Executive Chef — Porter's on Main
Gloucester, Virginia | $75,000 Annual Salary
An Exceptional Culinary Leadership Opportunity
Porter's on Main is seeking an experienced, hands-on Executive Chef to lead our culinary team and help guide the next chapter of our restaurant.
Located in Gloucester, Virginia, Porter's is an intimate, 60-seat upscale restaurant specializing in premium steaks, fresh seafood, Chesapeake-inspired cuisine, and elevated American classics.
What Makes This Opportunity Different?
Unlike many traditional Executive Chef positions, Porter's offers the opportunity to lead a quality-focused kitchen in a smaller, more personal restaurant environment.
We currently serve dinner only, Wednesday through Saturday, allowing our culinary team to focus on delivering an exceptional dining experience without the demands of a high-volume, seven-day operation.
Our restaurant features a friendly, experienced, and professional staff, a manageable dining room, and supportive ownership that values quality, teamwork, and long-term relationships over constant pressure to increase sales.
Porter's is part of a locally owned restaurant group with more than 23 years of successful operations in the Gloucester community. Many of our employees have been with us for 10, 15, and even 20 years—a reflection of the workplace culture we've worked hard to establish.
As Porter's enters its next chapter, our current Executive Chef, who helped establish the restaurant's culinary foundation, will be moving on to pursue other opportunities. We are seeking a talented culinary leader who can build upon that foundation and help guide our continued growth.
The Culinary Opportunity
Our vision is an upscale yet approachable dining experience, combining premium steaks, Chesapeake seafood, Italian-American influences, and elevated comfort food.
We want a chef who enjoys preparing excellent, recognizable food with attention to flavor, presentation, and consistency.
The Executive Chef will have meaningful input into menu development, seasonal specials, and the restaurant's evolving culinary direction.
We value collaboration and believe the best results come from combining a chef's culinary expertise with ownership's extensive restaurant experience and understanding of our local guests.
Key Responsibilities
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Lead kitchen operations and maintain consistently excellent food quality and presentation.
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Oversee the preparation of premium steaks, fresh seafood, and contemporary American cuisine.
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Develop seasonal specials and collaborate on menu development.
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Manage food costs, purchasing, inventory, portion control, and waste.
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Train, motivate, and lead an established kitchen team.
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Maintain recipe consistency, food safety, and efficient kitchen operations.
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Work collaboratively with restaurant management and ownership.
Qualifications
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Experience as an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, Executive Sous Chef, or accomplished Sous Chef ready for advancement.
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Strong culinary background in upscale casual or fine dining.
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Excellent knowledge of steaks, seafood, sauces, and classic cooking techniques.
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Experience with food-cost management, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen leadership.
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Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
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A hands-on, collaborative leadership style.
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A passion for producing outstanding food consistently, without unnecessary complexity.
Compensation & Schedule
Starting Salary: $75,000 annually
Opportunities for increased compensation based on restaurant growth, financial performance, and demonstrated leadership.
Current Restaurant Schedule:
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Wednesday–Saturday: Dinner service only
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Sunday–Tuesday: No regular restaurant service
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Future Sunday brunch service is under consideration.
While the position includes normal Executive Chef responsibilities outside of service hours, our operating schedule offers a different pace than many traditional restaurant leadership positions.
Why Join Porter's?
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Lead the kitchen of an intimate, 60-seat upscale restaurant.
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Enjoy a four-evening, dinner-service-only schedule.
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Work alongside a mature, experienced, and professional team.
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Join a locally owned restaurant group with more than 23 years of successful operations.
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Work with supportive ownership that respects professional judgment and encourages collaboration.
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Have meaningful influence over menu development and culinary direction.
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Enjoy opportunities for professional and financial growth.
We're looking for a chef who takes pride in great food, values a positive working environment, and wants to build a long-term future with a restaurant that appreciates its people.
To Apply
Please submit your resume along with a brief description of your culinary background and leadership experience.
