Job Description Job Description
Executive Chef
Desi Dragon DM Plaza
Location: 167-14 Hillside Avenue, Jamaica, Queens, NY 11432
Job Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Pay: $95,000 to $115,000 per year, plus potential performance-based bonus
Department: Kitchen
Reports To: Project Manager / Restaurant Leadership
About the Position
Desi Dragon is seeking an experienced, hands-on Executive Chef to lead kitchen operations and help build the culinary foundation of our new restaurant in Jamaica, Queens.
We are looking for a skilled culinary leader with professional experience in both Indian and Chinese cuisines who can deliver consistent food quality, develop and standardize recipes, train kitchen employees, and manage daily kitchen operations.
The Executive Chef will play an important role in restaurant-opening preparation, menu development, kitchen organization, and building a high-performing culinary team.
Key Responsibilities
Culinary Leadership and Operations
- Lead daily kitchen operations, food preparation, and service execution.
- Oversee the preparation of Indian and Chinese dishes while maintaining consistent taste, quality, and presentation.
- Develop, test, document, and standardize recipes, cooking procedures, portions, and plating standards.
- Organize kitchen stations, preparation schedules, production workflows, and mise en place.
- Monitor service efficiency and resolve kitchen bottlenecks during busy periods.
- Conduct food-quality checks and address inconsistencies in preparation or execution.
- Minimize food waste, overproduction, preparation errors, and improper portioning.
Team Leadership and Training
- Supervise, train, and develop Sous Chefs, Line Cooks, Junior Cooks, and kitchen support staff.
- Establish clear expectations for kitchen performance, cleanliness, teamwork, and consistency.
- Train employees on recipes, cooking techniques, equipment operation, sanitation, and kitchen procedures.
- Support kitchen recruitment, onboarding, and practical assessments.
- Maintain effective communication and teamwork during high-volume service.
Food Safety and Kitchen Standards
- Maintain compliance with applicable food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements.
- Establish and oversee kitchen opening, closing, cleaning, and food-handling procedures.
- Maintain kitchen organization, equipment cleanliness, and inspection readiness.
- Ensure proper food storage, preparation, and handling practices.
Restaurant Coordination and Development
- Collaborate with the Restaurant Manager regarding ingredient requirements, shortages, food quality, and daily operational needs.
- Participate in menu development, recipe testing, tastings, special events, and guest experiences.
- Support restaurant-opening preparation, kitchen setup, and employee training.
- Participate in appropriate culinary demonstrations and restaurant promotional activities.
The Restaurant Manager has primary responsibility for purchasing, vendor management, supplier negotiations, inventory accounting, and overall restaurant food-cost management. The Executive Chef works closely with the Restaurant Manager to support kitchen requirements and food-quality standards.
Required Qualifications
- At least 5 years of professional culinary experience.
- At least 3 years of kitchen leadership or supervisory experience.
- Demonstrated professional cooking experience with both Indian and Chinese cuisines.
- Strong knowledge of Indian cooking techniques, spices, curries, proteins, rice preparations, breads, and regional flavors.
- Strong knowledge of Chinese cooking techniques, including wok cooking, stir-frying, steaming, frying, marinades, and sauces.
- Strong knife skills and professional food preparation techniques.
- Experience developing, documenting, and standardizing recipes.
- Experience supervising, training, and coaching kitchen employees.
- Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and professional kitchen procedures.
- Ability to manage kitchen operations during high-volume service.
- Strong organizational, communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
- Availability to work on-site, including scheduled evenings, weekends, and holidays as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience preparing Indo-Chinese cuisine.
- Experience opening a restaurant or establishing kitchen operations.
- Experience supporting catering, private dining, or special events.
- NYC Food Protection Certificate.
- Experience interacting with guests or participating in culinary demonstrations and restaurant promotional activities.
- Bengali language proficiency for communicating with Bengali-speaking staff or guests is a plus but not required.
What We Are Looking For
Our ideal Executive Chef is a confident, hands-on culinary professional who demonstrates:
- Strong leadership and accountability.
- Excellent attention to detail and food-quality standards.
- Effective communication and coaching skills.
- Sound decision-making under pressure.
- Creativity and adaptability in the kitchen.
- Professionalism and a collaborative working style.
- A commitment to food safety, consistency, and continuous improvement.
Why Join Desi Dragon?
Desi Dragon is developing a new restaurant concept within DM Plaza, offering an experienced Executive Chef the opportunity to help establish its culinary operations from the opening phase.
This role offers:
- Culinary leadership: Help establish food-quality standards, kitchen procedures, and service execution.
- Menu development: Participate in recipe development, testing, tastings, and menu refinement.
- Team development: Help hire, train, and build a skilled kitchen team.
- Restaurant-opening involvement: Contribute to kitchen setup, workflow development, and operational readiness.
- Creative participation: Support culinary demonstrations, special events, guest experiences, and restaurant promotions.
- Professional contribution: Play an important role in developing Desi Dragon within DM Plaza's broader hospitality operations.
Compensation
Base Salary: $95,000 to $115,000 annually, depending on relevant experience and qualifications.
Additional Compensation: Potential performance-based bonus.
Hiring Process
Our anticipated selection process includes:
- Application and resume review.
- Structured interview assessing culinary experience, kitchen leadership, and operational judgment.
- Practical culinary assessment evaluated using defined criteria.
- Final discussion and professional reference checks.
Candidates invited for a practical assessment will receive details about the expectations, evaluation criteria, and applicable compensation in advance.
How to Apply
Please apply through ZipRecruiter with your current resume.
Applicants should highlight their professional experience with Indian and Chinese cuisines, kitchen leadership, recipe development, and restaurant operations.
Relevant menu samples, food photographs, or culinary portfolio examples may be requested during the interview process.
Desi Dragon welcomes applications from qualified candidates with the culinary expertise and leadership skills needed to succeed in this position.
