How to write a head chef job description

Writing a job description for a head chef involves more than just listing qualifications and skills. It requires striking the right balance between culinary expertise, leadership qualities, and the ability to manage finances and resources. 

Many restaurants find this challenging, and getting it wrong can lead to hiring someone who’s great with flavors but struggles with team management, for example. Mis-hires like these can seriously disrupt your kitchen’s efficiency and morale, plus your restaurant’s reputation.

That’s why we’re here to help. In this article, we’ll guide you through the essentials of crafting a perfect head chef job description – including key points to include and common pitfalls to avoid. We’ll also share a job description template to help streamline your hiring process.

What is a head chef?

A head chef is a culinary professional who leads a kitchen, balancing artistic culinary skills with sharp managerial abilities. They’re responsible for menu creation, ingredient selection, and kitchen management, including its finances and resources.

Head chefs help shape the kitchen’s culture, ensure quality and consistency in dishes, and oversee their team’s performance – making them essential to a restaurant's operational efficiency and overall success. 

Key skills to look for in head chefs

Head chefs must possess a mix of hard and soft skills to succeed. Below are some key skills to look for in your head chef candidates.

Hard skills

• Proficient in various cooking techniques and cuisines

• Expertise in menu development, food plating, and presentation

• Knowledge of food safety and sanitation regulations

• Experience with inventory management and cost control

Soft skills

• Strong leadership and team management abilities

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills

• Ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment

• Creative thinking and problem-solving capabilities

How to write an effective head chef job description

Follow these best practices to ensure your head chef job description stands out:

Emphasize culinary creativity and innovation

Focusing on creativity is crucial because a head chef’s ability to innovate sets the tone for a restaurant’s culinary reputation. So, in your job description, specify the importance of originality in menu design and dish creation.

For example, say your restaurant prides itself on innovative cuisine. You might write, “Seeking a head chef with a proven track record of developing unique, avant-garde menus that challenge culinary norms and delight diners."

Highlight the leadership aspect of the role 

Leadership skills are vital for a head chef, as they must manage the kitchen staff and maintain high standards under pressure. Detail the need for these skills in your job description so candidates know they must be capable of handling the dynamic, often stressful environment of a professional kitchen.

Detail specific cuisine expertise requirements

Clearly state if expertise in a particular cuisine or cooking style is essential. For example, you could write, “Applicants must have at least 5 years of experience crafting high-end Italian dishes, with a deep understanding of regional ingredients and traditional cooking methods.”

This specificity ensures candidates are aligned with your restaurant’s culinary style.

Stress the importance of budget and resource management 

​​A head chef’s role isn't limited to cooking; they also manage kitchen finances and resources. ​​​​Highlighting this side of the role helps attract candidates who are not only culinary experts but also efficient managers, capable of optimizing resources while maintaining quality.

Head chef job description template

Use the job description template below to write an effective one for your head chef position.

Company introduction

Introduce your company, its cuisine and dining experience, and what you pride yourself on – e.g., a commitment to culinary excellence and innovative dishes. Also, mention when your restaurant was founded, why it’s a leader in the culinary industry, and any achievements it’s received. 

Benefits of working with [Your Company]

Outline the benefits that your company provides employees – e.g., a competitive salary and benefits package, healthcare coverage, and professional growth and development opportunities. Additionally, describe employee benefits specific to head chefs, such as “an opportunity to lead a dynamic and talented kitchen team.”

Head chef job brief

​​[Company Name]

Job Title: [Head Chef]

Reports to: [e.g., Executive Chef, Culinary Director, or Restaurant Owner]

Position type: [For example, full-time or part-time]

Location: [Company Name, Address, City, State, Zip Code] 

[Salary and benefits details]

Head chef responsibilities

• Develop and execute menus that align with our restaurant's culinary vision.

• Ensure the highest standards of food quality, taste, and presentation.

• Lead and manage the kitchen staff, fostering a collaborative and efficient working environment.

• Manage kitchen operations, including inventory, budgeting, and cost control.

• Uphold and enhance food safety and sanitation practices.

• Collaborate with the management team to align kitchen operations with overall business goals.

Requirements and preferred qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional training.

• Proven experience as a Head Chef (or ​​Chef de Cuisine or Executive Chef) in a reputable restaurant.

• Strong knowledge of various cooking methods, ingredients, and cuisines.

• Demonstrated leadership skills and ability to manage a diverse team.

• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• A passion for culinary excellence and innovation.

• Ability to adapt to sudden changes and remain calm under pressure.

2 things to avoid when writing a head chef job description

When writing a head chef job description, steer clear of these common pitfalls:

1. Vagueness in describing the kitchen’s culture

Avoid using generic descriptions that could apply to any kitchen. Instead, provide details about your establishment's specific work environment, pace, and culture. For example, if your restaurant values a collaborative approach and innovative thinking, make this clear in the job description. 

Failing to describe these elements accurately can lead to hiring a chef whose approach and experience don’t align with your kitchen’s atmosphere and operational style.

2. Forgetting to highlight the need for adaptability

A head chef must be able to handle unexpected situations, whether it’s a sudden change in ingredients availability or adapting to new culinary trends. Your job description should reflect these requirements. Overlooking them puts you at risk of hiring a chef who may struggle to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-evolving kitchen environment.

Next steps: Attracting and assessing head chefs 

With your head chef job description in hand, you can start sharing it in job postings online. Wait for applications to roll in, and then begin the candidate assessment process. 

At TestGorilla, we believe talent assessments are the best way to evaluate candidates compared to resume screening or interviews alone. They’re straightforward, quick to complete, and help prevent bias during hiring.

Our platform offers hundreds of scientifically backed tests that measure individuals’ job-specific skills, soft skills, personality traits, and more. You can combine as many as five tests for a custom assessment that targets the exact skills required for your open position.

TestGorilla has a collection of tests for chefs, which include our:

• Communication Skills test

• Critical Thinking test

• Leadership & People Management test

• Customer Service test

• Problem Solving test

• Time Management test

You can pair these with the Cooking Techniques Skills test and TestGorilla’s Culture Add test to identify candidates with the right technical skills and behavioral traits to thrive in your restaurant.

FAQs

What do head chefs do on a daily basis?

​​Head chefs oversee the entire kitchen operation, from menu planning and food preparation to staff management and inventory control. They ensure culinary standards are met, lead their team, and manage the kitchen's budget.

What is higher than a head chef?

Job roles higher than a head chef typically include executive chefs (in restaurants that have this position) or culinary directors, who oversee multiple kitchens or the overall culinary strategy of a hospitality group or chain.

Hiring highly skilled head chefs with TestGorilla

Crafting a compelling job description for a head chef is crucial in attracting the right talent. Your job description should showcase the specific culinary and managerial expertise required for the role, reflect the unique culture of your kitchen, and highlight any particular culinary specializations. 

After you include your head chef job description in job postings, the next step is to evaluate candidates’ skills and traits. With TestGorilla, this is fast, easy, and bias-free. 

Browse our library of hundreds of tests, combine up to five to create the perfect assessment, and then roll out assessments for candidates to complete at their own pace on their mobile devices. You can gain insight into their behavioral traits, job-specific skills, cognitive abilities, and more.

Get started with TestGorilla today by requesting a free live demo or signing up for a free account.