Head Chef Jobs in New York
Head Chef jobs in New York represent one of the most active and competitive culinary markets in the country, with openings concentrated in fine dining, hotel food and beverage programs, and large-scale hospitality groups at every level from sous chef promotions to executive appointments. The heaviest hiring takes place in New York City, Buffalo, and Albany, where major employers including Marriott Hotels, Sodexo, and Compass Group maintain a consistent presence across multiple properties. The most in-demand specialties are farm-to-table and New American cuisine, large-format banquet and catering operations, and upscale tasting-menu concepts. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Company Description
Eataly is the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace! Eataly is not a chain; each Eataly is different, with its own character and own theme – but all with the same aim... for our guests to:
EAT authentic Italian food at our restaurants, cafés and to-go counters
SHOP a selection of high-quality Italian, local and homemade products
* LEARN through our classes and our team’s product knowledge
If you are interested in joining our team and can be flexible with your job search timeline, we’d be happy to receive your application! We are looking for candidates with mobility and interest in growth, as we continue to open in major cities across North America.
Job Description
The Head Chef directs the culinary team’s daily activities in accordance with Eataly’s policies and objectives to ensure guest satisfaction, profitability, and a positive, productive and compliant work environment. Reports directly to the Store Director and functionally to the Area Executive Chef. Oversees the entire Back of House team of the store.
- Directs employee hiring, assignment, training, payroll, scheduling, evaluations and terminations
- Collaborates closely with the Area Executive Chef and the store team to plan and execute seasonal menus in the restaurants
- Partners interdepartmentally with the store senior leadership team and with corporate to execute initiatives, plan special events and share information
- Ensures that the Back of House team consistently and meticulously updates virtual menus to manage the difference between theoretical and actual margin
- Combines financial acumen and attention to operational details, creating an environment that emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence; where the team is proud of our brand, high standards and appearance
- Observes food production and samples food to ensure compliance with recipes and standards
- Reviews financial information, such as sales costs and labor, to ensure efficient operations
- Manages inventory and procurement: estimates needs, places orders, receives and checks deliveries
- Informs front of house personnel of menu changes, specials and shortages
- Documents, investigates, escalates and resolves all employee and guest incidents
- Performs other duties as required or assigned
Qualifications
- 6+ years of chef experience, including 3+ years of management experience
- Strong understanding of Italian cuisine
- Excellent communication, leadership, motivational and team-building skills
- Knowledge of kitchen equipment and procedures, safety and sanitation regulations
- Advanced computer skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or degree from a post-secondary culinary arts training program highly preferred
Job Requirements
- Availability to work onsite with a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours, standing or walking in a restaurant environment
- Ability to operate commercial equipment including stand mixers, ovens, torches, etc.
The annual compensation for this role is $100,000 - $110,000.
Additional Information
Benefits and Perks
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401K with match or RRSP
- Bonus program
- Free family meal daily
- Discounts at Eataly
- Classes on products and Italian cuisine
- Referral bonus program
- and more!
Eataly is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic made unlawful to consider by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Eataly also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Eataly’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding consideration of unemployment status, salary history, credit/bankruptcy history and criminal background/conviction history in making hiring decisions. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation.
Company Description
Eataly is the world’s largest artisanal Italian food and beverage marketplace! Eataly is not a chain; each Eataly is different, with its own character and own theme – but all with the same aim... for our guests to:
EAT authentic Italian food at our restaurants, cafés and to-go counters
SHOP a selection of high-quality Italian, local and homemade products
* LEARN through our classes and our team’s product knowledge
If you are interested in joining our team and can be flexible with your job search timeline, we’d be happy to receive your application! We are looking for candidates with mobility and interest in growth, as we continue to open in major cities across North America.
Job Description
The Head Chef directs the culinary team’s daily activities in accordance with Eataly’s policies and objectives to ensure guest satisfaction, profitability, and a positive, productive and compliant work environment. Reports directly to the Store Director and functionally to the Area Executive Chef. Oversees the entire Back of House team of the store.
