Executive Chef - Scratch-Made Italian & Mediterranean Kitchen

Job Description

Job Description

Lead a Scratch-Made Italian & Mediterranean Kitchen

Gecko Hospitality is recruiting an Executive Chef for a high-volume, full-service restaurant in Burlington, MA. This role is ideal for a hands-on culinary leader ready to run a kitchen built on scratch cooking, standout seafood, and real craft.

Our client is an upscale Italian and Mediterranean restaurant in Burlington, MA, known for fresh, scratch-made cuisine, a celebrated seafood program, and a refined atmosphere that keeps guests coming back. This Executive Chef will build a team people are proud to work for and own everything that happens behind the line: the food, the team, the standards, and the results.

Reporting to the General Manager, the Executive Chef will take full ownership of kitchen operations, from staffing and plating consistency to cost control and compliance.

What Will the Executive Chef Own?

The Executive Chef in this Burlington, MA role owns six core areas of the kitchen operation:

The Kitchen Team — Hire, train, coach, and hold people accountable. Set the bar and make cooks better.

The Food — Deliver consistent taste, quality, portioning, and plating on every dish, with a focus on the restaurant's celebrated seafood program.

Standards — Maintain strict sanitation, food safety, and security procedures that meet Health Code and Labor Law requirements.

The Numbers — Control food cost, labor, waste, and inventory. Analyze costs to drive profitability, build schedules, and adjust fast when something's off.

The Floor — Prep, work the line, expo, and jump in on busy nights. Lead from the front, not the office.

The Partnership — Work alongside the General Manager and front-of-house team so every guest leaves satisfied.

What Qualifications Does This Executive Chef Role Require?

Candidates for this Executive Chef position need at least three years of high-volume, full-service kitchen leadership experience along with a scratch-cooking background. Specifically, the ideal candidate brings:

• 3+ years as an Executive Chef or Head Chef in a high-volume, full-service kitchen. Fast-casual or banquet-only experience won't translate here.
• Scratch Italian and Mediterranean cooking experience, or a comparable scratch-kitchen background.
• A track record of hitting financial targets and developing teams that stay.
• Working knowledge of Labor Laws, Health Codes, safe food handling, and sanitation practices. ServSafe certification or equivalent required.
• Experience with cost and inventory systems like MarginEdge or R365 is a plus.
• Open availability, including evenings, weekends, and holidays. This is a working kitchen, and the pace is real.

Skill gets a candidate the interview. Character gets them the job. Our client hires for integrity, self-awareness, and ownership, seeking chefs who solve problems instead of waiting for someone else to.

What Does This Executive Chef Job in Burlington, MA Offer?

This Executive Chef position offers competitive pay, full benefits, and genuine room for career growth. The full package includes:

• Competitive compensation and bonus plans
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• 401(k) plan and life insurance
• Paid vacation and holidays
• Generous employee discounts
• Hands-on training program
• Room to grow with a company that's growing

Why Work With Gecko Hospitality to Find Executive Chef Jobs?

Gecko Hospitality connects experienced culinary leaders with the nation's top hospitality and restaurant brands through a nationwide network of industry-experienced recruiters. Founded in 2000, Gecko Hospitality has completed more than 40,000 successful hospitality placements with a 92.5% retention rate and is recognized by Forbes as one of America's Best Professional Recruiting Firms.

If you're ready to lead a kitchen where your standards set the pace, we want to hear from you. Apply confidentially today.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes this Executive Chef role in Burlington, MA different from other chef positions?

This Executive Chef role is a true leadership position in a high-volume, full-service restaurant, not a fast-casual or banquet-only operation. The chef owns the full scope of kitchen performance, including the team, the food, compliance standards, financial results, and daily floor operations.

Is ServSafe certification required for this Executive Chef job?

Yes. This role requires ServSafe certification or an equivalent food safety credential, along with working knowledge of Labor Laws, Health Codes, and sanitation practices.

What cuisine experience is preferred for this Executive Chef position?

Scratch Italian and Mediterranean cooking experience is preferred, though candidates with a comparable scratch-kitchen background will also be considered, particularly those with strong seafood program experience.

How does Gecko Hospitality support candidates applying for Executive Chef jobs?

Gecko Hospitality offers a tailored, consultative hiring process that matches candidates with restaurants based on culture fit and career goals, backed by more than two decades of hospitality recruiting expertise and a nationwide network of recruiters.