Cafe Executive Chef: Lead Kitchens & Teams

Hard Rock Cafe; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hard Rock Cafe in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced Hospitality leader to direct kitchen operations and lead a high-performing Heart of House team. You will oversee budget alignment, food safety, and brand standards while mentoring cooks and support staff to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The role requires strong budgeting, supervision, and communications skills, with a focus on staff development and process optimization across multiple kitchen stations.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of experience in hospitality industry.
• Possess all local food management and safety certifications.
• Strong leadership and people development skills.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate financial comprehension of Cafe’s budget and P&L.
• Effectively control costs of food and related purchases in alignment with budgeted expectations.
• Manage staff schedules in accordance with the cafe’s budget and forecast models.
• Maintain the highest standards of brand, local health, safety, and food preparation hygiene requirements.
• Support the team in consistent execution of all systems and processes to consistently deliver all products and services to brand standards.
• Support senior management in building a highly functional hourly team who share a common vision and values surrounding the overall success of the Cafe.
• Develop kitchen team in all aspects of kitchen execution from 100% recipe adherence to banquet service.
• Foster an environment of customer service in which all team members put the guest first in every situation.
• Execute established food standards for overall guest satisfaction that meet or exceed brand standards.
• Ensure the highest levels of hygiene and food handling practices to deliver optimal quality of product to guests.
• Attract and retain the most exceptionally talented culinary talent available in the market and place them in positions that leverage their skills and expertise for maximum impact.
• Clearly define goals and expectations for Heart of House hourly team members using performance review tools and hold your people accountable for successful performance.
• Support staff development and advancement along well-defined career paths.
• Manage a diverse team ensuring a balanced and proactive approach to increasing individual potential across the team
• Serve as a Culinary Learning Coach developing, implementing, and executing learning & development programs for all Heart of House employees in order to drive continuous improvement and employee
• Possess a self-motivated approach to his/her own personal and professional

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting

Food safety

Staff development

Communication

Problem solving

Team management

Multilingual (optional)

Education

Food safety certification

Job description

Hard Rock Cafe in Washington, DC is seeking an experienced Hospitality leader to direct kitchen operations and lead a high-performing Heart of House team. You will oversee budget alignment, food safety, and brand standards while mentoring cooks and support staff to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The role requires strong budgeting, supervision, and communications skills, with a focus on staff development and process optimization across multiple kitchen stations.