About the position
Aqua Restaurant Group is thrilled to announce the opening of a new dual restaurant in New York City, marking the biggest restaurant opening of 2024. We are seeking a passionate and innovative Executive Chef specializing in Italian cuisine to lead our kitchen and create unforgettable dining experiences. This role is pivotal in delivering exceptional food quality while maximizing guest satisfaction and profitability, all in alignment with AQUA's esteemed guidelines and service concepts. As the Head Chef, you will be the visionary leader of our kitchen, ensuring that every dish is a testament to the finest Italian cuisine. Your culinary creations will captivate and delight our guests, making a significant impact in the heart of NYC's vibrant food scene. In this role, you will elevate our menu with your expertise in Italian cuisine, developing and refining dishes that showcase the richness of Italian flavors. You will inspire and manage a talented culinary team, ensuring that each station is staffed with skilled professionals and fully stocked with top-quality ingredients. Your meticulous attention to detail will ensure that every plate meets our high standards and exceeds guest expectations. You will also manage budgets and payroll expenses, optimize food storage, and minimize waste to ensure a profitable and smoothly running kitchen. Building strong relationships with suppliers to source the finest ingredients will be essential, as will enforcing rigorous safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards to maintain a safe kitchen environment. As a leader, you will stay ahead of culinary trends by suggesting and implementing exciting menu changes that reflect local, seasonal, and national influences. Your commitment to continuous improvement will keep us at the cutting edge of the culinary world, as you attend industry events and participate in training to enhance your culinary skills and knowledge. If you are ready to make a culinary impact and lead a high-profile new restaurant, we want to hear from you!
Responsibilities
- Elevate the menu with expertise in Italian cuisine, ensuring every dish blends tradition and innovation.
- Develop and refine menus showcasing Italian flavors, incorporating modern techniques and seasonal ingredients.
- Inspire and manage a talented culinary team, ensuring skilled staffing and top-quality ingredients.
- Oversee the preparation, seasoning, portioning, and presentation of all dishes to meet high standards.
- Manage budgets and payroll expenses, optimize food storage, and minimize waste for operational efficiency.
- Source and inspect the finest ingredients, maintaining strong supplier relationships for quality and authenticity.
- Enforce safety, hygiene, and sanitation standards to ensure a safe kitchen environment.
- Stay ahead of culinary trends by suggesting and implementing exciting menu changes.
- Attend industry events and participate in training for continuous culinary skill enhancement.
Requirements
- 6+ years of experience in a culinary leadership role, preferably in Italian cuisine.
- Proven expertise in menu planning and food quality control.
- Strong skills in cost control and budgetary management.
- Experience in staff management and team leadership.
- Knowledge of food safety management and hygiene practices.
Nice-to-haves
- Experience with diverse Italian fare including pasta, fish, and regional specialties.
- Familiarity with seasonal and regional ingredients in Italian cooking.
- Creative flair for menu innovation and culinary trends.
Benefits
- Creative freedom to showcase culinary artistry.
- Professional growth opportunities in a supportive environment.
- Competitive salary and benefits package with a flexible schedule.
