Executive Chef

Executive Chef Charleston, SC We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary team of a well-established, upscale Italian restaurant in Charleston. This is an outstanding opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who is passionate about authentic hospitality, scratch cooking, and developing a strong kitchen culture. The Executive Chef will oversee all back-of-house operations while ensuring exceptional food quality, consistent execution, and an outstanding guest experience. This role is ideal for a chef with a strong background in Italian cuisine who enjoys leading from the front, mentoring teams, and creating an environment built on accountability, collaboration, and pride in the finished product. Executive Chef Compensation & Benefits Base salary up to $100K+, commensurate with experience Performance-based bonus Comprehensive benefits package Paid Time Off Long-term growth opportunity with a stable, ownership-driven restaurant Executive Chef Responsibilities Lead all daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistent execution and exceptional food quality Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing culinary team Maintain high standards for food preparation, presentation, sanitation, and kitchen organization Oversee food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, scheduling, and overall kitchen financial performance Work closely with ownership and front-of-house leadership to ensure a seamless guest experience Execute menu offerings with consistency while supporting seasonal features and menu enhancements Oversee private dining and special events while maintaining the same high standards as daily service Foster a positive, professional kitchen culture built on teamwork, accountability, and respect Executive Chef Qualifications Experience with fresh pasta production, traditional Italian cooking techniques, and seafood preparation 5+ years of culinary leadership experience as an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or Chef de Cuisine Strong background in Italian cuisine within a scratch, full-service restaurant environment Proven success leading high-volume kitchen operations Strong knowledge of food cost controls, labor management, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen systems Experience hiring, coaching, and developing culinary teams Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills Hands-on management style with the ability to lead calmly and effectively during busy services Preferred Experience Experience in upscale or polished casual Italian restaurants Passion for quality ingredients, consistency, and scratch cooking Experience supporting private dining and special events Strong operational mindset with the ability to balance culinary excellence and financial performance JOB ID JOB ID: 179552#post #J-18808-Ljbffr