CHEF DE CUISINE

—

OPENING TEAM

Somewhere Near... is a new all-day hospitality concept opening in Jackson Heights, Queens, bringing together coffee, brunch, afternoon tea, dinner, art, and nightlife under one roof. We are seeking a hands-on Chef de Cuisine to lead our culinary program and help build the kitchen operation from the ground up. This is an opportunity for a chef who leads with accountability, takes responsibility for the kitchen, and wants to play a meaningful role in shaping the culinary identity and culture of a new restaurant. The Chef de Cuisine will oversee culinary operations across our daytime and evening food programs, including breakfast and brunch, afternoon tea, and dinner.

Responsibilities include:

Recruiting, leading, training, and developing the opening BOH team Managing daily prep, production, and service Maintaining consistency, quality, portioning, and presentation Establishing standardized recipes, prep procedures, pars, and station systems Managing ordering, receiving, inventory, and vendor relationships Managing food cost, purchasing, yields, and waste Scheduling and BOH labor management Maintaining rigorous sanitation, food safety, and NYC health-code standards Developing strong kitchen systems, organization, and accountability Contributing to menu development, costing, testing, and execution Collaborating closely with the General Manager and FOH leadership to ensure smooth service across all dayparts Preparing the culinary operation for opening, including team training, mock service, and opening procedures Maintaining a calm, organized, respectful, and professional kitchen culture We are looking for someone who is highly organized, dependable, solutions-oriented, calm under pressure, and comfortable being hands-on during service. The ideal candidate has strong culinary fundamentals, proven kitchen leadership experience, a solid understanding of food and labor costs, and the ability to move comfortably between different styles of service throughout the day. Experience opening a restaurant, building a BOH team, or establishing kitchen systems from the ground up is strongly preferred . This is not a role for someone looking simply to inherit an established kitchen. We are looking for a culinary leader who is excited by the opportunity to build and lead from day one. Somewhere Near... is being built with a long-term vision, and we are looking for a Chef de Cuisine who wants to grow with us and play an important role in shaping the culinary program from the beginning.