Temporary Test Kitchen Recipe Development Chef Jobs in Cape Cod, MA

Position: Executive Chef

New Restaurant Opening | Mediterranean Concept

Needham, MA

Build Something Extraordinary from the Ground Up

We are looking for a visionary and entrepreneurial Executive Chef to lead the culinary direction of an exciting new Mediterranean restaurant opening in Needham, Massachusetts. This is a rare opportunity for a driven and passionate chef to play a pivotal role in bringing a brand-new dining destination to life — from crafting the menu and designing the kitchen to assembling a talented culinary team and establishing operational excellence ahead of opening day.

The ideal candidate is a creative culinary leader with deep expertise in Mediterranean cuisine, a genuine love for hospitality, and a proven track record of successful restaurant openings. This role offers the chance to shape every facet of the back-of-house operation and leave a lasting culinary legacy.

What You'll Do

As Executive Chef, you will oversee all culinary operations before, during, and after the restaurant opening, including:

• Create and develop the restaurant's culinary vision, menu, recipes, and signature dishes
• Design innovative Mediterranean-inspired cuisine using fresh, seasonal ingredients
• Collaborate with ownership to refine and execute the overall culinary concept
• Participate in kitchen design, equipment selection, and workflow planning
• Establish kitchen systems, standards, recipes, and operational procedures
• Source and negotiate with food vendors and suppliers
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop the entire Back-of-House team
• Foster a positive, collaborative, and high-performance kitchen culture
• Oversee scheduling, purchasing, inventory management, food costing, and labor management
• Maintain the highest standards of food quality, presentation, sanitation, and safety
• Lead all pre-opening culinary planning, training, and operational readiness
• Work closely with ownership throughout construction, development, and the successful restaurant launch

Qualifications

• Previous Executive Chef experience in a high-quality, chef-driven restaurant
• Strong knowledge and passion for Mediterranean cuisine
• Proven success opening new restaurants from concept through launch
• Extensive menu development and recipe creation experience
• Experience designing efficient kitchen layouts and operational workflows
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to recruit, mentor, and develop culinary teams
• Excellent financial acumen including food cost, labor cost, purchasing, and inventory management
• Exceptional organizational and project management skills
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment
• Culinary degree preferred but not required with equivalent experience

What We're Looking For

We're seeking a chef who is:

• Passionate about Mediterranean cuisine and exceptional hospitality
• Creative, innovative, and willing to think outside the box
• Entrepreneurial with a builder's mindset
• Hands-on and highly collaborative
• A strong mentor and inspiring leader
• Detail-oriented while maintaining a big-picture perspective
• Excited to create a one-of-a-kind dining experience from the ground up

Pre-Opening Opportunity

The selected Executive Chef will be hired immediately to participate in every phase of the restaurant's development, including:

• Approximately six weeks of paid pre-opening training
• Kitchen construction planning
• Equipment selection and kitchen layout
• Vendor sourcing and purchasing
• Menu and recipe development
• Hiring and onboarding the culinary team
• Developing training programs and operational standards
• Leading all culinary preparations for a successful grand opening

Restaurant Highlights

• Brand-new Mediterranean restaurant
• Approximately 165 total seats (115 indoor plus 50-seat outdoor patio)
• Full-service lunch and dinner operation
• Open seven days per week
• Scratch kitchen with an emphasis on fresh, innovative Mediterranean cuisine

Compensation & Benefits

• Base Salary: $110,000–$115,000 annually
• Bonus: Quarterly Bonus - performance-based structure based on F/L costs
• Health and dental insurance
• Paid time off: five days after the first six months, increasing to ten days by the end of year one
• Three sick days, in line with Massachusetts standards
• Generous food discounts: 50% at your home restaurant and 30% at sister establishments
• The chance to lead and grow with an expanding hospitality group
• Opportunity to lead a flagship restaurant from concept to opening
• Significant creative freedom and influence over the culinary direction
• Career growth with an expanding hospitality group

If you're a visionary Executive Chef who is passionate about creating memorable dining experiences and excited by the challenge of building a restaurant from the ground up, we'd love to hear from you. This is a unique opportunity to shape the future of an exciting new culinary destination from day one.

How to Apply

This is a confidential search managed exclusively by Gecko Hospitality. Qualified candidates are invited to submit their up-to-date resume for immediate and discreet consideration. All inquiries will be handled with the utmost professionalism.

Take the next step in your culinary career. Apply today and lead the kitchen of one of Needham's most anticipated new restaurants.