Head Chef West Village Bistro

PERSONE NYC; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Potential Bonuses

Dining Discounts

Job summary

PERSONE NYC in New York's West Village is seeking a Head Chef / Chef de Cuisine to lead an iconic kitchen. You will be in the kitchen on the line, expediting, tasting and coaching, while guiding a small BOH team in a high-touch, American bistro setting.

You bring strong NYC restaurant experience, calm leadership, and a commitment to consistent, craveable dishes. This is a hands-on role with private events and a sustainable schedule.

Qualifications

• Currently a CDC, Head Chef or Executive Sous in a respected NYC independent restaurant.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills.
• Hands-on kitchen leader with strong line and expediting experience.
• Able to manage food and labor costs thoughtfully.
• Comfortable on the line and in tasting sessions.

Responsibilities

• Lead the kitchen and drive consistent execution.
• Expedite and supervise line during service.
• Train and mentor BOH staff.
• Collaborate with FOH on private events.
• Maintain approachable, craveable, high-quality dishes.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Hands-on

Line cook

Expediting

Team mentoring

Job description

Iconic & Established West Village Restaurant — NYC

Schedule: 5 days/week | Approximately 2 PM–10 PM

Days Off: Typically Sunday + Monday, with flexibility for events

Location: West Village, Manhattan

Start: ASAP

A SPECIAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE WEST VILLAGE

PERSONE is conducting a confidential search for a Head Chef / Chef de Cuisine to lead the kitchen of one of the West Village's most established and beloved independent restaurants.

This is a unique opportunity to take the culinary lead of an iconic NYC dining room known for its intimate atmosphere, loyal clientele, high-touch hospitality and elevated American bistro / comfort food.

We are not looking for someone who wants to completely reinvent an established restaurant.

We're looking for a great cook, exceptional communicator and genuine kitchen leader who understands that seemingly simple food can require the highest level of execution.

Think beautiful ingredients, excellent technique, consistency and restraint — without unnecessary complication.

THE FOOD

The culinary program centers around classic American bistro and elevated comfort food, including:

• High-quality meats and fish
• Beautifully executed chicken
• East Coast oysters and seafood
• Seasonal vegetables and salads
• Thoughtful vegetarian and vegan options
• Recognizable classics executed with precision
• Seasonal specials and private-event menus

The restaurant operates at a sophisticated level of service, but the food should remain approachable, delicious and craveable.

This is about making simple food exceptional.

THE CHEF WE'RE LOOKING FOR

The ideal candidate is currently a strong CDC, Head Chef or Executive Sous Chef within an excellent NYC independent restaurant and is ready to take ownership of a kitchen.

Leadership and communication are just as important as culinary ability.

You should be someone who:

• Loves being physically present in the kitchen
• Is comfortable working the line and expediting
• Leads by example rather than from an office
• Can bring structure, accountability and consistency to an established team
• Is an excellent trainer and communicator
• Leads firmly without creating an unnecessarily rigid or military-style culture
• Is collaborative and receptive to feedback
• Has strong organization and operational skills
• Understands food and labor costs
• Handles allergies and dietary restrictions thoughtfully
• Has strong NYC restaurant experience and career stability
• Brings confidence without ego

This is a hands-on kitchen with limited space, so organization, communication and teamwork are essential.

PRIVATE EVENTS EXPERIENCE

Private dining and events are an important part of the business.

The Chef will work closely with the FOH and events teams to execute events that may be booked weeks or months in advance.

Experience with BEOs, custom menus, advance ordering, dietary restrictions and private-event execution is highly preferred.

We need someone who can stay organized when menus evolve, requests change and multiple moving pieces need to come together seamlessly.

CURRENT KITCHEN

You will inherit an established BOH team including two Sous Chefs and approximately 10 BOH employees per service.

The opportunity is to bring strong leadership, direction and consistency while building trust with a team that already knows the restaurant and its clientele.

This is not a large-brigade Executive Chef position.

You will be in the kitchen, on the line, expediting, tasting, coaching and leading alongside your team.

THE RIGHT PERSONALITY

We're especially interested in meeting chefs who are:

Humble. Ambitious. Organized. Calm. Collaborative. Hands-on.

Someone who loves food but loves leading people just as much.

No celebrity-chef mentality. No need to put your name on everything.

Instead, this is an opportunity for a talented chef to become an important part of an established NYC institution, respect what has made it successful, and help take the kitchen into its next chapter.

For the right chef looking for an exciting NYC leadership position with an established restaurant, strong clientele and a more sustainable schedule than many traditional Executive Chef roles, this is a very compelling opportunity.

Confidential search — qualified candidates will receive full concept details directly from PERSONE during the screening process.

Compensation: Salary ($120,000.00 - $140,000.00)

Benefits & Perks: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off, Potential Bonuses, Dining Discounts