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What does an Executive Chef do?

Updated January 8, 2025
9 min read
Quoted Expert
Karla Nardi
What does an Executive Chef do

Executive chefs are considered the lead chefs in a restaurant. They manage the restaurant's kitchen, including all other chefs employed by the restaurant. Executive chefs are in charge of creating menu items and ensuring that the restaurant's menu is in line with the restaurant's identity. They handle the management of the pantry and ensure that it is well-stocked. They also ensure that all kitchen equipment and fixtures are working well. Executive chefs are responsible for training new chefs on the job to ensure consistent food quality.

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Executive chef responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real executive chef resumes:

  • Manage a kitchen of military personal and Japanese civilian chefs.
  • Cater off-premise events, parties, holiday dinners and seasonal BBQ cookouts.
  • Own and operate a full charge BBQ catering business from a 30 foot mobile kitchen.
  • Close high percentage of sales opportunities for large builder and designer accounts with strategic VIP events.
  • Supervise high volume and VIP catering events to include black tie, charity and outdoor events.
  • Create systems to control BOH operations including: purchasing, receiving, storage, inventory & food cost tracking.
  • Clean the grill, fryers and hot wells at the end of the night and assist co-workers closing their stations.
  • Design and implement a gourmet coffee program serving a variety of roasts, espresso drinks, and signature coffee drinks.
  • Develop weekly menus creations serving Sunday brunch, dinner, private events and monthly cigar, beer, and wine dinners.
  • Keep organize temperatures files from patients and cafeteria.
  • Execute exclusive wine pairings for elite international clientele.
  • Develop receiving practices, procedures and vendor specifications according to HACCP guidelines.
  • Maintain sanitation procedures and organization of work area adhering to all HACCP regulations.
  • Develop menus and ensure quality food and presentation while maintaining high level of cleanliness and sanitation.
  • Monitor with health department regulations regarding food preparation including portion sizes, garnishing and food presentation.

Executive chef skills and personality traits

We calculated that 14% of Executive Chefs are proficient in Culinary, Food Preparation, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Business skills, Communication skills, and Creativity.

We break down the percentage of Executive Chefs that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Culinary, 14%

    Developed menus, conducted culinary training, spearheaded culinary competitions, developing chef hiring process, and overall culinary guidelines.

  • Food Preparation, 8%

    Ensured proper food preparation with exceptional taste and presentation and also ensure food preparation for residents with dietary needs and requirements.

  • Customer Service, 6%

    Trained employees in customer service and food preparation procedures in line with high-end establishment standards, effectively expedited dinner service.

  • Kitchen Operations, 6%

    Selected to execute reorganization of kitchen operations and staffing structure for local eatery specializing in California and Mediterranean style cuisine.

  • Food Safety, 5%

    Received certification in food safety manager, Florida restaurant and lodging association and SafeStaff-contracted food safety provider.

  • Food Service, 5%

    Utilized proven food service industry expertise and entrepreneurial business skills to provide consultation to start up and established businesses.

Common skills that an executive chef uses to do their job include "culinary," "food preparation," and "customer service." You can find details on the most important executive chef responsibilities below.

Business skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an executive chef to have is business skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "executive chefs and chefs who run their own restaurant need to know how to budget for supplies, set prices, and manage workers so that the restaurant is profitable." Executive chefs often use business skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "created and developed a business that specializes in epicurean cuisine of the highest standards based on abstract southern fusion. "

Communication skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling executive chef duties is communication skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "chefs must convey their instructions clearly and effectively to staff so that patrons' orders are prepared correctly." According to an executive chef resume, here's how executive chefs can utilize communication skills in their job responsibilities: "supported and improved productivity and profitability through inventory and cost controls, communication and employee management. "

Creativity. This is an important skill for executive chefs to perform their duties. For an example of how executive chef responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "chefs and head cooks need to develop and prepare interesting and innovative recipes." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of an executive chef: "reorganized the layout of kitchens and developed creative, diverse menus incorporating the cuisine commonly associated with a mexican restaurant. ".

Dexterity. executive chef responsibilities often require "dexterity." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "chefs and head cooks need agility to handle knives properly for cutting, chopping, and dicing." This resume example shows what executive chefs do with dexterity on a typical day: "maintain quality and consistency of food following proper food handling procedures, cooking techniques, and hands on training. "

Leadership skills. Another crucial skill for an executive chef to carry out their responsibilities is "leadership skills." A big part of what executive chefs relies on this skill, since "chefs and head cooks must be able to motivate kitchen staff and to develop constructive and cooperative working relationships." How this skill relates to executive chef duties can be seen in an example from an executive chef resume snippet: "exceeded corporate guidelines in leadership, cleanliness, sanitation and organizational skills. "

Physical stamina. Another skill commonly found on executive chef job descriptions is "physical stamina." It can come up quite often in executive chef duties, since "chefs and head cooks often work long shifts and sometimes spend entire evenings on their feet, overseeing the preparation and serving of meals." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day executive chef responsibilities: "ensured upkeep of the physical restaurant and cleanliness of the kitchen by maintaining specified standards through proper supervision and training. "

All executive chef skills

The three companies that hire the most executive chefs are:

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Compare different executive chefs

Executive chef vs. Front of house manager

A front of house manager coordinates and supervises the front house team. Front of house managers make sure that every client receives a warm welcome. They see to it that all house services are performed smoothly. The scope of their duties and responsibilities may involve the recruitment of team members. They carry out administrative tasks in an organization or establishment such as a theater, concert hall, or restaurant. It is their job to handle the preparation and daily operations of these areas.

