Executive Chef

White Lodging; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits starting day 1

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off with rollover

Employee wellness tools

Job summary

White Lodging is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary program at The Westin Austin Downtown. This role drives menu identity, safety, and quality across all kitchen operations in a high-volume hotel restaurant.

The candidate will mentor a diverse kitchen team, manage costs, and partner with Sales and Events to deliver exceptional guest experiences in downtown Austin, TX.

Qualifications

• Proven Executive Chef or senior culinary leadership in fine dining/hotel setting.
• Experience with coastal seafood-focused menus preferred.
• Strong ability to lead and train a high-performing kitchen team.
• Solid track record in menu development and culinary innovation.
• Proficient in culinary financial management and cost controls.
• Experience with hotel restaurant operations, ideally Marriott-brand.
• Knowledge of the Austin market is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all culinary operations for the hotel dining outlets and banquet programs.
• Set standards for safe food handling, quality, and presentation across the kitchen.
• Lead, mentor, and develop kitchen staff to drive engagement and retention.
• Collaborate with Sales, Events, and hotel leadership to align culinary with business goals.
• Manage ordering, prep, marketing, and recipe execution within budget.
• Participate in month-end and year-end financial reporting.

Skills

Executive Chef Experience

Coastal Seafood Cuisine

Menu Development

Financial Management

Leadership & Training

Hotel Restaurant Operations

Austin Market Knowledge

Job description

Who We Are

White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. That's where you come in.

Description

White Lodging develops and operates a portfolio of award-winning premium hotels, rooftop bars, and restaurants in some of the country's most dynamic cities. We know that the hospitality business, like life, is about how you make people feel. That's where you come in.

We are seeking a visionary Executive Chef to lead the culinary program at The Westin Austin Downtown. This is a rare opportunity in Austin, Texas — your chance to lead the kitchen team, shape the menu identity, and set the culinary standard for the entire hotel. If you're an Executive Chef or senior Sous Chef ready to step up — with a passion for coastal cuisine, seafood-forward menus, and hotel restaurant leadership in a downtown Austin, TX environment — we want to hear from you.

What You'll Do

• Own all culinary operations for the Westin Austin Downtown, including Skipjack Oyster, Azul Rooftop, Banquets and In-Room Dining — including recipe execution, menu development, financial profitability, staffing, and compliance with White Lodging SOPs and all local and federal guidelines
• Serve as a hands‑on culinary Subject Matter Expert, setting the standard for safe, high‑quality food handling, preparation, and presentation across the entire hotel kitchen team
• Lead, coach, mentor, and develop all culinary associates to drive high engagement, a strong internal promotion rate, and low turnover — executing the White Lodging Way FOH & BOH Systems
• Foster productive relationships with Sales & Marketing, Event Management, front‑of‑house leadership, hotel departments, owners, business partners, and vendors at this Marriott Autograph Collection Austin property
• Oversee all ordering, preparation, marketing, and execution of recipes and USE Records, managing all costs associated with culinary department profitability at a high‑volume Austin restaurant
• Actively participate in property‑specific month‑end and year‑end processes and reporting

What You'll Bring

• Proven Executive Chef or senior culinary leadership experience in a fine dining, upscale seafood, or hotel restaurant environment — experience in the Austin, Texas market a plus
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills with a demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and inspire a high‑performing kitchen team in a fast‑paced downtown Austin restaurant setting
• A natural inclination to problem‑solve complex operational challenges and arrive at creative, guest‑focused culinary solutions
• High proficiency in culinary financial management, menu creation, and attention to detail — with a hands‑on approach to all kitchen systems and processes
• Sharp observational and walk‑through skills — consistently gauging food quality and quantity, service readiness, inventory levels, cleanliness, safety, and sanitation standards
• Pre‑opening restaurant or hotel culinary experience strongly preferred — this is a ground‑up launch of one of Austin's most anticipated new seafood restaurants
• Background in le seafood, coastal cuisine, or Marriott‑brand hotel culinary operations strongly preferred

What You Can Look Forward To

• Benefits — starting day 1
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Life and disability insurance
• Paid parental leaveDailyPay — get paid when you need it
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off (PTO) with rollover
• Complimentary wellness tools
• Unlimited employee referral bonuses
• Leadership development & tuition reimbursement
• Discounts on hotel rooms, dining, and travel
• Growth opportunities across multiple hotel properties

White Lodging is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. All qualified applicants will be considered regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, or veteran status.