Head Chef
Italian Market • Deli • Catering Operations
About the Opportunity
We are seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead kitchen operations for an exciting new Italian Pork Store, Deli, and Catering concept that will be opening soon. This is a unique opportunity to help launch and shape an authentic Italian-American market experience rooted in quality ingredients, traditional recipes, and community appeal.
The concept will feature house-made products, house-made sausages, imported Italian products and specialty goods, alongside classic prepared Italian-American foods, and more. Additional offerings include grab-and-go meals, hoagies and paninis to order, and full-service catering for events and families.
This role is ideal for a chef who thrives in a market/deli environment rather than a traditional high-volume restaurant. You will work closely with ownership during the pre-opening transition phase to establish kitchen systems, develop production recipes, and build a strong team. The focus is on operational excellence, consistency, food safety, and delivering the warmth and authenticity of an old-world Italian pork store.
Partners in this project have deep experience in restaurant and hospitality finance and technology and will be active in operations, with a goal of allowing the individual in this position to thrive and grow within the company as a potential equity partner.
The Ideal Candidate
We are looking for a well-rounded, hands-on leader who brings:
- Strong background in Italian or Italian-American cuisine — traditional comfort foods, sausage making, sandwiches and hoagies, elevated specials, etc.
- Proven BOH leadership and systems expertise — calm, professional, organized, and skilled at building efficient kitchen operations and procedures.
- Experience in market and catering environments preferred, but by no means mandatory and we are open to all candidates — comfortable with high-volume sandwich/hoagie production and event catering logistics.
- Excellent supervisory skills —training, scheduling, performance management, and fostering a positive team culture.
- Deep commitment to food safety, sanitation, and quality — ServSafe certified (or equivalent) with meticulous attention to inventory and compliance.
- Collaborative yet decisive leadership style — able to mentor an established or new team while maintaining clear standards and accountability.
Key ResponsibilitiesCulinary Leadership & Production
- Cook and oversee preparation of all menu items following approved recipes and production standards for prepared foods, house-made sausages, deli items, and catering orders.
- Oversee daily production of grab-and-go meals, sandwiches, paninis, and catering orders.
- Lead recipe development and refinement for both classic favorites and new product-driven offerings.
- Ensure consistent high-quality execution, proper portion control, attractive presentation, and accurate labeling for retail and catering.
- Be hands-on during peak hours and catering fulfillment.
Team Leadership & Supervision
- Supervise, train, and mentor all kitchen and food-service associates, including interviewing, scheduling, performance reviews, and recommending disciplinary action as needed.
- Build and maintain a positive, professional, and collaborative kitchen culture focused on respect, efficiency, and continuous improvement.
- Assume full responsibility for kitchen operations during setup, launch, and ongoing operations.
Operations, Systems & Compliance
- Maintain and continuously improve BOH procedures, kitchen organization, equipment sanitation, and overall cleanliness to meet the highest standards.
- Manage inventory, production, ordering, vendor relationships, food costing, waste tracking, and product freshness as it pertains to Kitchen operations.
- Ensure strict adherence to all food safety, sanitation, and handling procedures in accordance with state and federal regulations (ServSafe standards).
- Monitor and maintain proper storage, serving temperatures, and cleanliness for kitchen.
Customer Experience & Business Support
- Demonstrate complete knowledge of all menu items and products; accurately explain offerings to customers and team members in a friendly, service-oriented manner.
- Resolve customer complaints pertaining to food or issues promptly and professionally; relay feedback to ownership for continuous improvement.
- Support the overall vision by contributing ideas for seasonal specials, catering packages, and retail product expansions.
Why This Role?
- Be part of something special — Help launch a new Italian-American pork store concept in an ideal location.
- Hands-on impact from day one — Shape kitchen systems, recipes, and team culture during the exciting pre-opening and transition phase.
- Better work-life balance — Market/deli hours are typically more predictable than traditional restaurant kitchens, with emphasis on daytime production and catering.
- Ownership-driven environment — Work directly with passionate owners committed to quality, authenticity, and long-term success.
Qualifications & Requirements
- Minimum 5+ years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or leadership role.
- Hands-on experience in Italian/Italian-American cuisine strongly preferred.
- Current ServSafe (or equivalent) food safety certification required.
- Experience with sausage making, charcuterie, is a significant plus.
- Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, stand for extended periods, and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.
- Must be able to pass background check and drug screening (if required).
Compensation & Benefits
Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications. Comprehensive benefits package (health, dental, vision, retirement options, paid time off) to be discussed in detail during the interview process. This is a full-time leadership position with significant growth potential as the business expands.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.
This job description is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or requirements. The company reserves the right to modify or change essential functions of the position based on business needs.
To apply, please submit your resume and a brief cover letter highlighting your Italian culinary experience and leadership background.
