Executive Chef Shanghai
Reports to: General Manager Shanghai & Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Job Summary:
The Executive Chef will lead the culinary vision and execution at 67 Pall Mall Shanghai, delivering an extraordinary dining experience that reflects the Club’s commitment to excellence. This role combines contemporary international cooking techniques with traditional Chinese recipes, focusing on elevated Cantonese cuisine with complementary Beijing and Szechuan influences. The Executive Chef will oversee all culinary operations, ensuring innovation, consistency, and world-class quality across à la carte, events, and private dining offerings.
Key Areas of Responsibility
Pre-Opening Responsibilities:
Collaborate with the GM and Development Team to design and set up kitchen infrastructure, staffing, menus, and supplier relationships ahead of the Club opening.
Develop SOPs, sourcing strategies, and food safety standards tailored to Shanghai’s regulatory and operational environment.
Curate and test the inaugural menus to reflect the culinary direction: contemporary global techniques with Cantonese roots and regional Chinese influences.
Recruit and train a high-performance kitchen brigade, ensuring alignment with Club standards and culture.
Culinary Leadership & Menu Innovation
Design and maintain seasonal menus that balance authenticity and innovation, aligning with member preferences and the Club’s fine wine offering.
Lead kitchen R&D, continuously exploring new ingredients, techniques, and presentation styles.
Ensure culinary offerings enhance wine experiences, working closely with sommeliers to curate pairings for dishes and special events.
Maintain high standards of quality, taste, and consistency across all food outlets including lounge, bar snacks, private dining, and large-scale events.
Operational Excellence & Compliance
Lead all back-of-house operations, including procurement, cost control, hygiene, and safety compliance in accordance with local and international standards.
Build relationships with premium local and international suppliers to ensure the best quality ingredients.
Manage kitchen budget, labour cost, and food cost margins, while ensuring zero compromise on quality.
Establish and monitor systems for inventory control, waste reduction, and kitchen efficiency.
Team Development & Culture
Inspire and mentor the culinary team to perform at the highest standards through structured training, feedback, and career development pathways.
Foster a collaborative culture between kitchen and front-of-house teams, creating a unified guest experience.
Promote a respectful, innovative, and inclusive working environment.
Member Experience & Events
Design bespoke menus for private events, wine dinners, and member-focused experiences.
Participate in events, wine tastings, and masterclasses where appropriate, adding culinary storytelling and insight.
Actively seek feedback and evolve the menu in response to member preferences and trends.
Brand & Global Collaboration
Uphold the prestige and reputation of 67 Pall Mall Shanghai, ensuring the culinary offering contributes to the Club’s global identity.
Collaborate with Executive Chefs across the 67 Pall Mall network to share best practices and contribute to culinary innovation on a global scale.
Represent the kitchen in leadership meetings, strategy sessions, and media opportunities when required.
Key Qualifications
Proven Executive Chef experience in luxury hospitality, fine dining, or private clubs, ideally with exposure to both Chinese and Western kitchens.
Deep knowledge of Cantonese cuisine, with familiarity in Shanghai and Szechuan culinary traditions.
Strong background in modern cooking techniques, plating, and menu engineering.
Track record of leading high-performing culinary teams and developing talent.
Experience in kitchen pre-opening, design, and systems setup preferred.
Strong commercial acumen, including cost control, supplier management, and budgeting.
Fluent in Mandarin and English, with excellent communication and leadership skills.