Executive Chef - Upscale American Cuisine JN -092026-181571

Goodwin Recruiting; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Quarterly bonus

Five-day workweek

401(k) with vesting after one year

Medical, dental, vision, life

Generous PTO

Job summary

Goodwin Recruiting is seeking an Executive Chef for a landmark Georgetown dining venue, responsible for leading the culinary program, staffing, training, menu execution, and cost controls. You will drive quality, profitability, and a culture of excellence.

The role requires hands-on leadership in a high-volume, upscale setting with a strong emphasis on hospitality, teamwork, and guest experience. Georgetown-based, with a five-day workweek and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• 2-3+ years of Executive Chef experience in an upscale, high-volume restaurant.

Responsibilities

• Lead culinary operations with exceptional standards for food quality, consistency, and presentation.

Skills

Executive chef experience

High-volume upscale restaurant

Food cost & labor management

P&L responsibility

Menu development & culinary innovation

Staff development & coaching

Kitchen systems & processes

Food safety & sanitation compliance

Strong communication & leadership

MS Office proficiency

Tools

MarginEdge

CTUIT

Job description

Executive Chef - Elevated American Cuisine

An iconic, destination dining establishment in the heart of Georgetown is seeking an accomplished Executive Chef to lead its culinary program and kitchen operations. This is a high-profile opportunity for a polished, hands-on culinary leader who combines a passion for elevated American cuisine with strong business acumen, operational discipline, and a genuine commitment to developing people.

The ideal candidate has demonstrated success leading a high-volume, upscale restaurant, understands the financial drivers behind a successful kitchen, and knows how to build a culture of excellence, accountability, and respect.

The Opportunity

As Executive Chef, you will have full responsibility for the culinary operation, including food quality, kitchen performance, staffing, training, menu execution, food and labor costs, inventory, and compliance.

You will partner closely with restaurant leadership to deliver an exceptional guest experience while ensuring the kitchen operates efficiently and profitably.

What You Will Do

• Lead all culinary operations, maintaining exceptional standards for food quality, consistency, presentation, and execution.
• Own kitchen performance, including food and labor costs, inventory, ordering, waste control, staffing, scheduling, and P&L results.
• Lead menu development, seasonal refinement, and culinary innovation while maintaining the restaurant's established identity.
• Build, train, coach, and retain a high-performing culinary team through hands-on leadership and clear accountability.
• Establish kitchen systems and processes that support consistency, efficiency, and scalability.
• Monitor food quality, portioning, temperatures, preparation, presentation, and execution across all meal periods.
• Partner with restaurant leadership to align culinary operations with guest experience and overall business objectives.
• Use financial and operational data to identify opportunities to improve profitability and performance.
• Ensure compliance with all health, safety, sanitation, and food-handling requirements.
• Maintain a professional, respectful, and collaborative kitchen culture.

What We Are Looking For

• 2-3+ years of Executive Chef experience in an upscale, high-volume restaurant; experience overseeing an operation of approximately $8M+ in annual revenue is highly desirable.
• Strong command of elevated American cuisine and contemporary culinary techniques.
• Demonstrated experience managing food and labor costs, inventory, purchasing, and kitchen P&L performance.
• Strong understanding of kitchen systems, technology, food costing, and inventory management platforms such as MarginEdge, CTUIT, or similar systems.
• Proven ability to recruit, develop, motivate, and retain culinary talent.
• A polished, hands-on leader who can maintain high standards without losing sight of people and culture.
• Calm, confident, and decisive in a high-volume environment.
• Strong communication, organizational, and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and other business systems.
• A genuine passion for hospitality and delivering memorable guest experiences.

Why This Opportunity

• Competitive base salary plus quarterly performance bonus eligibility
• Five-day workweek designed to support work-life balance
• 100% company-funded pension with vesting after one year
• Immediate 401(k) participation
• Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, life, and disability benefits
• Generous paid time off and leave programs