We recently partnered with a leading hospitality group operating a portfolio of premium venues across multiple major U.S. markets to appoint a highly strategic East Coast Culinary Director. With ambitious growth plans and a strong commitment to quality-led hospitality, the business required a senior culinary leader who could operate effectively at scale without compromising creativity, consistency, or culture.
Led by Benjamin Fitzgerald, the search focused on identifying an individual capable of shaping and executing a cohesive food philosophy across a diverse range of concepts. This role demanded more than technical excellence, the successful candidate needed to balance commercial acumen with culinary integrity, while inspiring large, geographically dispersed kitchen teams in fast-paced, high-performance environments.
Our approach combined a targeted search across both active and passive markets, leveraging our national and international hospitality network to engage senior leaders who may not have been actively exploring new opportunities. By taking the time to deeply understand the client’s brand, operational model, and long-term vision, we were able to align the brief with candidates who brought both the right experience and cultural fit.
The appointed Culinary Director brings extensive multi-site leadership experience, with a proven track record in menu development, kitchen design, and operational optimisation across premium hospitality settings. They have successfully led teams across multiple locations, implemented scalable systems, and maintained high standards of execution while fostering strong, values-driven kitchen cultures.
This appointment represents a strong outcome for both client and candidate, supporting the group’s continued growth and reinforcing the importance of a focused, well-executed search. It is a great example of how a considered, relationship-led approach to executive recruitment can deliver long-term impact in complex hospitality environments.