Executive Chef - Fine Dining Modern Steakhouse

Willow Tree Recruiting; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental Insurance

Vision Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Willow Tree Recruiting is seeking an Executive Chef for a fine dining modern steakhouse. The role directs kitchen operations, develops high-performing teams, and drives culinary excellence in a high-volume setting.

You will oversee menu development, manage food and labor costs, ensure top quality and sanitation, and collaborate with leadership to deliver memorable guest experiences.

Qualifications

• 3+ years as an Executive Chef in a high-volume upscale restaurant.
• Modern steakhouse experience required.
• Proven success leading large culinary teams in fast-paced environments.
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing food cost and labor budgets.
• Hands-on leadership with coaching, mentoring, and developing culinary talent.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations for a high-volume upscale restaurant, ensuring quality and execution.
• Drive menu creativity and seasonal development while maintaining brand integrity and guest appeal.
• Oversee food cost performance through strategic purchasing, inventory management, portion control, and waste reduction.
• Manage labor strategy, scheduling, and kitchen productivity to achieve financial targets.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a strong culinary team, fostering accountability and retention.
• Establish and uphold training standards to ensure consistency and efficiency across shifts.
• Partner with the General Manager and leadership team to align culinary excellence with business performance.

Skills

Executive Chef

Fine dining

Team leadership

Menu development

Food cost management

Food safety

Hospitality culture

Job description

Executive Chef – Fine Dining Modern Steakhouse

$100,000 - $110,000 + Bonus

This established hospitality group is looking for an experienced Executive Chef to direct kitchen operations, develop high-performing teams, and drive culinary excellence. Complete with competitive compensation, excellent benefits, and career growth opportunity.

DESCRIPTION:

The Executive Chef oversees all culinary operations, ensuring exceptional food quality, strong financial performance, team development, and adherence to the highest standards of cleanliness and sanitation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead all culinary operations for a high-volume upscale restaurant, ensuring exceptional quality, consistency, and execution at scale
• Drive menu creativity and seasonal development while maintaining brand integrity and guest appeal
• Oversee food cost performance through strategic purchasing, inventory management, portion control, and waste reduction
• Manage labor strategy, scheduling, and kitchen productivity to achieve financial targets
• Recruit, mentor, and develop a strong culinary team, fostering accountability, growth, and retention
• Establish and uphold operational systems and training standards to ensure consistency and efficiency across all shifts
• Partner closely with the General Manager and leadership team to align culinary excellence with overall business performance

BENEFITS:

• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Paid time off

DESIRED SKILLS & EXPERIENCE:

• 3+ years of experience as an Executive Chef for a high volume ($10M+) upscale or fine dining full-service restaurant
• Modern steakhouse experience required
• Proven success leading large culinary teams in fast-paced, high-expectation environments
• Demonstrated ability to drive menu creativity while maintaining consistency and operational efficiency
• Strong financial acumen with experience managing food cost, labor budgets, and kitchen profitability
• Hands-on leadership style with a passion for coaching, mentoring, and developing culinary talent
• Deep understanding of food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance standards
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, hospitality-driven culture and partner effectively with front-of-house leadership