Job Opening: Executive Chef (Modern Australian Café | Bakery | Cocktail Bar)

📍 Location: Gurgaon, India

🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time | Leadership Role

🍽 Concept: Modern Australian Café, Bakery & Cocktail Bar

About the Role

A premium hospitality concept in Gurgaon is seeking a visionary Executive Chef to lead its flagship kitchen operations. This role is ideal for a chef passionate about Asian-inspired modern cuisine, fermentation, sourdough baking, and progressive flavour development.

The Executive Chef will work closely with the owner/chef to execute a menu based on the philosophy of “Modern Traditionalism”—reviving traditional culinary techniques such as fermentation, sourdough, and bacteria-led flavour profiles in a contemporary, global dining experience.

This concept includes high-energy Australian-style brunch service and an elevated evening cocktail bar menu featuring plate-sharing dishes.

Key Responsibilities

Menu Development & Innovation

• Create, design, and continuously evolve a menu blending Modern Australian roots with global and Asian influences
• Incorporate local Indian seasonal produce while maintaining international quality and presentation

Fermentation & Bakery Program

• Lead and manage the in-house fermentation program including:
• Sourdough production
• Lacto-fermentation
• Koji-brining
• Pickling and preserved ingredients
• Develop signature house ferments to enhance flavour complexity and uniqueness

Kitchen Operations & Quality Control

• Oversee daily kitchen operations for an 80-seat high-volume service
• Ensure consistency in plating, taste, speed, and execution during peak brunch and dinner services
• Maintain high hygiene and food safety standards

Costing & Vendor Management

• Manage food costing, wastage control, inventory, and supplier relationships
• Ensure profitability while maintaining premium ingredient quality

Team Leadership & Training

• Lead, train, and mentor a skilled kitchen brigade
• Build a strong culture of creativity, discipline, precision, and teamwork
• Conduct regular training on fermentation, bakery, and modern cooking techniques

Equipment & Kitchen Technology

• Operate and optimize high-end kitchen equipment including precision ovens and fermentation setups
• Bring modern technique-driven execution to service

Ideal Candidate Profile

• 8+ years of professional kitchen experience
• Minimum 2 years as Executive Chef / Head Chef
• Strong background in modern international cuisine (Australian experience is a plus)
• Excellent technical understanding of:
• Fermentation
• Sourdough baking
• Modern plating and flavour development
• Ability to handle both:
• Fast-paced brunch service (sandwiches, egg-based menu, café-style operations)
• Elevated dinner service aligned with cocktail bar dining
• Strong leadership, operational discipline, and entrepreneurial mindset
• Passion for bacteria-driven flavours and experimental culinary culture

What’s Offered

• Opportunity to lead a high-concept premium culinary brand in Gurgaon
• State-of-the-art kitchen with fermentation and modern equipment setup
• Creative freedom and collaborative work environment
• Competitive salary + performance-based incentives
• Long-term growth with the business

How to Apply

Interested candidates are requested to share at neha@aistalent.com:

📄 Updated CV

📸 Portfolio or photos of 3 signature dishes showcasing your style

➕ Bonus: Share your experience in sourdough/fermentation programs (koji, pickles, lacto-ferments, etc.)