Dallas
Job Description TITLE: Executive Chef / Chef de Cuisine LOCATION: Dallas, TX (Uptown) CONCEPT: High-volume, upscale casual Italian REPORTS TO: Owner/Operator SUMMARY Our client is seeking a hands-on Executive Chef / Chef de Cuisine to lead the kitchen at a high-performing, family-owned Italian restaurant with a strong reputation and elite clientele. This is not a desk-based executive role—we are looking for a working chef who thrives on the line, leads by example, and brings discipline, consistency, and excellence to every service. This role offers significant growth opportunity, including potential leadership expansion, multi-unit involvement, or future partnership for the right candidate. RESPONSIBILITIES Kitchen Leadership & Operations: • Lead all back-of-house operations with a hands-on, lead-from-the-front approach, • Work all stations as needed, especially during high-volume service (200–300 covers), • Ensure consistent execution of all menu items to restaurant standards, • Maintain strong kitchen discipline, urgency, and teamwork during service, • Step in seamlessly during staffing shortages or high-pressure situations Team Development & Management: • Train, mentor, and develop line cooks and prep staff into high-performing team members, • Enforce accountability, work ethic, and professional behavior across the team, • Assist in hiring, onboarding, scheduling, and performance management, • Build a culture of respect, urgency, and pride in craft Quality Control & Culinary Execution: • Maintain strict standards for authentic Italian cuisine, • Oversee preparation and execution of Fresh pasta, Pizza (dough, fermentation, baking techniques), Sauces and traditional Italian dishes, • Ensure food quality, consistency, and presentation meets brand reputation, • Conduct line checks, tastings, and quality audits daily, • Inventory, Cost & Compliance Management, • Manage food cost, waste, and inventory levels, • Control purchasing and vendor relationships, • Maintain health, safety, and sanitation standards (local Dallas regulations), • Ensure kitchen efficiency and profitability QUALIFICATIONS Experience: • 5+ years in a leadership kitchen role (Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or Executive Chef), • Experience in high-volume, upscale casual or fine dining Italian restaurants, • Proven ability to run a full kitchen independently Technical Culinary Skills: • Strong foundation in authentic Italian cooking techniques - pasta making (handmade & extruded), pizza production (dough fermentation, oven handling), sauce development and regional Italian cuisine, • Ability to execute under pressure with speed and consistency Leadership & Operational Skills • Lead by example on the line, • Manage multiple stations during peak service, • Recruit, train, and retain team members, • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills under pressure, • High standards for cleanliness, organization, and structure Performance Expectations • Comfortable working long hours in a physically demanding environment, • Willing to step into any role necessary for team success, • Strong work ethic, reliability, and accountability Preferred Qualifications • Experience opening or scaling restaurants, • Experience working with high-profile or VIP clientele, • Bilingual (English/Spanish) preferred in Dallas market, • Culinary school training COMPENSATION & BENEFITS • Competitive salary (based on experience and Dallas market), • Performance-based bonuses (potential), • Growth opportunities including multi-unit leadership, • Stable, family-run environment with strong reputation EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER Company DescriptionLaura Way Corporation is a staffing Agency, working client roles across the US, within all major industriesLaura Way Corporation is a staffing Agency, working client roles across the US, within all major industries