Complex Executive Chef

The Radical; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k)

Disability insurance

Employee assistance program

Health insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off

Room Discounts

Employee Food and Beverage Discounts

Job summary

The Radical Hotel is seeking an innovative Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision across all venues, including Golden Hour, after/glow, The Roof, and catering operations in Asheville, NC. This is a high-impact hotel leadership role overseeing a growing F&B program with strong guest focus and financial accountability.

You will guide culinary strategy, mentor leaders, and ensure exceptional food quality, safety, and profitability across every outlet and event.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef in a hotel or multi-outlet operation.
• Hands-on leader with strong team development.
• Strong financial acumen including food cost and labor management.
• Experience overseeing multiple concepts and banquet operations.
• Passion for seasonal, locally inspired cuisine and menu development.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead all culinary operations across multiple dining concepts and event spaces.
• Collaborate with our F&B consultant and culinary leadership.
• Create and evolve seasonal menus with consistent execution.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a high-performing kitchen team.
• Oversee banquet, catering, and private events at both hotels.
• Manage food cost, labor, purchasing, and budgets.
• Ensure quality, cleanliness, and food safety standards.
• Build partnerships with local farms and producers.
• Foster a collaborative culture focused on creativity and growth.
• Stay ahead of culinary trends while maintaining profitability.

Skills

Executive leadership

Financial acumen

Menu development

High-volume operations

Team leadership

Hotel experience

Job description

Complex Executive Chef – The Radical Hotel & Zelda Dearest

• Golden Hour
• after/glow
• The Roof
• Banquets & Catering

Asheville, North Carolina

The Radical Hotel is redefining hospitality in Asheville's River Arts District through bold design, unforgettable experiences, and exceptional food and beverage. At the heart of that experience is our culinary program, featuring Golden Hour, our Michelin Recommended signature restaurant, after/glow café and lounge, The Roof rooftop bar, and an expanding banquet and catering operation as well as at our sister hotel Zelda Dearest.

We're looking for an innovative, passionate, and experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary vision across all dining venues. This is more than a restaurant leadership role—it's an opportunity to oversee one of Asheville's most dynamic hotel culinary programs while shaping the future of a growing food and beverage operation.

About the Role

The Executive Chef provides strategic and day-to-day leadership for all culinary operations throughout The Radical Hotel, including:

• Golden Hour – Michelin Recommended signature restaurant
• after/glow – Coffee, breakfast and lunch café & evening lounge bar.
• The Roof – Rooftop bar and seasonal dining
• Catering & Private Events - at The Radical Hotel and sister property Zelda Dearest

You'll lead a talented culinary team while ensuring exceptional food quality, operational excellence, financial performance, and memorable guest experiences across every outlet.

What You'll Do

• Lead all culinary operations across multiple restaurant concepts and event spaces.
• Partner with our James Beard nominated F&B consultant Jacob Sessoms
• Create and evolve seasonal menus that reflect The Radical's creative spirit while delivering consistent execution.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop an exceptional culinary leadership team.
• Partner with Food & Beverage leadership to elevate guest experiences across every outlet.
• Oversee banquet, catering, and special event culinary execution at both The Radical Hotel and Zelda Dearest
• Manage food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory, and kitchen budgets to achieve financial goals.
• Ensure exceptional quality, consistency, cleanliness, and food safety standards.
• Build strong partnerships with local farms, artisans, and regional producers.
• Foster a positive, collaborative culture built on accountability, creativity, and continuous improvement.
• Stay ahead of culinary trends while maintaining operational efficiency and profitability.

What We're Looking For

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef in a luxury hotel, upscale restaurant, or multi-outlet culinary operation.
• A hands-on leader
• Demonstrated success leading high-performing kitchen teams.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing food cost, labor, and purchasing.
• Experience overseeing multiple restaurant concepts and banquet operations.
• Passion for seasonal, locally inspired cuisine and innovative menu development.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-volume environment while maintaining exceptional standards.
• Hotel experience is strongly preferred.

Why The Radical?

The Radical Hotel is one of Asheville's most distinctive boutique hotels, blending art, culture, and hospitality in the heart of the River Arts District. Our culinary program has earned recognition from the Michelin Guide and continues to grow through innovative dining concepts, rooftop experiences, and memorable private events.

This is an opportunity to lead a culinary team that values creativity, collaboration, and genuine hospitality while helping shape one of the region's most exciting food and beverage programs.

Driftwood Hospitality Management’s company culture empowers our associates to take initiative, be proactive, and contribute to the success of their property with well-defined strategies and objectives. Driftwood Hospitality Management is renowned for our fully integrated approach to hospitality services — all with outstanding client service. Our team is made up of the best talent in the hospitality industry, down to every employee, position, and hotel.

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Experienced in high volume catering with hotel top brands and fine dining
• Proven leadership and managerial skills supporting an environment of colleague growth and development, interdepartmental teamwork and exceptional customer service;
• Current on all culinary trends and active in the furthering of his/her own culinary development
• Extremely creative with strong service skills and demonstrated ability to energize a diverse team of culinary professionals;
• Proven financial planning skills with the ability to analyze date and trends and implement strategies for improvement;
• Fully supportive of and cognizant of all Corporate programs;
• Experience and comfort with television and other media promotional venues;
• Computer literate;

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Ability to stand, walk and/or sit and continuously perform essential job functions for an eight-plus hour shift.
• Frequent twisting, bending, stooping, reaching, standing, walking,
• Frequent talking, hearing, seeing and smiling.

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Disability insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Room Discounts
• Employee Food and Beverage Discounts

EEO: Driftwood Hospitality Management is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. We are an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, pregnancy, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status.

Source: Driftwood Hospitality