Esther’s Cajun Cafe & Soulfood
GM/Culinary Director
Houston, Texas•Full-time
About the Job
Company Description:
Esther's 2.0 is a modern, elevated Cajun + Soul food restaurant and nightlife lounge built on legacy, culture, and excellence. We deliver a premium guest experience through exceptional hospitality, consistent culinary execution, and curated programming positioning Esther's 2.0 as a destination for celebrations, community moments, private events, and high energy weekend nights.
Role Description:
This is a full-time, on-site role located in Houston, TX for a General Manager/Culinary Director at Esther's 2.0. This leader owns the intersection of restaurant leadership and culinary excellence - responsible for staffing, scheduling oversight, kitchen standards, event menu planning input, food vendor coordination (ordering + product quality, not payments), and the daily delivery of a consistent, premium guest experience.
You will lead operational discipline across FOH with Operations Events Manager/ BOH while ensuring the food is executed with excellence every shift - especially during peak service periods and private events. This role demands a hands-on leader who can coach team, protect standards, solve problems in real time, and ensure that Esther's 2.0 delivers quality, speed, and culture without excuses.
Primary Responsibilities:
Esther's 2.0 is a modern, elevated Cajun + Soul food restaurant and nightlife lounge built on legacy, culture, and excellence. We deliver a premium guest experience through exceptional hospitality, consistent culinary execution, and curated programming positioning Esther's 2.0 as a destination for celebrations, community moments, private events, and high energy weekend nights.
Role Description:
This is a full-time, on-site role located in Houston, TX for a General Manager/Culinary Director at Esther's 2.0. This leader owns the intersection of restaurant leadership and culinary excellence - responsible for staffing, scheduling oversight, kitchen standards, event menu planning input, food vendor coordination (ordering + product quality, not payments), and the daily delivery of a consistent, premium guest experience.
You will lead operational discipline across FOH with Operations Events Manager/ BOH while ensuring the food is executed with excellence every shift - especially during peak service periods and private events. This role demands a hands-on leader who can coach team, protect standards, solve problems in real time, and ensure that Esther's 2.0 delivers quality, speed, and culture without excuses.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Vendor coordination.
- Scheduling oversight.
- Event menu planning.
- Guest experience standards.
- Staff leadership and training.
- Kitchen standards and menu execution.
- Cooking during service as needed (especially peak periods or events).
- Supervising food preparation and plating standards.
- Ensuring recipes and portions are followed.
- Supporting the Head Cook or Sous Chef during high-volume service.
- Training kitchen staff and reinforcing systems.
- Coordinate additional prep for private events.
- Adjust batch quantities based on event size.
- Ensure event food is prepared and held properly.
- Check seasoning, texture, and appearance of all menu items.
- Ensure recipes and portion standards are followed.
- Correct issues immediately and coach staff in real time.
Please email all resumes to operations.esthers1@outlook.com
About Esther’s Cajun Cafe & Soulfood
Esther has always wanted to provide an ambiance of fellowship and economic empowerment to the community through her soulful Cajun style cooking and philanthropy. She has used her restaurant to give back to the community through various organizations such as Boy Scouts of America, Booker T. Washington High School, the Studewood Cobras Little League Football Team, the GENTS Organization, Independence Heights Community Health Center, The Lady League & Gents, Inc. and many more. She also donates food to the homeless, groups and organizations for special events. Esther has received many awards from the community in honor of her charitable efforts and many editorial praises for her amazing food.