Executive Chef jobs at Specialty Restaurants

Executive Chef is responsible for developing innovative menus aligned with brand standards, maintaining the highest levels of food safety and sanitation, and managing a large culinary team in a fast-paced environment. You will collaborate closely with F&B leadership to drive profitability, control costs, and deliver a consistent, high-quality dining experience for hotel guests and event clientele. WHAT WE OFFER Total compensation: $140,000-$180,000 annually; The total compensation package for this position includes a competitive base salary and may also include discretionary incentives, bonuses, and/or commission opportunities, as applicable. Medical, dental, vision insurance 401(k) with company matching Exclusive worldwide Hilton employee travel discount program Opportunity to participate in multi-million view TikTok videos (@hiltonuniversal) ... and more DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES Hire, train, schedule, supervise, and evaluate chefs, cooks, and kitchen personnel to ensure optimal productivity, skill development, and adherence to brand and operational standards. Participate actively in kitchen operations, setting the standard for quality, speed, and presentation. Provide continuous coaching, feedback, and development opportunities to foster a high-performance, team-oriented kitchen culture. Maintain a fair and balanced scheduling system that meets labor guidelines while supporting employee work-life balance. Lead daily pre-shift meetings and conduct regular culinary team meetings to communicate expectations, recognize achievements, and address operational updates. Oversee preparation, production, and presentation of all menu items for restaurants, in-room dining, lounges, banquets, and special events. Monitor food production to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance with standardized recipes and plating guidelines. Stay current with culinary trends, guest preferences, and seasonal ingredients to develop innovative menus and special offerings for all F&B outlets. Design and implement themed menus and custom culinary experiences for VIP functions, weddings, corporate events, and other high-profile banquets in collaboration with the F&B and Sales teams. Partner with the VP of Food & Beverage to review and approve all new menu items and culinary changes. Actively engage with guests and clients during events and peak service hours to ensure satisfaction and gather feedback. Respond to guest and client input with professionalism, using feedback to drive continuous improvement in menu offerings and service execution. Assist the VP of F&B in preparing and forecasting the annual food budget, aligning culinary goals with overall hotel financial targets. Monitor and control food and labor costs to achieve budgetary goals while maintaining product quality and service standards. Manage vendor relationships, order supplies, and approve purchases to ensure quality ingredients at competitive pricing. Conduct regular inventory audits and maintain accurate records to minimize waste and ensure inventory integrity. Enforce and maintain the highest standards of food safety, sanitation, and workplace hygiene in accordance with local health department codes, Hilton brand standards, and OSHA regulations. Conduct regular inspections of all food storage areas, refrigeration units, prep kitchens, and equipment to ensure compliance. Lead kitchen safety training and ensure staff adherence to proper food handling, storage, and cleaning procedures. Report all kitchen and equipment maintenance issues to Property Operations promptly and follow up to ensure timely resolution. Monitor and maintain all kitchen equipment to ensure it is functioning properly and safely. Recommend equipment upgrades and replacements in alignment with long-term operational needs and efficiency goals. Supervise kitchen operations during peak service periods to ensure smooth production flow and timely execution. Coordinate closely with restaurant managers, banquet captains, and service teams to ensure seamless communication and service delivery. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance kitchen productivity, guest satisfaction, and staff efficiency. Participate in or lead special projects related to sustainability, local sourcing, wellness menu development, or service innovation. Contribute to strategic planning and execution of F&B promotions, seasonal menus, culinary competitions, or property-wide events. Collaborate with cross-functional departments to support hotel goals, training programs, and quality assurance initiatives. Maintain accurate employee records, schedules, disciplinary documentation, and training logs. Develop and oversee the culinary department's vacation and leave schedules to ensure consistent staffing levels. Perform additional duties as assigned by the VP of Food & Beverage, including coordination of VIP events, executive functions, or property meetings. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS Education & Experience Culinary degree from an accredited culinary school or equivalent formal training in culinary arts; Bachelor's degree in Hospitality or Food Service Management is a plus. Minimum 7 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 3-5 years in an Executive Chef role in a high-volume, multi-outlet hotel, resort, or convention center. Proven experience managing large kitchen brigades, banquet operations, and diverse F&B concepts including fine dining, casual outlets, and in-room dining. Experience working within a branded hotel environment (Hilton preferred) and familiarity with brand standards and systems (e.g., OnQ, HotSOS, Delphi) is advantageous. Required Skills/Abilities Exceptional leadership, team-building, and communication skills with the ability to motivate and develop a diverse culinary team. Advanced culinary skills, including proficiency in international cuisines, banquet service, volume production, and modern cooking techniques. Strong organizational and time-management abilities to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment. Ability to interpret and analyze financial reports and implement cost-control measures effectively. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to engage with guests, clients, and team members professionally and tactfully. Strong working knowledge of health department regulations, food safety standards, and OSHA requirements. Proficient with kitchen management software, POS systems, Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook), and inventory control platforms. Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure, especially during high-demand service periods or large-scale events. Flexible schedule with availability to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours as required by business levels. ServSafe Certification or equivalent food handler certification required; additional safety certifications (e.g., HACCP) preferred. Schedule The work schedule is based on the demands of the business you must be available days, nights, weekends, and/or holiday availability are required. Physical, Mental and Environmental & Technical Demands Fast paced environment, multiple tasks to be handled under time constraint. Must be able to bend, crouch, kneel, and twist in the work area. Must be able to maneuver around property. Must be able to sit, walk and stand for prolonged periods of time. Must be able to operate a computer, telephone, and copier. Must have manual dexterity to operate all office equipment. Grooming All employees must maintain a neat, clean, and well-groomed appearance. Specific uniform guidelines and/ or required articles of clothing will be explained to you as part of the orientation process. STANDARD SPECIFICATIONS Requirements are representative of minimum levels of knowledge, skills and/or abilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbent will possess the abilities or aptitudes to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, other employees, or guests. A review of this description has excluded the marginal functions of the position that are incidental to the performance of fundamental job duties. All duties and requirements are essential job functions. This in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee occupying this position. Employees will be required to perform any other job-related duties assigned by their supervisor. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an "at will" employment relationship. The statements in this job description are intended to represent the key duties and level of work being performed. They are not intended to be ALL responsibilities or qualifications of the job. This position is classified as exempt (per the Fair Labor Standards Act).