Chef de Cuisine

Who We Are

At Domenico Catering + Events, we transform milestones into memories within our 14,000 sq ft urban winery in San Carlos. We host hundreds of weddings, mitzvahs, corporate galas, and show-stopping fundraisers annually, blending artisan cuisine, award-winning wines, and top-notch service with bold creativity. 

Guided by our core values: Gratitude, Respect, Accountability, Positivity, Excellence, and Synergy

We foster a culture of collaboration, growth, and relentless pursuit of excellence. Our brand pillars define us:

All In, All Heart: We pour passion into every detail.

We Get Sh*t Done: We own outcomes with accountability.

Be Bold, Dare Greatly: We push boundaries with innovative ideas.

HospItalian's: We're Italians and love Hospitality! So we treat every guest like family, with warmth and care.

Position Overview

The Chef de Cuisine for Domenico Catering & Events leads the culinary execution of Domenico Winery’s dynamic catering and events program. From elegant winery dinners and weddings to high-volume corporate events, this role is responsible for delivering memorable food experiences that reflect the quality, creativity, and hospitality that define Domenico.

Working alongside the Culinary Director, the Chef de Cuisine oversees day-to-day kitchen operations including production planning, event execution, ordering, inventory management, and team leadership. This role requires a highly organized, hands-on chef who can balance creativity with strong operational discipline while maintaining consistency across multiple events and service styles.

The ideal candidate thrives in a fast-paced events environment, leads from the front, and takes pride in building a focused and motivated culinary team. Success in this role requires strong leadership, clear communication, and the ability to execute exceptional food at scale while maintaining the highest standards of quality, organization, and professionalism.

What You’ll Do

Lead the Kitchen
Provide hands-on leadership for the catering kitchen team including prep cooks, line cooks, dishwashers and event staff. Recruit, train, mentor, and develop team members while fostering a professional, organized, and accountable kitchen culture.

Drive Culinary Execution
Oversee daily food production and event execution to ensure every dish reflects Domenico’s standards for quality, consistency, presentation, and flavor. Maintain strong systems for prep lists, production timelines, and event readiness.

Plan and Execute Events
Lead culinary production for weddings, corporate events, winery dinners, and private celebrations. Coordinate event timelines, staffing, and kitchen logistics to ensure smooth and successful service for events of all sizes.

Manage Ordering & Inventory
Own the kitchen ordering process including vendor communication, purchasing, inventory management, and product organization. Maintain accurate inventory levels and ensure the kitchen is consistently prepared for upcoming events.

Control Food & Labor Costs
Work closely with the Culinary Director to manage food cost and labor targets through responsible purchasing, portion control, waste reduction, and efficient production planning.

Develop Menus & Culinary Programs
Collaborate with leadership to develop seasonal catering menus, special event offerings, and culinary experiences that reflect Domenico Winery’s rustic Italian influence and commitment to quality ingredients.

Source Quality Ingredients
Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors and purveyors to secure high-quality ingredients while maintaining cost awareness and product consistency.

Maintain Safety & Organization
Ensure the kitchen operates at the highest standards of sanitation, food safety, and organization while following all health department regulations and company procedures.

Collaborate Across Departments
Work closely with the catering, sales, and operations teams to align culinary execution with event planning and guest expectations.

What We’re Looking For

We are seeking a driven and experienced culinary leader who takes pride in running a highly organized kitchen and delivering exceptional food for large-scale events. The ideal candidate brings both strong culinary instincts and disciplined operational leadership, with the ability to guide a team while executing consistently at a high level.

Proven Culinary Leadership
Several years of experience leading kitchen teams in catering, banquet,  or event-driven culinary operations. The ability to mentor cooks, build team culture, and hold high standards in a fast-paced environment is essential.

Event & Production Expertise
Strong experience executing high-volume events, weddings, and multi-course dinners with precision and organization. You understand the importance of preparation, timelines, and teamwork in delivering flawless service.

Operational Discipline
Highly organized with experience managing ordering, inventory, production planning, and kitchen systems. You take ownership of the details that keep a kitchen running smoothly.

Financial Awareness
Comfortable managing food cost, labor efficiency, and waste reduction while maintaining the highest standards of product quality. You will have P&L responsibility with clear KPI’s to have full visibility into the profitability of your kitchen.

Culinary Craft & Creativity
A passion for great ingredients, thoughtful technique, and creating dishes that reflect both seasonality and the energy of our winery setting.

Leadership Presence
A hands-on chef who leads from the front, communicates clearly with the team, and maintains composure and focus of the kitchen at all times. Models behavior, develops people, and motivates the team. 

Adaptability & Drive
Events require flexibility, problem-solving, and a strong sense of ownership. You thrive in a dynamic environment where every event brings something new.

Why Join Domenico

Lead a Dynamic Catering & Events Kitchen
This is an opportunity to take the helm of a high-volume catering and events program that produces weddings, winery dinners, corporate events, and private celebrations throughout the year.  You’ll play a key role in delivering memorable culinary experiences that bring people together around great food and wine.

Cook in a Winery Setting
Work in a unique winery environment where food and wine are at the center of the guest experience. Our culinary program is rooted in California’s seasonal ingredients, creating a platform for both classic technique and thoughtful creativity.

Build and Lead a Strong Culinary Team
You’ll have the opportunity to mentor cooks, build systems, and help shape the future of our catering kitchen alongside the Culinary Director.

A Kitchen That Values Craft & Organization
We believe great food comes from strong systems, clear leadership, and a team that takes pride in their work. If you’re a chef who enjoys building a well-run kitchen and executing exceptional events, you’ll feel right at home here on the Domenico team.

The Intangibles

Work in a vibrant winery setting where food and wine come together

Lead a kitchen that produces weddings, winery dinners, and large-scale events

Opportunity to build systems, mentor cooks, and help shape the future of the culinary program

Compensation & Benefits

Competitive salary: $80-100K annually (based on experience)

Medical coverage available after 90 days

Paid holidays and PTO that increases with tenure

50% employee discount on Domenico wines

25% employee discount on restaurant food

Team events and company recognition programs