Executive Chef - Off-Premise Catering Experience Required

Dartcor; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Medical, Dental, Vision insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Collaborative team environment

Job summary

Dartcor Hospitality is seeking an experienced and passionate Executive Chef to lead culinary operations within a corporate dining environment. This role serves as the creative and operational leader of the kitchen, responsible for menu development, food quality, operational efficiency, and the leadership of the culinary team.

The role requires off-premise catering experience. The Executive Chef shapes guest experiences by delivering high-quality offerings while upholding food safety standards

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional training.
• 7+ years progressive culinary experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• Seven-day-a-week availability with a five-day work week including nights, weekends and holidays.
• Catering background with off-premise experience required.
• Proven experience in high-volume, upscale casual, corporate dining or hospitality.
• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Expertise in modern cooking techniques, global cuisine and seasonal menus.
• Solid understanding of food cost, inventory, purchasing and labor planning.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Proven ability to perform in a fast-paced kitchen with high culinary standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring quality, consistency and presentation.
• Develop seasonal menus and weekly specials aligned with brand standards.
• Oversee all food preparation processes and portion control.
• Manage food purchasing and relationships with approved vendors.
• Monitor inventory to maintain accurate food costs and purchasing controls.
• Control food and labor costs while maintaining high culinary standards.
• Ensure all kitchen stations are prepared, stocked and organized for daily service.
• Conduct regular kitchen walkthroughs for cleanliness and food safety compliance.
• Lead health inspections and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Recruit, train and mentor kitchen staff; promote a collaborative culture.
• Conduct daily pre-shift meetings and review catering events and updates.
• Collaborate with management and service teams to ensure guest satisfaction.
• Support catering production for events to maintain consistency in quality.
• Monitor guest feedback and adjust menus or processes accordingly.
• Participate in required training and take on additional responsibilities as needed.

Skills

Leadership

Menu development

Food safety

Catering operations

Team management

Education

Culinary degree or equivalent

Job description

Dartcor Hospitality delivers hospitality-driven dining experiences that strengthen workplace culture, connection, and performance. We partner with leading organizations to transform everyday moments from meals and coffee breaks to meetings and events into meaningful experiences that bring people together and support how teams work and thrive.

Through chef-curated cafés, markets, and corporate dining programs, we combine culinary excellence with intentional service, creating environments where people feel valued, energized, and connected.

As part of theDartcorEnterprises family of brands, we are guided by a shared belief: the power of hospitality inspires human connection and unlocks the potential of every community we serve.

Position Overview

DartcorHospitality isseekingan experienced and passionate Executive Chef to lead culinary operations within a corporate dining environment. This role serves as the creative and operational leader of the kitchen, responsible for menu development, food quality, operational efficiency, and the leadership of the culinary team.Off-Premise Catering Experience Required

The Executive Chef plays a key role in shaping the guest experience by delivering high-quality, consistent culinary offerings whilemaintainingstrong food safety standards and cost controls. This role requires a hands-on leader who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is committed to developing a strong culinary culture while supporting operational and financial performance.Heavy catering experience is key!

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead the culinary vision of the account by developing seasonal menus, weekly specials, and innovative offerings that enhance the guest experience.
• Mentor and develop a high-performing culinary team while promoting a culture of collaboration, professionalism, and continuous improvement.
• Oversee kitchen operations to ensure consistent food quality, operational efficiency, and adherence to company standards.

Responsibilities:

• Lead daily kitchen operations, ensuring all food production meets company standards for quality, consistency, and presentation.
• Develop and execute seasonal menus and weekly specials that align with brand standards and guest preferences.
• Oversee all food preparation processes to ensure recipes,portionstandards, and culinary techniques are followed consistently.
• Manage foodpurchasingand maintain strong relationships with approved vendors and suppliers.
• Monitorweekly and monthly inventory processes tomaintainaccuratefood cost and purchasing controls.
• Manage food and labor costs whilemaintaininghigh culinary standards and operational efficiency.
• Ensure all kitchen stations are prepared, stocked, and organized for daily service.
• Conduct regular kitchen walkthroughs to ensure cleanliness, organization, and food safety compliance.
• Maintaincompliance with all local, state, and federal food safety and sanitation regulations.
• Lead preparation for health inspections and ensure corrective actions are implemented when necessary.
• Recruit, train, and mentor kitchen staff while promoting a positive and collaborative work environment.
• Conduct daily pre-shift meetings to review menu specials, catering events, and operational updates.
• Establishclear performance expectations and provide ongoing feedback to support team development.
• Collaborate with management and service teams to ensure smooth operations and strong guest satisfaction.
• Support catering production andspecial eventsto ensure consistent culinary quality across all programs.
• Monitorguest feedback and adjust menu offerings or operational processes whenappropriate.
• Participatein required training and performadditionalresponsibilities as needed to support operational excellence.

What We Need From You:

• Culinary degree or equivalent professional culinary training preferred.
• Minimum 5–7 years of progressive culinary experience, with at least 3–5 years in a leadership role.
• The position requires seven-day-a-week availability, with a five-day work week, including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed.
• Must have a catering background - Off-premise experience is required.
• Proven experience in high-volume, upscale casual, corporate dining, or hospitality environments.
• Strong leadership and team development skills with the ability to motivate and guide a culinary team.
• Exceptional culinary knowledge including modern cooking techniques, global cuisine influences, and seasonal menu development.
• Solid understanding of food cost management, inventory control,purchasing, and labor planning.
• Strong organizational and time management skills with the ability to manage multiple operational priorities.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills when working with management, service teams, and corporate clients.
• Deep understanding of food safety, sanitation, allergen awareness, and proper temperature control procedures.
• ServSafecertification or equivalent food safety certificationrequiredor obtainable upon hire.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, high-volume kitchen environment whilemaintaininghigh culinary standards.

What You’ll Get From Us:

• Competitive compensation $90,000 -$100,000
• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Life and Vision insurance
• 401(k) to help you invest in your future
• Paid time off to help support your life outside of work
• Work alongside collaborative team members who support Dartcor’s core principles

Why Dartcor?

At Dartcor, we believe hospitality is an art form and leadership is a calling. We offer an environment where your creativity, skill, and passion will be celebrated and your impact will be deeply felt. Join a team committed to innovation, continuous growth, and delivering extraordinary experiences every single day.