Executive Chef – New Restaurant Opening

COREcruitment Ltd; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 30,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-based bonus

Accommodation provided

Flights provided

Work permit provided

Job summary

COREcruitment Ltd is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the kitchen opening and ongoing culinary operations for a new 120-seat casual-elevated restaurant in Barbados. The role requires hands-on leadership, menu development, and the establishment of kitchen systems from the ground up.

You will recruit and mentor a team of about 10 chefs, set standards for Mediterranean-Caribbean cuisine, and manage food cost, ordering and kitchen controls to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef.
• Experience developing menus and culinary concepts, especially for openings.
• Strong leadership, training and team development skills.
• Solid understanding of food cost, purchasing and kitchen operations.

Responsibilities

• Develop opening menu and culinary concept.
• Establish kitchen systems, recipes, standards and procedures.
• Set up kitchen and prepare for opening.
• Recruit, train and mentor a team of ~10 chefs.
• Lead hands-on kitchen operations across lunch and dinner.
• Oversee food quality, consistency, presentation and portions.
• Manage ordering, stock, food cost and kitchen controls.
• Develop Mediterranean cuisine with Caribbean influences.
• Lead service during peak periods and ensure high standards.
• Support events, entertainment and potential Sunday brunch.

Skills

Executive Chef

Menu development

Kitchen operations

Team leadership

Cost control

Pre-opening experience

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

Food cost software

Job description

We are seeking an experienced and hands‑on Executive Chef / Head Chef to lead the kitchen opening and ongoing culinary operation of an exciting new restaurant in Barbados.

This will be a 120-seat, casual-elevated dining restaurant and bar, offering lunch and dinner seven days a week, with evening entertainment and potential Sunday brunch. The concept will feature Mediterranean cuisine with Caribbean influences.

This is a unique opportunity to join a growing hospitality company with plans for additional venues, with the successful candidate playing a key role in establishing the culinary identity and standards from the ground up.

The Role

• Developing and designing the opening menu and culinary concept
• Establishing kitchen systems, recipes, standards and procedures
• Setting up the kitchen and preparing for opening
• Recruiting, training and mentoring a team of approximately 10 chefs
• Leading a hands‑on kitchen operation across lunch and dinner service
• Managing food quality, consistency, presentation and portion control
• Overseeing ordering, stock, food cost and kitchen controls
• Developing Mediterranean cuisine with Caribbean influences
• Creating a strong pizza offering and maximising the restaurant's pizza oven
• Leading the team through busy service and maintaining high standards
• Supporting events, entertainment and potential Sunday brunch operations
• Building a positive, professional and accountable kitchen culture

The Ideal Candidate

We are looking for a confident culinary leader who is hands‑on, entrepreneurial and comfortable building something from scratch.

Ideally, you will have:

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Head Chef or Senior Sous Chef
• Strong restaurant experience, ideally with new opening/pre‑opening exposure
• Experience developing menus and culinary concepts
• Strong Mediterranean and/or Caribbean culinary knowledge
• Excellent leadership and team‑development skills
• A practical understanding of food cost, purchasing and kitchen operations
• The ability to take full ownership of a kitchen operation
• A passion for quality, creativity and guest experience
• A hands‑on approach and willingness to work alongside the team

Package

• Performance‑based bonus scheme
• Full expatriate package
• Accommodation provided
• Flights provided
• Work permit provided
• Opportunity to grow with an expanding hospitality group and future venues