Executive Head Chef consultant

About This Role

Executive Chef / Culinary Director (Cloud Kitchen & Concept Development)

We are looking for a highly experienced Executive Chef / Culinary Director to lead the development of our food concept, menu engineering, and production systems for a fast-growing premium café brand with expansion plans into cloud kitchen operations.

This role is not only about cooking — it is about building a scalable culinary system.

About the Project

We are developing a modern, health-focused F&B concept centered around matcha, functional beverages, and clean, high-quality food.

The next stage includes:

• Structured menu optimization
• Launch of a cloud kitchen
• Daily production capacity of 100–150+ meals
• Standardization for future multi-location expansion

Key Responsibilities

1. Menu Engineering & Concept Development

• Design and refine a cohesive, scalable menu
• Align food with brand philosophy: clean, aesthetic, functional, high-quality
• Develop:
• Breakfast / light meals
• Healthy bowls / snacks
• Desserts aligned with matcha concept

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• Ensure menu balance between:
• Food cost
• Preparation time
• Customer appeal

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2. Production System & Process Design

• Build a full kitchen workflow system, including:
• Preparation stages
• Cooking procedures
• Assembly and plating standards

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• Create process charts / SOPs for every item:
• Step-by-step preparation
• Time per dish
• Required equipment

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• Optimize for speed, consistency, and minimal waste

3. Cloud Kitchen Setup

• Design kitchen for delivery-first model
• Plan:
• Zoning (prep / cooking / packing)
• Equipment selection
• Staff workflow

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• Ensure system supports 100–150+ orders daily with scalability

4. Cost Control & Unit Economics

• Calculate:
• Food cost per item
• Target margins

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• Optimize supplier selection and ingredient usage
• Reduce waste and improve efficiency without compromising quality

5. Team Training & Standards

• Train kitchen staff on:
• SOPs
• Presentation
• Hygiene standards

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• Implement systems for:
• Quality control
• Consistency across shifts

6. Scalability & Replication

• Build a system that can be:
• Replicated across multiple locations
• Easily transferred to new teams
• Develop documentation for future expansion and franchising

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Proven experience as:
• Executive Chef / Head Chef / Culinary Consultant

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• Experience in:
• Cloud kitchens / high-volume production
• System-driven kitchens (not only restaurant service)

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• Strong background in:
• Healthy / modern cuisine
• Efficient menu design

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• Deep understanding of:
• Kitchen operations & workflow optimization
• Food cost and margins

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• Ability to think both:
• Creatively (concept)
• Structurally (systems & processes)

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What We Value

• System thinking over chaos
• Simplicity over complexity
• Consistency over “chef ego”
• Business mindset over pure culinary art

Scope & Format

• Project-based or long-term collaboration
• Initial phase:
• Menu + system setup
• Kitchen planning

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• Potential to grow into:
• Group Culinary Director role

Goal

To build not just a menu, but a repeatable, scalable culinary system that supports rapid growth and delivers consistent quality across all locations.

If you want, I can next:

Add salary structure (fixed + KPI bonus tied to food cost & efficiency)

• Create screening questions for chefs (this is critical — many “chefs” are not system builders)
• Or design a sample process chart (SOP) for 1 dish so candidates understand your level immediately

Job Types: Temporary, Contract
Contract length: 3 months

Work Location: In person