Executive Chef

Big Fish; Myrtle Beach (SC); On-site; USD 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance contribution

Paid time off

Dining benefits

Job summary

Big Fish in Myrtle Beach is looking for an Executive Chef to lead kitchen operations and menu development in a high-volume seafood restaurant. This role involves sourcing local ingredients, managing kitchen staff, and maintaining high food quality and cost control. The ideal candidate has over 5 years of experience, strong seafood knowledge, and a ServSafe Manager certification. Big Fish offers a competitive salary, performance bonuses, health insurance contributions, and a chance to shape the kitchen culture from the ground up.

Qualifications

• 5+ years as an Executive Chef or strong Sous Chef in a high-volume kitchen.
• Expertise in sourcing, breakdown, cookery techniques for seafood.
• Experience in running kitchens with $4M+ annual food revenue.

Responsibilities

• Own menu development and food quality in the kitchen.
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop BOH team.
• Manage food costs, inventory, and compliance with health codes.

Skills

Seafood expertise

Menu development

Kitchen leadership

Financial management

Education

ServSafe Manager certification

Job description

Executive Chef — Big Fish

Location: 1321 Celebrity Circle, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 (Broadway at the Beach)
Employment Type: Full-time, salaried, exempt
Compensation: $80,000+ / year + performance bonus

About Big Fish

Big Fish is a new casual seafood and American restaurant opening in the heart of Broadway at the Beach. We pair A+ quality food with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere — a place where families, locals, and Myrtle Beach visitors come for great seafood, live entertainment, and the best sports viewing in town.

We are food‑first. The atmosphere is laid‑back, but the kitchen is serious. Our Executive Chef will set the standard.

This is a pre‑opening role — you'll help build the kitchen, the menu, and the BOH team from scratch.

The Role

The Executive Chef owns everything that comes out of our kitchen — menu development, food quality, kitchen operations, BOH team, and food cost. You'll work alongside ownership and the General Manager to build a kitchen that punches above its weight: approachable seafood and American food that's better than anything else in the entertainment district.

What You'll Own

• Menu development — seafood‑forward, broadly appealing, scalable to high volume
• Sourcing — building relationships with local fishmongers, regional purveyors, and produce vendors
• Recipe development, plating standards, and quality consistency every shift
• Recruiting, hiring, training, and developing the entire BOH team — sous chefs, line cooks, prep, dishwashers
• Kitchen layout input and equipment specification during build‑out
• Food cost management, inventory, ordering, waste reduction, and BOH labor controls
• Health code compliance, food safety, allergen protocols, and HACCP where applicable
• Daily kitchen leadership — expediting, line management, prep planning
• Seasonal menu refreshes and specials programming aligned to fishery seasons and Myrtle Beach calendar

What We're Looking For

• 5+ years as an Executive Chef, Chef de Cuisine, or strong Sous Chef ready to step up, in a high‑volume full‑service kitchen
• Deep seafood expertise — sourcing, breakdown, cookery techniques, and respect for the product
• Proven menu development that balances quality and food cost
• Track record running a kitchen at $4M+ annual food revenue
• Experience hiring, training, and retaining BOH talent in a tight labor market
• Strong financial instincts — food cost, labor cost, waste, and yield
• Calm, organized leadership style on a busy line
• Pre‑opening experience a major plus
• ServSafe Manager certification required
• Comfort with the rhythm of a venue that runs late nights, weekends, and the Myrtle Beach summer

Why Big Fish

• A blank canvas — you'll design the menu, build the team, and shape the kitchen
• Ownership that takes food seriously and will invest in doing it right
• Competitive base salary plus performance bonus tied to food cost, quality, and revenue
• Health insurance contribution, paid time off, and dining benefits
• Long‑term career home as the concept grows

Big Fish is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for every team member and guest.