Executive Chef

Union Square Hospitality Group; New York (NY); On-site; USD 115,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and bonus potential

Comprehensive health coverage

Generous paid time off

Matched 401(k) plan

Life insurance and wellness services

Employee Relief Fund access

Annual dining credit

51% dining discount

Pre-tax commuter benefits

Opportunities for learning and mentorship

Job summary

Union Square Hospitality Group seeks an Executive Chef for MoMA Cafes in New York City. The ideal candidate will have over 5 years of culinary leadership experience, strong skills in managing kitchen teams, and a commitment to excellence and guest satisfaction. This role offers a salary range of $115,000 - $125,000, comprehensive health coverage, and various employee benefits to support a meaningful work-life balance. Join a culture focused on care, creativity, and growth.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in similar environment.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, restaurant scheduling.
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time.

Responsibilities

• Ensure a superior guest experience through excellent food and hospitality.
• Build and lead a high-performing kitchen team.
• Set standards for all recipes and food execution.
• Enhance culinary programming to maintain industry leadership.

Skills

Culinary leadership experience

Microsoft Office knowledge

English fluency

Spanish language preference

Job description

MoMA Cafes
11 W 53rd St
New York, NY 10019, USA

Who you are:

The Executive Chef is responsible for driving operational excellence and ensuring a superior guest experience through excellent food and hospitality. The Executive Chef partners with the General Manager and Food and Beverage Director to set, meet, and exceed the goals of the business by ensuring alignment with the mission and goals of the business and the vision and core values of Union Square Hospitality Group. The Executive Chef is an ambassador for the Museum of Modern Art and must create a program that aligns with the goals and vision of the museum. The Executive Chef must possess strong leadership skills, a friendly yet competitive spirit, and a passion for creating delicious food, building high‑performing teams, and delivering hospitality to all stakeholders.

What you’ll do:

• Consistently deliver a culture of Enlightened Hospitality to guests and team members
• Build and lead a high performing kitchen team and maintain excellence & hospitality throughout each day’s specific service periods
• Lead and coach the Sous Chef team in delivering consistent execution of food and timely flow of service through an effectively expedited service
• Continually enhance, refine, and update our culinary programming to maintain our standing as an industry leader
• Set the standard for all recipes, product, food preparations and food execution and hold the team accountable to meeting restaurant's specifications and commitment to culinary excellence, food cost metrics and food safety
• Develop a strong partnership with leadership of the Museum of Modern Art and identify ways to collaborate through current exhibitions, sustainability and museum operations.
• Partner with the General Manager to foster a positive, collaborative work environment for both the service and kitchen teams, ensuring clear communication at all times
• Provide coaching and guidance to all team members, ensuring that pathways for growth and development are attainable for all team members
• Consistently looks for internal and external opportunities to build our growing team in alignment with our goals of diversity, inclusion, and belonging
• Build trusting relationships with other USHG Leaders to foster communication, collaboration, support, and sharing of best practices for well‑informed decision making
• Act as a partner to Home Office departments, leveraging subject matter expertise to ensure alignment and support roll outs, training, and communication of company‑wide initiatives

What we need from you:

• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience in similar environment
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, restaurant scheduling, inventory and purchasing experience necessary
• English fluency and Spanish preferred, but not required
• Ability to stand/walk for extended periods of time

What you’ll get from us:

At Union Square Hospitality Group, extending Enlightened Hospitality is at the heart of everything we do. We believe our people are our greatest ingredient. Joining our team means becoming part of a culture rooted in care, creativity, and growth. As an Executive Chef, you’ll enjoy:

• Competitive pay and bonus potential: Annual compensation of $115,000 - $125,000 plus eligibility for a performance‑based bonus, with consideration for your experience and impact
• Comprehensive health coverage: Medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus flexible spending options for healthcare and dependent care
• Time to recharge: Generous paid time off and paid parental leave to support life outside of work
• Investing in your future: A matched 401(k) plan to help you grow long‑term savings
• Peace of mind: Life insurance, employee assistance programs, and exclusive access to primary care, mental health, and other wellness services.
• Support in times of need: Access to the USHG HUGS Employee Relief Fund, offering direct assistance to team members facing unexpected hardship
• Dining Credit: An annual dining credit to enjoy exceptional meals and experiences at any of our restaurants
• Dining Discount: 51% dining discount across the entire USHG family of restaurants to share unforgettable meals with friends and loved ones
• Convenience & flexibility: Pre‑tax commuter benefits for transit and parking
• Growth and community: Opportunities for learning, mentorship, and collaboration with some of the most passionate people in hospitality.

Putting Enlightened Hospitality into Practice

Integral to our culture are our six behaviors. Our behaviors guide how we work together.

• We play to win with humble swagger. Hospitality is a team sport where everyone deserves an opportunity to thrive and belong
• Turn over the rocks and always be connecting dots to build uplifting experiences and relationships
• Center the salt shaker with an unwavering commitment to excellence and the values that matter most
• Write a great next chapter. The road to success is paved with mistakes well‑handled
• Bring a charitable assumption and err on the side of generosity
• Leave our campsite better than we found it; always responsible for the impact of our wake

*The above represents the expected salary range for this position. Ultimately, in determining your pay, we’ll consider your experience and other job‑related factors.

The responsibilities outlined above are not exhaustive. This role may be required to take on other duties or projects as necessary to support organizational goals, in alignment with their skills, experience, and the evolving needs of the business.

Join the team at MoMA Cafes!

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.