Chef de Cuisine – Upscale Asian Dining in NASHVILLE, Tennessee at ZUZU NASHVILLE

ELIA Group is a multi-faceted, fully integrated real estate and hospitality company that acquires, develops, and manages commercial properties in landmark locations throughout the United States. In Real Estate & Development and Hospitality, we don't sit back and let things happen, we make things happen! Whether we're crafting deals or cocktails, our unparalleled attention to detail leads to award-winning real estate development and hospitality projects.

Zuzu is ELIA Group's upscale Asian dining concept — refined, experience-driven, and unapologetically bold. Zuzu blends elevated Asian culinary traditions with contemporary technique, high-energy design, and precision-driven hospitality. Combining an elegant dining experience with vibrant entertainment, ZuZu is the ultimate destination for celebrations and sophisticated evenings. Set against a backdrop of luxurious interiors and dynamic energy, ZuZu is more than a restaurant — it's a destination.

ZuZu is seeking a passionate and experienced Chef de Cuisine to lead the day-to-day culinary operations of the restaurant. This role will work closely with the Executive Chef to maintain exceptional food quality, consistency, presentation, and service while leading and developing the kitchen team.

• Lead daily kitchen operations, including food preparation, service, and staff supervision.

• Partner with the Executive Chef on menu execution, recipes, and seasonal offerings.

• Maintain high standards for food quality, consistency, and presentation.

• Train, coach, and develop kitchen team members.

• Ensure compliance with food safety and sanitation standards.

• Manage inventory, ordering, product utilization, and food costs.

• Maintain an efficient kitchen workflow during high-volume service.

• Address operational challenges and ensure smooth service.

• Promote teamwork, professionalism, and accountability within the kitchen.

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive culinary experience, including experience as a Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or similar leadership role.

• Experience in a high-volume, upscale restaurant or hospitality environment.

• Strong culinary, leadership, and team management skills.

• Knowledge of food safety, sanitation, inventory, and cost control.

• Experience training and mentoring culinary staff.

• Strong communication and organizational skills.

• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment.

• ServSafe certification required.

• Culinary degree or formal culinary training preferred.

At ELIA, we use our unique experience and contributions to deliver more than value – we set new standards! We seek someone that is looking for more than a job – we want to work with someone who is as passionate as us about what we do and how we go about doing it. We are seeking a leader who is:

• Creatively ambitious but operationally disciplined

• Calm under pressure

• Detail-obsessed

• Relentless about standards

• Motivated to build something lasting

• This role requires a chef who views hospitality as both craft and business.

• Competitive salary commensurate with experience

• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance

• 401(k)

• Employee Dining Benefits

• Opportunity for long-term growth within a multi-venue hospitality group

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position is regularly required to stand, reach, bend and lift heavy objects. The noise level in the work environment is typically high.

• Stamina and Endurance: Ability to work long hours on your feet, including during busy periods and events.

• Strength: Capability to lift and move heavy kitchen equipment, pots, pans, and food items, often weighing up to 50 pounds.

• Mobility: Agility to navigate tight or crowded kitchen spaces and quickly respond to various tasks and emergencies.

• Manual Dexterity: Skill in handling cooking tools and equipment with precision, including chopping, stirring, and plating.

• Good Hand-Eye Coordination: Coordination for tasks like food preparation, arranging dishes, and managing multiple kitchen activities simultaneously.

• Tolerance to Heat and Moisture: Comfort working in hot, steamy kitchen environments with exposure to high temperatures from stoves, ovens, and dishwashers.

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.