Executive Chef | Grassa Gramma

Grassa Gramma; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Company-paid health insurance

Paid vacation

Maternity/paternity leave

401(k) match

Life insurance

Employee dining discounts

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Grassa Gramma in Louisville, KY seeks an experienced Executive Chef to lead its Italian kitchen, supervise back-of-house, manage labor, and uphold high standards of hospitality. This hands-on role partners with the General Manager to drive exceptional guest experiences.

The ideal candidate will have executive-chef experience in a high-volume Italian concept, strong food costs, team leadership, and a passion for storytelling through cuisine.

Qualifications

• Experience as an executive chef in an Italian restaurant.
• Strong leadership and coaching abilities.
• Proven track record of managing food cost and labor in a high-volume kitchen.
• Demonstrated guest satisfaction and hospitality focus.

Responsibilities

• Lead back-of-house operations and kitchen staff.
• Schedule labor to budget and maintain service standards.
• Manage ordering, inventory, and food cost using MarketMan.
• Maintain food cost goals around 28–30%.
• Recruit, hire, train, and develop culinary team.

Skills

Executive Chef

Italian cuisine

Leadership

Food cost management

High-volume kitchen

Guest hospitality

Tools

MarketMan

Job description

Executive Chef - Grassa Gramma

Louisville, KY

Grassa Gramma is seeking an experienced, passionate, and hands-on Executive Chef to lead the culinary team at one of Louisville's premier Italian restaurants.

Grassa Gramma is an immersive dining experience inspired by the piazzas of Italy, where exceptional hospitality, authentic cuisine, and theatrical presentation come together to create unforgettable guest experiences. We're looking for a chef who shares that passion and can lead a high-performing kitchen while maintaining the standards that have made Grassa Gramma one of Louisville's most celebrated restaurants.

Why Join Belle Noble Restaurant Group?

We believe great leaders deserve exceptional support. As our Executive Chef, you'll enjoy:

• Competitive Compensation & Exceptional Benefits
• Competitive salary based on experience
• Performance-based bonus opportunities
• 100% company-paid family medical insurance (employee, employee + spouse, employee + children, or full family Bronze health plan)
• 100% company-paid family dental and vision insurance
• Three weeks of paid vacation to start, with additional PTO earned based on tenure
• Two weeks of paid maternity/paternity leave in addition to accrued PTO
• 401(k) with company match up to 4%
• Company-paid $100,000 life insurance policy
• Employee Assistance Program providing counseling, legal services, financial guidance, and wellness resources
• Company-issued laptop computer
• Paid birthday off
• $500 work anniversary recognition gift
• Employee dining discounts throughout Belle Noble Restaurant Group
• Significant career growth opportunities within a growing multi-concept hospitality company

What You'll Do

• Lead all back-of-house operations and kitchen staff.
• Schedule labor to budget while maintaining exceptional service standards.
• Manage ordering, inventory, and food cost using MarketMan.
• Maintain food cost goals of approximately 28%.
• Recruit, hire, train, coach, and develop the culinary team.
• Ensure consistent recipe execution, presentation, and food quality.
• Maintain health department, sanitation, and safety standards.
• Work alongside the team during service and lead from the front.
• Partner with the General Manager to drive operational excellence and an outstanding guest experience.

What We're Looking For

• A chef with experience as an executive chef in an Italian restaurant
• Passion for hospitality and guest satisfaction.
• Comfortable interacting with guests and representing the restaurant.
• Executive Chef or accomplished Executive Sous Chef experience in a high-volume, full-service restaurant.
• Strong operational and financial management skills.
• Proven leadership, coaching, and team-building abilities.
• Experience managing food cost, labor, inventory, and purchasing.
• Italian cuisine experience preferred but not required.

A Unique Opportunity

Grassa Gramma is more than a restaurant - it's an experience. Guests feel like they've stepped into an Italian piazza, and our culinary leaders are part of that experience. We expect our Executive Chef to be visible, approachable, and willing to visit tables, engage with guests, and serve as an ambassador for the restaurant.

Our menu is well-established and highly successful. This role is less about constantly reinventing the menu and more about executing at an exceptional level, developing a strong culinary team, maintaining high standards, and making thoughtful improvements over time.

If you're a hands-on leader who believes exceptional hospitality starts in the kitchen and wants to be part of one of Louisville's most unique dining destinations, we'd love to hear from you.