Kitchen Lead

Ceremony; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A non-alcoholic bottle shop and lounge in Norfolk, VA is seeking a Kitchen Lead to oversee kitchen operations and create a seasonal menu. The role involves managing vendors for high-quality ingredients, directing kitchen preparations, and ensuring compliance with health standards. The ideal candidate will demonstrate expertise in flavor science and strong leadership skills, alongside a commitment to zero-waste practices. This is an opportunity to grow professionally while developing a unique culinary brand in a creative environment.

Qualifications

• Expertise in flavor science and in-house component creation.
• Ability to plan menus, manage costs, and control inventory.
• Desire for experimentation and curiosity to evolve with the concept.

Responsibilities

• Lead kitchen operations ensuring excellence in efficiency and compliance.
• Manage vendor relationships for seasonal ingredient sourcing.
• Direct all kitchen preparation and oversee food production service.
• Enforce HACCP principles and maintain a clean, safe kitchen.
• Plan for future staffing and develop kitchen team with zero-waste focus.

Skills

Expertise in flavor science

Excellent communication

Strong work ethic

Commitment to sustainability

Experience with sauces and purees

Garnishing & plating

Menu planning

Zero-waste leadership

Job description

Ceremony is a non-alcoholic bottle shop and lounge in Norfolk, VA, that celebrates community, experimentation, and the ritual of gathering. Our bar and kitchen is a new addition and an extension of that vision. The dining room consists of 15 seats, fostering an intimate, ingredient-driven experience.

We view this venture as a true partnership, merging our expertise in conceptual development, business scaling, and professional growth with the passion of our culinary leader. We operate with a deep commitment to sustainability, transparency, and zero-waste practices. We are committed to supporting our Chef in every feasible way, helping them build their brand both within Ceremony and beyond.

The Role: Kitchen Lead

We are seeking a Kitchen Lead—a ambitious individual ready to step into a leadership role. This person will lead our kitchen and take full ownership of the food program, from menu creation to execution. This role is for a visionary eager to co-create, experiment, and establish their brand alongside us.

The Vision

• A small, curated, strictly seasonal menu aligned with spring, summer, fall, and winter.
• Veggie-forward design: vegan/vegetarian by default, with protein as an optional high-quality add-on.
• Small plates, fine-dining technique and presentation, served in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere.
• A small (63 sq. ft.) hoodless, greaseless kitchen — requiring creativity and precision.

Core Responsibilities: Day-to-Day Operations

The Kitchen Lead holds full accountability for the daily and weekly operational excellence of the kitchen, ensuring efficiency, consistency, and compliance across all processes.

Sourcing and Procurement:

• Vendor Management: Establish and maintain relationships with local farmers, purveyors, and sustainable suppliers to procure high-quality, seasonal ingredients while adhering to strict cost and sustainability parameters.
• Receiving and Storage: Oversee the inspection, proper receiving, and rotation of all inventory (FIFO), ensuring ingredients meet quality standards and are stored correctly to minimize spoilage and waste.

Kitchen Preparation and Execution:

• Mise en Place: Direct and execute all daily kitchen preparation, including the creation of core components, sauces, stocks, and daily specials, ensuring that all stations are stocked and ready for service.
• Service Oversight: Personally manage and execute food production during all service periods (including prep and breakdown), maintaining the highest standards for quality control, presentation, and timing.

Compliance, Safety, and Maintenance:

• Sanitation and Cleaning: Establish and enforce stringent health, safety, and sanitation standards (HACCP principles) for all kitchen areas, equipment, and staff, maintaining a consistently immaculate work environment. This includes daily deep cleaning, equipment maintenance, and dishwashing management.
• Equipment Care: Be responsible for the proper use, maintenance, and upkeep of all kitchen tools and equipment (given the small, hoodless kitchen), immediately reporting and troubleshooting any mechanical issues.

Team Development (Future):

• While initially hands-on, the Chef will be responsible for defining future staffing needs, and eventually, the hiring, training, scheduling, and ongoing professional development of kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and zero-waste-focused culture.

What the Chef Must Bring to the Table

Technical Mastery (The Craft)

• Expertise in flavor science and in-house component creation.
• Sauces, rubs, purees, jus, and reductions.
• Infusions & extracts for oils, vinegars, and flavor bases.
• Preservation, pickling, and fermentation.
• Mastery of garnishing, plating aesthetics, and flavor composition.

Operational & Leadership Skills

• A strong work ethic and commitment to consistency and quality.
• Ability to plan menus, manage costs, and control inventory.
• Commitment to zero-waste thinking and sustainability.
• Excellent communication and ability to operate autonomously.
• Desire for experimentation and curiosity to evolve with the concept.

Working Together & Compensation

• We provide business development expertise and professional support.
• You report directly to the Proprietor and have full ownership over menu creation.
• We will help you grow your brand and long-term career.
• Proposed Schedule: Thu–Sat dinner service (5–9 PM) + occasional Sunday brunch.
• Compensation: Negotiable based on education, experience, and creative arrangements.
• Pay field on application.

To Apply

Visitenjoyceremony.com/career and complete the application. Consider completing the optionalIntrospective Deep Dive to learn more about us and possibly about yourself.