Executive Chef

Executive Chef

For more than 130 years and four generations, J.C. Newman Cigar Co. has handcrafted the world's finest cigars in the heart of Tampa's historic Ybor City. Our factory, El Reloj, is the last operating hand-rolled cigar factory in the United States-a living landmark where more than 25,000 guests from around the world visit each year to experience Tampa's cigar heritage.

In late 2026, we will open three new hospitality experiences inside a beautifully restored 1910 building across the street from El Reloj: Elaine's, a classic American restaurant with continental and local influences serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner; Stanford's Cigar Club, a premium cigar lounge with barrel-aged spirits and an exclusive cigar program; and The Inn at El Reloj, an eleven-room boutique hotel. Together, they form the El Reloj District-a hospitality destination unlike anything else in Tampa.

We are seeking an Executive Chef to build and lead the culinary program across the property from the ground up. This is an exceptional opportunity to define the culinary identity of a brand-new operation-developing the menus, assembling the team, establishing the standards, and shaping the culture from day one-within one of Tampa's most significant historic properties.

What You Will Do

As Executive Chef, you will serve as the culinary leader across all food and beverage operations on the property, including Elaine's Restaurant, inn amenities, room service, and private events for up to 200 guests. Your primary responsibility is to build and lead a high-performing kitchen team, develop menus that reflect the character and heritage of the property, and deliver a consistently exceptional guest experience.

You will:

• Define and execute the culinary identity and menu concepts for the restaurant, inn, and private event programs


• Build, train, and lead the kitchen team from the ground up, fostering a culture of excellence, professionalism, and continuous development


• Oversee daily kitchen operations across a fully equipped facility with dedicated restaurant, event, and prep lines


• Uphold the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency across all meal periods and venues


• Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, and health regulations


• Manage purchasing, vendor relationships, inventory, and food cost controls to drive profitability


• Collaborate closely with the General Manager and service team to maintain seamless front-of-house and heart-of-house alignment as one unified operation


• Partner with ownership and management on seasonal menus, special programming, and event Execution


• Oversee inn amenities, including daily breakfast service and complimentary food and beverage offerings

Who You Are

You are passionate about hospitality and culinary excellence. You lead with confidence, inspire your team, and understand that great food and great service are inseparable. You are as much a leader and teacher as you are a cook-organized, efficient, and committed to developing the people around you.

You bring:

• Minimum of five years of culinary leadership experience in upscale, fine dining, or boutique hotel environments


• A demonstrated record of building or significantly elevating a culinary program


• Experience managing food and beverage operations across multiple meal periods and service formats


• Experience with catering, private dining, and large-scale event operations


• Proven ability to recruit, train, develop, and retain high-performing teams


• Strong financial acumen-experience managing budgets, food costs, and P&L performance


• Excellent interpersonal and cross-departmental communication skills


• Proficiency in English required; Spanish fluency preferred

Physical Requirements & Work Environment

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods in a fast-paced kitchen environment


• Frequent reaching, handling kitchen tools, and operating equipment


• Ability to lift and move up to 50 pounds occasionally


• Exposure to heat, cold, steam, and other typical kitchen conditions


• Full-time position with flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays based on business needs

Why You Will Want This Role

• Build a culinary program from the ground up inside a landmark historic restoration backed by significant investment


• Define the menus, assemble the team, and establish the culture for a brand-new hospitality destination


• Join a 130-year, four-generation family business that values craftsmanship, heritage, and doing things the right way


• Work in a state-of-the-art kitchen designed by a nationally recognized kitchen design firm with dedicated restaurant, event, and prep lines


• Be part of the El Reloj District in one of Tampa's most iconic and storied neighborhoods

Compensation & Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package commensurate with experience:

• $95,000–$115,000 starting salary, commensurate with experience, plus performance bonus


• Full medical, vision, and dental insurance


• 401(k) savings plan with company match


• Company-paid life insurance and short-term disability


• Company-sponsored long-term disability


• Paid time off

Ready to Join Us?

If you are a culinary leader with the experience and vision to build an exceptional program from the ground up, we would welcome the opportunity to speak with you. Please submit your resume and a brief note about your culinary background to [email protected] or apply online at www.jcnewman.com/careers.

J.C. Newman Cigar Co. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are a drug-free workplace and conduct pre-employment drug screening.