Executive Chef: Seasonal Menus & Flexible Schedule

The Durham Hotel; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Holiday pay

Flexible schedule

Employee discounts

Job summary

The Durham Hotel in Durham, NC seeks an Executive Chef to lead all culinary programs across our coffee bar and The Roof, including catering and private dining spaces. You will set standards for menu content, control food and labor costs, manage cash flow, and mentor the back-of-house team to ensure exceptional guest dining experiences.

Responsibilities include menu design, recipe development, staff training, inventory control, and coordinating with Sales for special events while maintaining top

Qualifications

• Executive Chef / Chef de Cuisine title
• Leadership experience across multiple units
• 7+ years of culinary experience
• Stable and progressive work history
• Strong work ethic and integrity
• Flexible schedule, including days, evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Clear English communication

Responsibilities

• Design, prepare, and update all three food menus (coffee bar, roof, catering) based on feedback, needs, trends, and seasonality
• Create, test, cost, and maintain recipes within established cost guidelines
• Collaborate with Group Sales and Management for tasting dinners, private events, and banquets
• Train the culinary team on recipes, preparation methods, techniques, and presentation standards
• Ensure excellence and consistency in recipe execution, food quality, flavor, and plate presentation
• Support day-to-day culinary operations of the property
• Directly supervise kitchen staff and oversee day-to-day activities
• Mentor, coach, and train staff to support growth; hire and onboard to ensure success
• Monitor inventory and purchasing from approved vendors, manage costs
• Perform monthly inventory and weekly ordering to maintain budgets
• Forecast staffing and production levels to align with business needs
• Identify opportunities to minimize waste and maximize profitability without compromising quality

Job description

The Durham Hotel in Durham, NC seeks an Executive Chef to lead all culinary programs across our coffee bar and The Roof, including catering and private dining spaces. You will set standards for menu content, control food and labor costs, manage cash flow, and mentor the back-of-house team to ensure exceptional guest dining experiences.

Responsibilities include menu design, recipe development, staff training, inventory control, and coordinating with Sales for special events while maintaining top