Executive Chef

Job Description

Job Description

Executive Chef – Austin, TX | Aba

$85,000–$110,000/year | Full-Time | Exempt

Lettuce Entertain You Restaurants is growing Aba, our acclaimed Mediterranean concept, in Dallas, TX. Join a high-volume kitchen backed by one of the country's most respected restaurant groups.

We're looking for an Executive Chef who can lead a culinary program at scale — owning the menu, the numbers, and the people, in a kitchen doing $10M+ in annual sales.

What You'll Do

• Lead and direct all BOH operations, including opening shift processes, ordering, inventory, and receiving
• Own recipe build maintenance and lead the menu change process
• Track and control food and labor costs; review invoices and inventories
• Partner with the GM and management team to hire, train, schedule, and develop the BOH team
• Conduct performance reviews, coaching, and (when necessary) disciplinary action
• Ensure compliance with sanitation, safety, and all legal/regulatory requirements
• Maintain proficiency across all BOH positions and step in wherever needed
• Research, develop, and execute seasonal menus and new menu items
• Conduct quarterly audits of BOH systems and standard operating procedures
• Participate in new restaurant openings, local and out-of-state, as needed

What You Bring

• Must be able to contribute creatively — strong menu planning and execution experience is critical
• Significant Mediterranean cuisine experience is required
• 4–5 years of Executive Chef experience in a high-volume restaurant ($10M+ in annual sales)
• Ability to lead, motivate, and develop a large BOH team
• Availability for early mornings, late nights, weekends, and occasional overnight travel

Please note: this role is a fit for candidates coming from upscale, full-service restaurants only — experience from fast casual/casual concepts, cafeterias, country clubs, nursing homes, schools, or contract kitchens will not transfer to this environment.