Job Description

Now Hiring: Corporate Chef - Ambar Brand

Primary Location: Ambar Clarendon (Washington, DC), relocation required

Be the culinary force behind a brand redefining Balkan cuisine in America.

Ambar is searching for a Corporate Chef to lead the culinary vision of our brand, with a home base at our flagship location - Ambar Clarendon. This is not just a position; it's a platform to influence an entire restaurant group, elevate a cuisine, and lead a kitchen that will become the gold standard across all our locations.

This is the first-ever Corporate Chef hire for Ambar, and we're looking for someone exceptional - a chef who combines creativity, leadership, and execution at the highest level.

Your Mission:
Ambar Clarendon will be your domain - a model store and our corporate training location. Your role is to make it flawless. From running daily operations to implementing systems that scale across multiple restaurants, you will be the architect of Ambar's culinary identity.

Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and oversee all kitchen operations at Ambar Clarendon.
- Develop and innovate seasonal menus and new dishes that push boundaries while honoring Balkan roots.
- Establish standards and systems that can be replicated brand-wide.
- Train and mentor culinary teams across current and future locations.
- Implement new menus, conduct trainings, and ensure seamless rollouts.
- Be fully hands-on, present in the kitchen, and willing to do whatever it takes to uphold excellence.

What We're Looking For:
- A dynamic, young-at-heart, and driven culinary leader.
- A background in Mediterranean, Greek, Turkish, Middle Eastern, or ideally Balkan cuisine. - Strong experience in menu development, multi-unit operations, and chef training.
- A creative and strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
- A natural mentor and team builder with a passion for excellence and hospitality.
- Someone who leads with a positive attitude, remains humble, and shows genuine empathy toward team members and guests.

Why This Role Is Special:
You'll be defining how Balkan cuisine is experienced in America. You'll build and lead a kitchen that inspires all others. You'll help create not just food, but a lasting culinary legacy.

Ambar currently operates in Washington, DC (Capitol Hill and Shaw), Clarendon, VA, and Chicago, IL, with plans to expand into new markets across the U.S. As Corporate Chef, you'll play a key role in that expansion, helping to launch and support new locations, mentor opening teams, and bring the Ambar standard to new cities.

We also operate a location in Belgrade, Serbia, where the heart of our cuisine originates. As part of this role, the Corporate Chef will have the opportunity to travel to Serbia to immerse in the culture, deepen their understanding of Balkan culinary traditions, and connect with our European team - a unique and meaningful experience that ties creativity to authenticity.

Position: Corporate Chef - Ambar Brand

Work Location: Ambar Clarendon, Arlington, VA (Metro-accessible from DC)
Type: Exempt, Full-time, On-site Executive Role

Compensation: Highly competitive salary + performance bonuses + benefits
Start Date: Flexible for the right candidate

If you're ready to lead, create, and inspire - apply now and become the chef who defines the future  of the Ambar brand.

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