We are launching a newly acquired restaurant and lounge in Richmond, VA, set to open in August 2025 with onboarding and planning beginning in July. The concept blends casual dining with a sports bar atmosphere and vibrant nightlife, offering elevated comfort food, craft cocktails, and live entertainment in a high-energy, welcoming setting.
This is more than just a restaurant, it’s a destination where guests can enjoy a game, grab a quality meal with friends, or unwind with DJs and late-night vibes on the weekend. We're looking for a forward-thinking Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision and help define this exciting new venue.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Leadership & Menu Creation
- Collaborate with owners to develop and finalize a brunch, lunch and dinner menu concept.
- Incorporate seasonal ingredients and local sourcing while keeping food costs in check.
- Create specialized menus for themed events, game days, happy hours, and weekend nightlife service.
Kitchen Management & Operations
- Hire, train, and lead the back-of-house team with a focus on consistency, speed, and quality.
- Implement and manage all kitchen systems including prep, inventory, safety, and sanitation protocols.
- Monitor and control food and labor costs through effective scheduling and purchasing.
Team Collaboration & Guest Experience
- Work closely with FOH management and ownership to ensure smooth service and guest satisfaction.
- Adapt the kitchen flow to accommodate peak hours, live events, and high-volume service windows.
- Foster a positive, energetic kitchen culture aligned with the venue’s fun and fast-paced identity.
Ideal Candidate Will Have
- 5+ years of culinary experience, with 2+ years as an Executive Chef or equivalent leadership role in a high-volume, casual or nightlife-focused concept.
- A strong grasp of menu engineering for both dine-in and late-night service.
- Proven experience building and managing kitchen teams.
- Creative flair with comfort foods, bar bites, and guest favorites—plus the discipline to run a tight operation.
- Solid knowledge of kitchen safety, food handling, and health department regulations.
- A cool head under pressure, with excellent communication and time management skills.
- Culinary degree preferred but not required with relevant experience.