Head Chef

Idletyme Brewing Company; Stowe (VT); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly performance bonus

Paid Time Off

Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Dining discounts

Job summary

A vibrant hospitality restaurant in Vermont is seeking a Head Chef to lead its busy, from-scratch kitchen. The ideal candidate will possess strong kitchen leadership experience and a passion for mentoring a high-performing team. They will be responsible for maintaining food quality, team accountability, and ensuring compliance with health regulations. Offering a starting salary of $80,000+, benefits, and relocation assistance. Join a committed team dedicated to quality ingredients and community connection.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a high-volume, from-scratch kitchen.
• Hands-on leader comfortable working the line daily.
• Ability to manage labor and food costs effectively.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day kitchen operations and ensure food quality.
• Lead by example during busy service and events.
• Hire, train, and mentor a collaborative kitchen team.

Skills

Kitchen leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Organizational skills

Team mentoring

Tools

Restaurant365

Job description

Overview

Idletyme Brewing Company, located on Mountain Road in Stowe, VT, is seeking a hands-on Head Chef to lead our high-volume, from-scratch kitchen. We specialize in elevated pub fare with a strong commitment to quality, consistency, and community. This role is ideal for a chef who thrives in a fast-paced environment, leads from the line, and takes pride in building strong, motivated teams. If you’re equal parts chef, mentor, and operator, we’d love to meet you. Campfire Hospitality

Responsibilities

• Lead the Kitchen – Own day-to-day kitchen operations, ensuring the highest food quality standards, presentation, and recipe adherence.
• Set the tone on the line—leading by example during busy services, events, and peak seasons
• Communicate clearly with Front and Back of House teams on specials, allergies, and service updates
• Create and approve seasonal, on-brand specials
• Source high-quality ingredients, prioritizing local farms and producers whenever possible
• Maintain high culinary standards through regular quality checks and training

• Build and Develop a Strong Team – Hire, train, and mentor a collaborative, high-performing kitchen team
• Foster a culture of respect and “whatever it takes” teamwork
• Hold the team accountable to standards while maintaining community.
• Coach team members in real time to improve execution, efficiency, and confidence
• Partner with leadership to support ongoing development and growth
• Handle all feedback, both positive and negative, in a professional manner.
• Manage labor and food costs with intention—meeting financial goals without compromising quality
• Build weekly schedules that align with business levels and control overtime
• Oversee ordering, inventory, and waste reduction
• Partner with leadership on COGS, pricing, and cost analysis

• Maintain Safety & Standards – Uphold a clean, organized kitchen
• Ensure full compliance with all food safety and sanitation regulations
• Maintain an up-to-date manager’s ServSafe credential as well as ensure all managers on staff are certified.
• Resolve operational challenges as they arise - ie. long ticket times, presentation of food, food waste, etc.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven kitchen leadership experience in a high-volume, from-scratch environment
• A hands-on leader who is comfortable working the line daily
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to stay calm, focused, and solutions-oriented under pressure
• Experience with inventory, scheduling, and cost control (Restaurant365 a plus)
• Passion for mentoring others and building team culture
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and peak seasonal periods

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary starting at $80,000+, based on experience
• Quarterly performance bonus
• Relocation assistance available
• Paid Time Off
• Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Dining discounts across Campfire Hospitality restaurants

Why Idletyme?

• A well-established, high-volume restaurant with a strong local following
• A commitment to scratch cooking, quality ingredients, and community connection
• Support from an experienced Culinary Director and restaurant group
• The opportunity to lead, shape, and grow a team in one of Vermont’s most vibrant hospitality markets

If you’re ready to take ownership of a busy, quality-driven kitchen and build something meaningful with a great team, we’d love to connect.