Job Title: Culinary Director - Il Forno Brands

Job Overview:

As the Culinary Director for Il Forno Brands, you will play a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the culinary operations across all Il Forno locations. This leadership position requires a seasoned culinary professional with a keen eye for detail, exceptional organizational skills, and a passion for maintaining the highest standards in food quality, safety, and innovation. The successful candidate will be responsible for ensuring consistency in menu execution, implementing food safety protocols, and introducing new menu items and recipes to enhance the overall dining experience.

Responsibilities:

1. Menu Implementation and Innovation:

- Lead implementation of new menu items and recipes, ensuring alignment with Il Forno Brand standards and customer preferences.

- Collaborate with chefs and culinary teams to foster creativity and innovation in culinary offerings while maintaining brand identity.

2. Quality Control:

- Implement and enforce standardized culinary procedures to maintain the highest levels of food quality and consistency across all Il Forno locations.

- Conduct regular inspections and tastings to ensure adherence to brand standards and to identify areas for improvement.

3. Food Safety and Compliance:

- Develop and enforce strict food safety protocols, ensuring all locations comply with local health department regulations and industry best practices.

- Conduct regular audits and inspections to verify that proper hygiene, sanitation, and storage practices are followed.

4. Inventory Management:

- Oversee and optimize inventory management processes to ensure accurate tracking of all food products, minimizing waste and maximizing cost efficiency.

- Collaborate with purchasing teams to source high-quality ingredients at competitive prices.

5. Training and Development:

- Provide ongoing training to culinary staff on food preparation techniques, safety protocols, and adherence to brand standards.

- Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement within the culinary teams.

6. Collaboration with Operations Teams:

- Work closely with operations teams to address any operational challenges related to the kitchen and culinary processes.

- Collaborate on cross-functional initiatives to enhance overall restaurant performance and customer satisfaction.

7. Communication:

- Maintain open and transparent communication channels with executive leadership, restaurant managers, and culinary staff.

- Report regularly on key performance indicators, challenges, and opportunities related to culinary operations.

Qualifications:

- Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Culinary Director, or similar leadership role in a multi-location restaurant setting.

- Strong knowledge of culinary trends, food safety regulations, and industry best practices.

- Excellent leadership and team management skills.

- Exceptional organizational and problem-solving abilities.

- Effective communication skills, both verbal and written.

- Culinary degree or equivalent experience in a high-volume, upscale dining environment.

This job description is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the responsibilities and qualifications required for the Culinary Director role at Il Forno Brands.