Head Chef / Executive Chef (Restaurant) Jobs in Chennai Restaurant Chain

📋 Job Description

Jobzi is sourcing qualified candidates for Head Chef / Executive Chef (Restaurant) positions in Chennai's private Restaurant Chain sector. This is a full-time opportunity with a reputed Food and Beverage employer in Chennai offering competitive salary, structured growth, and a professional work environment. Tamil communication skills are preferred alongside English for professional and business interaction in Chennai.

📌 Key Responsibilities

• Lead the entire kitchen operation including all cooking sections, kitchen brigade, and back-of-house support staff.
• Design, cost, and implement seasonal and permanent menus aligned with brand identity and target food cost percentages.
• Own kitchen P&L including food cost, labour cost, wastage, and equipment maintenance within approved budget.
• Hire, train, and appraise kitchen staff from commis level to sous chef across all sections and shifts.
• Ensure full FSSAI compliance, conduct regular kitchen hygiene audits, and oversee implementation of food safety SOPs.
• Maintain supplier relationships, negotiate ingredient pricing, and approve product quality before each delivery.
• Coordinate with restaurant management and marketing teams on new menu launches, special events, and seasonal promotions.

🎓 Qualifications and Requirements

• Hotel Management degree from a recognised university with focus on food production or culinary arts.
• Eight to twenty years of kitchen experience with at least three years in a head chef or executive chef role.
• Proven track record of managing kitchen operations in a multi-outlet or high-volume restaurant chain environment.
• Demonstrated food and beverage P&L management capability with measurable improvement in food cost performance.
• Expert-level culinary knowledge across multiple cuisine categories relevant to the restaurant brand's menu offering.
• Strong people leadership skills with experience recruiting, training, and retaining diverse kitchen teams.
• FoSTaC certification, HACCP knowledge, and deep familiarity with FSSAI audit and compliance processes.
• Good Tamil and English communication skills for team coordination and client interaction in Chennai.

✅ Required Skills

🏆 Certifications and Qualifications

FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) food handler certificate for all kitchen staff; FoSTaC (Food Safety Training and Certification) for supervisors and managers; First Aid and fire safety certification; Food hygiene and sanitation training; Hotel Management or catering diploma for supervisory roles; Barista and beverage certification for cafe-style F&B roles; Sommelier or WSET certification for fine dining wine service