Chef Jobs in Union, NJ (NOW HIRING)

We are seeking a highly organized, creative, and detail-oriented Culinary Coordinator & Test Kitchen Manager to support Chef Daniel and the Corporate Culinary Team. This multifaceted role combines food styling, recipe development, culinary operations, event coordination, and administrative support while ensuring the smooth operation of the test kitchen and assisting with restaurant openings and brand expansion initiatives.

Someone that is passionate about food, thrives in a fast-paced environment, and is equally comfortable cooking in the kitchen, organizing large-scale culinary projects, and supporting media appearances and special events.

Key Responsibilities

Food Styling & Recipe Testing

• Research, develop, test, and refine recipes for Corporate Chefs and Chef Daniel.
• Prepare, cook, and style food for editorial photo shoots, cookbooks, magazines, newspapers, digital media, and special events.
• Scale and convert metric recipes into smaller imperial portions for publication while maintaining consistency and accuracy, including pastry recipes.
• Test and standardize recipes to ensure quality across all culinary concepts and publications.

Test Kitchen Management

• Oversee the daily operation and organization of the test kitchen.
• Maintain cleanliness, inventory, equipment, culinary tools, and cookbook library.
• Schedule kitchen usage for corporate chefs and culinary teams.
• Test and standardize recipes for company brands, (eg Cuisine Boulud and Épicerie Boulud) supporting brand expansion and consistency.

Corporate Culinary Support

• Coordinate logistics and production schedules for television appearances, podcasts, demonstrations, and media events.
• Assist Corporate Chefs with menu planning, recipe development, and concept creation for both existing and new restaurants.
• Prepare meeting notes and project updates for the Corporate Culinary Team.
• Support administrative functions including recipe costing, menu editing, ordering, production schedules, and mise en place (MEP) documentation.

Culinary Events & Special Projects

Working alongside the Culinary Manager to coordinate:

• Food preparation and production
• Equipment and rental needs
• Recipe costing and budgeting
• Event décor and presentation
• Tasting stations and culinary demonstrations
• Press and promotional events
• Expense reporting for non-catering culinary functions
• Travel with Corporate Chefs if needed to execute off-site events and special culinary experiences.
• Provide operational support for visiting chefs, including ordering, equipment coordination, and kitchen preparation.

Restaurant Openings

• Research products, ingredients, and culinary concepts for new restaurant projects.
• Develop menu descriptions and coordinate food photography.
• Record, organize, and maintain recipes using SharePoint and standardized documentation systems.
• Assist with restaurant openings, kitchen organization, staff training, and service support across New York locations.
• Assist the culinary manager with proofreading menus and internal culinary materials to ensure consistency with company standards.

Qualifications

• A minimum experience of 5 years in a professional savory or pastry kitchen in the restaurant industry with understanding of different styles of cuisine.
• Strong recipe development, testing, and food styling skills.
• Exceptional organizational and project management abilities.
• Experience with menu development, recipe costing, and culinary documentation.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel, and SharePoint and similar document management systems.
• Ability to multitask and thrive in a fast-paced environment.
• Flexibility to travel and work evenings or weekends for special events as needed.
• Passion for culinary excellence, innovation, and hospitality.

 
The Dinex Group LLC is an equal opportunity employer. The Dinex Group LLC does not discriminate in employment with regard to race, color, religion, national origin, citizenship status, ancestry, age, sex (including sexual harassment), sexual orientation, marital status, physical or mental disability, military status or unfavorable discharge from military service or any other characteristic protected by law.