KITCHEN LEAD / CHEF
Position Description
HUNTERS & GATHERERS | DOWNTOWN DELAND
Hunters & Gatherers is seeking an experienced Kitchen Lead / Chef to oversee day to day BOH operations while remaining actively involved in service.
This is a hands on leadership role for someone who is equally comfortable managing the operational side of a kitchen and working alongside the team on the line.
The ideal candidate has strong culinary skills, understands kitchen systems and cost control, enjoys developing staff, and takes pride in creating a clean, organized, consistent operation.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
• Lead day to day BOH operations and support the team during service
• Work multiple stations and assist wherever needed during busy periods
• Maintain food quality, consistency, portioning, and presentation standards
• Confidently cook steaks and proteins to requested temperatures
• Break down whole fish and support proper butchery and prep techniques
• Develop and execute weekly and seasonal specials
• Maintain recipes and ensure specials are practical, cost effective, and executable by the team
• Manage ordering, receiving, inventory, and product pars
• Monitor food cost, waste, portion control, and product utilization
• Help manage BOH labor, scheduling, and overtime within company expectations
• Maintain prep systems and ensure the kitchen is properly prepared for service
• Oversee cleanliness, organization, food safety, and deep cleaning standards
• Hold the BOH team accountable for attendance, performance, sanitation, and station readiness
• Train and develop cooks with varying levels of experience
• Create a positive, professional kitchen environment while maintaining high standards
• Communicate effectively with FOH leadership and BakeChop Co. management
• Participate in special events, chef driven events, catering opportunities, and community events
• Represent Hunters & Gatherers professionally within the Downtown DeLand community
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR
We are looking for someone who brings both culinary ability and operational discipline.
This person should understand that successful kitchen leadership goes beyond cooking. It includes preparation, organization, cleanliness, labor control, ordering, inventory, training, consistency, and communication.
The right candidate should be comfortable:
• Running and supporting a busy line
• Reading and managing tickets efficiently
• Cooking steaks and proteins accurately to temperature
• Working grill, sauté, and other stations as needed
• Breaking down whole fish
• Developing specials and menu ideas
• Managing ordering and inventory
• Monitoring labor and food cost
• Reducing waste and improving product utilization
• Creating and maintaining realistic prep pars
• Training and coaching team members
• Addressing performance issues professionally
• Maintaining high sanitation and deep cleaning standards
• Working within the equipment, staffing, and resources available
• Adapting quickly when operational challenges arise
LEADERSHIP & TEAM DEVELOPMENT
We want a leader who is comfortable setting expectations while also being willing to teach.
Our BOH team includes employees with different experience levels, and we want someone who enjoys helping people improve.
This means demonstrating proper techniques, explaining expectations clearly, correcting issues in the moment, and building stronger cooks over time.
We value leadership that is direct, consistent, respectful, and accountable.
The goal is a kitchen with strong standards and a team that enjoys working together.
CULINARY CREATIVITY
Hunters & Gatherers values thoughtful, approachable food and creative specials.
We want someone who enjoys developing dishes that fit the restaurant, the season, and the DeLand market.
Specials should be exciting for guests while still making sense from a cost, prep, and execution standpoint.
The Kitchen Lead / Chef will have the opportunity to contribute ideas, work with seasonal ingredients, and help shape the culinary direction of the restaurant.
OPERATIONAL OWNERSHIP
This role is responsible for helping maintain a kitchen that operates efficiently and responsibly.
That includes:
• Staying ahead of ordering and prep
• Maintaining accurate inventory
• Managing appropriate product levels
• Monitoring waste and yields
• Keeping labor within budget
• Avoiding unnecessary overtime
• Maintaining kitchen organization
• Ensuring deep cleaning is completed consistently
• Identifying operational issues and helping implement solutions
We are looking for someone who takes ownership rather than waiting to be told what needs attention.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Hunters & Gatherers is part of Downtown DeLand, and community involvement is an important part of our company.
The ideal candidate is comfortable participating in local events, special dinners, collaborations, catering opportunities, and other community focused events.
Knowledge of DeLand and the surrounding community is a plus, but we are also open to someone who is excited to become involved and build relationships locally.
WHAT YOU WILL HAVE
Hunters & Gatherers is part of BakeChop Co., and this position will have the support of our broader leadership and operations team.
You will not be expected to manage every aspect of the business independently.
You will have support with company systems, operations, administration, and broader business needs while maintaining ownership of the kitchen and BOH team.
We already have a strong group of people and are looking for the right leader to help bring additional consistency, organization, development, and culinary direction to the kitchen.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
• Strong line cook and kitchen leadership experience
• Confident culinary fundamentals
• Comfortable cooking steaks and proteins to temperature
• Experience with fish breakdown and basic butchery
• Experience with ordering and inventory
• Understanding of food cost and labor management
• Strong organizational and sanitation standards
• Comfortable creating specials and contributing menu ideas
• Strong communication and leadership skills
• Enjoys training and developing staff
• Flexible and willing to work hands on
• Comfortable working special events and community events
• Dependable, proactive, and solutions oriented
• Able to maintain high standards while supporting a positive kitchen culture
Full Time Leadership Position
Compensation Based on Experience *
Hunters & Gatherers | Downtown DeLand
Part of BakeChop Co.