Executive Chef - Middleton FL
Job Overview
Executive Chef - New restaurant opening - A Neighborhood Bistro
Location: Sumterville, Florida - Middleton by The Villages
Compensation: $100,000 annually + PTO + Profit Share
Target Start Date: September 22, 2025
Contact: Jennifer Cardona [email protected]
About the Company – a boutique hospitality group, and will be their third restaurant concept in The Villages — one positioned to become a regional destination and community anchor.
About the Restaurant –
A new, full-service neighborhood bistro is opening in Middleton, a dynamic new community developed by The Villages. The restaurant features:
140 seats, including a spacious indoor dining room, a vibrant outdoor bar, and a contemporary open kitchen.
A chef-driven, locally sourced menu that blends American bistro classics with refined European elements.
A brand that balances comfort, sophistication, and a strong community focus.
Pop-up dinners and test events have already generated excitement and visibility across social media and the community.
Why Middleton? Why Now?
Middleton is not a retirement community — it’s a purpose-built residential district for working professionals and families supporting The Villages.
It includes:
A growing workforce population due to the area's booming development.
Plentiful new housing options at affordable prices.
Proximity to cities like Leesburg (25 min), Clermont (40 min), Orlando (45 min), Ocala (50 min), and Tampa (70 min).
Free enrollment for families of employees at The Villages Charter School, one of Florida’s top school districts, which includes a brand new high school with state-of-the-art facilities, including an Olympic swimming pool and an 8000-seat stadium, walking distance from the restaurant
This makes the opportunity ideal for professionals relocating with families who want access to elite education with no tuition costs.
The Role – Executive Chef
You’ll be the operational leader responsible for:
Full back-of-house oversight and leadership
Designing and implementing kitchen systems, team culture, and SOPs
Recruiting, hiring, and training the opening kitchen team
Managing schedules, labor costs, financial performance, and vendor relationships
Driving excellence in guest experience, safety, and consistency
Menu development, special,s etc.
Ideal Candidate
5+ years of Executive or Sous Chef experience in full-service, high-volume restaurants
Background in chef-driven or European/American bistro-style operations preferred
Strong recruitment, leadership, and communication skills
Highly organized with pre-opening and launch experience a plus
Must be willing to relocate to Middleton (relocation support available)
Collaborative, positive, and passionate about building a restaurant from the ground up