- Directs employee hiring, assignment, training, payroll, scheduling, evaluations and terminations
- Collaborates closely with the Area Executive Chef and the store team to plan and execute seasonal menus in the restaurants
- Partners interdepartmentally with the store senior leadership team and with corporate to execute initiatives, plan special events and share information
- Ensures that the Back of House team consistently and meticulously updates virtual menus to manage the difference between theoretical and actual margin
- Combines financial acumen and attention to operational details, creating an environment that emphasizes the importance of striving for excellence; where the team is proud of our brand, high standards and appearance
- Observes food production and samples food to ensure compliance with recipes and standards
- Reviews financial information, such as sales costs and labor, to ensure efficient operations
- Manages inventory and procurement: estimates needs, places orders, receives and checks deliveries
- Informs front of house personnel of menu changes, specials and shortages
- Documents, investigates, escalates and resolves all employee and guest incidents
- Performs other duties as required or assigned
Qualifications
- 6+ years of chef experience, including 3+ years of management experience
- Strong understanding of Italian cuisine
- Excellent communication, leadership, motivational and team-building skills
- Knowledge of kitchen equipment and procedures, safety and sanitation regulations
- Advanced computer skills
- Bachelor’s Degree or degree from a post-secondary culinary arts training program highly preferred
Job Requirements
- Availability to work onsite with a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
- Ability to exert well-paced mobility for up to 8 hours, standing or walking in a restaurant environment
- Ability to operate commercial equipment including stand mixers, ovens, torches, etc.
The annual compensation for this role is $100,000 - $110,000.
Additional Information
Benefits and Perks
- Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance
- Paid Time Off
- Paid Parental Leave
- 401K with match or RRSP
- Bonus program
- Free family meal daily
- Discounts at Eataly
- Classes on products and Italian cuisine
- Referral bonus program
- and more!
Eataly is an equal employment opportunity employer. It is the Company’s policy to not unlawfully discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, age, disability or any other characteristic made unlawful to consider by applicable federal, state, or local laws. Eataly also prohibits harassment of applicants and employees based on any of these protected categories. It is also Eataly’s policy to comply with all applicable federal, state and local laws regarding consideration of unemployment status, salary history, credit/bankruptcy history and criminal background/conviction history in making hiring decisions. If contacted for an employment opportunity, please advise Human Resources if you require accommodation.
See All 8 Head Chef Jobs in New York
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Find Head Chef JobsHead Chef Jobs by City in New York
Where New York roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Head Chef Job Market in New York
A snapshot from current New York openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Eataly4
- Eataly Silicon Valley2
- Japan Village1
- White Whale1
Top Industries Hiring
- Retail2
What New York Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in head chef jobs across New York.
- New York City Food Handler certification or equivalent local health department credential required
- Minimum five years of progressive kitchen leadership experience in a full-service restaurant or hotel
- Demonstrated ability to develop menus, control food costs, and manage kitchen budgets
- Experience supervising and scheduling a team of line cooks, prep staff, and sous chefs
- Culinary degree or formal apprenticeship from an accredited program preferred by most employers
- Familiarity with New York City Department of Health sanitation standards and inspection protocols
Head Chef Jobs in New York: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a head chef in New York?
Becoming a head chef in New York typically starts with formal culinary training, often from programs at institutions like the Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park or the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. New York does not issue a state culinary license for head chefs, but New York City requires a Food Protection Certificate for supervisory kitchen roles. Most employers expect several years of progressive experience moving through line cook, sous chef, and kitchen manager positions before a head chef appointment.
How much do head chefs make in New York?
Head chefs in New York earn a median of about $70,670 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $46,260 for the lowest 10% to over $120,370 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire head chefs in New York?
Employers hiring head chefs in New York right now include Eataly, Eataly Silicon Valley, and Japan Village, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. New York's deep concentration of hotel groups, independent restaurant groups, and large institutional food service operators means head chef openings appear across a wide range of employer types and borough locations throughout the year.
Which New York cities have the most head chef jobs?
The cities with the most head chef openings in New York are New York, Brooklyn, and Seaford. New York City dominates the list because of its unmatched density of hotels, fine dining restaurants, and large hospitality groups, while Buffalo and Albany draw consistent demand from regional hotel brands, university food service programs, and a growing independent restaurant scene that requires experienced kitchen leadership.
Are there remote head chef jobs in New York?
Yes, but they're rare. Head chef work is fundamentally hands-on and kitchen-based, so fully remote positions are uncommon. About 0% of head chef openings tied to New York are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, and those tend to involve consulting, menu development, or culinary content roles rather than day-to-day kitchen management. The large majority of listings require a consistent on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a head chef in New York with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a line cook or prep cook role at a New York employer known for promoting from within, such as large hotel food and beverage departments or institutional food service operators like hospital and university dining programs. Earning a New York City Food Protection Certificate gives candidates an immediate credential advantage. From there, moving into a sous chef or kitchen supervisor role at a mid-sized restaurant group builds the direct leadership experience New York head chef postings consistently require.
Where can I find and apply to head chef jobs in New York?
You can find and apply to head chef jobs in New York on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings tied to New York locations. Search the listings, find roles that match your experience and the type of kitchen you want to work in, and apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 8 Head Chef Jobs in New York
Find roles in New York that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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