Executive Chef - New Restaurant Opening

COREcruitment Ltd; Town of Italy (NY); On-site; USD 67,000 - 89,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus scheme

Expatriate package

Accommodation provided

Flights provided

Work permit provided

Career growth

Job summary

COREcruitment Ltd invites applications for an Executive Chef position to open and lead a 120-seat casual-elevated restaurant in Barbados. The role encompasses menu design, kitchen setup, and creating culinary standards from the ground up.

The ideal candidate will have executive kitchen leadership experience, a track record with restaurant openings, and strong Mediterranean/Caribbean culinary knowledge. A hands-on leader is required to work across lunch and dinner services, including potential

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Head Chef
• Experience developing opening menus and culinary concepts
• Knowledge of Mediterranean and Caribbean cuisines

Responsibilities

• Develop the opening menu and culinary concept for the new restaurant
• Set up kitchen systems, recipes, standards and procedures
• Lead and mentor a team of about 10 chefs through opening and ongoing service
• Oversee ordering, stock, food cost and kitchen controls
• Lead hands-on service across lunch and dinner seven days a week
• Support events and potential Sunday brunch operations
• Create a strong kitchen culture focused on quality and guest experience

Job description

Executive Chef – New Restaurant Opening

Barbados, West Indies | Full-Time | Expatriate Position

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

USD $6,000–$8,000 gross per month, depending on experience

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

If you're an ambitious chef looking for the opportunity to build a new restaurant from the ground up, lead your own kitchen and help shape a growing hospitality business, we'd love to hear from you.