Executive Chef

Maggiano's Little Italy; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Medical, Dental, Vision coverage

401(k) with company match

Life Insurance

Tuition assistance

Dining discounts

EAP & wellbeing resources

Job summary

Maggiano's Little Italy in Milwaukee seeks an Executive Chef to lead the back-of-house, uphold quality and drive kitchen performance. You will own recipes, food costs, and the development of a strong culinary team to deliver Maggiano's standards with every plate.

You will guide the kitchen to maintain consistent taste, presentation, and sanitation compliance while partnering with leadership to improve overall restaurant results.

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.
• 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.

Skills

Leadership

Food cost controls

High-volume dining

Italian-American cuisine

Job 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. Youll 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

Brinker International is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to workplace diversity, workplace working and workplace fun. The way we see it, life is short, so you might as well work happy.