Head of Culinary Operations

About ForkaForka is a dynamic Food & Beverage holding company dedicated to building, operating, and scaling exceptional hospitality brands. Our business operates across three core pillars: we manage our own internal high-performing venues, we strategically invest in emerging F&B concepts, and we provide elite operational consulting to external clients. We are seeking a highly strategic Head of Culinary Operations who is equal parts culinary visionary and operational turnaround expert to lead our kitchen operations.Role OverviewThe Head of Culinary Operations is a leadership role responsible for directing the culinary vision and back-of-house (BOH) mechanics across our entire portfolio.This is not a standard kitchen role. Because Forka actively acquires new venues and consults for external clients, you will frequently step into underperforming or unorganized kitchens. Your primary mandate will be to audit these operations, strip away inefficiencies, and implement rigorous Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), while simultaneously elevating the food quality. You will drive menu innovation with a specific focus on modern Lebanese cuisine, Mediterranean fusions, and high-level commercial baking.We're looking for someone who:Has a strong culinary background in authentic Levantine cuisine.Is passionate about food quality, consistency, and delivering exceptional guest experiences.Leads by example and enjoys being present in the kitchen rather than managing from an office.Can mentor, train, and develop kitchen teams to achieve high performance.Demonstrates integrity, accountability, and a continuous improvement mindset.Thrives in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment and is comfortable building processes from the ground up.Is looking for a long-term opportunity where they can grow alongside the business rather than simply seeking the highest salary.Key Responsibilities1. Operational Turnaround & Kitchen StandardizationConduct comprehensive operational audits of acquired venues or external consulting clients to identify workflow bottlenecks, hygiene risks, and structural inefficiencies.Spearhead the total restructuring of unorganized kitchens, implementing scalable, foolproof SOPs for prep, line execution, and closing duties.Standardize recipes, plating guides, and portion controls across all venues to ensure absolute consistency regardless of the location.Ensure strict, uncompromising adherence to local health codes, municipality regulations, and food safety standards (HACCP).2. Culinary Strategy & Menu EngineeringDesign, test, and launch innovative menus with a strong emphasis on authentic Lebanese cuisine, contemporary Mediterranean fusions, and elevated culinary arts.Oversee and integrate a specialized baking and pastry program, ensuring high-quality, in-house production of breads and baked goods.Continuously analyze menu performance, engineering offerings to balance culinary excellence with maximum profitability.3. Financial Control & Supply Chain ManagementAssume full accountability for group-wide Food Cost metrics and BOH labor percentages, consistently meeting executive EBITDA targets.Restructure flawed inventory and purchasing systems to eliminate food waste and prevent theft.Leverage the holding group’s purchasing power to negotiate highly favorable contracts with food suppliers, local farmers, and equipment vendors.4. Leadership & Talent DevelopmentRecruit, evaluate, and mentor venue-level Head Chefs, Sous Chefs, and BOH staff.Transform chaotic kitchen cultures into highly disciplined, respectful, and efficient professional environments.Develop comprehensive training manuals and conduct hands-on culinary workshops to upskill current kitchen teams.Qualifications & RequirementsExperience: Minimum 8–10 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 3 years operating in a Corporate Executive Chef, Culinary Director, or Multi-Unit Executive Chef capacity.Turnaround Expertise: A proven, verifiable track record of taking over unstructured, low-performing kitchens and successfully restructuring them into profitable, highly organized operations.Culinary Specialization: Deep, authoritative knowledge of Lebanese cuisine and Mediterranean fusions, supported by strong technical skills in baking and pastry arts.Financial Acumen: Elite understanding of kitchen P&Ls, yield management, theoretical vs. actual food costs, and labor forecasting.Leadership Profile: A highly disciplined leader with a commanding kitchen presence, capable of navigating resistance to change and instilling a culture of accountability.Language Skills: Fluency in English is required; Arabic proficiency is highly preferred for effective communication with regional suppliers and staff.Why Join Us?Build From the Ground UpBe part of an exciting growth journey where you'll help establish culinary standards, develop menus, build kitchen systems, and create a lasting legacy across multiple restaurant concepts.Grow With the BusinessAs the company expands, so will your opportunities. We are committed to developing leaders from within and providing long-term career growth for individuals who demonstrate ownership, performance, and leadership. Make a Real ImpactThis isn't a role where you'll simply maintain existing operations. You'll have the opportunity to influence culinary strategy, improve operational efficiency, mentor future chefs, and shape the quality standards of every brand within the Group.Collaborative LeadershipWork alongside a supportive executive team that values collaboration, open communication, and continuous improvement. We believe the best ideas come from those closest to the operation.A Culture of OwnershipWe empower our leaders to take initiative, solve problems, challenge the status quo, and continuously improve our business. We value people who think like owners, not just employees.Continuous Learning & DevelopmentWe foster an environment where learning never stops. Whether it's developing people, improving systems, or introducing new culinary ideas, you'll have the opportunity to grow both professionally and personally.