Chef

Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-B-Q; Hendersonville (TN); On-site; USD 75,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus plan

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k) with discretionary match

Life and Disability Insurance

Paid vacation

Family Fund support

Growth opportunities

Leadership development

Job summary

Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-B-Q is seeking a hands-on leader to own quality across the kitchen—from pit to catering. You will ensure recipes and scratch standards are followed, while coaching cooks to craft excellence and grow into leadership roles.

The role requires 3+ years in a high-volume kitchen, a strong focus on food cost, and a commitment to safety. A high school diploma or GED is required; culinary training is a plus.

Qualifications

• 3+ years leading a high-volume kitchen in a chef or senior kitchen role.
• Scratch cooking is the core skill; volume and quality are non-negotiable.
• Builds people as well as plates, developing talent from within.

Responsibilities

• Own food quality across the entire operation: pit, line, prep, and catering.
• Execute and protect recipes, specs, and scratch standards on every plate, every shift.
• Coach and develop cooks into craftspeople and future kitchen leaders.
• Manage food cost, waste, inventory, and ordering with a pitmaster's discipline.
• Maintain the highest safety and sanitation standards.
• Partner with the General Manager and Local Owner on goals, budgets, and growth.

Skills

High-volume kitchen leadership

Scratch cooking

People development

Food cost management

Food safety

Education

High school diploma or GED

Culinary training a plus

Job description

Lead the Craft

• Own food quality across the entire operation: pit, line, prep, and catering
• Execute and protect our recipes, specs, and scratch standards on every plate, every shift
• Coach and develop cooks into craftspeople and future kitchen leaders
• Manage food cost, waste, inventory, and ordering with a pitmaster's discipline
• Hold the highest standard for safety and sanitation, because it's the foundation of the craft
• Partner with the General Manager and Local Owner on goals, budgets, and growth

This Is Who You Are

• 3+ years leading a high-volume kitchen as a chef, executive chef, or senior kitchen manager
• Scratch cooking is your native language; volume doesn't scare you and quality doesn't slip
• A builder of people as much as plates
• Financially sharp: you know your food cost to the decimal
• High school diploma or GED required; culinary training a plus, real fire required

What We Give You

None of us succeeds without all of us, and we mean that.

• Chef Base Salary: $75k-$85k
• Bonus: Chef bonus plan offering achievable, top-dollar rewards for results you control. Bonuses paid Monthly.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance from Day 1: Benefits that have you covered with competitive medical, dental & vision plans. Benefits that have you covered with competitive medical, dental & vision plans.
• 401(k) with Annual Discretionary Match: Invest in your future with a 401(k) plan and discretionary employer match.
• Company-Paid Life and Disability Insurance: Added peace of mind through company-paid life and disability coverage.
• Paid Vacation: Time to recharge with two weeks of paid vacation beginning in your first year and additional time earned with service.
• Real Support When You Need It Most: The Bar-B-Q Family Fund provides support to members of the Jim ’N Nick’s family during times of unexpected hardship—because none of us succeeds without all of us.
• Real Growth Opportunities: We are growing 15% year over year, providing real growth opportunities from Chef to Managing Partner and beyond.
• Real Leadership. Real Impact: Lead a team inside a culture built on our Core Values (Respect, Honesty, Commitment, Discipline, and Support) where leaders are trusted to develop people and run great restaurants, not just manage shifts.
• Must meet the plan's eligibility requirements

In the Pit

This role is hands‑on and high‑energy. You’ll be on your feet 8+ hours a day standing and walking for extended periods while lifting up to 50 lbs in a live kitchen. Bending, reaching, climbing, and equipment operation are all part of the craft. These requirements reflect the essential functions of the role and may be performed with or without reasonable accommodation.

Jim 'N Nick's Community Bar-B-Q is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Other job‑related duties may be assigned as business needs require.