Executive Chef

Job Description

Job Description

Open to Out of State Candidates Open to Relocate

EXECUTIVE CHEF

We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead culinary operations for a high-volume hospitality and events environment. This position will oversee culinary strategy, menu development, production, team leadership, financial performance, food safety, and overall kitchen execution.

The ideal candidate is a hands-on culinary leader who has experience managing large-scale food production, developing teams, controlling costs, and delivering a consistently high-quality guest experience in a fast-paced environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead all day-to-day culinary and kitchen operations across restaurant, event, banquet, and/or concession service
• Develop creative menus based on seasonality, local ingredients, guest preferences, and current culinary trends
• Maintain recipe consistency, presentation standards, portion control, and overall food quality
• Plan production schedules and staffing levels based on anticipated business volume and event needs
• Oversee food and labor costs while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability
• Manage purchasing, ordering, receiving, inventory, storage, and food preparation
• Ensure kitchen operations meet all applicable health, sanitation, food safety, and HACCP standards
• Maintain kitchen equipment, cleanliness standards, and preventative maintenance procedures
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop culinary and stewarding team members
• Establish clear performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback and development
• Coordinate food production and execution for banquets, catered events, and other large-scale functions
• Partner with operations and event teams to ensure successful execution of events and guest experiences
• Participate in client tastings, menu presentations, and culinary demonstrations when needed
• Support proposals and menu development for prospective events and clients
• Build relationships within the local culinary and hospitality community
• Continuously evaluate processes to improve quality, productivity, labor efficiency, and guest satisfaction
• Perform additional leadership responsibilities as needed

LEADERSHIP RESPONSIBILITIES

This position is responsible for leading culinary and stewarding teams, including hiring, onboarding, training, scheduling, performance management, employee development, and day-to-day operational direction.

QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Approximately 8+ years of progressive culinary experience
• Strong background in high-volume food production, large events, banquets, hospitality, or similar environments
• Previous culinary leadership or kitchen management experience strongly preferred
• Experience working within structured or unionized environments is beneficial
• Strong understanding of food safety, sanitation, and HACCP practices
• Demonstrated ability to manage food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, and operational budgets
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, coach, and develop culinary teams
• Excellent organization, communication, and time-management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and execute effectively under tight timelines
• Creative approach to menu development, food presentation, and culinary programming
• Strong guest-service mindset and professional presence
• Ability to work a flexible schedule based on business and event needs, including evenings, weekends, early mornings, and holidays

CERTIFICATIONS

Serve-Safe Certified/Food Handlers Certificate

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.

Company Description

The Restaurant Zone is a leading hospitality recruitment agency specializing in connecting top-tier talent with restaurants, hotels, and hospitality groups across the United States. We partner with growing brands and established operators to deliver high-quality candidates for management, executive, and specialized roles. Our team combines industry expertise, a vast candidate network, and a results-driven approach to help businesses build strong, reliable teams. At The Restaurant Zone, we focus on speed, quality, and long-term fit—ensuring both clients and candidates succeed.