Chef de Cuisine

1 year

At The Local Eclectic Cafe, timeless Parisian cafe culture meets globally inspired, playful dining. Located within Local Eclectics first-ever retail location, our cafe and wine bar celebrates seasonality, creativity, and connectionfrom espresso to apero.

Were seeking a Chef de Cuisine to bring this vision to life. Youll have the rare opportunity to shape a new culinary destination from the ground up, creating dishes that are elegant, bold, and crave-worthy. With creative freedom and the support of a Certified Master Chef consultant, this role is your chance to make a lasting mark on Chicagos dining scene.

Culinary Leadership

• Develop and execute a thoughtful, seasonal menu aligned with our globally inspired, scratch-made ethos
• Hire, train, and lead a high-performing kitchen team
• Foster a collaborative, growth-oriented kitchen culture with a focus on excellence

Kitchen Operations & Execution

• Manage day-to-day kitchen operations including prep, plating, food quality, and service flow
• Implement systems for food costing, inventory, cleanliness, and BOH efficiency
• Maintain compliance with health and safety standards (City of Chicago regulations)
• Support kitchen design and layout to ensure smooth back-of-house operations

Vendor Sourcing & Partnerships

• Build relationships with local producers, artisans, and specialty vendors
• Source exceptional ingredients and presentation elements that elevate the menu
• Uphold vendor quality standards and manage supplier communications

Menu Innovation

• Collaborate with our Certified Master Chef consultant to launch and evolve the cafes all-day menu
• Develop seasonal specials and limited-time offerings that delight guests
• Uphold culinary standards and ensure consistency across all dishes

• Culinary Arts and/or BPS degree
• Experience in a cafe, wine bar, or chef-driven restaurant preferred
• Strong command of BOH systems, food cost management, and team development
• Passion for hospitality, seasonality, and creating an exceptional guest experience
• Embraces creativity and ambiguity; thrives in a build-from-scratch environment
• Committed to inclusive leadership and a collaborative team culture

• Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance plans
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid parental leave
• Quarterly shopping credits for Local Eclectic product
• Employee discounts across the brand

Apply for this role by visiting our Careers page at
Learn more about the flagship store and cafe concept at

Local Eclectic is an equal opportunity employer that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local law.

Compensation: Salary ($55,000.00 - $65,000.00)

Benefits & Perks: Health Insurance, Dental Insurance, Vision Insurance, Paid Time Off, 401k

Menu Development

Staff Training

Operational Management

Quality Control

Vendor Relationship Management

Ingredient Sourcing

Creativity in Culinary Arts

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Leadership

Adaptability

Attention to Detail

Customer Service Orientation

Team Collaboration

Strategic Planning

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