Executive Chef

Talently; Lake Charles (LA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation Package

Job summary

Talently in Lake Charles, LA is seeking an experienced culinary leader to oversee a diverse, multi-outlet operation within a premier casino resort. You will manage full-service dining, quick-service, in-room dining, and seasonal outlets, while driving quality, consistency, and safety.

You will lead and develop a skilled kitchen team, ensure recipes and standards are followed, and optimize food and labor costs in a fast-paced 24-hour environment.

Qualifications

• Must have experience managing high-volume, 24-hour, multi-outlet operations.
• Strong leadership with ability to train, coach, and develop kitchen staff while ensuring food quality and sanitation.

Responsibilities

• Oversee culinary operations across multiple outlets (full-service, quick-service, in-room dining, seasonal venues).
• Provide hands-on leadership and direction to the culinary team across all shifts.
• Lead, train, coach, and develop kitchen staff to improve performance and skills.
• Ensure proper cooking techniques, portion specs, recipes, and presentation standards.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, cleanliness, and health dept compliance.
• Monitor food quality and consistency against recipes and specs.
• Manage daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Oversee inventory, ordering, receiving, storage and waste control.
• Schedule kitchen staff, monitor labor efficiency and productivity.
• Maintain accurate kitchen paperwork and records.
• Monitor costs and identify opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Build a culture of accountability, teamwork, and continuous improvement.
• Partner with restaurant and resort leadership for seamless operations across outlets.

Skills

High-Volume Kitchen Operations

Culinary Leadership

Team Development

Quick-Service Ops

Multi-Outlet Management

Food Safety

Sanitation

Inventory Management

Purchasing

Food Cost Control

Labor Cost Control

Recipe Execution

Quality Standards

Staff Training

Kitchen Scheduling

Operational Management

Job description

Location: Lake Charles, LA (Relocation Package)

Skills: High-Volume Kitchen Operations, Culinary Leadership & Team Development, Quick-Service Restaurant Operations, Multi-Outlet Management, Food Safety & Sanitation, Inventory Management & Purchasing, Food & Labor Cost Control, Recipe Execution & Quality Standards, Staff Training & Development, Kitchen Scheduling & Operational Management

About Company / Opportunity:

An established American casual dining concept known for its generous portions, diverse menu, and welcoming atmosphere. The restaurant offers a broad selection of classic American favorites, including steaks, burgers, seafood, salads, and signature comfort food. Located within a premier casino resort in Lake Charles, Louisiana, the operation serves a steady flow of resort guests, casino visitors, and local clientele.

The culinary operation encompasses multiple outlets, including full-service casual dining, a quick-service to-go grille, in-room dining, and seasonal beach and pool venues. This creates an exciting opportunity for an experienced culinary leader to oversee a diverse, fast-paced, multi-outlet food and beverage operation.

Responsibilities:

• Oversee all culinary operations across multiple outlets, including full-service dining, quick-service/to-go, in-room dining, and seasonal beach and pool venues.
• Provide hands-on leadership and direction to the culinary team, ensuring consistent execution across all outlets and shifts.
• Lead, train, coach, and develop kitchen employees to improve performance, culinary skills, and overall operational knowledge.
• Ensure team members follow proper cooking techniques, recipes, portion specifications, preparation standards, and presentation guidelines.
• Maintain strict standards for food safety, sanitation, cleanliness, and compliance with health department regulations.
• Monitor food quality and consistency while ensuring all dishes meet established recipes and specifications.
• Manage daily kitchen operations in a fast-paced, high-volume environment, including 24-hour service demands.
• Oversee inventory management, product ordering, receiving, storage, and waste control.
• Manage kitchen scheduling, staffing levels, labor efficiency, and productivity.
• Maintain accurate kitchen paperwork, including inventory reports, ordering documentation, schedules, and operational records.
• Monitor food costs and labor expenses while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and profitability.
• Build a strong culinary culture focused on accountability, teamwork, consistency, and continuous development.
• Partner with restaurant and resort leadership to ensure seamless operations across all dining outlets.
• Ensure proper staffing, preparation, and execution during peak business periods and seasonal operations.

Must-Have Skills:

• High-Volume & Quick-Service Operations: Proven experience managing high-volume kitchens, preferably in a 24-hour, multi-outlet restaurant or hospitality environment.
• Culinary Leadership & Team Development: Strong culinary background with the ability to lead, train, coach, and develop kitchen staff while ensuring food quality, recipe adherence, proper cooking techniques, and sanitation standards.
• Kitchen Operations & Cost Controls: Experience managing inventory, ordering, scheduling, food and labor costs, and day-to-day kitchen operations.

Nice to Have Skills:

• Casino / Resort / Hotel Experience: Previous culinary leadership experience within a casino, resort, hotel, or large-scale hospitality operation.
• Multi-Outlet Culinary Management: Experience overseeing multiple dining concepts, including full-service restaurants, quick-service outlets, in-room dining, and seasonal food and beverage venues.
• 24-Hour Operations Experience: Background managing around-the-clock kitchen operations, multiple shifts, staffing demands, and high-volume service periods.