Executive Chef

ELIA GROUP; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Employee Dining

Growth Opportunities

Job summary

Parc, part of ELIA Group, seeks an Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations for the fine dining restaurant in downtown Detroit. You will define the menu narrative, drive culinary innovation, and uphold standards in execution, hospitality, and financial performance.

The ideal candidate is an artist and operator—ambitious, technically elite, and focused on talent development—ready to shape Parc’s culinary identity and guest experience.

Qualifications

• Culinary leadership experience in fine dining (3+ years) as Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine.
• Experience in Italian cuisine with menu development and kitchen leadership.
• Proven ability to manage high-volume service with precision.
• Strong financial acumen and cost control skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead seasonal, ingredient-driven menus reflecting refined American cuisine.
• Oversee back-of-house operations, including prep, service, sanitation, and workflow.
• Develop recipes, plating guides, and production standards.
• Mentor sous chefs and develop talent.
• Partner with leadership to forecast budgets and optimize margins.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Executive Chef

Menu development

Italian cuisine

Cost control

Job description

ELIA Group is a multi-faceted, fully integrated real estate and hospitality company that acquires, develops, and manages commercial properties in landmark locations throughout the United States. In Real Estate & Development and Hospitality, we don’t sit back and let things happen, we make things happen! Whether we’re crafting deals or cocktails, our unparalleled attention to detail leads to award-winning real estate development and hospitality projects.

Parc represents the evolution of refined dining in the heart of Detroit — elevated yet approachable, sophisticated yet warm. Our culinary philosophy celebrates seasonal ingredients, disciplined technique, thoughtful sourcing, and a dining experience that is both memorable and timeless.

POSITION SUMMARY

Parc is seeking a visionary and disciplined Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations for our fine dining restaurant in downtown Detroit. This is not simply a kitchen leadership role — it is an opportunity to shape the culinary identity of a flagship Detroit restaurant. The Executive Chef will define the menu narrative, drive culinary innovation, and maintain uncompromising standards of excellence in execution, hospitality, and financial performance. The ideal candidate is both an artist and an operator: creatively ambitious, technically elite, operationally rigorous, and deeply committed to developing talent.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Culinary Leadership & Vision

• Develop and execute seasonal, ingredient-driven menus that reflect refined American cuisine.
• Lead tasting, testing, and R&D processes to ensure dishes meet the highest standards of flavor, technique, and presentation.
• Maintain consistency in execution across all services, events, and private dining.
• Elevate plating aesthetics and overall culinary storytelling aligned with Parc’s brand identity.

Kitchen Operations & Systems

• Oversee all back-of-house operations, including prep, service, sanitation, and workflow optimization.
• Implement and maintain detailed recipe specs, plating guides, and production standards.
• Establish systems for inventory control, waste management, and procurement efficiency.
• Ensure smooth coordination between culinary and front-of-house leadership.
• Maintain disciplined control of food cost, labor cost, and purchasing.
• Drive profitability without compromising quality.
• Partner with ownership and leadership to forecast, budget, and optimize margins.
• Analyze P&L performance and implement corrective strategies when needed.

Team Development & Culture

• Recruit, train, and develop a high-performance culinary team.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and excellence.
• Mentor sous chefs and key culinary leaders to build long-term bench strength.
• Lead by example — presence, discipline, and standards matter.

Guest Experience

• Collaborate with leadership to elevate the overall dining experience.
• Engage with guests when appropriate to reinforce brand presence.
• Continuously refine the culinary experience to maintain relevance in Detroit’s competitive fine dining landscape.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure strict adherence to health department regulations and food safety protocols.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and professional kitchen environment at all times.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Culinary leadership experience, with at least 3 years as an Executive Chef or Chef de Cuisine in a fine dining environment.
• Previous experience in an Italian restaurant or concept, with demonstrated expertise in authentic Italian cuisine, menu development, and kitchen leadership.
• Demonstrated ability to lead high-volume fine dining service with precision.
• Proven financial acumen and cost management expertise.
• Experience building and developing high-performing culinary teams.
• Exceptional organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

WHAT WE’R LOOKING FOR

At ELIA, we use our unique experience and contributions to deliver more than value – we set new standards! We seek someone that is looking for more than a job – we want to work with someone who is as passionate as us about what we do and how we go about doing it. We are seeking a leader who is:

• Creatively ambitious but operationally disciplined
• Detail-obsessed
• Relentless about standards
• Motivated to build something lasting

This role requires a chef who views hospitality as both craft and business.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

• Competitive executive-level salary (commensurate with experience)
• Performance-based incentive structure
• Health, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employee Dining Benefits
• Opportunity for long-term growth within a multi-venue hospitality group

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Stamina and Endurance: Ability to work long hours on your feet, including during busy periods and events.
• Strength: Capability to lift and move heavy kitchen equipment, pots, pans, and food items, often weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Mobility: Agility to navigate tight or crowded kitchen spaces and quickly respond to various tasks and emergencies.
• Manual Dexterity: Skill in handling cooking tools and equipment with precision, including chopping, stirring, and plating.
• Good Hand-Eye Coordination: Coordination for tasks like food preparation, arranging dishes, and managing multiple kitchen activities simultaneously.
• Tolerance to Heat and Moisture: Comfort working in hot, steamy kitchen environments with exposure to high temperatures from stoves, ovens, and dishwashers.

OTHER DUTIES

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. Responsibilities may evolve based on operational needs, growth initiatives, and leadership strategy.