Executive Chef - Hotel Daphne

Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hyatt Hotels Corporation in Houston Heights is seeking an Executive Chef to lead culinary direction across Hypsi, Bar Daphne, and the hotel’s evolving event program. You will develop menus, manage purchasing, and oversee kitchen operations to ensure consistent quality and thoughtful presentation for a growing dining and events concept.

You’ll mentor a kitchen team, drive food-beverage growth for planned event spaces, and champion the hotel’s culture and standards.

Qualifications

• Requires High School diploma or GED; culinary institute certification preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant kitchen leadership experience.
• Experience with inventory controls, purchasing, and cost management.
• Excellent verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive information.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary direction across multiple outlets; plan menus and events.
• Supervise kitchen operations, purchasing, and food preparation.
• Monitor quality, portions, and presentation to maintain high standards.
• Plan inventories, order supplies, and manage vendors.
• Train and coach staff; enforce safety and food-handling protocols.
• Collaborate with events team to support private dining and group functions.

Skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Inventory management

Confidentiality

Flexible schedule

Education

High School diploma or GED

Culinary Institute certificate preferred

Job description

Close Inclusive Collection Job Postings Notification

"I believe successful people are the ones who take the initiative to learn, unlearn and relearn. It’s important to constantly challenge your knowledge and step out of your comfort zone."

Peggy Focheux Duval: Director of Learning & Development, France

Hotel Daphne is seeking an Executive Chef to shape the culinary program across Hypsi, our Italian restaurant and lounge, and Bar Daphne, our neighborhood cocktail bar. This is an opportunity to build an evolving program rooted in Italian technique, housemade pasta, seasonal ingredients, and a fresh Houston point of view, while developing thoughtful bar bites and event menus. We’re looking for a chef who finds inspiration in the craft: refining flavors, guiding a curious kitchen team, and bringing care to every detail. You’ll also help grow the hotel’s food and beverage offerings as a planned event kitchen and additional event space take shape. Join a One MICHELIN Key hotel and help make Hotel Daphne a defining neighborhood dining destination.

Who We Are:

Hotel Daphne is a 49-room Bunkhouse Hotel in Houston Heights, shaped by the neighborhood’s creative spirit and known for its thoughtful design and welcoming atmosphere. Recognized with One MICHELIN Key, the hotel brings together Hypsi and Bar Daphne, along with a library and lobby shop, courtyard, event lawn, and intimate spaces for private gatherings. A planned expansion will add a dedicated event kitchen and additional event space.

Hypsi is a full-service Italian restaurant and lounge centered on housemade pasta, aperitivo-style cocktails, and inventive Italian cooking. Bar Daphne is a neighborhood cocktail bar with bold drinks, welcoming service, and a menu of bites to share. Together, they create lively gathering places for hotel guests and neighbors. Hypsi serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, weekend brunch, and happy hour; Bar Daphne is open nightly.

We’re Proud to Offer Exceptional Benefits, which Include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, 401K with company match
• Free room nights, Discounted and Friends & Family Room Rates
• Free parking
• Generous Paid Time Off
• Work-life benefits including wellbeing initiatives such as a complimentary Headspace
• Discounts at various retailers –Apple, AT&T, Verizon, Headspace and many more!

The Role

The Executive Chef leads culinary direction, preparation, and execution across Hypsi, Bar Daphne, and Hotel Daphne’s event program. This includes developing menus, managing purchasing and kitchen operations, and ensuring food quality, consistency, and thoughtful presentation. The Executive Chef will help prepare the culinary team and service program for the hotel’s planned event kitchen and additional event space.

The person in this position must have excellent communication skills, the ability to resolve conflict, and a thorough understanding of Bunkhouse policies.

An Executive Chef must develop and maintain the company’s culture, values and reputation in the public eye and with all staff, guests, vendors, and partners. Furthermore, they must promote Bunkhouse Vision and Core Values in all actions and decisions.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with other personnel to plan and develop recipes and menus (regular, special event, and hotel menus), considering such factors as seasonal availability of ingredients and estimated number of customers.
• Plan, direct, and supervise the food preparation, purchasing and cooking activities of multiple kitchens and outlets within the Bunkhouse establishment
• Analyze recipes to assign prices to menu items, based on food, labor, and overhead costs.
• Inspect supplies, equipment, and work areas to ensure conformance to established standards and arrange equipment purchases and repairs as necessary.
• Check the quality of raw and cooked food products to ensure that standards are met.
• Monitor sanitation practices to ensure that employees follow standards and regulations.
• Determine how food should be presented and create decorative food displays.
• Record production and operational data on specified forms
• Work with customers and the events team to develop menus for special occasions in current venues and the hotel’s planned event space, and help shape service plans for the future event kitchen.
• Meet with sales representatives to negotiate prices and order supplies
• Estimate amounts and costs of required supplies, such as food and ingredients.
• Order food and other supplies needed to ensure efficient operation.
• Check the quantity and quality of the products received.
• Follows inventory standards and procedures to consistently conduct an accurate inventory
• Prepare and cook foods of all types, either on a regular basis or for special guests or functions.
• Perform personnel actions such as hiring and firing staff, consulting with other managers as necessary
• Supervise and coordinate activities of cooks and workers engaged in food preparation.
• Instruct cooks and other workers in the preparation, cooking, garnishing, and presentation of food.
• Determine production schedules and staff requirements necessary to ensure timely delivery of services.
• Demonstrate new cooking techniques and equipment to staff
• Ensure staff has a complete understanding of their job requirements and sufficient training before holding them accountable for results through regular performance evaluations
• Maintain awareness of documentation needed and retained in employee files
• Ensure open lines of communication with staff, all departments and upper management via email, logbooks, meetings, etc., to ensure all needs of the hotel are met
• Keep abreast of safety and emergency procedures and OSHA requirements
• Attend relevant meetings

Qualifications

• High School diploma or general education degree (GED). Certification from a credited Culinary Institute preferred
• Minimum of three years (3) of relevant experience
• Experience with inventory controls (i.e. food, beverage, all kitchen supplies/utensils, and food and beverage waste)
• Excellent verbal, written, and graphic communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational skills
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality of information
• Flexible availability: weekends and nights may be asked

All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Thompson Austin - 5th and Brazos | Austin , TX , US

Hyatt Place London Heathrow Airport | London , ENG , GB

Grand Hyatt Deer Valley | Park City , UT , US

Our family is always growing. Want to be in the know?