Case study
Executive Chef Recruitment: Pre-Opening Venue
The challenge
A new bayside steakhouse needed its senior kitchen leadership locked in before opening, with no existing team or service rhythm to fall back on. The wrong hire pre-opening would have shaped the venue's entire early reputation.
Our approach
We worked through the brief in detail with ownership before going to market, including menu direction, supplier relationships, and the kind of kitchen culture they wanted to build from day one, then screened candidates against that specific pre-opening context rather than general experience alone.
The outcome
The Executive Chef appointed was in place ahead of opening, with time to build the kitchen team and systems before the doors opened to guests.
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