Executive Chef

Compass Group USA; Highland Park (IL); On-site; USD 105,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Vision

Life Insurance/ AD

Disability Insurance

Retirement Plan

Flexible Time Off Plan

Holiday Time Off

Personal Leave

Associate Shopping Program

Health and Wellness Programs

Discount Marketplace

Identity Theft Protection

Pet Insurance

Employee Assistance Program

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Job summary

Levy, the hospitality leader, is seeking an Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations at Ravinia Festival in Highland Park, Illinois. You will ensure exceptional food quality, innovative menu execution, and consistency across dining experiences while overseeing kitchen operations and food safety.

You will manage costs, train a high-performing team, forecast sales, develop pars and schedules, and collaborate with operations leadership to execute seamless events.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience preferred.
• At least 5 years of executive management leadership in fast-paced, high-volume culinary environments.
• Advanced knowledge of food preparation, production, and presentation.
• Experience managing food cost, labor cost, and inventory controls.
• Proficiency with kitchen management systems and Microsoft Office tools.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills; able to connect with diverse teams and stakeholders across all levels.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and large-scale kitchen operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead and inspire culinary teams to deliver outstanding guest experiences.
• Ensure strict compliance with federal, state, local, and company food safety and sanitation standards.
• Maintain recipes and ensure consistent execution of company standards.
• Manage food and labor costs to achieve operational goals.
• Forecast sales and develop pars, prep lists, and production schedules.
• Train, mentor, and equip team members with the tools and information needed for success.
• Collaborate with operations leadership to ensure seamless event execution.

Skills

Leadership

Food safety

Cost control

Team management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Culinary Arts

Tools

Kitchen management systems

Microsoft Office

Job description

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LOCATION: Ravinia Festival is one of the country’s oldest and most celebrated outdoor music festivals, located in Highland Park, Illinois. Each summer, Ravinia welcomes audiences for a diverse lineup of concerts, including classical, jazz, pop, and other musical performances in a beautiful park-like setting.

Salary:$105,000 to $115,000

Other Forms of Compensation: Bonus eligible

Different perspectives make us better. We’re committed to creating an equal opportunity and fair treatment environment, where learning and growing together is just part of our every day. An environment where you can be your authentic self.

About Levy

The disruptor in defining the sports and entertainment hospitality experience, Levy is recognized as the market leader and most critically acclaimed hospitality company in its industry. Twice named one of the 10 most innovative companies in sports by Fast Company magazine and one of the top three Best Employers for Diversity in America by Forbes, Levy’s diverse portfolio includes award-winning restaurants; iconic sports and entertainment venues, zoos and cultural institutions, theaters, and convention centers; as well as the Super Bill, Grammy Awards, US Open Tennis Tournament, Kentucky Derby, and NHL, MLB, NBA, NFL, and MLS All-Star Games.

Job Summary

Bring creativity to the plate and leadership to the kitchen. As Executive Chef, you will lead all culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, innovative menu execution, and consistency across all dining experiences. You will oversee kitchen operations, maintain food safety standards, manage costs, and develop a high-performing culinary team while delivering memorable guest experiences

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and inspire culinary teams to deliver outstanding guest experiences


• Ensure strict compliance with federal, state, local, and company food safety and sanitation standards


• Maintain recipes and ensure consistent execution of company standards


• Manage food and labor costs to achieve operational goals


• Forecast sales and develop pars, prep lists, and production schedules


• Train, mentor, and equip team members with the tools and information needed for success


• Collaborate with operations leadership to ensure seamless event execution

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Culinary Arts or equivalent experience preferred


• At least 5 years of executive management leadership experience in fast-paced, high-volume culinary environments


• Advanced knowledge of food preparation, production, and presentation


• Experience managing food cost, labor cost, and inventory controls


• Proficiency with kitchen management systems and Microsoft Office tools


• Excellent leadership and communication skills; able to connect with diverse teams and stakeholders across all levels


• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, and large-scale kitchen operations

At Levy, team = family. And we’ll always take care of family, learn more about Levy benefits offered.

• Medical


• Vision


• Life Insurance/ AD


• Disability Insurance


• Retirement Plan


• Flexible Time Off Plan


• Holiday Time Off (varies by site/state)


• Personal Leave


• Associate Shopping Program


• Health and Wellness Programs


• Discount Marketplace


• Identity Theft Protection


• Pet Insurance


• Employee Assistance Program


• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Associates may also be eligible for paid and/or unpaid time off benefits in accordance with applicable federal, state, and local laws. For positions in Washington State, Maryland, or to be performed Remotely, click here or copy/paste the link below for paid time off benefits information.

Levy is a member of Compass Group USA. Compass Group/Levy is an equal opportunity employer. At Compass/Levy, we are committed to treating all Applicants and Associates fairly based on their abilities, achievements, and experience without regard to race, national origin, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other classification protected by law.

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of this position satisfactorily with or without a reasonable accommodation. Disclaimer: this job post is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all essential responsibilities, skills, tasks, or requirements associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the position posted, the Company reserves the right to modify or change the essential functions of the job based on business necessity.

We will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with a criminal history (including relevant driving history), in a manner consistent with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including the City of Los Angeles’ Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, and the New York Fair Chance Act. We encourage applicants with a criminal history (and driving history) to apply.

Applications are accepted on an ongoing basis.