Executive Chef - Upscale Restaurant

We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary team at a highly acclaimed, chef-driven seafood and oyster bar known for its commitment to the freshest New England seafood, seasonal menus, and exceptional hospitality.

This is a hands-on leadership opportunity for a passionate culinary professional who thrives in a fast-paced, scratch-kitchen environment and enjoys mentoring teams while driving operational excellence. Working closely with the General Manager and restaurant leadership, you will oversee all back-of-house operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, financial performance, and an outstanding guest experience.

Benefits

• Quarterly Performance Bonuses
• Two Weeks Paid Vacation (increases to three weeks after Year 3 and four weeks after Year 7)
• Medical Insurance (Cigna)
• Dental, Vision, Accident & Disability Insurance
• Paid Sick Time
• 401(k) with Company Match (up to 4%)
• Complimentary Parking
• Employee Dining Program
• Opportunities for Work-Related Travel
• Career Growth within an Award-Winning Restaurant Group

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all Back-of-House operations and maintain exceptional culinary standards
• Develop, coach, and mentor both hourly team members and kitchen managers
• Partner closely with the General Manager to ensure seamless restaurant operations
• Manage food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory, and kitchen financial performance
• Oversee daily execution while maintaining consistency, quality, and efficiency
• Execute seasonal menu changes highlighting fresh, locally sourced seafood
• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations
• Maintain strong vendor and supplier relationships
• Collaborate with ownership and culinary leadership on long-term operational goals
• Foster a positive, people-first culture focused on teamwork, accountability, and continuous development

Qualifications

• Proven success as an Executive Chef or Senior Kitchen Leader in a high-volume, chef-driven restaurant
• Strong experience leading scratch kitchens featuring seafood, oyster, or seasonal American cuisine preferred
• Extensive knowledge of food cost controls, inventory management, purchasing, and labor management
• Demonstrated ability to recruit, train, mentor, and retain high-performing culinary teams
• Experience working collaboratively with General Managers and multi-unit culinary leadership
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to excel in a fast-paced environment
• Passion for hospitality, coaching, and continuous improvement
• Experience with seafood fabrication, raw bar, crudo, ceviche, smoking, curing, or seasonal menu development is highly preferred
• Professional leadership style with excellent communication and problem-solving abilities

Why Join Us?

This is an opportunity to lead the kitchen at one of New England's most respected seafood restaurant concepts, recognized for culinary excellence, sustainable sourcing, and a people-first culture. You'll have the chance to work with exceptional local ingredients, mentor talented culinary professionals, and help shape the future of a growing, award-winning restaurant group while enjoying competitive compensation, outstanding benefits, and long-term career growth.

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.