Executive Chef (m/f/d) - Hilton Cologne

Hilton; Köln; On-site; EUR 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Germany Deutschlandticket

Go Hilton Travel Program

Employee meals

Career development

Team events

Job summary

Hilton Cologne is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the hotel’s culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, presentation, and profitability across breakfast, à la carte, and banqueting. You will shape menus with regional influences and collaborate with F&B leadership to elevate guest experiences.

You will manage budgets, mentor a high-performing kitchen team, and drive compliance with health and safety standards in a fast-paced environment at Hilton Cologne.

Qualifications

• Extensive experience as Executive Chef or in a similar senior hotel culinary role.
• Proven track record with large-scale banquet operations.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring of kitchen staff.
• Strong reliability, high responsibility, and resilience in fast-paced settings.
• Ability to communicate fluently in German and English.
• Ideally AEVO/Ausbilderschein certification and valid German work permit.

Responsibilities

• Direct culinary operations across hotel meals including breakfast, à la carte, and banqueting.
• Collaborate with F&B leadership to design menus reflecting trends and regional tastes.
• Engage with guests to gauge satisfaction and implement dining improvements.
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting for culinary ops.
• Streamline kitchen systems and workflows for efficiency.
• Develop and recognize high-performing team members.

Skills

Executive Chef exp

Banquet operations

Team leadership

German & English

AEVO qualification

Work permit Germany

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You

Picture yourself brightening someone’s day. When you join our Hotels team, that’s exactly what you’ll do every time you come to work! As an

Job Description

Exceptional Hospitality Starts with You

Picture yourself brightening someone’s day. When you join our Hotels team, that’s exactly what you’ll do every time you come to work! As an Executive Chef (m/f/d), and success of all hotel culinary operations – you’re spreading the light and warmth of hospitality by delivering memorable experiences that make the stay for every guest.

Responsibilities

Here’s what you’ll do during a typical day:

• Direct culinary operations: Oversee the preparation and production of hotel meals, ensuring high standards of food quality, presentation, cost controls, and overall profitability. Being in charge for Breakfast, A la carte and Banqueting.
• Enhance menu offerings: Partner with the Food and Beverage Director to develop new menus and individual menu items based on current food trends and regional tastes
• Delight our guests: Engage with guests and clients to assess satisfaction, address concerns, and implement improvements to elevate the dining experience
• Monitor financial performance: Oversee budget management, forecasting, and reporting to ensure financial targets are met and culinary operations are aligned with the hotel’s goals
• Optimize kitchen operations: Oversee and streamline kitchen systems, processes, and workflows to ensure smooth and efficient operations
• Cultivate a high-performing team: Drive engagement and retention through performance management, professional development, and recognition programs
• Ensure regulatory excellence: Uphold compliance with health, safety, sanitation, and alcohol awareness regulations, fostering a culture committed to the highest standards of guest and team member wellbeing
• Collaborate on transnational F&D projects: Represent the hotel in regional initiatives by collaborating with regional leaders and other properties, aligning objectives and sharing insights to successfully implement food concepts across the region.

Qualifications

What It Takes to Make the Stay

At Hilton, Our Core Values Define What It Takes To Succeed Here And Guide The Qualities We Look For In Every Team Member

A passion for spreading the light and warmth of Hospitality. Acting with Integrity and always doing the right thing. Inspiring others through Leadership. A belief that Teamwork drives the best outcomes. A sense of Ownership and accountability. And a focus on the Now, bringing urgency and discipline to every moment, knowing it can make a lasting impact.

You are exactly who we are looking for if you bring:

• Several years of experience in a comparable position or as an Executive Sous Chef in a hotel of similar size
• Proven experience with large-scale banquet operations
• Strong leadership skills and a demonstrated ability to develop and mentor team members
• A high level of responsibility, resilience, and reliability
• The ability to perform effectively under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Flexibility and strong commitment to quality
• A clear drive for excellenceA collaborative mindset and the ability to work effectively across all departments
• Good command of German and English (spoken, written and listening comprehension)
• Ideally, a certified trainer qualification from Germany (AEVO/Ausbilderschein)
• A valid work and residence permit

What You Can Expect From Us

• Through Hilton University and individual career development plans and coaching, we support your professional growth whenever you want. With us, all doors are open to you, whether locally, regionally, across Germany, or internationally.
• From day one, you will be a valued part of the team and welcomed through an exciting onboarding program.
• A positive feedback culture and transparent communication. We place great importance on keeping everyone informed and involved.
• Numerous team member events, perks, and special extras. Team spirit and togetherness are at the heart of everything we do.
• Even more benefits: discounted Germany Ticket (Deutschlandticket) as a public transportation job ticket, WellHub membership, Corporate Benefits (exclusive discounts with more than 600 brands, including fashion, technology, cars, travel, and more), and delicious meals in our team restaurant.
• Last but not least, there is the favorite benefit of all Hilton Cologne Team Members: the Go Hilton Travel Program, which allows you, your friends, and your family to explore the world at unbeatable rates. Genuine discounts for everyone, with easy and convenient booking.

About Us

Join an Award-Winning Workplace Culture

At Hilton, we don’t just deliver exceptional experiences for our guests—we build an exceptional workplace for the Team Members who make it all possible. As a global leader in hospitality, we’ve welcomed more than 3 billion guests worldwide, all while staying true to our founding vision: to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality.

Our award-winning culture has earned us repeated recognition on the World’s Best Workplaces list by Great Place to Work and Fortune. With our suite of world-class brands , and a company-wide commitment to providing the best stay for every guest, we’re setting new standards for the future of travel.

Whether you’re starting your career or exploring something new, Hilton supports your journey every step of the way. Come for the job, stay for the career—and help us make every stay a little more magical.

Curious about life at Hilton? Explore our Careers Blog to see why we’re more than a great place to stay—we’re a great place to work.

About The Team

How We’ll Help You Thrive

Benefits

At Hilton, the hospitality we’re known for doesn’t end with our guests. We proudly invest in our Team Members’ wellbeing, supporting you through all of life’s moments. When you join Hilton, our exceptional care extends to you with unmatched perks and benefits, including*:

Incredible travel perks – Enjoy 110 nights of deeply discounted travel, with room rates as low as $40 USD/night at our world-class hotels through our Go Hilton travel program

Paid parental leave – Because family matters. We offer paid leave for eligible Team Members, including partners and adoptive parents

Crisis concierge – In times of loss, our Crisis Concierge offers a single, compassionate point of contact for both practical support and emotional care

Mental health resources – Your wellbeing comes first. Through our Care for All hub, we provide resources to help our Team Members to care for themselves and their loved ones. In many countries, eligible Team Members receive free counseling and support through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).

Benefits availability may vary depending on Team Member’s location as well as terms and conditions of employment and are subject to the terms and conditions of each specific program/plan.