Executive Chef

Executive Chef

Join Restaurant Associates as an Executive Chef at a premier corporate dining account in Whippany, NJ, serving a professional office and distribution environment with a daily population of approximately 400 guests.

As Executive Chef, you will lead all culinary operations for a high-profile dining program, delivering exceptional food quality, presentation, and hospitality standards. The ideal candidate brings expertise across diverse cuisines and culinary techniques, a passion for innovation, and experience executing elevated corporate dining experiences, including weekly Chef Table programs and company-sponsored culinary initiatives.

You will oversee kitchen operations, ensure a safe and sanitary work environment, develop and execute menus aligned with corporate programs and guidelines, and mentor a culinary team committed to excellence. This role requires a hands-on leader who can balance operational discipline with creativity while consistently exceeding guest expectations in a premier workplace dining setting.

Key Responsibilities:

• Plans regular and modified menus according to established guidelines
• Follows standardized recipes, portioning and presentation standards. Completes and utilizes daily production worksheets and waste log sheets. Tastes completed meals to ensure quality
• Trains kitchen staff in food preparation, safe handling, operation of equipment, food safety and sanitation based on Company and regulatory standards
• Establishes and maintains cleaning and maintenance schedules for equipment, storage and work areas. Ensures that kitchen staff follows and completes schedules as assigned
• Maintains inventory of food and non-food supplies to stay within established guidelines while assuring that necessary product is available when needed
• Makes all decisions regarding utilization of leftover food products staying within Company guidelines for such products
• Complies with federal, state, and local health and sanitation regulations and department sanitation procedures as evidenced through local health department and third-party audits
• Follows facility, department, and Company safety policies and procedures to include occurrence reporting
• Participates and attends departmental meetings, staff development, and professional programs, as appropriate

What We're Looking for:

• A.S. or equivalent experience
• Minimum of three to five years of progressive culinary/kitchen management experience, depending upon formal degree or training
• Must be able to work a Monday-Friday 6:00 AM to 3:00 PM schedule, with occasional evening events and seasonal weekend support.
• Must be flexible during the holiday season to support catering events.
• Catering experience required
• Expertise across diverse cuisines and culinary techniques, a passion for innovation, and experience executing elevated experiences
• High-volume, complex foodservice operations experience - highly desirable
• Hands-on chef experience is a must
• Comprehensive knowledge of food and catering trends with a focus on quality, production, sanitation, food cost controls, and presentation
• Must be experienced with computers, including Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), Outlook, email, and the Internet
• ServSafe certified - highly desirable

Restaurant Associates maintains a drug-free workplace.