Executive Chef

Swann House; Dandridge (TN); On-site; USD 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The Swann House leads two concepts, The Swann House and The Quail’s Den, seeking an Executive Chef in Dandridge, TN. You will define culinary standards, lead a BOH team, and deliver high-volume, upscale Italian-inspired cuisine with premium steaks and seafood.

Strong Italian cooking experience is highly preferred, but talent, leadership, and consistency that elevates our two-concept program will matter most. This is a full-time executive leadership role, on-site in Dandridge.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or senior sous chef.
• Strong knowledge of Italian cooking techniques, sauces, pasta, and classic preparations.
• Experience with premium steaks, seafood, and high-quality ingredients.
• Ability to maintain consistency, presentation, portioning, and recipe standards.
• Strong leadership and ability to recruit, train, develop, and manage a BOH team.
• Experience with food cost, inventory, ordering, waste control, and vendor management.
• Hands-on leadership style from the kitchen.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary program for two-concept restaurant.
• Establish culinary culture, standards, and reputation.
• Ensure consistency, presentation, and recipe standards.
• Recruit, train, and manage BOH team.
• Execute high-volume, upscale service with discipline.

Skills

Team leadership

Kitchen management

Food safety

High-volume service

Menu planning

Job description

The Swann House and The Quail’s Den are seeking an experienced, passionate Executive Chef to lead the culinary program for our two-concept restaurant opening in Dandridge, Tennessee.

Our menus are heavily influenced by classic Italian cooking, alongside premium steaks, fresh seafood, house-made pastas, pizza, and elevated American tavern fare. Strong Italian culinary experience is highly preferred but not required. We are equally interested in accomplished chefs with upscale, fine-dining, steakhouse, or high-volume culinary backgrounds who have the skill and passion to execute Italian cuisine at a high level.

What We’re Looking For

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or strong Sous Chef ready to advance


• Strong knowledge of Italian cooking techniques, sauces, pasta, and classic preparations preferred


• Experience with premium steaks, seafood, and high-quality ingredients


• Ability to maintain consistency, presentation, portioning, and recipe standards


• Strong leadership and ability to recruit, train, develop, and manage a BOH team


• Experience with food cost, inventory, ordering, waste control, and vendor management


• Ability to create and maintain recipes, prep systems, and kitchen procedures


• Comfortable leading a high-volume, fast-paced upscale restaurant


• Strong understanding of sanitation, food safety, and kitchen organization


• Hands-on leadership style — we are looking for a chef who leads from the kitchen, not just the office

The Opportunity

This is an opportunity to join a new restaurant from the ground up and play an important role in establishing its culinary culture, standards, and reputation.

The ideal candidate is creative but disciplined, understands the importance of consistency, respects classic cooking techniques, and can lead a kitchen that delivers exceptional food during high-volume service.

Italian culinary experience is a major plus, but talent, leadership, consistency, and the ability to execute our vision are what matter most.

Full-Time | Executive Leadership Position
Location: Dandridge, TN

We are looking for someone who wants to build something special with us and become a long-term part of The Swann House and The Quail’s Den.

Pay: $65,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year

Work Location: In person