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Pre Opening Chef Jobs (NOW HIRING)

New Restaurant in SoHo

Pastry Chef

New York, NY

$80K - $100K/yr

SoHo, New York · Full-Time · $80,000-$100,000 + Bonus We are looking for a Pastry Chef for our ... This role will require you to build and lead the pastry program during the pre-opening stage and ...

New

TransPecos Banks

Sous Chef

San Antonio, TX · On-site

$45K - $60K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE This is a pre-opening hire. You will be in the kitchen with us from the beginning - participating in menu tastings, developing and refining dishes, establishing prep systems, and ...

TransPecos Bank

Sous Chef

San Antonio, TX

$45K - $60K/yr

ABOUT THE ROLE This is a pre-opening hire. You will be in the kitchen with us from the beginning - participating in menu tastings, developing and refining dishes, establishing prep systems, and ...

Big Fish

Executive Chef

Myrtle Beach, SC · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

This is a pre-opening role you'll help build the kitchen, the menu, and the BOH team from scratch. The Role The Executive Chef owns everything that comes out of our kitchen menu development, food ...

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OPENING Executive Chef

Phoenix, AZ

$71K - $97K/yr

... Chef is the culinary visionary and operational leader responsible for defining, launching, and ... Hiring Date May 2026 Key Responsibilities Pre-Opening & Concept Development * Lead culinary ...

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OPENING Executive Chef

Phoenix, AZ

$71K - $97K/yr

... Chef is the culinary visionary and operational leader responsible for defining, launching, and ... Hiring Date May 2026 Key Responsibilities Pre-Opening & Concept Development * Lead culinary ...

Pacific Hospitality Group

OPENING Executive Chef

Phoenix, AZ · On-site

$71K - $97K/yr

... Chef is the culinary visionary and operational leader responsible for defining, launching, and ... Hiring Date May 2026 Key Responsibilities Pre-Opening & Concept Development * Lead culinary ...

Viceroy Hotels and Resorts

Executive Sous Chef

Ketchum, ID

$62K - $80K/yr

The Executive Sous Chef serves as the primary operational partner to the Executive Chef and is ... Support pre-opening operational setup, kitchen organization, equipment planning, inventory setup ...

Thompson Austin - 5th and Brazos

Chef de Cuisine

Austin, TX · On-site

$65K - $90K/yr

The Role The Chef de Cuisine will lead the restaurant kitchen and team members through a successful pre-opening of the restaurant in Spring 2024. The goal of the Chef de Cuisine is to manage the ...

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Pre Opening Chef information

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$10

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How much do pre opening chef jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for pre opening chef in the United States is $24.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.83 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What unique challenges does a Pre Opening Chef face when setting up a new restaurant kitchen?

A Pre Opening Chef plays a critical role in establishing the kitchen's operations before a restaurant opens. Common challenges include designing an efficient kitchen layout, selecting and training the culinary team, developing menus that align with the restaurant's concept, and ensuring all equipment and supplies are in place and functional. This role requires strong project management skills, adaptability to unforeseen delays, and close collaboration with contractors, suppliers, and management to ensure a smooth launch. Successfully overcoming these challenges sets the foundation for the restaurant's long-term success.

What is a Pre Opening Chef?

A Pre Opening Chef is a culinary professional responsible for overseeing the setup and launch of a new restaurant, hotel kitchen, or food service operation before it officially opens. This role involves tasks such as designing menus, sourcing ingredients, hiring and training kitchen staff, setting up kitchen equipment, and establishing food safety standards. The Pre Opening Chef ensures that all culinary operations are ready for a smooth opening and that the team is prepared to deliver high-quality food from day one. Their expertise is crucial in creating efficient workflows and establishing a strong culinary foundation for the new establishment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Pre Opening Chef, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Pre Opening Chef, you need strong culinary expertise, leadership experience, and a proven track record in restaurant openings, typically supported by a culinary degree or equivalent experience. Familiarity with kitchen design, equipment procurement, menu development, and food safety certifications are crucial for setting up new operations. Exceptional organizational skills, adaptability, and effective team communication help navigate the unique challenges of launching a new kitchen. These competencies ensure a seamless pre-opening process, high-quality standards, and a successful launch of the culinary operation.

What is the difference between Pre Opening Chef vs Kitchen Manager?

AspectPre Opening ChefKitchen Manager
CredentialsCooking certifications, culinary degreesManagement certifications, culinary background
Work EnvironmentKitchen, food preparation, menu planningKitchen oversight, staff management
Employer & Industry UsageUsed during restaurant setup, opening phasesOngoing operational management
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding roles during restaurant openingManaging kitchen operations post-opening

The Pre Opening Chef focuses on preparing the kitchen, developing menus, and ensuring readiness before a restaurant opens. In contrast, the Kitchen Manager oversees daily kitchen operations, manages staff, and maintains quality standards after the opening. Both roles require culinary skills, but their responsibilities differ mainly by timing and scope within the restaurant lifecycle.

Infographic showing various Pre Opening Chef job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 73% Full Time, 25% Part Time, and 2% Temporary. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,225 per year, or $24.6 per hour.
Executive Chef - New York

Executive Chef - New York

The Chef Agency

New York, NY • On-site

$78K - $107K/yr

Full-time

PTO

Posted 3 days ago

Job description

03rd June, 2026
Location: New York, NY
Salary: $180k+ (DOE)
Benefits: M/D/V, PTO
A high-profile luxury hospitality group is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the opening of a new flagship restaurant in New York City. This concept blends elevated dining with high-energy hospitality and operates at a significant scale in other major U.S. markets.
Qualifications:
- Minimum 5+ years as an Executive Chef in a high-end, high-volume restaurant
- Proven ability to lead large culinary teams and operate at a luxury hospitality standard
- Experience opening restaurants or leading pre-opening culinary operations preferred
Responsibilities:
- Oversee all culinary operations including hiring, training, food quality, and cost control
- Lead a large kitchen team while maintaining consistency, execution, and efficiency at high volume
- Partner with ownership and leadership on menu execution, kitchen culture, and pre-opening strategy
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About Chef Agency

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

THE MOST TALENTED RECRUITING TEAM IN THE HOSPITALITY INDUSTRY. With our support, you’ll have exclusive access to top-tier clients, a robust candidate database, insight from industry experts, and the necessary training and tools needed to build your book of business. Reach out today, and create your own work-life balance while achieving success in the recruiting world.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

51 - 200 Employees

Headquarters location

New York, NY, US

Year founded

2013

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