Lead Chef

POSITION SUMMARY:
Anaina Hou Community Park is hiring a Chef to lead all culinary programming across our kitchens, food truck, and flagship Fire Show Buffet. This is a senior role combining creative direction with strong operations. You'll oversee kitchen teams, develop menus, drive systems, and ensure financial and cultural alignment across our food offerings.

CORE RESPONSIBILITIES:
Fire Show Buffet Leadership (Anchor Program):
-Lead culinary vision and execution of high-volume buffet
-Design menus balancing flavor, cultural relevance, and efficiency
-Set benchmarks for quality, workflow, and guest experience
-Build scalable systems to support recurring shows
-Coordinate with events and production teams on timing and flow
Culinary Vision & Menu Development:
-Curate menus across all food programs:
-Fire Show Buffet
-Lower & Upper Campus events
-Food truck
-Catering & private events
-Community meal programs
-Prioritize seasonal, local sourcing
-Adapt menus to various environments and audience sizes
Operations Management:
-Oversee all kitchen environments across campus
-Ensure smooth execution for all events
-Align food operations with organizational goals
-Coordinate with teams for planning, setup, service, and cleanup
Personnel Leadership:
-Hire, train, and mentor kitchen staff and contractors
-Set clear standards and foster a positive, mission-aligned culture
-Conduct performance reviews and support growth
Sales, Inventory, & Facilities:
-Oversee inventory, procurement, budgets, and cost control
-Ensure cleanliness, safety, and equipment maintenance
-Use Fire Show Buffet for revenue forecasting and pricing strategy
Customer Experience & Food Safety:
-Drive guest satisfaction and consistent food quality
-Uphold all food safety standards and compliance
-Maintain certifications and inspection readiness
Collaboration & Strategy:
-Partner with CEO/COO on long-term planning
-Contribute to fundraising and donor events
-Align culinary work with our mission and community impact

QUALIFICATIONS:
Experience:
-5+ years in food and beverage leadership (commercial kitchen preferred)
-Strong food safety, budgeting, and procurement knowledge
Leadership & Skills:
-Skilled in mentoring teams and collaborating cross-departmentally
-Menu design, inventory management, and event execution expertise
-Excellent communication, organization, and problem-solving
-Tech-comfortable (Google Suite, team tools)
Physical & Scheduling:
-Able to lift up to 30 lbs and be on feet for long periods
-Flexible schedule – evenings, weekends, holidays
-Reliable transportation to Kilauea, HI 96754

BENEFITS:
Medical, dental, vision, wellness
401(k) plan + PTO
Professional development + cross-training
Free concert/event tickets
Supportive, mission-driven team and workplace

ABOUT US:
Anaina Hou is a nonprofit community hub on Kauai’s North Shore, offering events, recreation, sustainable agriculture programs, and more. Learn more: www.anainahou.org

TO APPLY:
Send your resume.