Executive Chef – Italian Restaurant

Goodwin Recruiting; Boynton Beach (FL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Great salary

Fantastic company culture

Growth and development opportunities

Benefits / 401k

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting is seeking an Executive Chef for an upscale Italian restaurant opening within a full-service hotel in Fort Lauderdale, FL. You will lead the culinary team with a hands‑on approach, leveraging Italian cuisine expertise to deliver exceptional food, manage costs, and ensure consistency and high quality.

The role requires a strong track record in fine dining, experience with handmade pasta, sauces, premium steaks and seafood, and a proven ability to recruit, train, and motivate

Qualifications

• 5–7 years of progressive culinary leadership in upscale or fine dining.
• At least 2 years as Chef de Cuisine or Executive Chef in scratch kitchens.
• Strong knowledge of regional Italian cuisine and classic techniques.
• Experience with handmade pasta, sauces, premium steaks, seafood, high‑temp grilling.
• Able to recruit, train, develop, and motivate a culinary team.
• Strong food costing, budgeting, inventory, payroll, and scheduling skills.
• Execute high-volume service while maintaining quality, presentation, and consistency.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.
• Proficient with computers and strong written/spoken communication.
• Willingness to work weekends and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Lead the culinary team with hands‑on leadership and clear direction.
• Develop daily features and recipes honoring the restaurant’s identity.
• Control costs, manage inventory, and ensure profitability and yields.
• Maintain exceptional guest experience through quality and consistency.

Skills

Italian cuisine

People development

Leadership

Financial management

Communication

Team building

Education

Culinary degree

Tools

Computers

Job description

Executive Chef – Italian Restaurant

Fort Lauderdale, FL

An upscale Italian restaurant opening within a full-service hotel is seeking an Executive Chef to lead its culinary team. We are looking for a hands‑on chef with strong Italian cuisine experience, a passion for developing people, and the operational skills to deliver exceptional food while managing costs and consistency.

Benefits

• Great salary
• Fantastic company culture
• Growth and development opportunities
• Benefits / 401k

Executive Chef – Italian Restaurant Requirements/Qualifications

• Minimum of 5–7 years of progressive culinary leadership experience in upscale or fine dining restaurants.
• At least 2 years of experience as a Chef de Cuisine or Executive Chef in a scratch cooking restaurant.
• Strong knowledge of regional Italian cuisine and classic culinary techniques.
• Extensive experience with handmade pasta, sauces, premium steaks, seafood, and high‑temperature grill cooking.
• Proven ability to recruit, train, develop, and motivate a culinary team.
• Strong financial and administrative skills, including food costing, budgeting, inventory, payroll, and scheduling.
• Ability to execute high-volume service while maintaining food quality, presentation, and consistency.
• ServSafe Food Protection Manager certification.
• Proficiency with computers and strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Flexibility to work weekends and holidays.

Executive Chef – Italian Restaurant Preferred Background & Skills

• Italian steakhouse experience, including premium steak preparation and dry-aging programs.
• Restaurant opening experience.
• Hands‑on leadership style that builds teamwork, accountability, and pride in the kitchen.
• Ability to develop daily features and recipes that honor the restaurant’s culinary identity.
• Strong purchasing and production controls, with attention to product quality, yields, waste, and profitability.
• Ability to balance kitchen leadership with administrative responsibilities and deadlines.
• Collaborative approach to working with restaurant management, F&B leadership, and stewarding.
• Commitment to kitchen cleanliness, food safety, and an exceptional guest experience.
• Culinary degree or college education preferred.

JOB ID: 182276#post

Darryl Downs