KITCHEN LEAD CHEF

BakeChop Co

DeLand (FL)

On-site

USD 52,000 - 76,000

Full time

6 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Compensation Based on Experience

Downtown DeLand location

Part of BakeChop Co.

Job summary

Hunters & Gatherers is seeking an experienced Kitchen Lead / Chef to oversee day-to-day BOH operations and actively participate on the line in Downtown DeLand, FL.

The ideal candidate combines culinary excellence with strong operational discipline, including cost control, staff development, and consistent execution of recipes and standards. This is a hands-on leadership role with duties across ordering, inventory, and scheduling.

Qualifications

Proven leadership of a BOH team in a busy kitchen.
Ability to manage food cost, inventory, and labor within budget.
Experience in breaking down fish and basic butchery.

Responsibilities

Lead day to day BOH operations and support the team during service.
Work multiple stations and assist wherever needed during busy periods.
Maintain food quality, consistency, portioning, and presentation standards.
Confidently cook steaks and proteins to requested temperatures.
Break down whole fish and support proper butchery and prep techniques.
Develop and execute weekly and seasonal specials.
Maintain recipes and ensure specials are practical, cost effective, and executable by the team.
Manage ordering, receiving, inventory, and product pars.
Monitor food cost, waste, portion control, and product utilization.
Help manage BOH labor, scheduling, and overtime within company expectations.
Maintain prep systems and ensure the kitchen is properly prepared for service.
Oversee cleanliness, organization, food safety, and deep cleaning standards.
Hold the BOH team accountable for attendance, performance, sanitation, and station readiness.
Train and develop cooks with varying levels of experience.
Create a positive, professional kitchen environment while maintaining high standards.
Communicate effectively with FOH leadership and BakeChop Co. management.
Participate in special events, chef driven events, catering opportunities, and community events
Represent Hunters & Gatherers professionally within the Downtown DeLand community

Skills

Line cook leadership

Culinary fundamentals

Food cost understanding

Inventory management

Staff development

Communication skills

Sanitation standards

Job description

HUNTERS & GATHERERS | DOWNTOWN DELAND

Hunters & Gatherers is seeking an experienced Kitchen Lead / Chef to oversee day to day BOH operations while remaining actively involved in service.

This is a hands on leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable managing the operational side of a kitchen and working alongside the team on the line.

The ideal candidate has strong culinary skills, understands kitchen systems and cost control, enjoys developing staff, and takes pride in creating a clean, organized, consistent operation.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Lead day to day BOH operations and support the team during service
Work multiple stations and assist wherever needed during busy periods
Maintain food quality, consistency, portioning, and presentation standards
Confidently cook steaks and proteins to requested temperatures
Break down whole fish and support proper butchery and prep techniques
Develop and execute weekly and seasonal specials
Maintain recipes and ensure specials are practical, cost effective, and executable by the team
Manage ordering, receiving, inventory, and product pars
Monitor food cost, waste, portion control, and product utilization
Help manage BOH labor, scheduling, and overtime within company expectations
Maintain prep systems and ensure the kitchen is properly prepared for service
Oversee cleanliness, organization, food safety, and deep cleaning standards
Hold the BOH team accountable for attendance, performance, sanitation, and station readiness
Train and develop cooks with varying levels of experience
Create a positive, professional kitchen environment while maintaining high standards
Communicate effectively with FOH leadership and BakeChop Co. management
Participate in special events, chef driven events, catering opportunities, and community events
Represent Hunters & Gatherers professionally within the Downtown DeLand community

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

We are looking for someone who brings both culinary ability and operational discipline.

This person should understand that successful kitchen leadership goes beyond cooking. It includes preparation, organization, cleanliness, labor control, ordering, inventory, training, consistency, and communication.

The right candidate should be comfortable:

Running and supporting a busy line
Reading and managing tickets efficiently
Cooking steaks and proteins accurately to temperature
Working grill, sauté, and other stations as needed
Breaking down whole fish
Developing specials and menu ideas
Managing ordering and inventory
Monitoring labor and food cost
Reducing waste and improving product utilization
Creating and maintaining realistic prep pars
Training and coaching team members
Addressing performance issues professionally
Maintaining high sanitation and deep cleaning standards
Working within the equipment, staffing, and resources available
Adapting quickly when operational challenges arise

LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT

We want a leader who is comfortable setting expectations while also being willing to teach.

Our BOH team includes employees with different experience levels, and we want someone who enjoys helping people improve.

This means demonstrating proper techniques, explaining expectations clearly, correcting issues in the moment, and building stronger cooks over time.

We value leadership that is direct, consistent, respectful, and accountable.

The goal is a kitchen with strong standards and a team that enjoys working together.

CULINARY CREATIVITY

Hunters & Gatherers values thoughtful, approachable food and creative specials.

We want someone who enjoys developing dishes that fit the restaurant, the season, and the DeLand market.

Specials should be exciting for guests while still making sense from a cost, prep, and execution standpoint.

The Kitchen Lead / Chef will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, work with seasonal ingredients, and help shape the culinary direction of the restaurant.

OPERATIONAL OWNERSHIP

This role is responsible for helping maintain a kitchen that operates efficiently and responsibly.

That includes:

Staying ahead of ordering and prep
Maintaining accurate inventory
Managing appropriate product levels
Monitoring waste and yields
Keeping labor within budget
Avoiding unnecessary overtime
Maintaining kitchen organization
Ensuring deep cleaning is completed consistently
Identifying operational issues and helping implement solutions

We are looking for someone who takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what needs attention.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Hunters & Gatherers is part of Downtown DeLand, and community involvement is an important part of our company.

The ideal candidate is comfortable participating in local events, special dinners, collaborations, catering opportunities, and other community focused events.

Knowledge of DeLand and the surrounding community is a plus, but we are also open to someone who is excited to become involved and build relationships locally.

WHAT YOU WILL HAVE

Hunters & Gatherers is part of BakeChop Co. , and this position will have the support of our broader leadership and operations team.

You will not be expected to manage every aspect of the business independently.

You will have support with company systems, operations, administration, and broader business needs while maintaining ownership of the kitchen and BOH team.

We already have a strong group of people and are looking for the right leader to help bring additional consistency, organization, development, and culinary direction to the kitchen.

IDEAL CANDIDATE