Executive Chef

Rainforest Cafe, Inc.; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Employee discounts

401(k)

Job summary

Rainforest Cafe, Inc. is seeking an accomplished Executive Chef to lead our culinary team in a high-volume, full-service setting. You will drive food quality, consistency, safety, and exceptional execution while mentoring staff and managing costs.

The role emphasizes hands-on leadership, accountability, and a commitment to developing talent within a dynamic hospitality brand. This position is based at our location in Illinois and offers a competitive salary and benefits.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of Culinary Management, with 2+ years as Executive Chef in a high-volume full-service setting.
• Strong knowledge of back-of-house operations, inventory controls, and cost management.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and conflict-resolution skills.
• Stable, progressive work history with strong work ethic.

Responsibilities

• Leads the culinary team to ensure food quality, consistency, safety, and execution.
• Oversees back-of-house staff, training, development, and performance follow-up.
• Manages labor and other cost centers through planning and execution.
• Oversees weekly/monthly inventories and ordering of food and supplies.
• Maintains sanitation procedures and OSHA-compliant work areas.

Skills

Executive leadership

Culinary management

High-volume kitchen

Staff development

Job description

Overview

Ready to Lead the Kitchen. Inspire Your Team. Take Your Culinary Career to New Heights? Rainforest Cafe is looking for an accomplished, passionate Executive Chef to lead our culinary team and help bring the energy, adventure, and exceptional food behind one of the most unique dining experiences around. If you’re a culinary leader who thrives in a high-volume environment, enjoys developing talent, and is ready for an opportunity to make a lasting impact, this could be the career move you’ve been waiting for. As Executive Chef, you’ll take a leadership role in all aspects of culinary operations, from developing and mentoring a high‑performing kitchen team to maintaining exceptional standards for food quality, consistency, safety, and execution. We’re looking for a hands‑on leader who leads by example, embraces accountability, and understands that investing in people is the key to building a successful kitchen. This is more than your next Executive Chef position—it’s an opportunity to expand your leadership experience, develop future culinary talent, and grow your career with a dynamic hospitality organization.

Overview

Ready to Lead the Kitchen. Inspire Your Team. Take Your Culinary Career to New Heights? Rainforest Cafe is looking for an accomplished, passionate Executive Chef to lead our culinary team and help bring the energy, adventure, and exceptional food behind one of the most unique dining experiences around. If you’re a culinary leader who thrives in a high-volume environment, enjoys developing talent, and is ready for an opportunity to make a lasting impact, this could be the career move you’ve been waiting for. As Executive Chef, you’ll take a leadership role in all aspects of culinary operations, from developing and mentoring a high‑performing kitchen team to maintaining exceptional standards for food quality, consistency, safety, and execution. We’re looking for a hands‑on leader who leads by example, embraces accountability, and understands that investing in people is the key to building a successful kitchen. This is more than your next Executive Chef position—it’s an opportunity to expand your leadership experience, develop future culinary talent, and grow your career with a dynamic hospitality organization.

Lead with passion. Develop great talent. Elevate every plate. Build your culinary future with Rainforest Cafe.

Benefits

• Extensive and well-rounded training program
• Continued career development and growth opportunities
• Generous employee discounts on dining, retail, amusements, and hotels
• Multiple health benefit plans to suit your needs
• Dental, vision, voluntary life, short term disability, flexible spending accounts and 401 (k)
• Paid leave
• Paid time off
• Monthly discretionary bonus potential

Responsibilities

• Ensures excellence in guest satisfaction through commitment to a "Do Whatever It Takes Attitude" and a hands‑on, lead by example management style
• Management of all back of house staff in a high-volume kitchen, including ongoing training, development, and follow up
• Achieve or exceed budgeted labor and other cost centers through proper planning and execution
• Oversee weekly and monthly inventories, and ordering of food and supplies
• Maintain sanitation procedures and organization of work area adhering to all OSHA regulations

Qualifications

• At least 5 years of Culinary Management experience, with at least 2 years as an Executive Chef in a full‑service, high‑volume dining establishment
• Strong knowledge and attention to detail on back of the house operations including staff supervision, inventory controls and food/labor cost, and product quality
• Strong communication, leadership, and conflict resolution skills
• Stable and progressive work history; Strong work ethic

EOE

Pay Range

USD $80,000.00 - USD $95,000.00 /Yr.