Executive Chef: Own the Menu, Build Kitchen Culture

Caper; California; On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Paid sick leave and PTO per CA law

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

MML Hospitality California is seeking an Executive Chef to lead our culinary program and kitchen team across California locations. You will own the menu, food quality, costs and kitchen culture, and work closely with ownership and front-of-house leadership.

You'll create menus, hire and train the kitchen staff, maintain quality across services, and manage food/labor costs, inventory, and vendor relations while ensuring compliance with the California Retail Food Code.

Qualifications

• 5+ years professional kitchen experience, including 2–3 years in an Executive Chef/chef de cuisine role.
• Strong scratch-kitchen background; experience across multiple cuisines or concepts is a plus.
• Proven food cost and labor management skills.
• Food Protection Manager certification (ServSafe) or ability to obtain within 30/60 days.
• Clear communicator and steady leader under pressure.
• Ability to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
• Ability to stand for long periods and lift up to 50 lbs.

Responsibilities

• Create and update menus, including seasonal and special-event offerings, with recipes and plating standards.
• Lead, hire, train and schedule the kitchen team including sous and line staff.
• Maintain high food quality and consistency across services.
• Manage food and labor costs, inventory, ordering, and vendor relationships within budget.
• Ensure compliance with the California Retail Food Code and local health standards.
• Build a safe, respectful kitchen culture and provide performance coaching.
• Collaborate with front-of-house on service flow, training, and guest feedback.
• Track kitchen P&L and report to ownership.

Skills

Executive Kitchen Leadership

Kitchen staffing

Food cost management

Food safety cert

Communication

Flexibility (evenings/weekends)

Education

Culinary degree (not required)

Tools

ServSafe Manager certification

Job description

MML Hospitality California is seeking an Executive Chef to lead our culinary program and kitchen team across California locations. You will own the menu, food quality, costs and kitchen culture, and work closely with ownership and front-of-house leadership.

You'll create menus, hire and train the kitchen staff, maintain quality across services, and manage food/labor costs, inventory, and vendor relations while ensuring compliance with the California Retail Food Code.