The annual salary of front of house managers is $18,253 lower than the average salary of executive chefs.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between executive chefs and front of house managers are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like food preparation, customer service, and food safety.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between executive chefs and front of house manager. For instance, executive chef responsibilities require skills such as "culinary," "kitchen operations," "menu development," and "food handling." Whereas a front of house manager is skilled in "guest service," "pos," "cash handling," and "guest relations." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Front of house managers really shine in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $39,179. Comparatively, executive chefs tend to make the most money in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $60,122.The education levels that front of house managers earn slightly differ from executive chefs. In particular, front of house managers are 0.7% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than an executive chef. Additionally, they're 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Executive chef vs. Chef/kitchen manager

A kitchen manager or chef is someone who oversees the overall operations in the kitchen as well as the food operations. Kitchen managers make certain that food and related products are well prepared, cooked, and served to customers. They maintain a fully-stocked kitchen inventory and comply with the cleanliness and safety standards. It is their responsibility to manage the kitchen staff and aid them in delivering quality food at the right time. They need to possess management skills, leadership skills, and attention to detail.

Chef/kitchen manager positions earn lower pay than executive chef roles. They earn a $10,001 lower salary than executive chefs per year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Executive chefs and chef/kitchen managers both require similar skills like "culinary," "food preparation," and "kitchen operations" to carry out their responsibilities.

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that executive chef responsibilities requires skills like "customer service," "food safety," "food quality," and "food handling." But a chef/kitchen manager might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "servsafe," "quality food," "safety standards," and "pos."

Chef/kitchen managers may earn a lower salary than executive chefs, but chef/kitchen managers earn the most pay in the hospitality industry with an average salary of $44,258. On the other hand, executive chefs receive higher pay in the hospitality industry, where they earn an average salary of $60,122.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Chef/kitchen managers tend to reach similar levels of education than executive chefs. In fact, they're 0.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for Executive Chefs in the next 3-5 years?

Karla Nardi

Program Coordinator, University of New Mexico - Taos

All technology is essential to the restaurant industry. In the next 3-5 years, the programs that assist with cost controls will be crucial. Changes that are happening now will be affecting us for years to come, so keeping your eye on the bottom line will be even more critical if you want to survive and succeed.

Executive chef vs. Food and beverage supervisor

A Food and Beverage Supervisors role is to make sure that guests food and beverage expectations are being met or exceeded. They supervise all of the issues related to a patrons dining experience, like quality control, staff management, health and safety regulations.

On average scale, food and beverage supervisors bring in lower salaries than executive chefs. In fact, they earn a $21,081 lower salary per year.By looking over several executive chefs and food and beverage supervisors resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "culinary," "food preparation," and "customer service." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, an executive chef is likely to be skilled in "kitchen operations," "menu development," "patients," and "cuisine," while a typical food and beverage supervisor is skilled in "guest service," "pos," "payroll," and "beverage outlets."

Food and beverage supervisors earn the highest salary when working in the media industry, where they receive an average salary of $38,975. Comparatively, executive chefs have the highest earning potential in the hospitality industry, with an average salary of $60,122.food and beverage supervisors typically earn similar educational levels compared to executive chefs. Specifically, they're 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Executive chef vs. Food service coordinator

Food service coordinators are responsible for organizing the food preparation for a considerable section of a huge operation such as the bakery, catering, and pantry section. They arrange, prepare, and synchronize the preparation of main entrees. Also, they coordinate and prepare all snacks and meals at a distinct facility as well as supervise the performance of food service specialists and student assistants in preparing food. Qualifications for the job include agility and physical strength to lift and reach kitchen materials and supplies as well as working in a hot environment while standing for a long period.

Food service coordinators typically earn lower pay than executive chefs. On average, food service coordinators earn a $27,331 lower salary per year.According to resumes from executive chefs and food service coordinators, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "culinary," "food preparation," and "customer service. "

Even though a few skill sets overlap between executive chefs and food service coordinators, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an executive chef might have more use for skills like "menu development," "quality standards," "wine," and "cuisine." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of food service coordinators require skills like "meal preparation," "servsafe," "cash handling," and "federal guidelines. "

In general, food service coordinators earn the most working in the media industry, with an average salary of $33,827. The highest-paying industry for an executive chef is the hospitality industry.In general, food service coordinators hold similar degree levels compared to executive chefs. Food service coordinators are 2.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of executive chef

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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