Executive Chef

Fairlane Hotel

Nashville (TN)

On-site

USD 90,000 - 120,000

Full time

13 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

PTO from day one

401(k) retirement program

Complimentary parking

Discounted meals at Modern Love

Hotel discounts

Job summary

Fairlane Hotel in Nashville is seeking an Executive Chef to lead the culinary program across Modern Love, banquets, rooftop programming, and special events. This is a hands-on leadership role focused on building menus, maintaining consistency, and driving profitability on a daily basis.

The right candidate balances creativity with discipline, develops a strong kitchen culture, and leads by example on the line during peak service and events.

Qualifications

Progressive culinary leadership experience at Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef level.
Experience leading multiservice-period kitchens and event/banquet operations.
Strong understanding of food cost control, purchasing, and kitchen financials.
Food safety certification (ServSafe or equivalent).
Hands-on leadership style with operational discipline.

Responsibilities

Develop and refine menus across Modern Love cafe, lunch, and evening service, plus banquets, rooftop popups, and special programming.
Lead daily kitchen operations and ensure quality, consistency, and timing standards are met.
Manage food cost, purchasing, inventory, and vendor relationships; budget alongside leadership.
Hire, train, and mentor culinary team; build a strong kitchen culture and leadership presence.

Skills

Culinary leadership

Operations management

Food cost control

Team leadership

Food safety

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Tools

Toast (POS)

Paychex HR/payroll

Job description

About Fairlane

Fairlane is a 79-room independent hotel in downtown Nashville, a block off Printers Alley. Downstairs is Modern Love, our all-day restaurant that runs as a coffee-and-breakfast cafe in the morning (Early Bird) and turns into a cocktail lounge with small plates at night (Night Owl). Up on the roof, Ellington's handles private events, seasonal pop-ups, and 7 Paintings, an immersive dinner show that only runs in two cities in the country. The food is a big part of why people come, and we are looking for a chef who's excited to run it.

EXECUTIVE CHEF

Fairlane Hotel | Nashville, TN

Full-Time | Salaried | On-Property

About Fairlane

Position Summary

We are seeking an Executive Chef to lead the quality, consistency, and direction of the food across Modern Love and our banquets, event, and rooftop programming. This is a hands-on role for a chef who wants to build a program, not just keep one going. You will lead by example on the line, expedite during peak service, and set the standard for execution across every service period, from Early Bird mornings to Night Owl evenings. The right chef balances creativity with discipline, building menus that are exciting, workable, and profitable, while developing a team and a kitchen culture people want to be part of. You will also be part of the leadership team that takes turns acting as Manager on Duty for both front and back of house.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Culinary Vision & Menu Development

Develop and refine menus across Modern Love's cafe, lunch, and evening service, plus banquets, rooftop popups, and special programming
Establish and document recipes, plating, and presentation standards that hold up across every service period
Bring seasonality, local sourcing, and creativity to the plate while keeping each concept true to its identity
Support immersive and event dining, including curated menus for Ellington's and private events

Kitchen Operations & Quality

Lead daily kitchen operations across all service periods and outlets
Expedite service and ensure quality, consistency, and timing standards are met
Maintain clean, organized kitchens and functional equipment; partner with Engineering on equipment needs
Remain actively present on the line during peak service

Food Cost & Purchasing

Manage food cost and cost of goods sold (COGS)
Develop menus and portioning standards that meet financial targets without cutting quality
Oversee purchasing, receiving, inventory, and vendor and localsourcing relationships
Partner with Finance and F&B leadership on budgeting and reporting

Leadership & Team Development

Hire, train, schedule, and develop culinary team members
Establish training programs and growth opportunities
Build a strong, professional kitchen culture with clear standards
Take turns as Manager on Duty for both front and back of house alongside the rest of the leadership team

Health, Safety & Sanitation

Ensure compliance with all food safety and sanitation standards
Maintain inspectionready kitchens at all times
Enforce proper food handling, storage, and labeling procedures

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

Progressive culinary leadership experience, including Executive Chef or Executive Sous Chef roles
Experience leading multiconcept or multiserviceperiod kitchens and event or banquet operations
Strong understanding of food cost control, purchasing, and kitchen financials
Food safety certification (ServSafe or equivalent)
Handson leadership style with strong operational discipline

Preferred

Experience in boutique, lifestyle, independent, or chefdriven concepts
Familiarity with the Nashville dining scene and local sourcing
A track record of building or elevating a food program, not just running one
Strong team development and mentorship background
Experience with Toast (POS) and Paychex (HR and payroll) a plus

SCHEDULE

On-property, salaried role. Must be available for nights, weekends, holidays, and special events, with a strong presence on the line during peak service.

BENEFITS

All associates