Also called: exec chef, chef de cuisine
What a executive chef does
The executive chef sets the culinary direction for the restaurant and owns the results. You design and update the menu, manage food and labor costs, hire and develop the kitchen team, and make sure every dish meets the concept's standards. You work closely with ownership on budgets and strategy and with the general manager on service. The best executive chefs balance creativity with discipline. They cook when needed, but spend more time building systems and people.
Pay snapshot: the BLS reports a national median of $30.03/hr for chefs and head cooks, and $34.84/hr in the Boston metro. See the full salary breakdown.
Responsibilities
- Design, test, and update menus and specials that fit the concept and the budget
- Own food cost, labor cost, and kitchen profit and report them to ownership
- Hire, train, and develop sous chefs, cooks, and dishwashers and build a kitchen culture
- Set recipe, plating, and quality standards and document them for the team
- Negotiate with vendors and manage purchasing, inventory, and waste
- Make sure the kitchen follows food safety rules and is ready for inspections
- Plan menus and execution for events, catering, and private dining
- Collaborate with the general manager and front of house on service flow and guest feedback
- Oversee kitchen equipment, maintenance, and capital purchases
- Represent the restaurant's food in the community, with press, and with guests
Requirements
- Substantial experience in professional kitchens, including time as a sous chef or chef de cuisine
- Proven track record managing food cost, labor, and a full kitchen team
- Strong menu development, cooking, and plating skills
- ServSafe Manager certification is often required
- Leadership and communication skills for working with owners, managers, and cooks
- Flexibility to work nights, weekends, and holidays as needed
Skills
- Menu design and costing
- Team leadership and hiring
- Budgeting and P&L awareness
- Vendor negotiation
- Food safety management
- Creative problem solving
- Communication with ownership and staff
Schedule
Executive chefs often work long, irregular weeks that include several service shifts plus office time for ordering, menu planning, and meetings.
Executive Chef job posting template
Copy this, replace the bracketed parts, and post it.
Executive Chef - [Restaurant Name], [City] [Restaurant Name] is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the kitchen at our [cuisine/concept] restaurant in [City]. You will own the menu, the team, and the numbers, and help shape the future of the restaurant. What you will do: - Create and refine the menu and seasonal specials - Hire, train, and lead a kitchen team of [XX] people - Manage food cost, labor, ordering, and inventory - Maintain food safety and quality standards - Work with ownership and the front of house on guest experience What we are looking for: - [X] or more years of kitchen leadership experience - A proven record of controlling cost and building strong teams - ServSafe Manager certification (or willingness to get it) - Creativity, discipline, and strong communication What we offer: - [$XX,XXX-$XX,XXX salary range] plus [bonus structure] - [Benefits, e.g. health insurance, paid time off, retirement match] - Creative input on menu direction - A supportive ownership group that values the kitchen To apply, send your resume, a sample menu, and a short note about your cooking philosophy to [email].
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