Executive Chef

THE ELIA GROUP LLC; Detroit (MI); On-site; USD 86,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

401(k)

Employee Dining Benefits

Career Growth

Job summary

THE ELIA GROUP LLC in Detroit seeks an Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations for our fine dining American restaurant. You will define the menu narrative, drive culinary innovation, and uphold standards of hospitality, quality and financial performance.

You will recruit and develop a high‑performing team, manage food and labor costs, and partner with leadership to forecast and optimize margins while delivering an exceptional guest experience.

Qualifications

• 3 to 5 years as an Executive Chef in a fine dining environment.
• Executive Chef experience in Italian restaurant concept.
• Strong background in elevated American cuisine with refined technique.
• Proven ability to lead high-volume fine dining service with precision.
• Financial acumen and cost management expertise.
• Experience building and developing high-performing culinary teams.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop seasonal, ingredient-driven menus reflecting refined American cuisine.
• Lead tasting, testing, and R&D processes to ensure flavor, technique, and presentation.
• Maintain consistency in execution across services, events, and private dining.
• Elevate plating and culinary storytelling aligned with brand identity.
• Oversee back-of-house operations, prep, service, sanitation, and workflow.
• Implement recipe specs, plating guides, and production standards.
• Establish systems for inventory control, waste management, and procurement efficiency.
• Ensure coordination between culinary and front-of-house leadership.
• Drive profitability through disciplined control of food and labor costs.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Executive chef experience

Italian cuisine

Menu development

Leadership under pressure

Communication skills

Job description

About this position

Position Description:

Salary: $86,000 - $100,000 plus 15% bonus

COMPANY SUMMARY

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.

POSITION SUMMARY

Elia Group is seeking a visionary and disciplined Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations for our fine dining American 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 rooted in American tradition, 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

• 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 the Elia Group’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.

Financial & Cost Management

• 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 3 to 5 years as an Executive Chef in a fine dining environment.
• Must have previous Executive Chef experience in an Italian restaurant or concept, with demonstrated expertise in authentic Italian cuisine, menu development, and kitchen leadership.
• Strong background in elevated American cuisine with refined technique.
• 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'RE LOOKING FOR

• Creatively ambitious but operationally disciplined
• Calm under pressure
• 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
• 401(k)
• Employee Dining Benefits
• Opportunity for long-term growth within a multi-venue hospitality group

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This position is regularly required to stand, reach, bend and lift heavy objects. The noise level in the work environment is typically high.

• 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. #ID26

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