Are you a passionate and experienced culinary leader seeking an exciting opportunity in a dynamic, high-energy environment? Gilt Bar, a celebrated dining destination located in the heart of Chicago on West Kinzie Street, is looking for a dedicated and innovative Executive Chef to join our exceptional team. If you are driven to uphold the highest standards of hospitality and culinary excellence, and thrive in a collaborative and positive workplace, we encourage you to apply!
Join the Hogsalt Family at Gilt Bar, West Kinzie Street
As part of the renowned Hogsalt restaurant group, Gilt Bar embodies a commitment to harmony, accountability, and resilience. We pride ourselves on delivering genuine hospitality and consistent, top-quality experiences to our guests. At Gilt Bar on West Kinzie Street, you’ll be an integral part of a team that values collaboration and fosters a positive and supportive workplace culture.
We believe in investing in our team members and offer a comprehensive suite of benefits, including:
- Partially subsidized medical, dental, and vision insurance
- Life insurance coverage
- 401(k) program for retirement savings
- Commuter benefits to ease your daily travel
- Generous dining discounts and rewards across the Hogsalt group
- Vested paid time off to ensure work-life balance
Your Expertise and Qualifications
We are seeking an Executive Chef who brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record of success. The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications:
- Extensive Restaurant Experience: A minimum of 5 years of hands-on experience in a fast-paced, full-service restaurant environment is essential.
- Proven Leadership: At least 3 years in a senior-level kitchen leadership role, such as Executive Chef or similar, demonstrating your ability to lead and inspire a culinary team.
- Financial Acumen: In-depth experience with Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) management and a strong financial understanding of restaurant operations. You should be adept at implementing strategies to positively impact a restaurant’s financial performance.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Demonstrated ability to proactively identify challenges and develop effective, solution-oriented approaches to both culinary and general restaurant operations.
- Flexible Availability: Must have open availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays, to meet the demands of the role. Schedule flexibility and adaptability are key, subject to the Culinary Director’s oversight.
- Physical Capability: Must be able to frequently lift and carry items weighing up to 50 pounds in a kitchen environment.
Responsibilities and Your Impact as Executive Chef
As the Executive Chef at Gilt Bar on West Kinzie Street, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth and successful operation of our kitchen and upholding our high standards. Your key responsibilities will include:
- Policy and Procedure Adherence: Ensuring consistent adherence to all company policies and procedures, encompassing recruitment, hiring, training, employee reviews, disciplinary actions, and comprehensive employee documentation.
- Exceptional Communication: Communicating professionally and confidently with guests, employees, vendors, and Hogsalt leadership, fostering positive relationships and clear understanding.
- Strategic Scheduling and Payroll Management: Creating and publishing back-of-house schedules two weeks in advance, adhering to company labor management standards and maintaining optimal staffing levels. You will also be responsible for daily and bi-weekly payroll approvals.
- Financial Oversight and Analysis: Daily review and maintenance of restaurant financials, including meticulous tracking of food costs. Collaborating with the General Manager to effectively manage comps, expenses, labor, and overall revenue. Active participation in monthly financial reviews, presenting insightful solutions and a deep understanding of Profit & Loss statements to leadership.
- Cross-Departmental Collaboration: Working closely and collaboratively with Events, Marketing and Branding, Purchasing, and Front of House teams to collectively drive the financial success and overall health of Gilt Bar.
- Maintaining Food Quality Standards: Upholding rigorously defined standards for exceptional food quality and holding vendors accountable for all delivered products. Proactively alerting Hogsalt’s Purchasing team to any and all vendor-related issues.
- Administrative Excellence: Completing essential administrative tasks, including opening and closing duties, maintaining restaurant facilities, managing kitchen supplies and back-of-house uniform inventory, and ensuring the Recipe Index is consistently up-to-date.
- Front-of-House Training and Development: Coordinating comprehensive training initiatives for front-of-house staff, including the continuous updating of training materials and scheduling practical examinations. Actively fostering professional development opportunities for both hourly employees and leadership team members.
- Employee Coaching and Support: Providing consistent coaching, mentorship, and support to all hourly employees, and possessing the versatility and capability to step into and effectively perform any front-of-house hourly position as needed.
Why Choose Gilt Bar on West Kinzie Street?
Hogsalt is more than just a typical restaurant group. We are renowned for creating immersive and transportive dining spaces and serving sumptuously crafted cuisine. However, what truly sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to the well-being and growth of our teams. Our service teams redefine hospitality with genuine enthusiasm and a sense of fun, while our culinary teams masterfully prepare classic dishes, reminding our guests why they became timeless favorites. Across our diverse portfolio of 20+ restaurants, you’ll find a consistent dedication to creating happiness – for our guests and for ourselves.
Ready to elevate your culinary career and join our team at Gilt Bar, located on vibrant West Kinzie Street in Chicago?
Apply today directly through this advertisement and take the first step towards becoming the next Executive Chef at Gilt Bar!
