Executive Chef - Sorellina by Giada

ViziRecruiter,LLC.; Joliet, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

PENN Entertainment is seeking an Executive Chef for Sorellina by Giada to lead all culinary operations with a focus on exceptional food quality and brand integrity. This role requires strategic leadership, financial oversight, and a passion for high-volume, upscale dining in a casino-entertainment setting.

You will recruit, train, and develop a diverse culinary team, partner with executives to drive guest satisfaction, and ensure compliance with health and safety standards while maintaining the

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Degree or certification in Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for all culinary operations.
• Protect and deliver the restaurant's culinary identity and high-quality food.
• Manage financial performance including food costs and labor.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing culinary team.
• Ensure compliance with health codes, sanitation, and safety standards.
• Collaborate with leadership on menu development and specials.
• Oversee purchasing, inventory, and kitchen operations.
• Maintain standards of cleanliness, organization, and presentation.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem-solving

English proficiency

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Culinary Arts or Hospitality Management degree/certification

Job description

Introduction

…

Overview

We’re always looking for talent that believes in having fun. At PENN Entertainment, you’ll get to be a part of an exciting industry, where the days and nights are fast paced. You’ll work with an incredibly diverse set of coworkers driven by their enthusiasm for helping people find and have more fun. You’ll also get to work at a company that cares about your career growth and will help you get the support you need to expand your possibilities.

Initial placement within the salary range is based on an individual's relevant knowledge, skills, and experience. Base salary is just one component of our competitive Total Rewards package, which includes wellness programs designed to support our team members’ financial, physical, and mental well-being. Specific benefits—such as day-one medical coverage, 401(k) matching, and annual performance bonus—may vary by position. Paid time off is earned according to the local policy and increases with the length of employment.

Responsibilities

The Executive Chef provides strategic and operational leadership for all culinary operations at Sorellina by Giada. This position is responsible for protecting the restaurant’s culinary identity, delivering exceptional food quality and presentation, managing financial performance, and developing a high-performing culinary team.

• Provides overall leadership and direction for all back-of-house culinary operations.
• Ensures the consistent execution of Sorellina by Giada recipes, menus, plating standards, and brand expectations.
• Partners with the General Manager to deliver a seamless, elevated, and memorable guest experience.
• Maintains the integrity of the restaurant’s culinary vision while supporting innovation and seasonal menu development.
• Oversees food preparation, production, presentation, portioning, and quality across all kitchen stations.
• Maintains a visible presence during service and ensures all food is prepared and presented according to established specifications.
• Develops, implements, and maintains standardized recipes, production procedures, and quality-control processes.
• Collaborates with brand representatives and property leadership on menu changes, special events, promotions, and culinary activations.
• Develops and manages the culinary operating budget, food-cost targets, labor goals, forecasts, and capital needs.
• Reviews profit-and-loss statements, labor reports, food costs, inventory results, and other financial information.
• Implements appropriate corrective action when financial or operational performance does not meet established expectations.
• Oversees purchasing, receiving, storage, product rotation, inventory, waste reduction, and loss-prevention practices.
• Maintains appropriate staffing and production levels based on forecasted business volume.
• Recruits, selects, trains, develops, coaches, and retains a talented and diverse culinary team.
• Provides leadership and development to the Executive Sous Chef, Sous Chefs, and other culinary leaders.
• Establishes clear performance expectations and holds culinary leaders and team members accountable.
• Conducts regular kitchen meetings, pre-shift meetings, menu tastings, performance discussions, and training sessions.
• Creates a professional, respectful, inclusive, and engaging kitchen culture that promotes teamwork and accountability.
• Partners with Human Resources on recruitment, employee relations, performance management, and succession planning.
• Ensures compliance with all applicable health codes, sanitation requirements, food-safety standards, gaming regulations, and company policies.
• Maintains the highest standards of cleanliness, organization, safety, and sanitation throughout all culinary areas.
• Ensures proper labeling, dating, storage temperatures, allergen controls, and food-handling practices.
• Ensures kitchen equipment is properly operated, cleaned, maintained, and reported for repair when necessary.
• Understands and consistently administers the Collective Bargaining Agreement, where applicable.
• Maintains accurate culinary, financial, inventory, scheduling, production, and compliance records.
• Responds to guest feedback and works with the General Manager to resolve food-quality or dining-experience concerns.
• Serves as the primary culinary liaison with property leadership, brand partners, vendors, and internal departments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Degree or certification in Culinary Arts, Hospitality Management, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of seven years of progressive culinary experience required, including at least three years as an Executive Chef or senior culinary leader.
• Previous experience in a high-volume, upscale, luxury, celebrity-chef, or fine-dining restaurant strongly preferred.
• Advanced knowledge of Italian cuisine, contemporary culinary techniques, menu development, and premium ingredients preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing food costs, labor, inventory, purchasing, budgets, and profit-and-loss performance.
• Proven ability to recruit, lead, develop, and retain high-performing culinary teams.
• Strong knowledge of food safety, sanitation, allergen awareness, and applicable health regulations.
• ServSafe Manager certification required or must be obtained within the period established by the company.
• Experience working in a casino, resort, hotel, entertainment, or union environment preferred.
• Strong leadership, communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to remain composed and maintain quality standards in a fast-paced, high-volume environment.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule, including evenings, weekends, holidays, and extended hours.
• Must be able to obtain and maintain all licenses, permits, certifications, and registrations required for the position.
• Must be able to understand and communicate effectively in English.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee must be able to work around heat, steam, open flames, sharp equipment, and refrigerated areas. The employee may occasionally lift or move up to 50 pounds and may be required to push or pull carts and kitchen equipment. Specific vision requirements include close, distance, peripheral, color, and depth perception.