Executive Chef, Chattahoochee Country Club The DeLozier Group Executive Placement, Leadership & Operational Advisory Services

BoardRoom magazine; Gainesville (GA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus and benefits package

Job summary

Chattahoochee Country Club in Gainesville, GA, seeks an accomplished Executive Chef to lead all culinary operations, aligning creative menus with a lakeside lifestyle and high standards of service for a private, member-owned club with over seven decades of tradition.

The role requires a visible, engaged leadership style, mentoring and accountability, and a focus on training, collaboration, and sustainable stewardship of club resources to deliver memorable member experiences.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of progressive leadership in hospitality; private clubs preferred.
• Food Safety Certification.
• Post-secondary culinary arts degree is a plus.
• ACF or other hospitality certification preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead all facets of culinary operations for a private club.
• Develop cohesive, seasonal menus that reflect lakeside lifestyle.
• Build and mentor a high-performing culinary team; train and coach staff.
• Ensure food quality, portioning, presentation, sanitation, and safety standards.
• Collaborate with club leadership to align dining programs with member experience.

Skills

Leadership

Budgeting & cost control

Menu development

Team mentoring & coaching

Communication & guest relations

Food safety & sanitation

Education

Culinary arts degree

Food Safety Certification

ACF or hospitality certification

Job description

The Club

Chattahoochee Country Club is distinguished by its scenic setting on Lake Lanier and a tradition of bringing members and families together for more than seven decades. Founded in 1950 as Gainesville Country Club and renamed in 1954, the private, member-owned club is nestled below the North Georgia mountains in Gainesville, approximately an hour north of Atlanta. Its rich history and waterfront surroundings create a distinctive retreat for recreation, dining, and connection.

Rooted in hospitality and a family-focused spirit, Chattahoochee Country Club is dedicated to enriching the social, recreational, and professional lives of its members. The club offers a welcoming home away from home, where shared interests and time spent together shape the membership experience. From family celebrations and children’s activities to seasonal gatherings, its programming brings members together across generations.

The Chattahoochee experience encompasses a wide range of amenities and activities that embrace its lakeside setting. Members enjoy a resort-style aquatic center, a private marina, tennis and pickleball, and an athletic center offering group fitness classes and personal training. Dining options include the Bar, Grille, and Veranda overlooking the club’s private cove, while a partnership with the city-owned Chattahoochee Golf Course provides golfing privileges and a varied calendar of tournaments and social events. Whether spending an afternoon on the lake, gathering for dinner, or enjoying friendly competition, members find opportunities to connect throughout the year.

The Position

Chattahoochee Country Club is seeking an accomplished, organized, and forward thinking culinary leader to serve as Executive Chef. The Executive Chef will bring creativity, consistency, and gracious hospitality to a culinary program that reflects this distinctive lakeside lifestyle. The Executive Chef will lead all aspects of culinary operations, developing a cohesive team committed to thoughtful preparation, polished presentation, and personalized service. This leader will balance approachable favorites with fresh, imaginative offerings that appeal to a broad range of tastes and occasions. A visible, engaged leadership style and a commitment to training, accountability, and collaboration will be essential to delivering consistently high standards. The role will combine culinary vision with disciplined operational management. The Executive Chef will establish clear expectations and reliable systems that support quality, efficiency, and responsible stewardship of Club resources while fostering a professional environment in which team members can grow and excel. As a collaborative partner to Club leadership, the Executive Chef will translate member feedback and evolving preferences into a dining program that remains relevant, welcoming, and distinctive. This is an opportunity for a service-minded culinary professional to shape an important part of the Chattahoochee experience, strengthening the Club’s commitment to enriching member life and protecting the value of membership.

Personal Traits and Abilities

• Visionary and strategic culinary leader with an appreciation for private-club culture and a commitment to enhancing Chattahoochee Country Club’s family focused member experience.
• Highly visible, approachable, and engaged, building genuine relationships with members, guests, and staff through attentive communication and personalized hospitality.
• Detail-oriented and quality-driven, with an uncompromising commitment to food quality, presentation, kitchen cleanliness, sanitation, and service.
• Financially disciplined, with strong capabilities in budgeting, purchasing, food cost control, labor management, and menu engineering to support responsible stewardship of Club resources.
• Creative and innovative, balancing fresh culinary ideas with familiar favorites that respect the Club’s character and appeal to members across generations.
• Dedicated mentor and coach who recruits, develops, recognizes, and retains talented culinary professionals while fostering teamwork, accountability, and pride in execution.
• Develop seasonal, diverse, and member-focused menus that reflect a genuine passion for food and balance quality, creativity, value, and broad appeal.
• Demonstrate the ambition and follow-through to make the Club a preferred dining destination for members, whether gathering for a casual family meal, an intimate dinner, or a special celebration.
• Establish and consistently uphold standards for food quality, presentation, portioning, recipe execution, kitchen cleanliness, and safe food handling.
• Maintain a professional, respectful, and collaborative work environment that supports staff development, strong performance, and consistent member satisfaction.
• Develop and maintain the systems, staffing, and kitchen organization necessary to deliver efficient daily operations and consistent execution across dining and event service.
• Build productive vendor relationships and oversee purchasing to secure quality ingredients, dependable service, favorable pricing, and sustainable sourcing where appropriate.
• Evaluate culinary trends and thoughtfully incorporate relevant improvements in menus, kitchen operations, technology, and team development without losing sight of member preferences.
• Proactively seek and respond constructively to member feedback, using those insights to refine menus, strengthen consistency, and deepen members’ connection to the Club.

Qualifications

• A minimum of 5 years of progressive leadership and management experience in a hospitality environment, private clubs preferred.
• Food Safety Certification
• A degree from a post-secondary culinary arts program a plus.
• Certification from American Culinary Federation or other hospitality association a plus.

Salary and Benefits

Salary is open and commensurate with qualifications and experience. The Club offers an excellent bonus and benefit package.