Executive Chef

Nbutexas; Mount Pleasant (SC); On-site; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Nbutexas, a well-established upscale Italian restaurant in Charleston, SC, is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary team. The role focuses on hands-on leadership, scratch cooking, and a culture built on accountability and collaboration to deliver exceptional guest experiences.

The Executive Chef will oversee all back-of-house operations, develop a robust kitchen culture, mentor staff, and ensure top-notch food quality and consistency across the menu.

Qualifications

• Experience with fresh pasta production, traditional Italian cooking techniques, and seafood preparation.
• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience as an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or Chef de Cuisine.
• Strong background in Italian cuisine within a scratch, full-service restaurant environment.
• Proven success leading high-volume kitchen operations.
• Strong knowledge of food cost controls, labor management, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen systems.
• Experience hiring, coaching, and developing culinary teams.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills.
• Hands-on management style with the ability to lead calmly and effectively during busy services.

Responsibilities

• Lead all daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistent execution and exceptional food quality.
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing culinary team.
• Maintain high standards for food preparation, presentation, sanitation, and kitchen organization.
• Oversee food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, scheduling, and overall kitchen financial performance.
• Work closely with ownership and front-of-house leadership to ensure a seamless guest experience.
• Execute menu offerings with consistency while supporting seasonal features and menu enhancements.
• Oversee private dining and special events while maintaining the same high standards as daily service.
• Foster a positive, professional kitchen culture built on teamwork, accountability, and respect.

Skills

Leadership

Italian cuisine

Fresh pasta production

Seafood preparation

Cost controls

Mentoring teams

Menu development

Operations management

Job description

Executive Chef

Charleston, SC

We are seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead the culinary team of a well-established, upscale Italian restaurant in Charleston. This is an outstanding opportunity for a hands-on culinary leader who is passionate about authentic hospitality, scratch cooking, and developing a strong kitchen culture. The Executive Chef will oversee all back-of-house operations while ensuring exceptional food quality, consistent execution, and an outstanding guest experience.

This role is ideal for a chef with a strong background in Italian cuisine who enjoys leading from the front, mentoring teams, and creating an environment built on accountability, collaboration, and pride in the finished product.

Executive Chef Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary up to $100K+, commensurate with experience
• Performance-based bonus
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Paid Time Off
• Long-term growth opportunity with a stable, ownership-driven restaurant

Executive Chef Responsibilities

• Lead all daily kitchen operations, ensuring consistent execution and exceptional food quality
• Recruit, train, mentor, and develop a high-performing culinary team
• Maintain high standards for food preparation, presentation, sanitation, and kitchen organization
• Oversee food cost, labor, inventory, purchasing, scheduling, and overall kitchen financial performance
• Work closely with ownership and front-of-house leadership to ensure a seamless guest experience
• Execute menu offerings with consistency while supporting seasonal features and menu enhancements
• Oversee private dining and special events while maintaining the same high standards as daily service
• Foster a positive, professional kitchen culture built on teamwork, accountability, and respect

Executive Chef Qualifications

• Experience with fresh pasta production, traditional Italian cooking techniques, and seafood preparation
• 5+ years of culinary leadership experience as an Executive Chef, Executive Sous Chef, or Chef de Cuisine
• Strong background in Italian cuisine within a scratch, full-service restaurant environment
• Proven success leading high-volume kitchen operations
• Strong knowledge of food cost controls, labor management, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen systems
• Experience hiring, coaching, and developing culinary teams
• Excellent organizational, communication, and leadership skills
• Hands-on management style with the ability to lead calmly and effectively during busy services

Preferred Experience

• Experience in upscale or polished casual Italian restaurants
• Passion for quality ingredients, consistency, and scratch cooking
• Experience supporting private dining and special events
• Strong operational mindset with the ability to balance culinary excellence and financial performance

JOB ID

JOB ID: 179552#post