Chef de Cuisine | Allentown

Gecko Hospitality (Corporate); Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 95,000 - 105,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

PTO

Job summary

Gecko Hospitality (Corporate) is seeking a Chef de Cuisine to lead a brand-new kitchen opening in Allentown, PA. This hands-on role requires strong culinary fundamentals and visible leadership to shape the program from day one.

You will manage the kitchen team, set standards for quality and culture, and own menu development and food cost in a high-volume setting.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in Executive Chef or similar high-volume role.
• Scratch kitchen experience is required.
• Knowledge of food cost, labor control, ordering and inventory.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the entire kitchen team during daily operations.
• Set expectations for professionalism, cleanliness, organization, and teamwork.
• Run pre-shift meetings – communicating specials, features, 86’d items and priorities.
• Develop and update menus, seasonal features, and standard recipes.
• Maintain food cost within target through portion control, waste reduction and inventory management.
• Conduct weekly inventory, establish pars, monitor ordering, receiving and FIFO rotation.
• Build vendor relationships and ensure quality of deliveries.
• Assist with hiring, training, onboarding, and scheduling of kitchen staff.
• Train cooks on recipes, equipment, sanitation and technique.
• Manage labor to sales and participate in weekly financial reviews.
• Ensure compliance with health department and ServSafe standards.

Skills

Strong culinary fundamentals

Leadership skills

Operational management

Job description

A highly anticipated new restaurant is opening in Allentown, PA and is seeking a passionate and driven Chef de Cuisine to lead its culinary program from day one. This is a ground-floor opportunity for a Chef de Cuisine who wants to build something special in Allentown, PA. If you are a hands-on kitchen leader who thrives on quality, consistency, and culture – this new opening in Allentown, PA is for you.

About the Role

As the Chef de Cuisine you will be responsible for:

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the entire kitchen team during daily operations
• Set expectations for professionalism, cleanliness, organization, and teamwork
• Run pre-shift meetings – communicating specials, features, 86’d items and priorities
• Build and maintain a positive, accountable kitchen culture alongside the GM and ownership
• Food Quality, Consistency & Menu Development
• Ensure every dish meets established recipes, specs, and presentation standards
• Conduct regular line checks, taste and inspect food throughout service
• Develop and update menus, seasonal features, and specials – creating and standardizing recipes
• Stay current with culinary trends while maintaining the restaurant’s identity
• Operations, Food Cost & Purchasing
• Maintain food cost within target through portion control, waste reduction, and inventory management
• Conduct weekly inventory, establish pars, and monitor ordering, receiving, and FIFO rotation
• Build vendor relationships and ensure quality of all deliveries
• Ensure proper mise en place, efficient station setup, and smooth ticket times – stepping on the line when needed
• Assist with hiring, training, onboarding, and scheduling of all kitchen staff
• Train cooks on recipes, equipment, sanitation and technique – developing future leaders
• Manage labor to sales, control overtime, and participate in weekly financial reviews
• Ensure compliance with all health department, ServSafe, and safety standards

Qualifications

• 3+ years as Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or high-volume Kitchen Manager
• Proven experience in a scratch kitchen with strong culinary fundamentals
• Strong understanding of food cost, labor control, ordering, and inventory
• A true leader who is calm, visible, and in control during high-volume service

Required Skills

Strong culinary fundamentals, leadership skills, and operational management.

Preferred Skills

Experience in a scratch kitchen and familiarity with culinary trends.

Pay range and compensation package

Competitive Base Salary of $95,000 - $105,000+ plus bonus. Full benefits package – medical, dental, PTO. The opportunity to lead a brand-new opening and put your stamp on a menu and team in Allentown, PA.

Equal Opportunity Statement

If you are ready to take the next step in your career as a Chef de Cuisine in Allentown, PA, we want to hear from you.