Executive Chef

Paycom; Dallas (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Hotel ZaZa Dallas seeks an accomplished Executive Chef to lead our culinary direction across The Dragonfly restaurant, poolside, in-room dining, banquets, and private events. You will craft innovative, seasonally driven menus that reflect the Hotel ZaZa brand while maintaining exceptional quality and consistent execution.

The role requires strong financial acumen, people leadership, and the ability to build a high-performing kitchen culture committed to safety, creativity, and guest delight.

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of progressive culinary experience with 3–5 years in senior leadership.
• Proven ability to develop innovative menus and seasonal programming.
• Strong financial acumen with food and labor cost management.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary vision and operations for all hotel outlets and catering events.
• Develop seasonally driven menus reflecting the brand and Dallas market.
• Oversee production, ordering, inventory, and food safety standards.
• Mentor and develop kitchen leadership and staff across venues.
• Manage budgeting, purchasing, waste, and profitability targets.
• Collaborate with F&B, events, and hotel leadership to ensure guest satisfaction.

Skills

Executive leadership

Menu development

Food cost management

Staff development

HACCP compliance

Sanitation standards

Vendor relations

Banquet operations

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

ServSafe Certification

Job description

Hotel ZaZa Dallas is seeking an exceptional and visionary Executive Chef to lead the culinary direction and overall performance of our dynamic food and beverage program.This highly visible leadership role is responsible for defining and evolving the property’s culinary identity while delivering exceptional guest experiences across the hotel’s restaurant, The Dragonfly, poolside service, in-room dining, banquets, private events, and special culinary programming. The ideal candidate brings creativity, strong leadership, business acumen, and an uncompromising commitment to quality.This is an opportunity for a chef who understands that safe and delicious food is only the beginning. We are looking for a leader who can create a culinary program that is distinctive, innovative, and memorable while building a high-performing kitchen culture where creativity, accountability, and excellence thrive.What You’ll DoLead the overall culinary vision and creative direction for Hotel ZaZa Dallas across all outlets, in-room dining, banquets, private events, and special culinary programming.Develop innovative, seasonally driven menus and culinary experiences that reflect the Hotel ZaZa brand and the Dallas market.Maintain accountability for the quality, flavor, presentation, consistency, and execution of all culinary offerings.Oversee daily kitchen operations, including production, service execution, ordering, receiving, inventory, quality control, and food safety.Lead, mentor, and develop the culinary leadership team and broader kitchen brigade.Recruit, retain, and develop top culinary talent while creating opportunities for growth and advancement.Manage culinary financial performance, including food and labor costs, purchasing, inventory, waste, budgeting, and profitability.Develop staffing and scheduling plans that align with business levels, banquet activity, special events, and operational needs.Oversee culinary execution for VIP dining, banquets, private events, and other high-profile experiences.Ensure compliance with all food safety, sanitation, HACCP, and local health department requirements.Partner closely with Food & Beverage, restaurant, bar, banquet, sales and events, and hotel leadership to deliver a seamless guest experience.Build relationships within the Dallas culinary community and serve as a visible culinary ambassador for Hotel ZaZa.What We’re Looking For5-7 years of progressive culinary experience, including 3–5 years in a senior culinary leadership role.Previous experience as an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or comparable leadership role in a luxury hotel, upscale hospitality, lifestyle, or fine dining environment.Demonstrated experience developing innovative menus, seasonal programming, and distinctive culinary concepts.Strong financial and business acumen with experience managing food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory, and profitability.Proven ability to recruit, develop, and inspire high-performing culinary teams.Experience leading high-volume operations, banquets, private events, and multiple culinary concepts preferred.Prior experience opening, repositioning, or transforming a restaurant or culinary program is strongly preferred.Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.ServSafe Food Manager Certification or equivalent.Culinary degree preferred, but not required.Physical RequirementsAbility to stand and walk for extended periods, up to 10–12 hours per shift.Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds.Ability to bend, stoop, kneel, reach, and work in a fast-paced kitchen environment.Ability to work in varying temperatures, including hot kitchen and cold storage environments.Flexibility to work a varied schedule, including nights, weekends, holidays, and special events based on business needs.Why Join Hotel ZaZa?At Hotel ZaZa, we don t just offer jobs we offer careers that inspire. Be part of a brand that celebrates individuality, creativity, and excellence in every detail.No Job Description for a position can possibly include all duties, which may be requested by guests or required by the hotel. The objective of all positions is to effectively provide the services personally, or to immediately refer requests to the appropriate department manager. Hotel ZaZa is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender/sex, sexual orientation, disability, national origin, age, or veteran status. Hotel ZaZa also participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.