Chef de Cuisine — Gjelina NYC

Salary: $80,000–$95,000/year, DOE

Not every chef is a culinary leader at heart. We are looking for the ones who are.

The people who genuinely love food. Who care about ingredients, seasonality, technique, and the details that make a dish exceptional. Who take pride in their craft, enjoy developing others, and understand that a great kitchen is built on consistency, teamwork, and a shared passion for what goes on the plate.

At Gjelina NY, we're looking for a Chef de Cuisine who feels at home in the kitchen — someone who can lead a team, maintain high culinary standards, and keep things running smoothly during a busy service.

Working closely with our Executive Chef, the Chef de Cuisine plays a key role in daily kitchen operations, culinary execution, and team development.

Our culinary leaders shape the culture of the kitchen. Their standards, presence, and passion set the tone for the entire team.

• Lead daily kitchen operations and ensure smooth, consistent service

• Work closely with the Executive Chef to maintain Gjelina's culinary standards

• Stay hands-on during service, guiding the team and ensuring quality, consistency, and execution

• Train, coach, and develop cooks while building a strong and collaborative kitchen culture

• Support menu execution, seasonal changes, and daily specials

• Oversee food preparation, presentation, and kitchen organization

• Manage food costs, inventory, ordering, waste, and labor efficiency

• Support scheduling, hiring, onboarding, and team performance

• Maintain strong communication between the kitchen, FOH, and leadership teams

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and Department of Health requirements

• Lead kitchen operations in the Executive Chef's absence

• 5+ years of professional culinary experience, including kitchen leadership

• Experience in a high-volume, chef-driven restaurant

• Genuine passion for food, ingredients, seasonality, and culinary craftsmanship

• Strong culinary foundation and attention to quality, consistency, and detail

• Natural leadership presence and ability to inspire and develop a kitchen team

• Hands-on approach and willingness to lead by example

• Strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills

• Understanding of food costs, labor, inventory, and kitchen operations

• Calm, focused, and good judgment in a fast-paced environment

• Ability to collaborate closely with the Executive Chef and restaurant leadership

• Familiarity with NYC Department of Health requirements

• Flexible availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays

Tell us briefly: What excites you most about cooking, ingredients, and culinary culture? And what have you been directly responsible for leading in your most recent kitchen role?

Gjelina Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer.