Executive Chef - Culinary Leadership & Growth Opportunities

Description

About Harvest Restaurant Group

Harvest Restaurants has grown to 15 restaurants, and nearly 1000 employees throughout Northern and Central New Jersey, and most recently Darien, Connecticut. Concepts include fine American, farm-to-table, and high-end steakhouses. Harvest firmly believes that hospitality starts with its own employees where employees come first. The Harvest team lives by a set of core values that support the well-being of their staff and communities. Employees enjoy a culture in which people truly care about each other, resulting in a high level of pride, respect, and enthusiasm in everything they do.

The Role

We are currently seeking an experienced, career-minded Executive Chef to join our culinary team at Roots, Rumson, one of Harvest’s fine dining steakhouse concepts. The Executive Chef will lead kitchen operations with precision, professionalism, and creativity. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires not only exceptional cooking ability but also the discipline to maintain the highest standards of consistency, cleanliness, and team development. Our ideal candidate is passionate about the craft of cooking, thrives in a high-performance environment, and leads by example.

Responsibilities

• Execute a consistently excellent menu and guest experience.
• Lead daily operations of the kitchen, including expediting, staff management, and quality control and ordering.
• Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards with zero compromise.
• Train, mentor, and inspire back-of-house staff; foster a culture of respect, accountability, and growth.
• Manage ordering, inventory, and waste reduction to protect margins while maintaining excellence.
• Demonstrate mastery of core cooking skills, particularly broiler and sauté.
• Work closely with General Manager and Front of House Manager to ensure consistent operations throughout the restaurant.

Requirements

• 2-4 years in a salaried culinary position.
• Must be willing to work the line during service.
• Strong technical proficiency in a variety of cooking methods, with advanced broiler skills required.
• Exceptional organizational skills with a sharp eye for detail and consistency.
• Strong leadership presence—able to motivate, train, and hold a team accountable.
• Ability to stay calm, focused, and professional under pressure.
• Culinary degree preferred but not required if matched by equivalent fine dining experience.
• Passion for culinary innovation and hospitality, balanced with respect for structure and systems.
• Experience in fine American dining is a plus.

Benefits & Perks

• Competitive compensation package.
• Medical, dental, and vision benefits (eligibility at 30 hours/week).
• Career progression programs within one of New Jersey’s most respected restaurant groups.
• Daily family meal.
• Dining discounts across all Harvest concepts.
• Optional emergency fund for team members in need.
• Employee referral bonuses.
• Holiday closures.
• Ongoing training and development.
• Flexible scheduling.

Join Us At Harvest, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of excellence—but we also believe in taking care of our people. If you’re a passionate, driven culinarian who thrives in a fine dining environment and wants to grow within a respected, family-owned restaurant group, we’d love to meet you.

Apply today and grow your career with Harvest Restaurant Group.