Executive Chef: Multi-Outlet Hotel Leader

Gecko Hospitality (Corporate); Aurora (IL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision insurance

Employer-paid life and AD&D

401(k) with employer matching

Paid leave and PTO

Hotel and restaurant discounts

Incentive programs

Job summary

Gecko Hospitality (Corporate) is seeking an accomplished Executive Chef to serve as the senior culinary leader for a prominent full-service hotel near Aurora, Illinois. You will oversee multiple restaurant and beverage outlets, café service, in-room dining, banquets, catering, and special events, driving culinary excellence across diverse venues.

You will lead strategy, menu development, and seasonal innovation while mentoring the culinary team, upholding food quality and safety, and managing

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience as an Executive Chef overseeing multiple culinary outlets.
• Four-year culinary degree from a recognized culinary institute or equivalent experience.
• Strong knowledge of restaurant, banquet, catering, and hotel culinary operations.
• Proven experience managing food cost, labor, purchasing, inventory, recipe costing, and menu profitability.
• ServSafe Manager and Allergen certifications required.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including nights, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the culinary vision across multiple F&B outlets, in-room dining, banquets, catering, and other hotel culinary experiences.
• Lead menu strategy, development, recipe creation, and seasonal innovation.
• Establish and maintain standards for food quality, flavor, presentation, consistency, portioning, and execution.
• Create distinctive culinary experiences appropriate for each outlet and guest occasion.
• Lead, coach, and develop the culinary leadership team.
• Establish clear expectations, accountability, and opportunities for professional growth.
• Recruit, develop, and retain high-performing culinary talent.
• Build future culinary leaders and create a strong succession pipeline.
• Foster a culture of ownership, teamwork, initiative, and continuous improvement.

Skills

Executive leadership

Team development

Operations management

Food cost control

Education

Culinary degree

Job description

Gecko Hospitality (Corporate) is seeking an accomplished Executive Chef to serve as the senior culinary leader for a prominent full-service hotel near Aurora, Illinois. You will oversee multiple restaurant and beverage outlets, café service, in-room dining, banquets, catering, and special events, driving culinary excellence across diverse venues.

You will lead strategy, menu development, and seasonal innovation while mentoring the culinary team, upholding food quality and safety, and managing