Executive Chef - Giada

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day-one medical coverage

401(k) matching

Annual performance bonus

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading entertainment company in Aurora is seeking an Executive Chef to oversee culinary operations and deliver exceptional dining experiences. The ideal candidate has a bachelor's degree in culinary arts and five years of management experience in a high-profile restaurant. Responsibilities include menu innovation, team leadership, and maintaining health and safety standards. Competitive salary and benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Culinary Director in fine-dining.
• Strong track record of menu creation and execution.
• Ability to thrive in high-pressure environments.

Responsibilities

• Manage all kitchen operations, including prep and service.
• Ensure compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Mentor kitchen staff and foster a culture of excellence.

Skills

Culinary excellence

Leadership

Menu creation

Communication skills

Inventory management

Cost control

Conflict resolution

Education

Bachelor’s degree in culinary or related field

Five years of related experience

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Job description

Overview

We’re always looking for talent that believes in having fun. At PENN Entertainment, you’ll get to be a part of an exciting industry, where the days and nights are fast paced. You’ll work with an incredibly diverse set of coworkers driven by their enthusiasm for helping people find and have more fun. You’ll also get to work at a company that cares about your career growth and will help you get the support you need to expand your possibilities.

Initial placement within the salary range is based on an individual's relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our competitive Total Rewards package, which includes wellness programs designed to support our team members' financial, physical, and mental well-being. Specific benefits—such as day-one medical coverage, 401(k) matching, and annual performance bonus—may vary by position. Paid time off is earned according to the local policy and increases with the length of employment.

Click HERE to discover how we empower team members to grow, thrive, and advance in their careers.

Executive Chef

The Executive Chef is the creative and operational leader of the kitchen, responsible for delivering an exceptional culinary experience that reflects the restaurant’s celebrity brand and vision. This role combines culinary excellence with innovation, leadership, and brand representation. The Executive Chef will oversee all back-of-house operations, ensure consistency in food quality, and collaborate with ownership, management, and the celebrity partner to maintain the restaurant’s prestige.

Responsibilities

• Achieving desired results through established methods, procedures and guidelines to maintain desired standards and high-quality service. Monitor results through inspection, evaluation, and analysis. Make changes if necessary to achieve the end result.
• Execute menus that reflect the celebrity’s culinary vision and brand identity.
• Ensure all dishes are prepared with the highest standards of quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Innovate seasonal specials, tasting menus, and event-specific offerings that align with brand storytelling.
• Manage daily kitchen operations, including prep, production, and service execution.
• Maintain compliance with health, safety, and sanitation standards.
• Implement systems for inventory, ordering, waste reduction, and cost control.
• Mentor kitchen staff, fostering a culture of excellence, creativity, and accountability.
• Lead pre-shift meetings and collaborate with front-of-house leadership to ensure seamless service.
• Oversee food cost controls, labor management, and kitchen budget adherence.
• Assist in the budget process for the department and provide recommendations; ensure compliance to departmental budget initiatives; report budget concerns to manager.
• Stay current on and enforce all gaming laws and regulations applicable to the Food & Beverage Department.
• Maintain cost control methods and procedures by monitoring pars and inventory.
• Maintain established quality assurance procedures to ensure acceptable health department and customer service standards.
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements within area of responsibility and report potential issues to Executive Management / GM.
• Monitor and report on P&L performance, identifying opportunities to improve profitability.
• Participate in media opportunities, food festivals, and brand events as needed to represent the restaurant.
• Interact with VIP guests and provide personalized experiences when appropriate.
• Uphold and protect the reputation of the celebrity brand in all culinary outputs.
• Maintain strict confidentiality in all departmental and company matters.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Responsible for staff development and training programs.
• Responsible for rewards and recognition programs to maximize employee engagement.
• Evaluates team members within department and delivers constructive feedback regarding performance.
• Determines recommendations for staffing (including interviewing and hiring) and scheduling (planning, assigning and directing work) to meet business needs.
• Determines work procedures and expedites workflow.
• Responsible for employee performance (disciplining, coaching, counseling).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree (B.A./B.S.) in culinary or related field; five years of related experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience. Supervisory or management experience in hotel and/or casino environment required.
• Proven experience as an Executive Chef or Culinary Director in a fine-dining or high-profile restaurant.
• Strong track record of menu creation, innovation, and execution at scale.
• Expertise in modern culinary techniques and global flavor profiles.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-pressure, high-visibility environment.
• Experience working with celebrity, luxury, or brand-aligned concepts a plus.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be proficient in Microsoft applications (Excel, Word, and Outlook).
• Must have extensive Food and Beverage knowledge.
• Flexible to work all shifts including holidays, nights, weekends, and overtime as business needs dictate.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals.
• Ability to effectively present information to groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public.
• Ability to work with numerical data and interpret basic financial information.
• Must have the ability to interact with guests, staff and colleagues and resolve problems and conflicts in a diplomatic and tactful manner.