Executive Chef

Jack & Harry's; Dallas, Northern (TX, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

Paid Time Off

Dining discounts

Professional development

Robust Training program

Holiday closures for team time

Job summary

Jack & Harry’s, a Vandelay Companies concept, in Dallas, TX, seeks an Executive Chef to lead a high-energy kitchen team and uphold the brand’s hospitality standards. You will guide menu execution, mentor leaders, and drive reliable operations in a fast-paced, guest-focused setting.

Bring a culinary leadership background, strong communication, and a passion for quality. This role offers growth within a respected hospitality group and a collaborative, proficient kitchen culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Culinary/Restaurant/Hospitality Management or similar field preferred.
• 2+ years of executive chef experience in full-service restaurant preferred.
• Flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary team with purpose and authenticity; oversee kitchen operations with precision.
• Guide menu execution and maintain Vandelay serving standards.
• Mentor leaders and drive operational performance; recruit, coach and train staff.

Skills

Team leadership

Recruiting

Budgeting

Menu execution

Operational management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Culinary / Restaurant / Hospitality Management

Tools

POS systems

Kitchen management software

Job description

Jack & Harry’s is a New Orleans-inspired steakhouse from Vandelay Companies, built around polished hospitality, timeless design, and an elevated dining experience that feels both refined and warmly familiar. Located in the heart of Snider Plaza, Jack & Harry’s blends classic steakhouse tradition with Southern hospitality, exceptional food and beverage programs, and a service culture rooted in professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine connection.

At Jack & Harry’s, hospitality is not transactional. We are passionate about creating memorable experiences through thoughtful service, sophistication, and an unwavering commitment to quality. Our team members are polished, personable, and deeply intentional about how they make guests feel from the moment they walk through the door.

About the Opportunity

As an Executive Chef at Jack & Harry's, you’ll play a defining role in bringing our culinary vision to life each day. This is more than running a kitchen; it’s an opportunity to shape culture, elevate standards, and create experiences that reflect the heart of our brand. You’ll lead a talented culinary team with purpose and authenticity, oversee kitchen operations with precision, and uphold the excellence that distinguishes Vandelay in every detail of food quality, presentation, and execution.

In this role, you will guide menu execution, drive operational performance, mentor emerging leaders, and contribute to a kitchen culture defined by teamwork, consistency, and pride. This is a chance to make a lasting impact on each guest’s experience while growing within a group that values your talent, your leadership, and your commitment to the craft.

Core Responsibilities

• Create memorable dining experiences by exceeding guest expectations and showing a genuine love for the art of hospitality
• Embody Vandelay Companies' standards of excellence with a high-energy, service-oriented attitude and inspire your team to do the same
• Engage culinary team members through proactive recruiting, hiring, coaching, training and continuous development efforts
• Display financial skills by summarizing and analyzing information for budgeting revenues and expenses; measuring costs of products, services or other cost objectives
• Exhibit our core values through creating innovative improvements and collaborating with others while being accountable for measurable, high-quality and timely results
• Respond to guest concerns, both written and verbal with the ability to creatively solve problems and develop robust solutions
• Run pre-shift meetings and update the team on any key business updates
• Assist with weekly staff schedules in coordination with the General Manager
• Order goods, kitchen utensils and cleaning products as needed while controlling operational costs and monitoring departmental budget
• Ensure established standards for food safety, sanitation and quality are maintained
• Ensure all food and products are consistently prepared and served according to company recipes, portioning, cooking and Vandelay Hospitality Group’s serving standards
• Ensure all reports, documentation and other information required by our corporate office are submitted in a timely and accurate manner
• Ensure adherence to all local, state and federal laws and regulations
• Take action based on guest reviews and feedback standards and protocols
• Attend and participate in Manager meetings as scheduled
• Lead weekly manager meetings to communicate informational updates and build a cohesive management through proactive communication

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED required; Bachelor's Degree in Culinary / Restaurant / Hospitality Management or similar field of study strongly preferred
• 2+ years of full service restaurant Executive Chef experience strongly preferred
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends and holidays
• Trustworthy, detail-obsessed and open to constructive feedback
• Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal

Benefits

• Medical, Dental and Vision benefits available
• Paid Time Off
• Dining discounts at all Vandelay Companies concepts
• Professional development and career growth
• Robust Training program
• All Vandelay Companies restaurants are closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas and the 4th of July so our team can celebrate with their friends and family
• A collaborative, uplifting culture where we take care of our guests by taking care of our people first

Physical Requirements

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds
• Ability to work standing and walking for extended periods of time

If you’re a passionate leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is eager to grow with a company that values hospitality and teamwork, we’d love to hear from you!

Vandelay Companies provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other federal/state protected category.

We run background checks on all new hires in this position.