Executive Chef - Baleen

La Playa Resort; Naples, Northern (FL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/dental/vision insurance

LTD/STD and life insurance

Paid time off (PTO)

401k plan

Complimentary meals

Resort discounts

Flexible scheduling

Training and certifications

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort is seeking an experienced Executive Chef to lead Baleen, the signature beach front fine dining restaurant. The role requires a proven track record in luxury hospitality, strong culinary vision, and the ability to elevate guest experiences with innovative menus.

The ideal candidate will oversee culinary operations, mentor a high-performing kitchen team, and ensure excellence in food quality, presentation, and service while managing budgets and health standards.

Qualifications

• 3–5 years of proven leadership experience as an Executive Chef or senior culinary leader in fine dining or luxury hospitality.
• Strong culinary creativity and menu development expertise.
• Excellent team leadership, communication, and coaching skills.
• Experience managing budgets, food costs, labor costs, and inventory.
• Commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.
• Passion for innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.
• Completion of a technical culinary education or apprenticeship program; Certificate in Culinary Arts preferred
• Food service permit or valid health/food serve safe certification
• Experience with various cooking methods and procedures
• Familiar with industry best practices

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership for all culinary operations at Baleen.
• Develop innovative menus that enhance the restaurant's reputation and guest experience.
• Ensure the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency.
• Lead, coach, and mentor kitchen team members to achieve excellence.
• Manage food and labor costs while maintaining profitability goals.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Collaborate with Culinary and Food and Beverage Leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences and special events.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Culinary creativity

Team leadership

Budgeting

Health & safety

Communication

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Culinary apprenticeship certificate

Job description

WORK in PARADISE:

Ranked #5 among the Best Hotels & Resorts in Florida and the only Naples resort featured in the Top 20, LaPlaya Beach & Golf Resort offers exceptional career opportunities for hospitality professionals who are passionate about creating memorable guest experiences.

Located directly on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico, LaPlaya combines luxury accommodations, award-winning service, and an outstanding culinary program in one of Florida's most sought-after destinations.

The JOB: Executive Chef, Baleen

LaPlaya's signature beach front fine dining restaurant, Baleen, is seeking an experienced and innovative Executive Chef to lead all aspects of the culinary operation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a talented culinary leader to showcase creativity, elevate the guest dining experience, and inspire a high-performing kitchen team. The ideal candidate is passionate about exceptional cuisine, operational excellence, and developing culinary talent while maintaining the highest standards of quality and service.

What you will do:

• Provide strategic leadership for all culinary operations at Baleen.


• Develop innovative menus that enhance the restaurant's reputation and guest experience.


• Ensure the highest standards of food quality, presentation, and consistency.


• Lead, coach, and mentor kitchen team members to achieve excellence.


• Manage food and labor costs while maintaining profitability goals.


• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, and sanitation standards.


• Collaborate with Culinary and Food and Beverage Leadership to deliver exceptional dining experiences and special events.

Requirements

• 3-5 years of proven leadership experience as an Executive Chef or senior culinary leader in a fine dining or luxury hospitality environment


• Strong culinary creativity and menu development expertise.


• Excellent team leadership, communication, and coaching skills.


• Experience managing budgets, food costs, labor costs, and inventory.


• Commitment to delivering exceptional guest experiences.


• Passion for innovation, quality, and continuous improvement.


• Completion of a technical culinary education or apprenticeship program; Certificate in Culinary Arts preferred


• Food service permit or valid health/food serve safe certification


• Experience with various cooking methods and procedures


• Familiar with industry best practices

Our CULTURE:

The passion of our people is our greatest asset. LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort is a part of Noble House Hotels and Resorts offering a collection of luxury hotels and resorts. As we provide our guests and members with exceptional service and most memorable experiences, we look for team members who share our core values of Caring, Integrity and Respect.

Unique Hotels attract Unique People. If you are passionate about being your best self, doing the right thing, bringing your natural smile and having fun, then we hope you become a member of our LaPlaya Family.

LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort is deeply committed to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusiveness:

LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort encourages individuals of all ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds to apply for this position. We are committed to maximizing the diversity of our organization, as we want to engage all those who can contribute to this effort.

LaPlaya Beach and Golf Resort is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified individuals and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, marital status, veteran status, pregnancy, parental status, genetic information or characteristics (or those of a family member) or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

The OFFER:

In return, you are rewarded with a competitive compensation package including medical/dental/vision/LTD/STD and life insurance benefits, PTO, 401k, complimentary meals, Resort discounts, flexible scheduling, company provided training and certifications, tuition reimbursement and much more.

Come and be a part of the excitement and spend every day in sunny paradise!