Head Chef (Cotino™)
Apply Now Apply Later Job ID 10140668 Location Rancho Mirage, California, United States / Anaheim, California, United States Business Disney Experiences Date posted Jan. 20, 2026Job Summary:
As the Head Chef for Cotino™, A Storyliving by Disney community, you will lead the culinary experience to deliver exceptional “World-Class” dining within a private club environment. Positioned within the Disney Experiences segment, you will oversee kitchen operations, ensuring high standards of food quality and presentation while managing inventory, scheduling, and compliance with health and safety regulations. Your role is crucial in maintaining Disney's reputation for excellence in dining experiences, contributing to the overall magic of Disney's offerings.
You Will...
In this role, you will be responsible for leading a team of culinary professionals, providing leadership, support, and development to ensure high performance and accountability. You will adapt to departmental priorities, manage performance, and guide your team to meet quality, volume, and timeliness objectives. This role matters because it directly influences the dining experience for guests, requiring skills such as strategic planning, collaboration, and creativity.
- Lead a team of culinary professionals, providing leadership, support, and development of Cast Members, creating a positive environment that encourages ownership and accountability.
- Oversee and work alongside food handlers on a daily basis, including shift coverage on banquets, hot and cold lines as well as prep and cleaning.
- Comprehensive understanding of training protocols and lead training of line-level staff and stewards.
- Create new and higher quality service and product standards.
- Innovate food combinations, textures, and flavors to create new flavor experiences.
- Educate Culinary Cast Members on seasonal products, culinary styles, and techniques.
- Inspire and educate Cast Members and Guests on fads, trends, lifestyles, and special dietary needs with consideration of product, equipment, and cost.
- Understand, support, and teach the “role in the show” cuisine concept.
- Inspire, provide direction, and drive effectiveness of the Leadership Team.
- Develop Direct Reports as individuals and as a team by providing a work environment within which they excel.
- Hold Direct Reports accountable for job performance.
- Ensure that products are properly ordered, received and stored.
- Ensure proper maintenance and cleanliness of equipment and facilities.
- Identify, mediate or negotiate effective resolution to conflict.
- Ensure operational compliance Food & Beverage Standards, Loss Prevention Standards, State of California, and Food Safety Standards.
You Have/Required Qualifications...
- Skilled in strategic planning and culinary management.
- Proficient in managing inventory and scheduling.
- Strong leadership and mentoring abilities.
- Innovative and creative mindset.
- Excellent organizational and time management skills.
- Strong collaboration and communication skills.
- Degree in Culinary Arts, Food Sciences, or related field.
- 8+ years of experience in culinary management, with 3+ years in a management role.
- Demonstrated computer proficiency and comfort working in various operational systems including point of sale and inventory management.
Preferred Qualifications...
- Advanced degree in Culinary Arts or Food Sciences.
- Ability to inspire creativity and innovation that adapts to our business.
- Proven drive and understanding of the Disney Culture, opportunities, and strategies to achieve best-in-class results.
- Knowledge of industry trends and practical business applications that contribute to greater results while utilizing fewer tools.
- Demonstrated knowledge of wines and spirits/sommelier certification.
- Experience in developing annual operating plans.
- Strong focus on research and development that leverages trends, technology, and creative thinking.
- Ability to speak and present to large groups of people, including Company Executives.
Our Benefits...
Disney offers a rewards package to help you live your best life. This includes health and savings benefits, educational opportunities and special extras that only Disney can provide. Learn more about our benefits and perks at https://jobs.disneycareers.com/benefits
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The hiring range for this position in Anaheim is $115,500 to $154,800 per year. The base pay actually offered will take into account internal equity and also may vary depending on the candidate’s geographic region, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience among other factors. A bonus and/or long-term incentive units may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to the full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits, dependent on the level and position offered.
About Disney Experiences:
Disney Experiences brings the magic of Disney stories and franchises to life through theme parks, resorts, cruise ships, unique vacation experiences, products and more around the world. Disney shines in the travel industry with six resort destinations in the United States, Europe and Asia; a top-rated cruise line; a popular vacation ownership program; and an award-winning guided family adventure business. Plus, Disney's global consumer products operations include the world's leading licensing business; the world's largest children's publishing brands; one of the world's largest licensors of games across all platforms; and Disney store locations around the world and on the web.
About The Walt Disney Company:
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries and affiliates, is a leading diversified international family entertainment and media enterprise that includes three core business segments: Disney Entertainment, ESPN, and Disney Experiences. From humble beginnings as a cartoon studio in the 1920s to its preeminent name in the entertainment industry today, Disney proudly continues its legacy of creating world-class stories and experiences for every member of the family. Disney’s stories, characters and experiences reach consumers and guests from every corner of the globe. With operations in more than 40 countries, our employees and cast members work together to create entertainment experiences that are both universally and locally cherished.
This position is with Storyliving by Disney Management, Inc., which is part of a business we call Disney Experiences.
Storyliving by Disney Management, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, ancestry, age, marital status, military or veteran status, medical condition, genetic information or disability, or any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. Disney champions a business environment where ideas and decisions from all people help us grow, innovate, create the best stories and be relevant in a constantly evolving world.