Description
Lead all culinary operations, setting menu strategy, quality, and sanitation standards. Oversee menu engineering, costing, purchasing, and inventory; direct and mentor kitchen leadership and staff across outlets. Coordinate production and service, and may cook for key services or events while managing budgets and records.
- • Set and verify quality standards for raw and cooked products across all outlets.
- • Enforce sanitation and food-safety practices in compliance with regulations.
- • Approve and audit the quantity and quality of received products.
- • Forecast, order, and control food and supply inventories to meet demand.
- • Direct and coordinate chefs, cooks, and stewards during prep and service.
- • Inspect kitchens and equipment to ensure compliance with culinary and safety standards.
- • Define plating guidelines and oversee food presentation and displays.
- • Train, coach, and certify staff in preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation.
- • Develop food and labor cost targets; estimate required ingredients and supplies.
- • Create and seasonally update menus and recipes in collaboration with stakeholders.
- • Price menu items using recipe costing and overhead analysis to hit margin goals.
- • Plan production schedules and staffing levels to meet service timelines.
- • Lead budgeting, menu engineering, and purchasing strategy for the culinary department.
- • Cook or lead the line for high-profile services, tastings, or special functions.
- • Recruit, hire, and evaluate kitchen personnel and supervisors.
- • Consult with clients and event teams to design custom menus for banquets and functions.
- • Introduce and demonstrate new techniques, recipes, and equipment to the team.
- • Source vendors; negotiate pricing and delivery terms for food and supplies.
- • Approve equipment purchases and coordinate maintenance or repairs.
- • Track and report operational metrics, inventories, and cost data.
- • Oversee culinary operations across multiple restaurants or outlets within the property.
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Tasks & skills:
O*NET occupational data (work activities, skills, knowledge).
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This site includes information from O*NET by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. Career Clutch has modified some of this information for student readability. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.
Last reviewed: Jan 2026
