Ground‑Floor Executive Chef: Build a Mediterranean Kitchen

Dear Charlotte; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision

PTO

Dining perks

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Dear Charlotte is opening a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant, bar, and events destination in Charlotte, NC. We seek an Executive Chef to own all culinary operations, shape the menu, and lead a new kitchen from day one.

You will build and mentor the BOH team, establish standards, control costs, and drive a high-energy service across dinner, brunch, and private events. Creative ownership, leadership presence, and a strong operation mindset are essential for success in this ground-floor

Qualifications

• 5+ years of Executive Chef or senior kitchen leadership experience.
• Experience leading high-volume restaurant operations.
• New restaurant opening experience strongly preferred.
• Ability to build and lead a kitchen team from the ground up.
• Strong understanding of food cost, labor, inventory, and kitchen P&L.
• Experience in elevated casual, upscale, or high-energy dining.
• Strong leadership presence and communication skills.
• Calm, solutions-focused under high-pressure service.
• Passion for Mediterranean, globally inspired, or elevated cuisine.
• Creative and operational mindset

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations and execution for the restaurant.
• Develop and execute a Mediterranean-inspired menu for high-volume rooftop service.
• Build the BOH team through recruiting, hiring, training, coaching, and development.
• Establish kitchen standards, recipes, SOPs, prep systems, and service procedures.
• Manage kitchen labor and scheduling to support profitability and service.
• Own food cost, inventory, ordering, receiving, waste, and vendor relationships.
• Maintain consistency, speed, quality, and presentation across dinner, brunch, and events.
• Establish plating and presentation standards.
• Partner with FOH and bar leadership on menu alignment and execution.
• Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation requirements.

Skills

Leadership

Kitchen management

Food cost control

Team building

Hiring & training

Operational discipline

Menu development

Strong communication

Tools

Kitchen SOPs

Job description

Dear Charlotte is opening a Mediterranean-inspired rooftop restaurant, bar, and events destination in Charlotte, NC. We seek an Executive Chef to own all culinary operations, shape the menu, and lead a new kitchen from day one.

You will build and mentor the BOH team, establish standards, control costs, and drive a high-energy service across dinner, brunch, and private events. Creative ownership, leadership presence, and a strong operation mindset are essential for success in this ground-floor