Head Chef (m/f/d) – High-Volume Alpine Venue | Gudauri, Georgia
Location: Gudauri Ski Resort, Republic of Georgia, Google Maps
Position: Head Chef / Culinary Operations Director
Term: 5-Month Winter Season Contract (with explicit option to transition into a permanent, year-round position)
Language Required: English
Compensation: €3,000 NET per month + Up to €10,000 NET Performance & Retention Bonus
The Role & Objective
We operate Drunk Cherry Gudauri, a high-volume, premium casual dining restaurant featuring live music in Georgia’s premier high-altitude resort.
We are seeking an uncompromising, system-driven Head Chef from Europe (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, or Western Europe) to completely restructure our kitchen operations, line logic, and food safety standards to strict European benchmarks.
Note: This is a high-output, operational turnaround role. Due to the intense kitchen schedule and peak seasonal rushes, the winter contract is designed for a highly focused professional—there will be very limited time for skiing. A successful winter season opens the door to a permanent, year-round leadership position with our group.
⚠️The Operational Opportunity: You will be heading an existing team of local Georgian cooks who possess great passion but have limited experience with formal Western European kitchen systems and strict line logic. Your primary mission is to be an active mentor and trainer. Success here requires a patient, persistent leader who enjoys coaching a team, establishing clear daily routines, and maintaining consistent quality control. We need a true builder and educator.
Your Key Responsibilities
- Systematization: Re-engineer the kitchen line layout, optimize ticket times, and establish strict mise en place routines to handle heavy après-ski surges.
- Hands-On Training: Continuously train and monitor the local team, instilling discipline regarding portion control, plate presentation, and European working methods.
- Financial Control: Implement rigorous inventory tracking, portion control, and waste management to hit precise food cost and GP targets.
- HACCP & Hygiene: Enforce flawless food safety, cleanliness, and kitchen organization protocols through daily, uncompromising control.
- Logistics Management: Adapt kitchen operations to high-altitude variables and coordinate supply chains originating from Tbilisi.
Bonus & KPI Structure (€10,000 NET Total)
Your seasonal bonus is directly tied to operational excellence and business targets, split into clear milestones:
- Retention & Completion (€4,000): Paid upon the successful, full completion of the 5-month seasonal contract through the closing date.
- Financial Target (€3,000): Achieved by meeting and maintaining specific seasonal Food Cost percentages and Gross Profit (GP) metrics.
- Operational & Hygiene KPI (€3,000): Achieved by maintaining zero critical HACCP/hygiene violations and meeting strict ticket-time benchmarks during peak rushes.
Your Profile
- Experienced Leader: Minimum 3 years of experience as a Head Chef or strong Senior Sous Chef in high-volume, structured European kitchens. Experience in seasonal Austrian, Swiss, or German resorts is highly valued.
- Resilient & Persistent Educator: A strong, authoritative leadership presence combined with the pedagogical patience needed to train an inexperienced team. You lead by example from the front line.
- KPI-Driven: Deep understanding of culinary math, kitchen software, and cost-efficiency to secure your seasonal milestones.
- Language: Must be fully fluent in English.
What We Provide
- High-Upside Compensation: €3,000 guaranteed monthly net salary + up to €10,000 net in performance/retention bonuses. All local Georgian income taxes are covered by the company.
- Long-Term Potential: Clear contract pathway to a permanent, year-round role within our expanding hospitality business.
- Full Logistics & Relocation: 100% of your Georgian work visa, permits, and return flights from Europe are fully covered and managed by us.
- Private Accommodation: Free, private, fully-equipped on-mountain housing in Gudauri (no shared staff rooms).
How to Apply
If you are ready to take full ownership of a premium kitchen and build a team from the ground up in a fast-growing international hotspot, please submit your CV and references via email to:
m.wunderli@gmail.com
Please include “Head Chef Applicant – Gudauri” in the subject line.
