure: Keep cool in the heat of the kitchen, guiding staff through busy times with a supportive, can-do attitude.
• Conflict Resolution: Address and document any issues proactively, turning challenges into growth opportunities.

3. Product & Inventory Management

• Order Like a Pro: Forecast needs, reduce waste, and ensure every item you receive meets Iacofano’s quality standards.
• Cost Control Wizardry: Keep a watchful eye on food costs and labor expenses, maintaining efficiency without sacrificing flavor.
• Inventory Guru: Organize and rotate stock properly (FIFO for the win!), and maintain accurate, up-to-date inventory records.

4. Recipe Development & Execution

• Create Culinary Magic: Develop, document, and refine recipes that our staff can replicate consistently.
• Train & Demonstrate: Show the team how to plate, prep, and present dishes so each one dazzles from the first bite to the last crumb.
• Quality Control: Guarantee flavor, portion size, and presentation meet our high standards—every single time.

5. Production & Service

• Hands-On Cooking: Roll up your sleeves to prep meats, seafood, poultry, veggies, and more. You’ll work every station, from grills to fryers, so your expertise shines through.
• Efficient Operations: Implement systems to streamline plating and prep, optimizing both speed and accuracy.
• Adapt & Overcome: Handle unforeseen challenges with flair—your calm composure will keep our kitchen rock-steady.

6. Sanitation & Food Safety

• Sparkling Standards: Keep the kitchen squeaky clean, from countertops to floors, fryers to ovens.
• Team Accountability: Train employees on proper sanitation, storage, and hygiene. Cross-contamination? Not on your watch!
• Regulation Ready: Maintain top scores on health inspections (aim for that 95 rating) and lead us toward FDA-audited excellence.

7. Team Development & Meetings

• Regular Check-Ins: Conduct monthly kitchen meetings to celebrate successes, address concerns, and plan upcoming goals or specials.
• Cross-Training Experts: Teach motivated employees how to handle various stations, so you can pivot resources with ease.
• Professional Growth: Offer (and track) performance reviews at 90 days, six months, and as employees move into new roles.

8. Technology & Communication

• Software Savvy: Embrace our ordering and inventory systems, ensuring timely and accurate data entry.
• Email Essentials: Keep company email correspondences clear, professional, and timely.

Requirements

• Experience: Minimum 10 years in a professional kitchen environment, with exposure to both cooking and leadership responsibilities.
• Physical Stamina: Capable of lifting up to 50 pounds, standing for long periods, and maneuvering in a fast-paced setting.
• Communication Skills: Ability to convey instructions clearly to team members and collaborate effectively with management.
• ServSafe Certified: A thorough understanding of sanitation standards and best practices is a must.

Join Our Culinary Adventure!

At Iacofano’s, we believe a great Chef is more than just a skilled cook—they’re a compassionate leader, an enthusiastic teacher, and a relentless explorer of flavor. If you’re ready to bring out the best in yourself and your kitchen squad, let’s cook up something amazing together.

Apply now and let’s create a dining experience that keeps our guests coming back for seconds… and thirds! Bon appétit!