Executive Chef

Maggiano's Little Italy; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Career growth opportunities

Team Member dining discounts

Job summary

Maggiano's Little Italy in Durham, North Carolina is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary team. This role involves overseeing all back-of-house operations, ensuring food quality, and fostering a positive kitchen culture.

The ideal candidate has 5+ years in a high-volume restaurant and a strong mastery of Italian-American cuisine. Competitive compensation and benefits, including 401(k) and tuition assistance, are part of the offering.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of chef experience in a high-volume, full-service restaurant.
• Mastery of Italian-American cuisine and classic culinary techniques.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold a kitchen team accountable.
• Strong command of food cost controls and kitchen financial management.

Responsibilities

• Lead all back-of-house operations, including food quality, production, and presentation.
• Recruit, train, and develop sous chefs, line cooks, and prep cooks into a high-performing team.
• Own food cost management through proper ordering, inventory control, and waste reduction.
• Ensure every dish meets Maggiano's standards for consistency, taste, and presentation.
• Maintain strict compliance with sanitation, food safety, and health regulations.

Skills

Leadership

Team Development

Italian-American Cuisine Mastery

Food Cost Management

Job description

Description

At Maggiano's, we believe great food brings people together. Our scratch-made Italian-American classics and warm, family-style hospitality have made us a destination for life's most meaningful moments — from anniversaries and graduations to everyday dinners that become lasting memories.

Rooted in the tradition of 1940s Little Italy dinner houses, we blend timeless recipes with quality ingredients and genuine hospitality. We call it "approachable elegance" — an upscale experience without the pretense. If you're passionate about culinary craft and creating experiences that make people feel special, this is where you belong.

The Role

As an Executive Chef, you are the culinary leader of the restaurant — setting the standard for food quality, driving kitchen performance, and inspiring your team to execute at the highest level every day. You'll own the back of house, from recipe execution and food costs to developing the next generation of culinary talent.

This is a role for chefs who lead with passion and precision. You'll execute Maggiano's celebrated recipes with consistency and care, ensuring every plate reflects our culinary standards. Your kitchen, your team, your legacy.

What You'll Do

• Lead all back-of-house operations, including food quality, production, and presentation.
• Recruit, train, and develop sous chefs, line cooks, and prep cooks into a high-performing team.
• Own food cost management through proper ordering, inventory control, and waste reduction.
• Ensure every dish meets Maggiano's standards for consistency, taste, and presentation.
• Maintain strict compliance with sanitation, food safety, and health regulations.
• Execute Maggiano's recipes with precision, ensuring consistency across all menu items.
• Partner with the General Manager to drive overall restaurant performance.
• Build a positive kitchen culture rooted in respect, accountability, and continuous improvement.

What You Bring

• 5+ years of chef experience in a high-volume, full-service restaurant.
• Mastery of Italian-American cuisine and classic culinary techniques.
• Proven ability to lead, develop, and hold a kitchen team accountable.
• Strong command of food cost controls and kitchen financial management.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, and holidays as needed.

What we have to offer

• Competitive compensation with performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Company-paid Life Insurance and Disability coverage.
• Career growth and advancement opportunities across Brinker brands.
• Best You EDU education and tuition assistance programs.
• Team Member dining discounts and PerkSpot discount program.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and wellbeing resources.

Maggiano's Little Italy is proud to be an Equal Opportunity and e-Verify Employer.

At Maggiano's Little Italy we strive to celebrate the differences that make a good company great and to leverage individual strengths to create an innovative, inclusive and unified team.