Culinary Operations Chef de Cuisine — NYC Events

Great Performances; New York (NY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Vacation time

401(k)

medical, dental, vision insurance

Transit benefits

Paid and unpaid safe and sick time

FSA

Job summary

Great Performances seeks a Chef de Cuisine, Culinary Operations to lead and mentor freelance culinary teams across multiple NY sites. You will ensure GP standards, supervise quality, and coordinate with the Executive Chef for off-premise events.

The role blends hands-on cooking leadership with staff development and operational oversight. Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in culinary roles, 3+ in management, and strong Excel and organizational skills.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of culinary experience, with at least 3 years in a management or leadership role.
• Flexibility in schedule, with the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and stand for extended periods of up to 8 hours.
• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation standards, and kitchen operations best practices.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
• Strong leadership, coaching, and team development skills.
• Excellent organizational, multitasking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with culinary, service, and leadership teams.
• NYC Food Protection Certificate preferred.

Responsibilities

• Coach and mentor freelance culinary staff, providing ongoing guidance, support, and professional development to strengthen performance and maintain GP culinary standards.
• Show up to events unannounced to check on food quality, prep, and cooking techniques to ensure the freshest product and consistency.
• Work with Lead Chefs, Proofers, and HDV Cooks to ensure that GP standards of quality and execution are being adhered to, and hold team members accountable when they are not performing up to standards.
• Assist in training new staff, up-and-coming Lead Chefs, and department cooks.
• Collaborate with the Executive Chef, Off-Premise Catered Events to determine the schedule of events each week, review onsite SOPs, and determine and implement necessary changes.
• Assist in determining which freelance staff members are deserving of a promotion, demotion, or other changes to their event profiles.
• During the off-season, the Chef de Cuisine, Culinary Operations will provide venue coverage when Venue Chefs take vacation or other time off, as well as lead chef events where possible to help reduce freelance labor when appropriate.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Food safety

Staff development

Team collaboration

Communication

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Great Performances seeks a Chef de Cuisine, Culinary Operations to lead and mentor freelance culinary teams across multiple NY sites. You will ensure GP standards, supervise quality, and coordinate with the Executive Chef for off-premise events.

The role blends hands-on cooking leadership with staff development and operational oversight. Ideal candidates bring 8+ years in culinary roles, 3+ in management, and strong Excel and organizational skills.