Executive Chef

Cutting Edge Recruitment; Manila; On-site; PHP 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Cutting Edge Recruitment is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the Manila kitchen as a new opening. You will establish culinary standards, recruit and train the team, and drive the launch from pre-opening to stabilisation in a high-volume, premium casual dining concept.

The role demands hands-on leadership, creativity, and strong commercial sense to manage food costs, quality control, and consistent service with the General Manager and front-of-house teams.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef leading kitchens.
• Experience leading kitchens within premium casual, contemporary dining, or high-volume concepts.
• Strong background in modern cuisine, small plates, and sharing-style dining.
• Proven openings experience and ability to build and mentor teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of kitchen pre-opening, preparation, and launch.
• Oversee day-to-day operation, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Deliver sales targets and food cost targets through kitchen management and discipline.
• Recruit, train, and lead a high-performing kitchen team.
• Identify and develop a strong Sous Chef to support daily operations.
• Establish kitchen systems, recipes, and operating standards.
• Ensure food purchasing, stock control, portioning, and waste reduction.
• Monitor food and labour costs and overall profitability.
• Maintain high standards of hygiene, health and safety.
• Collaborate with General Manager and front-of-house leadership for seamless service.
• Maintain brand culinary identity and consistent menu execution.
• Drive a positive kitchen culture focused on teamwork, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Own kitchen performance during opening and stabilisation.

Skills

Executive Chef

Kitchen leadership

Food cost management

Team development

Openings experience

Job description

Executive Chef – Manila, Philippines

Overview

This is a rare opportunity to lead the kitchen opening of a highly regarded, award-winning restaurant concept as it expands into Manila.

The brand is known for its vibrant, high-energy atmosphere, bold yet refined food, and distinctive approach to modern dining. With an established reputation and loyal following, this opening represents an exciting opportunity to bring an internationally recognised culinary concept to a new market.

We are seeking an experienced and highly hands-on Executive Chef to lead the kitchen operation from pre-opening through to launch and stabilisation. This individual will play a pivotal role in establishing the culinary standards, building a strong kitchen team, and ensuring the successful delivery of the food offering.

The Role:

This is a build, lead, and deliver role.

You will take full ownership of the kitchen operation, overseeing everything from pre-opening preparation and kitchen setup to recruitment, training, menu execution, and day-to-day performance.

The successful candidate will be a strong culinary leader who combines creativity and technical ability with commercial awareness. You will be expected to lead from the front, maintain consistently high food standards, and ensure the kitchen operates efficiently in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.

A key part of the role will be developing a capable Sous Chef who can work closely alongside you, supporting the daily operation and ensuring consistency, accountability, and continuity within the kitchen team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all aspects of the kitchen pre-opening, preparation, and launch.
• Oversee the day-to-day kitchen operation, ensuring exceptional food quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Deliver agreed sales targets and food cost percentage targets through effective kitchen management and commercial discipline.
• Recruit, train, develop, and lead a high-performing kitchen team.
• Identify and develop a strong Sous Chef to work alongside you and support the successful running of the kitchen.
• Establish kitchen systems, procedures, recipes, and operating standards.
• Ensure effective food purchasing, stock management, portion control, and waste reduction.
• Monitor food costs, labour costs, and overall kitchen profitability.
• Maintain high standards of food hygiene, health and safety, and kitchen cleanliness.
• Work closely with the General Manager and front-of-house leadership to ensure seamless service delivery.
• Maintain the integrity of the brand's culinary identity while ensuring the menu is executed consistently.
• Drive a positive kitchen culture built around teamwork, accountability, discipline, and continuous improvement.
• Take ownership of kitchen performance during the opening and stabilisation period.

Candidate Profile:

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef, or Senior Sous Chef ready to step into a larger leadership role.
• Experience leading kitchens within premium casual, contemporary dining, or high-volume restaurant concepts.
• Strong background in modern cuisine, small plates, and sharing-style dining.
• Demonstrated experience in restaurant openings and kitchen team development.
• Strong commercial understanding, particularly around food cost management, purchasing, stock control, and kitchen profitability.
• Proven ability to deliver sales and food cost percentage targets.
• Experienced in developing and mentoring Sous Chefs and building strong kitchen teams.
• Excellent understanding of kitchen operations, food safety, and quality control.
• Highly hands-on, organised, resilient, and comfortable working in a demanding environment.
• International experience or exposure to Southeast Asian hospitality markets would be advantageous, but is not essential.

What We're Looking For:

• A strong culinary leader who leads by example and is present in the kitchen.
• Someone who combines passion for food with a clear understanding of the commercial realities of running a successful restaurant.
• A disciplined operator who understands the importance of consistency, quality, and cost control.
• A team builder who can develop talent, particularly a Sous Chef capable of supporting the kitchen operation.
• Someone who thrives under pressure and can motivate a team through the challenges of a new opening.
• A chef who takes ownership, finds solutions, and is committed to delivering results.

This is an exciting opportunity to take ownership of a high-profile restaurant opening, establish a strong culinary team, and play a defining role in bringing an internationally recognize food concept to Manila.