Head Chef - Italian Restaurant

Job Title: Head Chef – Italian Restaurant
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Salary: €43,000-€45,000, gross per year
Start Date: ASAP

For our client, an expanding group of trendy restaurants, we are looking for a Head Chef to lead the kitchen brigade of an Italian authentic-modern restaurant.

As the Head Chef, you will shape the culinary soul of the restaurant, creating menus that celebrate the simplicity and warmth of authentic Italian cooking. This hands-on leadership role will leverage your expertise, precision, and passion for Italian hospitality to define excellence in every dish and service. You will uphold tradition while keeping flavors light and fresh, and cultivate an environment where food is shared, stories are told, and guests feel at home from their first bite.

You will build, mentor, and lead a strong kitchen team, creating a culture of collaboration, craftsmanship, and respect where the menu conveys the essence of the true Italian culinary identity.

Key Responsibilities

Lead daily kitchen operations with excellence, ensuring consistency, timeliness, and culinary integrity across every service.Restructure, recruit, train, and mentor a high-performing team grounded in respect, teamwork, and craftsmanship.Collaborate closely with venue management to deliver warm, seamless, hospitality-driven service.Build meaningful relationships with farmers, artisans, and trusted suppliers who align with our values.Source seasonal, sustainable, and exceptional ingredients—local when possible, Italian when essential.Champion sustainability in sourcing, prep, and operations.Monitor food costs, labour, and inventory with precision, including the creation of technical sheets.Implement smart systems for prep, ordering, and waste reduction to balance quality and efficiency.Maintain a well-organized, clean kitchen and ensure all equipment is in top condition.Partner with HR, Operations, Logistics, and Finance to ensure smooth operations.Contribute to new openings and projects as part of a growing hospitality group.

Requirements:

Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Italian cuisineDemonstrated ability to lead, inspire, and mentor teams of 10+ in a culture of respect and collaborationPassion for authentic, simple Italian cooking with a commitment to sourcing local, seasonal, and sustainable ingredients blended with a taste for the modernStrong organizational skills, balancing creativity with operational efficiencyComposed and strategic leadership, maintaining quality and teamwork in fast-paced environments

What’s in the offer?

Join a dynamic kitchen and make your markCompetitive compensation that reflects your expertisePerformance-based bonuses and equitable tip sharingDining benefits and discounts for you and your guestsCross-departmental support to help you succeedWellness programs, including mental health resources and weekly fitness activitiesRegular team celebrations and social eventsCareer development opportunities in a growing hospitality group

If you’d like more information about the role, please apply or send your CV to luizas@corecruitment.com

Job Title: Head Chef – Italian Restaurant
Location: Lisbon, Portugal
Salary: €43,000-€45,000, gross per year
Start Date: ASAP