About Wm. Mulherin’s Sons (Philadelphia, PA)
Wm. Mulherin’s Sons is a wood‑fired Italian restaurant housed in a restored 19th‑century whiskey blending and bottling facility in the heart of Fishtown. The space blends historic character with modern craftsmanship — original brick, timber beams, and industrial details paired with thoughtful design, intimate lighting, and a warm, lived‑in feel.
Known for its handmade pastas, seasonal plates, and wood‑fired pizzas, Mulherin’s has become a neighborhood anchor and a destination for guests seeking elevated but unfussy dining. The experience is driven by genuine hospitality, a welcoming energy, and a team that takes pride in creating memorable moments for every guest who walks through the door.
Explore the concept: https://www.wmmulherinssons.com/fishtown
Position Summary
Wm. Mulherin's Sons is seeking an experienced, passionate Executive Chef to lead the culinary program at our acclaimed Fishtown restaurant. The Executive Chef will be responsible for the overall success of the kitchen, balancing culinary creativity and consistency with strong leadership, financial discipline, and operational excellence. The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader with a deep appreciation for seasonal, ingredient-driven cooking and Italian-inspired cuisine. This individual will lead and develop the culinary team, maintain the quality and identity of the Wm. Mulherin's Sons dining experience, and partner closely with restaurant and company leadership to drive continued success.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead all culinary operations and provide day-to-day leadership of the kitchen team.
- Maintain and evolve the culinary identity, quality, and standards of Wm. Mulherin's Sons.
- Oversee menu development, seasonal changes, specials, and new dish creation.
- Ensure consistent execution, presentation, portioning, and quality across all services.
- Maintain a strong presence on the line and actively support the team during service.
- Establish and uphold recipes, preparation standards, and culinary procedures.
- Maintain exceptional standards for food quality, sanitation, organization, and cleanliness.
- Team Leadership & Development
- Recruit, train, mentor, schedule, and develop a high-performing culinary team.
- Establish clear expectations and foster a professional, collaborative, accountable kitchen culture.
- Develop Sous Chefs and other culinary leaders to create a strong leadership bench.
- Conduct regular coaching, performance conversations, and training.
- Partner with restaurant leadership and Human Resources on staffing, performance management, and employee relations.
- Financial & Operational Management
- Manage food and labor costs while maintaining the quality and standards of the restaurant.
- Oversee purchasing, receiving, inventory management, product utilization, and waste reduction.
- Monitor food cost, labor productivity, and other key culinary operating metrics.
- Build schedules that appropriately balance business levels, service standards, and labor targets.
- Maintain strong relationships with vendors, farmers, purveyors, and suppliers.
- Partner with restaurant and company leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and operational initiatives.
- Ensure every dish leaving the kitchen reflects the standards and reputation of Wm. Mulherin's Sons.
- Collaborate closely with the General Manager and FOH leadership to create a seamless guest experience.
- Respond thoughtfully to guest feedback and continuously identify opportunities to improve the culinary experience.
- Support private dining, special events, holidays, and other programming as needed.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of progressive culinary leadership experience, including experience as an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or senior Sous Chef in a high-quality, high-volume restaurant.
- Strong background in scratch cooking and seasonal, ingredient-driven cuisine.
- Experience with Italian or Italian-inspired cuisine strongly preferred.
- Demonstrated ability to lead, motivate, train, and retain culinary teams.
- Strong knowledge of food and labor cost management, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen financials.
- Excellent organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to maintain composure, attention to detail, and high standards in a fast-paced environment.
- Comprehensive knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and health department requirements.
- Availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and other hours required by restaurant operations.
What We're Looking For
We are looking for a chef who is equally passionate about food, people, and hospitality. The right leader understands that an exceptional restaurant is built not only through great cooking, but through consistency, thoughtful leadership, team development, financial responsibility, and an unwavering commitment to the guest experience.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Wm. Mulherin's Sons and Method Co. are Equal Employment Opportunity employers. We are committed to creating an inclusive workplace and providing equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
