Director of Culinary Operations

DIRECTOR OF CULINARY OPERATIONS

Beyond Details

Position Overview

Beyond Details is seeking a highly skilled and visionary Director of Culinary Operations to lead the culinary direction, kitchen leadership, food presentation standards, and operational execution of our luxury catering and event company. This role is responsible for creating exceptional food experiences that are both delicious and visually refined while leading a high-performing culinary team with professionalism, structure, and excellence.

The ideal candidate is equal parts chef, leader, mentor, and operational strategist — someone who understands that luxury catering requires not only incredible flavor, but also elevated presentation, consistency, organization, hospitality, and calm leadership under pressure.

This individual will guide culinary standards, team culture, kitchen systems, event execution, and food innovation while ensuring every event reflects the Beyond Details brand experience.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES

Culinary Leadership & Food Quality

• Lead the overall culinary vision and standards for Beyond Details

• Develop menus that are refined, flavorful, seasonal, and aesthetically elevated

• Ensure all food leaving the kitchen meets high-end presentation and taste expectations

• Maintain consistency in flavor, execution, plating, garnish, texture, and overall guest experience

• Continuously improve presentation standards for buffets, plated dinners, cocktail hours, stations, and desserts

• Stay current on luxury catering trends, techniques, and elevated event dining experiences

• Guide kitchen teams on proper finishing, plating, and visual presentation techniques

• Oversee recipe consistency, food costing, and production standards

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead kitchen managers, chefs, prep teams, and event culinary staff with professionalism and accountability

• Create a culture of excellence, urgency, teamwork, cleanliness, and pride

• Train and mentor culinary staff on both technical skills and high-end hospitality expectations

• Hold teams accountable while maintaining a calm, solution-oriented leadership style

• Identify strengths within team members and help elevate their growth and development

• Build strong communication and collaboration between culinary, planning, floral, logistics, and front-of-house teams

• Foster a positive and organized kitchen culture that values respect, efficiency, and professionalism

Operational Management

• Oversee culinary systems, production flow, kitchen organization, and event execution processes

• Create and maintain SOPs, prep systems, production timelines, packing procedures, and quality control standards

• Ensure kitchens remain organized, clean, efficient, and inspection-ready

• Manage labor efficiency and kitchen staffing levels appropriately

• Work closely with ownership and operations leadership to improve scalability and consistency

• Monitor inventory, ordering systems, waste reduction, and food cost controls

• Ensure all culinary operations align with company financial goals while maintaining luxury-level quality

Event Execution

• Oversee execution standards for weddings, corporate events, luxury private dinners, and large-scale productions

• Ensure food is properly timed, transported, held, finished, and presented onsite

• Lead teams through high-pressure event environments with confidence and professionalism

• Troubleshoot operational challenges quickly and effectively during event execution

• Collaborate with planners and leadership teams to ensure a seamless guest experience from kitchen to service

Brand & Guest Experience

• Understand that Beyond Details is a luxury hospitality brand — not simply a catering company

• Ensure every culinary experience feels intentional, elevated, welcoming, and memorable

• Maintain a strong eye for aesthetics, presentation vessels, buffet styling, garnish details, and luxury-level finishes

• Help elevate the overall client experience through thoughtful culinary creativity and attention to detail

Qualifications

• 7 years of culinary leadership experience in high-end catering, luxury hospitality, fine dining, or event production

• Strong background in large-scale off-site catering and event execution preferred

• Exceptional palate and strong understanding of elevated food presentation

• Proven leadership experience managing culinary teams and kitchen systems

• Ability to lead calmly and professionally in fast-paced environments

• Strong organizational and operational mindset

• Experience creating SOPs, systems, and scalable culinary processes

• Excellent communication and team leadership skills

• Ability to maintain high standards while building strong team culture

• Passion for hospitality, mentorship, creativity, and excellence

Ideal Traits

• Creative but highly organized

• Calm under pressure

• Detail-oriented

• Strong sense of urgency

• Professional and polished

• Solutions-focused

• Team builder and mentor

• High standards without ego

• Passionate about beautiful food and guest experience

Compensation & Schedule

• Competitive salary based on experience

• Event-based schedule with flexibility required during peak seasons

• Leadership growth opportunities within an expanding luxury hospitality company

About Beyond Details

• Beyond Details is a luxury catering, floral, and event production company serving Nashville and Middle Tennessee. We specialize in elevated weddings, corporate events, and intentional celebrations focused on refined hospitality, thoughtful design, and exceptional culinary experiences.