Job Description

Job Title:

Head Chef

Location:

Durham

Reports To:

General Manager / Ownership

Employment Type:

Full-Time

About Rio:

At

Rio

, we bring the bold, authentic Flavours of Brazil to life through a true

churrascaria

experience. Our guests enjoy a unique Rodizio-style dining tradition featuring fire-roasted meats carved tableside by gauchos, a vibrant gourmet salad bar, and warm Brazilian hospitality. Every dish we serve reflects our commitment to quality, authenticity, and culinary excellence.

We are looking for a passionate and skilled

Head Chef

to lead our kitchen team, preserve the integrity of our Brazilian culinary heritage, and ensure a world-class dining experience for every guest.

Position Summary:

The

Head Chef

at

Rio

is responsible for overseeing all culinary operations, leading the back-of-house team, and ensuring consistent execution of traditional Brazilian cuisine. This individual must have a deep knowledge of churrasco cooking techniques, excellent leadership skills, and a commitment to maintaining the highest standards of food safety, quality, and presentation.

Key Responsibilities:

Culinary Leadership

Lead and manage all BOH operations, line cooks, prep staff, and dishwashers. Ensure all culinary staff are well-versed in crafting and maintaining Rio's diverse salad bar and hot food selections, with a focus on freshness, flavour balance, and visual impact. Oversee all aspects of salad bar and hot food preparation, seasoning, cooking, and presentation to ensure authenticity, freshness, and consistency in alignment with Rio's Brazilian culinary standards.

Menu Execution & Quality Control

Maintain Rio's culinary standards and recipes, ensuring dishes are consistently executed to specification. Supervise daily prep, service line readiness, and buffet/gourmet salad bar presentation. Conduct regular tastings and quality checks to ensure flavour, temperature, and visual appeal meet standards.

Operational Management

Manage kitchen scheduling, labour costs, and team performance to align with restaurant budget and guest volume. Monitor inventory, ordering, and supplier relationships, with a focus on sourcing premium meats, produce, and ingredients. Implement and maintain proper portion control, waste reduction, and efficient prep procedures.

Health & Safety Compliance

Uphold all food safety, sanitation, and cleanliness standards according to local health department regulations. Conduct regular kitchen inspections, ensuring proper storage, labelling, and HACCP compliance. Always maintain a clean and organised kitchen environment.

Team Development & Culture

Hire, train, and develop BOH staff, creating a collaborative and respectful kitchen culture. Provide ongoing coaching and performance feedback to build skill and pride within the team. Lead by example, demonstrating professionalism, work ethic, and respect for the craft.

Qualifications:

Minimum 5 years of culinary leadership experience in a high-volume, upscale or full-service restaurant; churrascaria or Latin American cuisine experience strongly preferred. Strong understanding of traditional Brazilian seasonings, marinades, and food presentation. Proven ability to manage kitchen operations, inventory, and food/labour cost controls. Deep knowledge of food safety best practices. Excellent communication, time management, and organizational skills. Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment while maintaining focus on quality and teamwork. Fluent in Portuguese is a plus but not required.

What We Offer:

Competitive salary + performance-based bonuses Workplace pension 28 days holiday Dining discounts and perks Creative input on menu specials and seasonal offerings A leadership role in a passionate, culturally rich culinary environment

Lead the Flame. Celebrate Tradition. Inspire the Team.

If you are a culinary leader who takes pride in craft, culture, and execution -- and you're ready to bring the heart of Brazil to every plate -- we invite you to lead the kitchen at

Rio

.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: 50,000.00 per year

Benefits:

Employee discount
Work Location: In person