Culinary Growth Director - Escape Hospitality
About the Role
Escape Hospitality is looking for a Culinary Growth Director to lead culinary operations across our growing portfolio — Prospect Restaurant, Fellow Mountain Cafe, our soon-to-open wine bar, our catering program, and outlets still to come. We're a small team of top professionals who take our food seriously and ourselves not so much, and this role is as much about culture fit as culinary chops. We're looking for a fun, inspiring leader who's genuinely excellent at their craft, thrilled by the Catskills food scene, and loves developing a team through the seasons — someone who pairs that energy and passion with the operational discipline to run consistent, well-organized kitchens across multiple concepts and service styles.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead daily kitchen operations across Escape Hospitality outlets — Prospect Restaurant, Fellow Mountain Cafe, Aniline's (soon to open), catering, and future outlets — ensuring every dish reflects our standards and ethos.
- Build and lead kitchen teams people enjoy working on — mentoring, training, and setting a tone that's high-performing without being high-stress.
- Partner with teammates on menu development, seasonal specials, and pricing for each outlet's distinct concept, while keeping a cohesive, unmistakably "us" culinary identity across the brand.
- Bring fresh ideas and stay connected to what's happening in Catskills food and drink — we want a chef who's inspired by the region and pushes our menus forward.
- Lead menu planning and execution for the catering program, including scalable recipes and event-specific logistics.
- Take the lead on developing culinary for our newest kitchen and making it something you're excited to put your name on.
- Maintain compliance with all health department, food safety, and sanitation regulations (ServSafe standards) at every location.
- Coordinate with front-of-house leadership at each property on service, special events, and private dining.
- Build and maintain vendor relationships; source quality, seasonal, local ingredients, and champion shared purchasing across outlets where it makes sense.
- Conduct regular inventory counts and manage kitchen equipment maintenance needs in coordination with our facilities team.
- Uphold and enforce all safety protocols, including proper food handling, storage, and equipment use.
- Onboard and develop kitchen team across outlets.
- Travel between properties as needed to keep quality and culture consistent.
Qualifications
- 7+ years of progressive culinary experience, including at least 3 years in a chef leadership role
- Top-of-field technical skill, balanced with an easygoing, team-first leadership style
- Experience managing multiple outlets or concepts strongly preferred
- Culinary degree preferred but not required with equivalent experience
- Proven ability to manage food cost and labor cost
- Strong knowledge of food safety regulations and current ServSafe certification
- Experience with catering or event-based food service a plus
- A genuine passion for cuisine and connection to the Catskills food scene
- Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to adapt across different kitchen teams and concepts
- Ability to work a flexible schedule including weekends, evenings, and holidays as needed
- Physical ability to stand for extended periods, lift up to 50 lbs, and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment
- Reliable transportation for travel to and between properties
BENEFITS INCLUDE:
- Paid time off, Paid holiday time off, and Vacation policy
- Subsidized Medical Insurance Cost
- Dental and Vision Insurance Available
- Staff Housing Available
- Staff Meals and Food and Beverage Discounts
ABOUT ESCAPE HOSPITALITY
Founded in 2015, Escape Hospitality creates and operates hospitality venues in the Catskills Region focused on design and culinary experiences that draw from the local area. Following its first property, Scribner’s Catskill Lodge and its in-house Prospect Restaurant, Escape Hospitality opened Fellow Mountain Cafe less than 1-mile away. As it continues to grow, Escape Hospitality’s most important goal is to continue to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for its team.
Job Types: Full-time, Part-time
Pay: $100,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
