Culinary Chef & Head Pitmaster

Sonny's Franchise Company; Winter Park (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Sonny's BBQ in Winter Park, FL seeks a Culinary Chef & Head Pitmaster to lead the culinary vision, drive menu innovation, and elevate pitmaster excellence across the system. You’ll serve as a culinary ambassador for Sonny's BBQ, shaping the future of BBQ with operations, marketing, and brand storytelling collaboration.

The role blends food, brand leadership, and gastronomic innovation, requiring deep BBQ expertise and a passion for coaching culinary talent.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of culinary experience, including leadership or corporate chef experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in barbecue, smoking techniques, and pitmaster craftsmanship.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations, food costing, menu development, and product execution.
• Exceptional creativity paired with operational discipline.
• Comfortable presenting and representing a brand.
• Passion for coaching and developing culinary talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development, testing, and refinement of new menu items and limited-time offerings.
• Identify emerging BBQ trends, techniques, and flavors that keep Sonny's relevant and differentiated.
• Oversee culinary testing, recipe development, food safety standards, and operational documentation.
• Develop scalable processes that ensure exceptional food quality across the system.
• Establish and uphold the national standard for BBQ excellence.
• Develop and lead pitmaster training and certification programs.
• Drive consistency in smoking techniques, meat quality, rubs, sauces, and preparation methods.
• Partner with Operations teams to assess product quality and improve execution.
• Represent Sonny's BBQ at media appearances, culinary events, competitions, and partnerships.
• Collaborate with Marketing and PR to create compelling culinary content and storytelling.
• Serve as a spokesperson who brings Sonny's heritage, craft, and culture to life.
• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Training to bring culinary ideas to life.
• Support sourcing strategies, product innovation, and menu rollouts.
• Serve as the company chef for key corporate, promotional, and media events.

Skills

Leadership

Barbecue expertise

Smoked meat mastery

Menu development

Food costing

Public speaking

Coaching/mentoring

Culinary degree preferred

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Description

Lead the Future of BBQ.

At Sonny's BBQ, we've spent decades perfecting the art of slow-smoked barbecue, genuine hospitality, and bringing people together around great food. We're looking for a Culinary Chef & Head Pitmaster who can honor that legacy while helping shape what's next.

This is more than a chef role. It's an opportunity to lead the culinary vision of an iconic brand, drive menu innovation, elevate pitmaster excellence across the system, and serve as a culinary ambassador for Sonny's BBQ. You'll work at the intersection of food, operations, marketing, and brand storytelling while helping define the future of BBQ.

What You'll Do

Create the Next Generation of Sonny's Favorites

• Lead the development, testing, and refinement of new menu items and limited-time offerings.
• Identify emerging BBQ trends, techniques, and flavors that keep Sonny's relevant and differentiated.
• Oversee culinary testing, recipe development, food safety standards, and operational documentation.
• Develop scalable processes that ensure exceptional food quality across the system.

Serve as Sonny's Head Pitmaster

• Establish and uphold the national standard for BBQ excellence.
• Develop and lead pitmaster training and certification programs.
• Drive consistency in smoking techniques, meat quality, rubs, sauces, and preparation methods.
• Partner with Operations teams to assess product quality and improve execution.

Be the Face of Sonny's Culinary Brand

• Represent Sonny's BBQ at media appearances, culinary events, competitions, and partnerships.
• Collaborate with Marketing and PR to create compelling culinary content and storytelling.
• Serve as a spokesperson who brings Sonny's heritage, craft, and culture to life.

Collaborate Across the Organization

• Partner with Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing, and Training to bring culinary ideas to life.
• Support sourcing strategies, product innovation, and menu rollouts.
• Serve as the company chef for key corporate, promotional, and media events.

What We're Looking For

• 8+ years of culinary experience, including leadership or corporate chef experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in barbecue, smoking techniques, and pitmaster craftsmanship.
• Strong understanding of restaurant operations, food costing, menu development, and product execution.
• Exceptional creativity paired with operational discipline.
• Comfortable presenting, speaking publicly, and representing a brand.
• Passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing culinary talent.
• Culinary degree preferred; equivalent experience welcomed.

Why Sonny's?

At Sonny's, you'll have the opportunity to leave your mark on a beloved regional brand while helping shape its future. You'll work alongside passionate team members who value authenticity, innovation, hospitality, and community.

If you're equally comfortable around a smoker, in a test kitchen, in front of a camera, or presenting the next big menu idea to leadership, we'd love to meet you.

Join Sonny's BBQ and help write the next chapter of great BBQ.