Regional chef

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and passionate Regional Chef with deep expertise in Korean cuisine to oversee culinary operations across multiple locations. The ideal candidate is a creative leader who excels at menu development, recipe standardization, and team mentorship — while maintaining a sharp eye on financial performance and food cost management.

Key Responsibilities

Menu & Recipe Development

• Design, develop, and seasonally update menus rooted in authentic Korean culinary traditions.

• Create and standardize recipes across all locations to ensure consistency in quality and presentation.

• Research and incorporate contemporary Korean food trends while honoring traditional techniques.

• Collaborate with location chefs on specials, promotional offerings, and limited-time menus.

Operations & Financial Oversight

• Monitor and manage Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) across all regional locations to meet budgetary targets.

• Conduct regular food cost analyses and implement strategies to improve margins without compromising quality.

• Oversee inventory management, vendor relationships, and ingredient sourcing.

• Ensure compliance with food safety, sanitation, and health regulations at all locations.

Team Leadership & Training

• Provide culinary leadership, coaching, and mentorship to Executive Chefs and kitchen teams.

• Conduct training sessions on Korean cooking techniques, plating standards, and kitchen best practices.

• Perform regular kitchen audits and quality checks across all regional sites.

• Support the hiring and onboarding of culinary staff in coordination with management.

Qualifications & Requirements

Experience

• Minimum 3 years of experience as an Executive Chef (EC) in a professional kitchen environment.

• 1–2 years of experience in a Regional Chef (RC) or multi-unit culinary leadership role.

• Demonstrated expertise in Korean cuisine — including traditional, contemporary, and fusion applications.

Skills & Knowledge

• Proven proficiency in COGS management, food cost analysis, and budget adherence.

• Strong recipe development and menu engineering capabilities.

• Excellent leadership, communication, and cross-functional collaboration skills.

• Ability to travel regularly between regional locations.

Language

• Korean language proficiency is strongly preferred and highly valued for effective team communication and authentic recipe development.

Education