Executive Chef - Pappas Bros. Steakhouse

Pappas Restaurants, Inc.; United States; On-site; USD 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Structured training program

Competitive salary with annual reviews

Bonuses and raises potential

Dynamic, friendly work environment

Comprehensive benefits: paid vacation,

Medical, dental, vision, 401k, dining

Job summary

Pappas Restaurants, Inc. seeks an Executive Chef to oversee food quality, execution, and presentation within an assigned restaurant. This role partners with the General Manager and Lead Concept Leader team to support ongoing success and innovation of the restaurant.

The Executive Chef will lead a high-volume scratch kitchen, drive menu development, training, budgeting, and ensure compliance with food safety standards while delivering guest satisfaction and operational excellence.

Qualifications

• Culinary degree or equivalent experience preferred.
• Demonstrated culinary expertise and strong food execution skills.
• Experience creating menu items and assisting with menu development.
• Experience with multiple cuisines and culinary styles.
• Proven experience training, developing, and engaging team members.
• Leadership experience in scheduling, budgeting, purchasing, inventory management, and food costing.
• Ability to meet labor and budgetary goals.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead effectively in high-pressure situations.
• English communication required; bilingual a plus.

Responsibilities

• Oversee operation of a high-volume scratch kitchen.
• Ensure food quality, consistency, execution, and presentation standards.
• Support restaurant operations to ensure team members and systems function efficiently.
• Partner with restaurant management to drive guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with General Manager to achieve operational, financial, and staffing goals.
• Assist with feature menu development, testing, and implementation of new culinary initiatives.
• Train, develop, coach, and engage kitchen team members.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Responsible for labor, purchasing, inventory, and food cost controls.
• Foster positive working relationships with restaurant management and team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Problem-solving

Menu development

High-pressure execution

Education

Culinary degree / bachelor's preferred

Tools

Inventory management

Budgeting

Food safety & cost controls

Job description

The Executive Chef is responsible for overseeing food quality, execution, and presentation within an assigned restaurant. This position works closely with restaurant management team to ensure operational excellence, menu consistency, team member development, and guest satisfaction. The Executive Chef partners with the General Manager and Lead Concept Leader team to support the ongoing success and innovation of the restaurant.

Why choose us?

• A structured, industry-leading training program
• Competitive salary and annual performance review with opportunities for raises and bonuses
• Advancement opportunities and a commitment to the professional and personal development of each Team Member
• A dynamic, friendly, fun and fast-paced work environment
• Outstanding benefits including paid vacation, medical, dental, vision, 401k, and a monthly dining allowance to use at any location
• Opportunities to network and give back to the community

Essential Job Duties and Responsibilities

• Oversee the operation of a high-volume scratch kitchen.
• Ensure food quality, consistency, execution, and presentation standards are maintained.
• Support restaurant operations to ensure team members and systems function efficiently.
• Partner with restaurant management to drive guest satisfaction and operational excellence.
• Collaborate with the General Manager to achieve operational, financial, and staffing goals.
• Assist with feature menu development, testing, and implementation of new culinary initiatives.
• Train, develop, coach, and engage kitchen team members.
• Maintain food safety, sanitation, and regulatory compliance standards.
• Responsible for labor, purchasing, inventory, and food cost controls.
• Foster positive working relationships with restaurant management and team members.
• Perform other duties as assigned to meet business needs.

REQUIREMENTS

• Culinary degree, bachelor's degree, or equivalent combination of education and experience preferred.
• Demonstrated culinary expertise and strong food execution skills.
• Experience creating menu items and assisting with menu development.
• Experience working with multiple cuisines and culinary styles.
• Proven experience training, developing, and engaging team members.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in scheduling, budgeting, purchasing, inventory management, and food costing.
• Ability to successfully meet labor and budgetary goals.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to maintain composure and lead effectively in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to establish collaborative and productive working relationships.
• Food Safety Certification as required by local, county, or state regulations.
• Ability to read, write, speak, and communicate effectively in English; bilingual skills are a plus.
• Positive and friendly team players who genuinely love great food and want to provide superior service to our Guests!

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

This job posting contains some general information about what it is like to work at Pappas Restaurants and is not a complete job description. Pappas Team Members perform a number of different tasks every day, and this posting does not list all of the essential functions of the job.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the terms of the Americans with Disabilities Act and certain state or local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done that will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing an undue hardship on the Company. Please contact [e-mail] for assistance completing any forms or to participate in the application process.

Pappas Restaurants is an Equal Opportunity Employer.